Tour experience for Kolkham

Kolkahm , a small village in district of Kalimpong at state of West Bengal, India. The village is a valley of Himalaya range in around 6500 ft from sea level. In Google, I was got lot of information about that village and was too much excited to experience this beautiful village.

We was stated from New Jalpaiguri Railway station(the Gate way of North Bengal). Out Tour planer Mr Tapan Dey (Bhraman Sathi Tour & travel) was made all the arrangement for us .The car was found parked in parking place of the station on right time. Mr.Hamid is pilot for this trip . We started around 8 in morning. The car was running with the bank of River Teesta the guide for us during journey along with payen ,oak tree. It was so much romantic feeling created in this travel , where some time cloudy or some time deep fog surrounded or may cover with payen tree which create a nostalgic feelings .There was some traffic jam in Seveok bridge due to one vehicle was breakdown in between road, which is very common in hilly road. Otherwise that the road is good. After a drive of 4 hrs we reach Kalimpong, our first destination to stay of two night.

The Kalimpong is small city which is surrounded by Himalayan . Today our nest is “Aapas Residency”. A, hotel is good atmosphere around but main thing which I notice is the staff of this hotel. Some young gays age around 25 to 32 who are warm welcome us with a smiling face , they may not much experience but know to manage any situation with their smiley face, which create a very good impression to me .

After taking some good lunch , we decided to walk around to familiar with the city. It was raining in in hills which also create a dramatic atmosphere in all around. Their was lot of street food available which can be the evening snacks for us . As soon as the rain stop we found it was cold outside in mid of June, due to the tiredness of travel we decided to quite off today and back hotel.

Next day morning when I wake up around 6 in the morning it was white cloud all around and look like I was sited upon the cloud. With a Cup of Darjeeling tea , it was an amazing to me to say “GOOD MORNING” to the Mount Himalaya, who is sleeping till date time with white cloud cover . After some time as soon as cloud is clear, the city slowly wake up from sleep and I am also move to get ready for my day schedule.

With our pilot, first we visit Delo park, is covered with some beautiful flower which name may unknow to me. we also visit the Morgan House, a mansion of British colonial architecture built by an English jute baron Mr George Morgan in the 1930s ,which is also known as hunted place in Kalimpong . Now a day’s become a Hotel. But I did not find any hunted thing there. Here also a golf course which is appx 4444 ft from sea level. I decided to find some local item for my home and also for kept the memory of the trip, so move to local market.

In next day I was to much excited to visit Kolkham , my ultimate destination, for this tour was plan. It is a sunny day, we stated from Kamlimpong at around 8 in morning, and reach Lava around 10:00 am. After taking some breakfast, we visit Lava Monastery which is main point of Lava. It is give you peace for your mind,in that monastery where Load Goutam Buddha was sited in meditation.

After some time again we started to Kolkham. The road to reach in between of Neora valley national park, where if you are lucky than you can be able to saw the Himalayan Panda. Although I was not much lucky . The park is cover with big big Payne tree and the road was completely wash out due to the rain of yesterday. With the name of God, our car is moving, and also thank to Mr. Hamid who are driving the car was so well.

We reach Kolkham around 12:30 , and walk out from car, when I feel first time the village, the statement from my mouth is “it is dream come true” . The village all rounded by hills with big green tree and one side is Lava and other side is Rishop. we meet the person “Prabin” who are the caretaker of “Neora Velly Eco Huts” our staying destination. The all rooms are made with payen wood which is look so pretty. In the room we found there was a stair case which go upstairs and they putted a bed which is local language call “MACHA”. From this “MACHA” you can experience the beauty of “ Mt. Kangchenjunga” and also able to saw the full range which is “Sleeping Buddha”. I have stated conversation with Mr Praveen , as he told we can visit near by water falls which name is “changey waterfall” in around five KM from the Kolkham. we must to visit their after lunch. But before that I was start walk around in village to take some fresh breath . The village having 15 to 20 house only which is in different colour out side.it look like that may be some painter makes paint in the white canvas of Himalayan. I also like to mention one thing which is very important, that if you willing to take some special food or any thing either you have to carry the raw materials by your own from lava or have to tell your hotel very advance. Because in the village have no such kind of facility like ATM/Cash point or restaurant. This village is vegetarian village and plastic free zone. I was shocked to saw that this people who are staying very far from the so-called civilized society doing enough as they can do with nature, we who are called us Civilized people is doing enough?

After lunch drive around 5 km in the hilly road we reached the start point of changey waterfall, where we need to trek around 1 km to reach. The sound of the waterfall is so loud we even able to hard our own voice. It was tough to trek for us who are always moving in car or work in AC office. But to see the beauty we decided to trek, after 1 HR when we reach the falls, the all tiredness gone with the cold environment around the falls .IT IS SOO BIG. Spending some time with the falls ,it was going to dark suddenly . Now It will be more tough to trek back in this darkness ,so we decided to back. In the way we saw lot of unknown plant around us but was enough for me peace of mind. It was look me that may I spend more time their. But time can’t stop for any one. So with the broken heart I back to the hotel.

Next morning with a cup of tea, I wake up with the hope that may I will lucky enough to saw the “ Mt. Kangchenjunga, But the nature was think something else for me. It was cloud all around . another time my heart broken.it is time to say bye bye this village because we need to catch the train in afternoon from New Jalpaiguri.

After Breck fast , pack the bags and return journey started. I made a promises to myself to once more I will be back this village in some day. I also never forget the smiling face of Mr Pravin, and the canvas which this village was painted by the god.