Kalimpong

A pristine hill station in West Bengal, Kalimpong is well known for its Tibetan handicrafts, Buddhist monasteries, churches, and magnificent valley vistas. With an elevation of 1250 m and a view of the Teesta Valley, Kalimpong is a hill station 50 minutes east of Darjeeling in the Shivalik highlands. People claim that until the 19th century, the region was governed by Bhutanese rulers and served as a forward post for the Bhutanese Army.

Kalimpong highlights the history of Bhutan up until it was conquered by British authorities. It is dotted with ancient Buddhist monasteries, centuries-old churches, and exquisite renowned temples. Some well-known locations to visit include the Jang Dong Palriffo Brang (Monastery) and the Thongsa Gompa (Bhutanese Monastery).

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Explore Kalimpong - Nurseries

Beautiful flower nurseries are seen all across Kalimpong. It is regarded as the center for horticultural plant cultivation. renowned for its exotic variety of flowers, orchids, and cacti. The rose and dahlia varieties offered by The Standard Nursery are renowned. Universal Nursery, Sri Ganesh Moni Pradhan Nursery, and Udsai Mani Pradhan Nursery are a few other well-known flower nurseries.

Kalimpong Local Food

The cuisine culture of Kalimpong is dominated by Tibetan, Chinese, and Bengali cuisine. Here, you can also locate some tasty and delicious Darjeeling tea. Momos, Thukpa, and Churpee, a sort of cheese made from yak’s milk, are the most well-liked foods in the region. In addition to this, there are a variety of locations to enjoy drinks as well as traditional Indian meals and regional specialties.

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Best Time To Visit Kalimpong

All year round, the weather is often moderate and pleasant. The monsoon and the springtime (March to May) are the ideal times to visit Kalimpong. The hill station is best renowned for its gorgeous scenery and is located at a height of 1247 meters, therefore monsoon season is not the greatest time to come.

Kalimpong in Summer

One of the best times to visit this hill station is during the summer, which in Kalimpong lasts from March through May. In comparison to other parts of the country during these months, Kalimpong has average temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius throughout this time. 

During these months, Kalimpong’s temperature never rises higher than 30 degrees Celsius. As a result, you can be sure that the weather will be ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities while you’re at the hill station. In the summer, Kalimpong is greeted by a light wind and a clear view of the Kanchenjunga.

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Kalimpong in Monsoon

In Kalimpong, the monsoon season lasts from July to September. Ideally, this is the only time of year when most visitors deviate from the area and choose to travel elsewhere. The reason for this is that the frequent, heavy rain that Kalimpong experiences—at least 100 days a year—causes deadly landslides and roadblocks that could keep you stuck in the city for longer than you intended. 

If this is not a concern for you, Kalimpong might be a lovely place to see during the monsoon rains. The village is nearly always wrapped in fog, giving it a mysterious appearance, and the temperature ranges from 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. Being off-season, the monsoon season offers the added benefit of maybe finding cheaper rates and other advantages.

Kalimpong in Winter

Kalimpong’s winter season lasts from December through February. The average temperature during this season is between 7 and 16 degrees Celsius, but it can be as cold as sub-zero. So, the best time to visit Kalimpong is during the winter months if you want to experience the winter weather and the beautiful magnificence of the mountains.

Kalimpong also observes a number of festivals throughout this time with enthusiasm and excitement. Losar is one such celebration. Losar is a Buddhist festival that features a wide range of things that are connected to religion. Usually lasting 15 days in February, the event is a whirlwind of excitement and activity in Kalimpong. The festival of lights, Diwali, is another such celebration that energizes the hill town. 

The town is transformed into a wonderful location with lights, firecrackers, and candles on every corner during this, coupled with the celebration of Dussehra in October. The best time to visit Kalimpong to experience its culture and traditions is during the season as a result.

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F.A.Q.

How to Reach Kalimpong

Nearly 50 kilometers from Kalimpong, in Siliguri, lies the closest airport, Bagdogra. New Jalpaiguri, which has good connections to places like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, is the closest railhead.

There is no airport in Kalimpong. Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri is the closest airport. When you arrive at the airport, you can rent a cab to drive you in around 2 hours to Kalimpong.

Regular buses run from places like Gangtok and Siliguri to Kalimpong. As an alternative, you can travel from adjacent towns like Siliguri, Darjeeling, and Kurseong down to Kalimpong. The road system is fairly decent, and the mountains are breathtakingly beautiful.

New Jalpaiguri, located 72 kilometers from the main town, is the closest railway station. All of the major Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Cochin, and Chennai, are connected by it.

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Reviews
4.9/5

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is popularly known as Toy Train. The highest hill railway in India is one of the primary attractions for tourists from around the world.

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Batasia Loop

Reviews
4.9/5

An engineering marvel is the Batasia Loop. A magnificent technical achievement is located 5 km from Darjeeling. 

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Tiger Hill

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4.9/5

This location, 13 kilometers from the town and at an elevation of 2590 meters, is renowned worldwide for its breathtaking sunrise views of “Kanchenjunga”

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Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway

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4.9/5

The Darjeeling Ropeway is a rope-way in the town of Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. The 5 km long rope-way is a tourist destination in the town.

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Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

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4.9/5

The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was established in Darjeeling, India on 4 November 1954 to encourage mountaineering as an organized sport in India.

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Shrubbery Nightingale Park

Reviews
4.9/5

Located in the mesmerizing hill station of Darjeeling, the Nightingale Park is a public park area frequented by the tourists to relish gorgeous views of the Kanchenjunga ranges.