Visit the beautiful monasteries, go for a long walk in the scenic surroundings, trek through the pine forest, relax with a picnic lunch or be at nearby nurseries to find orchids in bloom. Relish authentic Tibetan momos, buy thangkas to take back home and savour the famous cheese of Kalimpong.
-
Durpin Dara
A hill connected by a ridge on which the town of Kalimpong stands is 1,372 metres above sea level and is located south west of the town. The hill commands a panoramic view overlooking the town, the snow clad Himalayan ranges of west Sikkim, the Teesta River and its meandering valleys and the Jelepla Pass in the distance. A golf course is there off the summit.
Distance from hotel: 5kms
-
Durpin Monastery
Formally known as the Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa, the monastery was consecrated by Dalai Lama in 1976. Located at the Durpin Hill, it is Kalimpong’s largest monastery and is important because it holds the sacred Kunguyar containing all 108 volumes carried by Dalai Lama when he left Tibet. The Gompa is worth a visit for its impressive wall paintings in the prayer room, and a rare three-dimensional mandala on the second floor. Prayers are held at 4 pm.
Timings: 7:30 AM - 6 PM
Distance from hotel: 5.5kms
-
Thongsa Gompa
Built in 1692, Thongsa Gompa is the oldest Bhutanese Monastery situated in Kalimpong. The Gompa is a perfect place for mediation. Here, the Buddhist monks offer their daily prayers. The Gompa, with 219 small prayer wheels around was built in the 19th century after the earlier one was destroyed.
Timings: 7:30 AM - 6 PM
Distance from hotel: 4kms
-
Flower Nurseries
Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries which export exotic flowers like Amaryllis Lilies, Anthuriums, Roses, Gerbera, Dahlias, Gladiolus as well as Orchids and Cacti. Among renowned nurseries are Brindaban Garden Nursery, Ganesh Mani Pradhan Nursery, L.B.Pradhan Nursery, Pinewood Nursery, Standard Nursery, Shangrila Garden Nursery, Twin Brothers Nursery and Universal Nursery.
Timings: 8 AM - 6 PM
Distance from hotel: 3-6kms
-
Dr Graham's Homes
This orphanage and school was built in 1900 by Dr James Anderson Graham, a Scottish missionary, to educate the children of tea estate workers. It was through him that Kalimpong gained popularity in Europe. There’s a small museum that commemorates the founder and his wife Katherine.
Know more
Timings: 9 AM - 6 PM
Distance from hotel: 6kms
-
Deolo Hill
At 5,590 feet, Deolo Hill is the highest point in Kalimpong. One can see the whole of Kalimpong town, the snow-capped Kanchenjunga and also the villages around Relli Valley Teesta River from here. Enveloped by fresh air and an exotic landscape, Deolo Hill is an ideal getaway for relaxation and outdoor picnic. A park atop the hill is good for recreation.
Timings: 8 AM - 5:30 PM
Entry Fees: Rs.10 per person, child below 3 years is free
Distance from hotel: 9.5kms
-
Tharpa Choling Gompa
The monastery belongs to the Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect of Tibetan Buddhists. It is the repository of old scriptures and documents of the Gelugpa. Besides, the monastery contains statues of the past, present and future Buddhas.
Timings: 8 AM - 5 PM
Distance from hotel: 5kms
-
Mangal Dham
Mangal Dham is one of the finest Hindu temples in northern India, spread over two acres. The exclusive memorial was built as a tribute to Shri Mangaldasji Maharaj. The temple boasts of exquisite architecture and a beautiful landscaped garden. Built in 1993, the gorgeous prayer room has eight vibrant life sized dioramas from the Krishna Leela (Lord Krishna's story).
Know more
Timings: 7 AM - 7 PM
Distance from hotel: 4kms
-
Army Golf Club
Located enroute to the famous Durpin monastery, and situated at a an elevation of about 4,000 feet, the weather creates a perfect setting for an ideal round of golf on the undulated terrain. It is an excellent place for photography owing to the panoramic view of the imposing snow-capped peaks, the splendid valleys and forests.
Timings: 6:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Distance from hotel: 5kms
-
Cinchona Plantation
The Cinchona plantation provides cheap quinine and cinchona febrifuge which is used in the preparation of anti-malarial medicines. It is located at Munsong, about an hour from Kalimpong.
Timings: 8 AM - 4 PM, Monday through Saturday
Distance from hotel: 20kms
-
Dharmodaya Vihar
This is the residence of Buddhist monks, which houses a library and a reading room. It contains a collection of books in Pali, Sanskrit, English, Hindi and Nepali. The Vihar is run by Dharmodaya trust under Dharmodaya Sabha.
Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Saturday
Distance from hotel: 2.5kms
