The mighty Himalayas are shrouded in mystery, with untrodden paths and unexplored corners, with myths and magic, the eerie whistling of pine trees and an essence which makes you long to go back again and again.
While Darjeeling with its picturesque toy trains and tea gardens is one of the most visited locations in North Bengal, it is worthwhile to travel farther into the magnificent realms of the Himalayas with its remote villages and ethereal sights.
Tucked away in the hills of North Bengal is a little off beat village called Lepcha Jagat, with a few homestays and lodgings scattered around. The village is situated in the lap of the mountains at an altitude of over 6500 ft with fairly low temperatures.
We checked into a comfortable double bedded room with the adjoining balcony providing us with a glorious view of the neighbouring hills. If luck favours, you might even get to spot the Kanchenjunga in all its glory just by standing on your balcony!
A little way from the hotel are the pine forests for your ideal nature walk. On a cold misty day, the narrow shafts of sun-rays slanting in through the pine trees provide a breathtaking and surreal view.
On going uphill, you will find the sunrise point, the photographer's haven. Go there on a relatively clear day, and you will spot the villages on the nearby hills along with a beautiful sunrise to capture through your lens.
Our next destinations were Tinchuley and Shittong, two other remote tourist locations.
While these villages cannot boast of anything very touristy, if you yearn for a peaceful retreat, they definitely serve the purpose with their moody and prepossessing views.
We had visited in October and most of the orchards and farms were shut. These locations are ideal if you want to curl up on the couch with a shot of espresso and a warm rug and stare out of the glass windows or take a stroll during those unearthly hours.
A few hours of driving from Lepcha Jagat will take you to Lamahatta which boasts of a wonderful nature park. There is a lake in the park which can be reached by a tiring trek uphill. The lake is certainly not any extraordinary sight of attraction so it would be advisable to keep to the pine forests and gardens and enjoy the scenic beauty. Apparently, the fact that there is a lake at such a high altitude attracts the tourists, but believe me there are numerous Himalayan lakes which are far more appealing.
There is a lot of greenery and entrancing areas for photography in the park.
Do not forget to pay a visit to the Tista river, cradled in the laps of the hills, the border between Sikkim and West Bengal, a charming sight to behold and capture.
The hills have always lured me with their mysterious charm, the arresting cold coupled with the smell of pine tress and their strange myths and legends. A trip to these locations was exhilarating, a temporary relief from the dust and buzz of the metropolis. Needles to say, I'd certainly like to return to North Bengal in the near future!
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