If your heart wanderlusts for places that brings the best in you,or you are in quest for the quiet and peace. There is a place an hour drive away from Siliguri.
Sittong, in the laps of kanchenjunga is a place none other than the word serene. The modesty and quiescent of this place will assuage the innermost and baffled corner of your soul. This place is for the lover of nature and quester of solitude .
This amazing trip will bring the best of your introvert personality.
A great weekend plan as an escape to the hills of Darjeeling from Siliguri.
60kms away from siliguri via kalijhora. The way itself is so beautiful that leads you to the place, the woods and the narrow road winding away to settle you there at the most detached state to live some halycon days of your life.
How to reach :from Bagdogra airport you can hire a taxi. The route will be Bagdogra to Darjeeling more -shalugura -kalijhora (NH 10) -Birik-sittong
From kalijhora there is a negligent turn on the left side that winds upwards, this road will lead you to this place of the blissfulness.
The best time to visit this place is during summer because the weather is cool and there will be rainfall.
Otherwise, it's scenic beauty can be most appreciated during Sept -Feb.
Also you can visit the orange orchards in the village .
As you reach this hamlet. You can sip the world famous Darjeeling tea and enjoy the fog,mist and the cold.
Are you a camping enthusiast and love to trek, well this is your game. There is local sightseeing, camping and trekking activities that are arranged by the homestay owners.
The forest of latpanchar, possess the rarest flora and fauna near to extinction, it's also a sanctuary to "salamandar ", the rarest and near extinction kind of lizard.
Bird watching and nature photography zealot will be delighted to be here,any season of the year. The weather in this part of the forest is usually damp and cold. Half of the year it pours and the other half it's spine chilling cold. Either you carry your raincoat or your overcoat, both might help you to save yourself from the fury of mother nature.
Riyang River
Every civilisation story, origins near the river bed. Harrapa and mohenjodaro had Indus. Williams had Nile. Sittong has Riyang Khola Khola in Nepali /Gorkhali means river.
This humble abode boasts a stream, as clear as a crystal, that flows down cutting through the rocky hills and eventually washing the bays of siliguri to meet the mighty Teesta.
Riyang flows between the valley of great Sittong forest area and Mungpoo cinchona plantation .
Fishing is one activity that can be accomplished in Riyang, during winter season. Mostly, because during rainy days the river is fierce and swift. The roar of this river during monsoon echoes through the valley and can be heard from as friends as the top of the shortest hill nearby.
The locals also grow paddy near the riverside. Traditional agriculture and farming is still continued by some locals. It's always a bliss to walk on the suspended bridge over the river as you watch the paddy field sway along the wind that blows. It's one of the most fulfilling sights. As you walk amidst the field ,when the wind blows gently on your face ,there is a peculiar fragrance of the soil, the paddy that connects with you and you know you are home.
Mungpoo, a nearby town, that gives you a glimpse of simole life of people of Darjeeling. The lifestyle and the slow paced routine life in hills. It's plain yet one unique way of living with ease and innocence. With no luring malls of consumerism,neither we hoard any KFC ,McDonald's outlets of obesity promotions or the super expensive caramel popcorns of multiplexes. No metro for pushing and pulling each other, no resentment towards folks who managed a sit for a hour long ride to unpleasant and stressful work.
There is no roads and hence no traffic. The people grow their own popcorn and rear their own healthy chicken. They walk up and down the hill to collect food for their cattle. Hence they have their daily treks and hiking trips as routine.
On the brighter side, the life that is a dream to many is what a everyday affair for the people of our forest.
The primordial life, as we were and shall we return.
The villages of Darjeeling will introduce you to a new perspective of humility and modesty in you. Hushed air and birds chirping, people walking to finish their daily chores and running errands of everyday life. Yet, stress seems to be an alien thing to experience .
The perks of living a slow life, and it's multitude of positive effects on you.
There are few places to see in mungpoo and it's worthwhile.
The orchid garden, that boasts variety of orchid flowers that blooms for almost a month before shredding it's beautiful flowers. Though parasitic (mostly symbiotic and wild) it is widely grown in the many villages of Darjeeling.
There is Rabindra bhawan in honour of legendary poet and writer Rabindranath Tagore. Since the district is part of West Bengal. The respect for the literature and Laureates of the past is not forgotten along with all the present day conflict of interest.
You can drive across the valley to reach this place or hike upwards through the cinchona plantatation, absorbing the nature in you and vice versa.
Sittong is a must include in your list of places to see and to be. It's a summer getaway and during winter it's has a undeniable charm that captivates the heart of all city dwellers.
To find the calm away from the chaos and if you wish to fill your soul with tranquility and enrich yourself through an intimate rendezvous with nature. You have a place to be.
Lucky are those who witness the sun rising from a hill or a mountain and not from the thick curtains across the concrete building; blessed are those who live among the nature and breath the air pure and unprocessed .
Where to stay : There are many homestay in the area. One of them being
Baralung khim him HOMESTAY;
It offers all the basic amenities in a reasonable price. we provide bed and breakfast. free parking at the location.
its pet friendly
calm and quaint neighbourhood
nature walk and star gazing
bird watching
jungle tour
You can expect random conversation with friendly people,
home cooked food, cooperative staff , comfortable stay, great location and a breathtaking panaromic view of sunrise from the Mt kanchenjunga.
You can campfire ,barbeque and strum your favourite songs sipping some hot Darjeeling tea or the local beer. If this is not what you call breaking the monotony and wonder what is?
Baralung khim him homestay contact :6297708560 (whatsapp)
9073105724