Kalimpong (Sikkim)

Set in beautiful wooded mountains Kalimpong is a remote hill station about 80 kms from Darjeeling is known for its beautiful orchids. The Tharpa Choling monastery has a library of Tibetan manuscripts and thankas which can be visited. Kalimpong also offers pleasant hikes and walks through rice fields and tea fields around the town.

Kalimpong's attractions include three Buddhist monasteries, spectacular churches, an excellent private library for the study of Tibetan and Himalayan language and culture, a sericulture centre and a fine view of the surrounding countryside.

Kalimpong is an important orchid-growing area and flowers are exported from here to various countries. The Sri Ganesh Moni Pradhan Nursery and the Udai Mani Pradhan Nursery are among the most important in the area. There's a flower festival in Kalimpong in October.

Kalimpong has a well laid-out golf course near the Durpin Dara Monastery. The monastery was built in the mid-1970's at Durpin Dara and consecrated by the Dalai Lama. The view from here is breath-taking. The nine-hole golf course at Senchal ( near Darjeeling) is one of the highest in the world.

How to get there

By Road: Kalimpong is well connected to the other major East Indian Himalayan destinations of Gangtok and Darjeeling, both of which are less than 3 hours away.

By Air: Bagdogra (80 kms away) is served by regular Indian Airlines and Jet Airways flights from Calcutta and Delhi.

By Rail: New Jalpaiguri (77 kms away) is the nearest mainline rail station for Kalimpong.