Padamchen

Padamchen is a small village on the Silk Route circuit at a distance of 14 km from Rongli and 10 km from Zuluk. The hamlet lies at an altitude of 7000 ft and is surrounded by dense forests. The place experiences pleasant weather throughout the year which is one of the main reasons behind its increasing popularity among tourists. Padamchen is also a bird watcher's paradise. The dense forests covering the entire valley is home to various species of birds including laughing thrush, honey buzzards, steppe eagles and babblers. The interior region of the jungle is inhabited by Himalayan black bear, red panda and leopards. Thambi Viewpoint is 24 km from Padamchen which offers its visitors a magnificent view of sunrise and the snow capped peaks of the Kanchenjunga range. The beautiful Kuikhola falls is just a few minutes drive from Padamchen.

View of Kanchenjunga range from Thambi View Point

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How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. Hired cars are available from both New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri to reach Padamchen. It will take around 6-7 hours to reach Padamchen from Siliguri.


Accommodation

Silent Wood Retreat. Tel: 7872895493.
Sonam Inn. Tel: 9932487358.

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Kankalitala

Kankalitala Temple is located in Bengutia village in Birbhum district of West Bengal. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali and is regarded as one of the 51 Shaktipiths. It is believed that the waist of Sati had fallen in this place. Devotees consider this temple as very sacred. Every year on Chaitra Sankranti, a festival is held at Kankalitala. There is a cremation ground situated on the bank of Kopai River.

Kankalitala

How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah to Bolpur. Rickshaws and buses are plying from Bolpur to Kankalitala. You can also take a rickshaw from Shantiniketan to reach Kankalitala.


Accommodation

There are no accommodation facilities at Kankalitala. You can stay at Bolpur or Shantiniketan.

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Lulung

Lulung is a beautiful tourist destination situated in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. The place is located on the outskirts of Simlipal National Park and is surrounded by dense forests of Sal, Mahua, Devdaru and other trees. Lulung is located on the bank of a tributary of River Palpala with perennial water flow. The lush green hill slopes, crystal clear river water and soothing peace and calmness make the place an ideal picnic spot. You can also take a stroll to the nearby Sitakund Waterfalls. The scenic beauty of the small waterfalls and a gorge filled with water is quite attractive for tourists.

Lulung

How to Reach

Trains are running from Howrah to Balasore. Baripada is easily accessible from Balasore by hired cars and buses. It takes about an hour and a half to reach Baripada from Balasore. Lulung is 38 km from Baripada.


Accommodation

OTDC Aranya Nivas. Tariff - Rs. 850. Tel: 033-22493653.

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Samabeong

Samabeong is the latest addition to tea tourism destinations in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Nestled in the middle of the Neora Valley Forest, the tea garden has a charm of its own. The Samabeong Tea Garden is situated at an altitude of 6500 ft with lush green tea plantations covering the gentle slopes of the area. The tea estate was established in the year 1882 with the British as its pioneers. After India's independence, the ownership pattern changed and the estate suffered a series of losses, mismanagement and instability and finally it was abandoned. In 1990, Samabeong Tea Estate was acquired by a new company which showed a ray of hope among the tea workers and their family. Samabeong Tea Estate is now well known for employing biodynamic farming in tea cultivation. Tea produced in Samabeong is famous in India and abroad for its unusual, distinctive taste, which is attributed to their particular cultivation technique. A trip to the tea garden will soothe your senses. Revel in the lush green tea plantations, fill your lungs with unpolluted air and enjoy the exquisite beauty of nature. Samabeong is also home to a diverse range of native and migratory Himalayan birds.

Samabeong Tea Estate

Things to do

A stay at Samabeong Tea Estate is an alternate way to stay. Wake up to the sweet call of feathery birds, take a long stroll through the tea garden and soak up some sun and fresh air. The tea garden is surrounded by the dense forest of Neora Valley National Park which is home to the famous Himalayan red panda and Royal Bengal tigers apart from a sizeable population of leopards, deer and elephants. You can set out on a quiet nature walk to spot some wild birds, or go mountain biking inside the tea estate. Enjoy a picnic by the river, hike up to the Neora Valley Forest and if you're lucky, maybe even spot the shy Himalayan Red Panda or Bengal Tiger.

While you are indoors, sit by the fireplace and play a game of chess or watch a movie on a projector. The glass library inside the resort gives you a chance to isolate yourself from the world by offering a secluded corner to read books without any disturbance and interruption.

At Samabeong, there’s no end to activities. You can meet the community of tea pluckers, share a cuppa with them, or even put on your boots and strap on your cane baskets, and learn the delicate art of plucking tea. The 150-year old heritage tea factory is where you can learn about the various processes and machines that are used in making different kinds of tea. At the end of factory tour, you can do a tea tasting session with a connoisseur.

Sightseeing

Lava Monastery

Built in 1987, this small yet vibrant monastery is just few kilometres away from Jhandi. Officially known as Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, this Buddhist religious centre is an ideal place for those who wish to spend a bit of time away from the usual tourist rush. The tranquil and serene ambiance of the monastery provides a perfect setting for the spiritual travellers who wish to reflect over things in a calm and peaceful environment. The monastery houses a 1000-armed Avalokiteshwara statue along with various Buddhist scriptures and figurines.

Lava Buddhist Monastery

Tiffin Dara

Tiffin Dara Viewpoint is around 10 km from Samabeong Tea Estate. You can watch sunrise and sunset from Tiffin Dara which is much more beautiful than that seen from Tiger Hill in Darjeeling. The place is one of the best spots to view the beautiful sunrise with the rays of sun kissing the magnificent snowy peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga. On a clear day, the vantage point offers 360-degree panoramic views of Kanchenjunga range, the blue mountains of Sikkim and the Nathu La and Jelep La pass. To reach Tiffin Dara, you can reach the nearby town of Lava by car. A 4 km trek on a meandering route along the mountainside, across a waterfall, through the forests and the sleepy hamlet of Rishyap will take you to Tiffin Dara. If walking from Lava to Tiffin Dara is too much for you, then you can reach Rishyap by car and walk the last 40 minutes upward trail. The 40 minutes trek from Rishyap through a narrow forest trail flanked by dense woods on both sides is a one-of-a-kind experience for adventure lovers.

Changey Waterfalls

The scintillating Changey waterfalls with its lavish green surroundings is one of the best relaxation spots near Jhandi. From the point where the car drops you, a 900 m walking trail through the green wilderness takes you to the front of the mesmerizing waterfalls. The awe-inspiring sight of the white, foamy water tumbling down from a height of 400 ft will leave you transfixed. The waterfall looks absolutely stunning amidst the mighty mountains and emerald thickets. The continuous singing of Himalayan birds like White Capped Water Redstart, Verditer Flycatcher, Blue Fronted Redstart, Grey Treepie, Indian Robin and Blue Whistling Thrush in the background will make you feel as if you are on heaven.

Changey Falls

How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah, Howrah and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. The journey from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri takes around 10 hours. Auto rickshaws are plying from New Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. Hired cars and shared jeeps are plying from Siliguri to Lava. Samabeong is 8 km from Lava. Shared jeeps and cars are available from Lava to reach Samabeong.

Accommodation

Tea Forest Holidays Samabeong
Tariff: Rs. 7500-8500 per room
Tel: 033-40047781, 9836514607

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Borong

Borong is a nature lover's paradise, 17 km from Ravangla in the Indian state of Sikkim. Located at an altitude of 5800 ft above sea level, the place serves as an ideal destination for spending time with nature. Borong is situated in a calm and peaceful environment with chirping birds, dense forests and mind blowing views of the snow capped mountain peaks. View of sunrise and sunset from Borong is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The prime attraction of Borong is the Dungdung Waterfalls. Apart from that there are two more waterfalls namely Rainbow Falls and Silver Falls which are also worth visiting. Other nearby attractions include Old and New Ralang Monastery, Barmili Bridge and Maenam Hill.

View from Borong

How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. Auto rickshaws are plying from New Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. Shared jeeps are available from Siliguri to reach Namchi. Shared jeep charges around Rs. 150 per head. The journey takes about three hours. It takes another one and a half hour to reach Borong from Namchi by shared car. Shared car charges around Rs. 120 per head. You can also reserve a car from Siliguri to reach Borong directly. In that case the cost will be around Rs. 4000.


Accommodation

Borong Retreat. Tariff - Rs. 4500. Tel: 9051166563.
The Wild Flower Retreat. Tariff - Rs. 1500-2300. Tel: 9830705512.
Club 8000 Mountain Resort. Tariff - Rs. 4500 for two persons (including food and one night stay). Tel: 8145294900.

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Bunkulung

Bunkulung is a picturesque Himalayan village situated at a distance of 15 km from Mirik in West Bengal. Bunkulung is surrounded by majestic hills and cascading rivers. Nestled in the lap of nature, the village is mostly inhabited by the Limbus of Gorkha community. The lush green meadows, outstretching paddy fields, scores of ponds and mesmerizing greenery make the place immensely beautiful. The Balasun and Murmah Khola rivers flow by the side of this hamlet. There are 19 ponds of pisciculture project which add to the beauty of the location. The nearby tea gardens and factories are worth a visit. You may also visit the town of Mirik which hosts the famous Sumendu Lake. Adventure lovers can go for a short trek to the nearby villages.

Bunkulung

How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. Siliguri is close to New Jalpaiguri. Bunkulung is 48 km from Siliguri. Hired cars are available from Siliguri to reach Bunkulung.



Accommodation

Bunkulung Homestay
Tariff: Rs. 1700/- per person with breakfast, lunch and dinner
Tel: 9832667570

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Barbing

Barbing is a nice weekend destination situated at a distance of 14 km from Gangtok in Sikkim. Perched at a height of 5000 ft above sea level, Barbing is blessed with striking natural beauty and mind blowing scenery. The place is surrounded by dense green forests, majestic mountain peaks and is well admired by nature lovers for its picturesque landscapes. Barbing also offers a panoramic view of the spectacularly lit Gangtok city at night. The prime attraction of the place is the amusement park which offers a range of entertainment options such as toy train, game parlour, swimming pool etc. This park covers an area of 16 acres and is very popular among tourists. Another attraction is the Lingdum Monastery which is worth exploring.

Barbing

How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. Buses and cars are plying from Siliguri to Gangtok. Barbing is 14 km from Gangtok.


Accommodation

Khangchendzonga Tourist Villa. Tariff - Rs. 3750-9300. Tel: 9674758061.

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