About 17 km from Ravangla, Borong is a small hamlet in South Sikkim that's mostly famous among the Ornithologists as it is filled with exotic flora and hundreds of chirping birds. The landscape of this small hamlet is truly unmatched.
Not only the natural beauty, but also the people of this village are extremely humble and friendly in nature.
What to do in Borong?
Borong is located at an altitude of 5800 feet, and a perfect for nature lovers. It's so popular among the ornithologist that you can find dozens of them, at any point in time, with their heavy duty gears. Some indigenous birds which can be found in this region are scarlet minervet, Himalayan pheasants, sunbirds, black magpies, etc.
If you have interest in trekking or hiking, this place would be ideal for you. As previously mentioned, people here are very friendly in nature and very helpful. So, you can do village hikes and experience the local livelihood and the native culture.
From Borong, it is possible to go for trekking to the Siniolchu, Pandim and Narsingh peaks. Also you can go for Maenam Hill Trek where there are superior opportunities for bird watching and postcard-perfect views. Another good option is to go on a trek to Bhanjan Valley for excellent views of the mountain ranges.
If you are searching for a place to relax for few days in a quiet and pristine environment, this place is for you. You can select any homestay or resort in this area and just relax for a couple of days.
How to reach?
By Air : The nearest Airport is Bagdogra, which is 144 km. It will take nearly 5 hours to reach Borong from Bagdogra.
By Rail : The nearest railway station of Borong is in New Jalpaiguri, which is nearly 160 km.
You can take shared vehicle from NJP or Bagdogra till Ravangla. From Ravangla it is only 17 km. which takes nearly 45 minutes to reach. Or you can take a cab directly from NJP/Bagdogra to Borong.
Best Time to visit :
You can visit Borong any time of the year except the monsoon time. During October to March, the travelers can see amazing view of snow-capped Himalayas from Borong.
Trekking or hiking in this time period is best. During the month of February, Borong hosts a grandiose festival along the banks of River Rangeet. During April to June, travelers can enjoy the serene ambience and witness the vibrant vista of blooming flowers in the valley enclosing Borong.
Accommodation :
1. Himalayan View Homestay :
Himalayan View Homestay is located in the lap of snow peaks mountains with clear vision of Mt. Narsing, Pandim, Sinolchu and even Kanchenjunga. Manjeel Gurung, the host of this homestay and his family are generous, humble, caring, fun-loving and try their best to make your stay unforgettable. Nature lovers would really enjoy the peace and tranquility of Borong with amazing views. Beside all these you can definitely get to know all the cultures and lifestyle practiced here and also the traditional methods including foods, cuisines, etc. You all can get the real feel of village life where only the peace environment exists.
You can contact Manjeel in this number : 8116246579 / 9735860060.
2. Wild Flower Retreat :
This is the famous name in this region. Wild Flower Retreat is a destination by itself due to its location and the abundance of open space. Therefore, you can spend hours in our gardens, take a lazy stroll down the village road or the jungle trails. The retreat offers an excellent vantage point for watching rare birds. For tariff and reservation you can visit their website.
Nearby Attraction :
As already mentioned, once you are in Borong as per your choice you can do whatever you want. If you are a bird enthusiast, go for it. If you have interest in trekking, you have lot of options like Maenam hill trek etc. If you want to relax, obviously this is one of the best place in this region. However, there are few points which you can further explore once you are in Borong. These are :
1. Ralang Monastery
2. Buddha Park
3. Samdruptse
4. Temi Tea Garden
5. Ralong Hot Spring
If you are looking for an offbeat place to visit in Sikkim, Borong will be your ideal choice.
What is your favorite offbeat destination in Sikkim? Let us know in comment section. You can also share your story in Tripoto and earn Tripoto Credits.
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If you are looking for an offbeat place to visit in Sikkim, Borong will be your ideal choice.
What is your favorite offbeat destination in Sikkim? Let us know in comment section. You can also share your story in Tripoto and earn Tripoto Credits.