Every year, we stay at our home and celebrate Holi. But this year decided to travel West Bengal hill stations. When I announced the plan to my family, they got excited because we love hill drives over other tours. We are a family of five persons(Myself with wife, Debjit(brother) with wife and daughter(12yrs). As per the plan, we packed up our luggage as less it could be and stepped into the car on 6th March'20 evening at 5.30 pm.
Vehicle: Innova Crysta GX Manual
Departure: Our first stop was Azad Hind Dhaba for dinner, which is familiar to maximum roadies travelling to Siliguri at night. This dhaba cook Punjabi food deliciously. Had some chicken Butter Masala and Butter naan to fuel the energy for the night drive. After dinner, we commenced our journey to Siliguri via Moregram, Malda, Raigunj, Islampur.
Day 1: Checked in at Hotel Malisca at Siliguri at around 8.30 am. For the last few trips, I prefer to stay at this hotel due to its position. It is located just at the junction of Sevoke road with proper parking facility. After breakfast, we went for a short nap to overcome the lag due to the night's drive. As we did not want to make this tour very hectic, so we kept it a lazy activity throughout the journey. Though toured twice in between still, I always try to get some opportunity to visit Mirik. I decided to leave for Mirik at noon. After a few photoshoots, we strolled through the pine walkaway crossing the Bridge. Our kid enjoyed the place too much as it was her first time. After sunset, we headed for the hotel. Let's have some pictures from Mirik
The Bridge above the lake
Sunset near Mirik
Day 2: Woke up late as we were supposed to visit Kalimpong, which is barely 90 mins from Siliguri. So took our time had breakfast and started around 10.30 am. Reached Kalimpong safely and checked in to Sinclairs Retreat. Excellent property with adequate provisions for all generations. We chose the day to visit nearby places by walking. So after lunch, we left for a walk around the area. Unfortunately, due to sudden rain, we had to return to the hotel.
Sinclairs Retreat at night
Day 3: We kept this day for sight scene around Kalimpong.
Places to visit:
1 Deolo Park
2. Durpin Dara Hill
3. Dr Graham's Home
4. Pine View Nursery
5. Kalimpong Science Centre.
First to Deolo Park. Heard about this place a lot from fellow visitors—a beautiful scenic place to stroll around with a view of Kanchendzonga range in a cloudless day. Out of bad luck from last day, we saw glimpses of the Lord, i.e. Mt Kanchendzonga for few mins behind the cloud. One point to mention here is there is a parking issue. If you have booked in WBTDC Guesthouse inside Deolo park you are allowed to take your vehicle inside. Otherwise, you have to park outside, which is not that tough if any fellow travels driver allows you.
Our next stop was Durpin Dara Hill viewpoint. Again saw nothing from there due to fog and mist all around. Then we visited Pine View Nursery. We liked the place very much. Few rare cactus plants found there. After taking a few snaps, we left for our next destination. But unfortunately, Kalimpong Science Centre was closed that day, so we came back to the hotel by dusk. Next day we planned to move to Dooars. But after calling the resort manager at dooars, we came to know that Jungle Safari is closed due to Holi. So as there is no use of visiting dooars without jungle safari, we decided to go to Darjeeling. After searching through Goibibo found two rooms in Sterling resort, Ghum.
Guest House inside Deolo Park
Deolo Park view
Partial View of Kanchendzonga from Deolo park
Cactus at Pine View Nursery
Day 4: Reached Darjeeling via Peshok Road. This route is tourists paradise due to its picturesque view. Driving through the Pines and Tea Gardens gives a delightful feeling. After reaching Ghum, the entry road to Sterling resort is a bit tricky. It's a narrow lane on the left side where hardly two SUVs cross side by side. In some places, you have to allocate space by reversing to give way to an opposite approaching vehicle. The weather was gloomy and moist—no vision beyond 200ft. We decided to visit Glenery's in the evening. Due to parking issues in Darjeeling, we decided to book a rented vehicle. But suddenly my Niece's health did not allow to move. We had to cancel our program and stay back at the hotel.
Sterling Resort with my Wife and Sister in law
View of Ghum Town from Kanchendzonga Viewpoint at the hotel
Day 5: Take every chance in life because you might get it once. I always believed in these words, so without wasting time at bed got up early and hit the viewpoint of the hotel on the rooftop for the first light on Kanchendzonga. After waiting for 15 mins till sunrise came back disappointed getting a birds-eye view of Ghum town only. Actually, by my travel experience, I have observed winter gives a better chance to view Himalayan peaks for sure. Later after lavish complimentary breakfast, we started for Rishyap through Kalimpong, Algarah, 6th-mile. After Algarah, the road condition was average. Last 3kms to Rishyap was very poor due to total broken roads. Our car's suspension got a tough time, and you have to be very careful about dodging an underbelly hit. We stayed at Neora Valley Resort. The position of the resort will make you forget the last lap of the terrible journey to the hotel. Having a cup of coffee on the LawnLawn will make you feel as if hovering in the sky. Later after dusk, the resort staff arranged a bonfire with Chicken Tandoori roasted live. The chill was excellent, ranging around 7°C to 9°C.
Having Coffee with Debjit at Lawn
With my Niece enjoying the environment
Myself with Brother( Debjit)
On Clear Day Kanchendzonga is visible from of the Lawn
Neora Valley Resort with our Crysta
Bonfire
Day 6: Started lazily as our goal was very near to Kolakham. The road from Lava to Kolkham is better now. One of my roadie brother Mr Abhisek Lahiri from Kolkata suggested me this place. Its worth to hear his advice because after reaching the place I felt it a jewel in this part of the state. Cool. A silent, peaceful place where only you will hear the melodious sounds from birds. It is a birding utopia. Appreciated the beauty taking some snaps though I am not a pro photographer. We checked in a homestay named Star Holidays International. The operator is from Kolkata. It is a Duplex accommodation. Clean and all amenities available like other good homestays. They charged Rs 2500/- for shelter and 500/- per head for meals.
Later after lunch started for Changey Falls. A 900ft walking trail from the last motorable point took us to the final score. Visitors percentage was meagre. We enjoyed the trail by cooling our eyes in the lap of raw nature. Took some snaps of the falls and started our return journey to the homestay. In between the trail to the parking, there was a temporary refreshment kiosk for tea, water and juice if required. We booked for a day only in Kolakham. But the place is at least a two-day stay if anybody wants to dip in raw nature without disturbances.
Few photos from Kolkham
Our Homestay( Star International)
Walking trail to Changey Falls
Changey Falls
My Niece in front of Changey Falls
Me, Debjit and my Niece
Kanchendzonga as viewed from Homestay
Day 7: Day to return home. This trip was special to me as we travelled without hurry and decided our destinations daily. Usually, we always make our itinerary fixed with all bookings.
After breakfast and a few photoshoots, we started our journey back home. We took the route via Lava, Gorubathan. Damdim to Siliguri. The road was excellent after 5kms from Lava. Actually, work was going on to widen the highway. Couldn't resist stopping at Gorubathan to take some photos with Tea Gardens. We decided to make it long without any stay in between due to some emergency work at the office. Giving some pit stops for energy and bio breaks, we reached home after midnight. It was a compact and smooth tour which ended smoothly
Some Concluding Pictures
Between Kolakham and Lava
Beautiful Landscape of Gorubathan