Darjeeling’s Eye-catching Green 5 Rural Towns!

Green 5 Rural Towns

Takda, Darjeeling

Takda is about 30 km from the main town of Darjeeling. Kanchenjunga cannot be seen from here, but the horizon can be seen with dense greenery and tea plantations of all the famous companies. The beautiful scenery is one of the main attractions of Takdar. Here the accommodation of tourists is on the top of the hill and the accommodation of those who work in the tea garden is near the tea garden below. At night, when the light is on in their house, it seems that the stars of the sky have come down to the earth. It’s a beautiful feeling. Tinchule is 3 km away from here. One of the best places to see and enjoy Kanchenjunga with your eyes full. 

Green 5 Rural Towns

An early morning departure from Takda to Tinchule can be one of the most memorable days of your life, and the rest of the day can be spent viewing the colorful orchids at the Takda Orchid Center. This village, nestled in the lap of green hills, however, still remains a dormant destination for tourists. However, with the growing trend of traveling to secluded locations outside the popular tourist spots, Takdai may become a popular tourist destination in the near future. The word ‘Takda’ or ‘Tukda’ in the local language means ‘covered in clouds’. In fact, this hamlet is wrapped in greenery on the mountain slopes covered with clouds. The most beautiful tea gardens of Darjeeling district will be found in this Takda. On the hilly route, one wants to get lost amidst the green tea plantations.

May this beauty become sky in rainy season. So less and less travelers come here throughout the year. Darjeeling’s most beautiful, hillside tea garden Rangli-Rangliot tea garden is located here. The beauty of this tea garden is hard to believe if you don’t see it from the front. It seems as if the artist has carefully painted this beautiful mountain princess. There are plenty of places to visit near Takda. A little further down from the Rangli Rangliot tea garden is the Gile Bhonjong Bazar crushing view point. From here you can see places like Kalimpong, Durpin, Tiger Hill, Rambi Khola etc. This scene is perfect in one word. Besides, Takda Orchid Center is 6 miles away from Takda Bazar. You will be mesmerized by the colorful orchids.

Three km away from Takda is another hill hamlet called Tinchule. This Tinchule is now a well-known tourist destination. The confluence of the Teesta and Ranggit rivers from Tinchule is a magnificent sight. Besides, Lamahatta, Durpin, Peshak, Mongpu, Chhota Manggawa are all within 12-14 km from Takda. So it can be visited day by day. There is also a small monastery at Takda. Don’t forget to watch. The calm and mellow atmosphere of this monastery evokes serenity. Also, Reshop, Lava, Pedong, Silarigaon, Kalimpong can be easily visited from Takdah. Takda can be one of the best addresses for those who want to spend a couple of days away from the busy and urban life. Darjeeling is only an hour’s drive from here, so a visit from Takda to enjoy the nostalgic toy train and Kanchenjunga can easily be one of the best trips of a lifetime.

How to go & where to stay

Distance from New Jalpaiguri to Tukdah is 90 km. 33 km from Kalimpong and 30 km from Darjeeling. You can stay overnight at Takda Heritage Bungalow, an English-style bungalow now in a new look, sitting on the green grass lawn in front of the bungalow offers plenty of opportunities to get lost in nature. (Green 5 Rural Towns)

 

Lamahatta, Darjeeling

Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you can visit the Sherpad village of Lamahatta (Lamatta in local pronunciation) far away from the glare of Darjeeling. Located at an altitude of 5700 feet, this village is inhabited by hill tribes like Tamang, Bhutia, Dukpa etc. The Indian government arranged for Tibetan lamas to live here, hence the name Lamahatta – a collection of diversity. Pine forest, mountains, sky, silence and the simplicity of the villagers are here together. Although it is a three to four hour drive from NJP, once you reach here, all the fatigue will disappear in an instant with the beauty of the place and the hospitality of the villagers. A unique Ecopark will be seen in the first place of the village.

Inside the pine forest, there is a wonderful combination of trees, mountains and numerous flowers in this park. Since 2012, the tribals have carefully built this park with the help of the government initiative, where the entry permit is available for 10 taka. Inside the park there are beautiful seating areas that will attract photo lovers and there is a wooden watchtower. As far as the eye can see only thick forests of evergreens. Huge pine trees are standing majestically touching the sky and along with them flags of various colors are waving, local people believe that the wind blowing through this flag cleans the surrounding environment and people’s minds. A winding road has been cut through the forest to go up to the garden.

Resist the lure of mountain road trek adventure. Reaching the top you will see a beautiful lake which is very sacred to the villagers. The public life here is very simple, simple, devoid of noise. Seeing it fills the mind and soul. They are happy with little things and have great unity among themselves. Mornings and nights here are most enjoyable. As evening falls, the surroundings are quiet, the nights even more lonely. There is no noise, as if you are surrounded by nature in an uninhabited desert. At night nothing can be heard except the continuous call of some familiar insects. One of the rarest attractions here are the rare orchids.

The environment is the secret of creating rare orchids, along with endless water. Neither too cold nor too hot, Lamahatta is crowded. If you want to see orchids, you should go in November. There are many other places to explore around Lamahatta which are very close to Lamahatta. Danda is only 3 km from Lamahatta by car. There is a ‘Hill Top Old Fort’. Peshok view point is just 6 km from Lamahatta. A little trek from Lamahatta is ‘Dense Dhupi Plantation’. It is beautiful with various spring flowers and greenery.

You can see the Hill Top Water Bodies, these two small ponds on the top of the hill are very sacred to the local people. The Road Side Garden is also a must-see for its magnificent flower and orchid gardens. There is also a watch tower here. Takda A Orchid Center, T-Estate, Borbate Heritage Hanging Bridge is like visiting. Moreover, there are some amazing treks for those who are attracted to trekking. 

How to go & where to stay

Many trains are going from Sealdah to New Jalpaiguri. Some of them are Darjeeling Mail, Uttarbanga Express, New Jalpaiguri Express, Padatik Express, Kanchankanya Express. All these trains leave the previous night and arrive the next morning. Those who want to go in the morning can catch the Kanchenjunga Express, which arrives in the evening. If not, they can arrange where to stay. There are two routes to Lamahatta.

One from Siliguri to Teesta Bazar to Peshak and then Lamahatta. The other is from Siliguri to Mangpu, Peshak via Lamahatta. The second path has Kabiguru Smriti Vijarit Mongpu as overlay. If you have time, it would be nice to visit Kabiguru’s house. Those who are going directly to Darjeeling can also visit Lamahatta after sleeping from Darjeeling. Lamahatta is only 10-11 km from sleep. Accommodation is at Lamahatta Lodge, currently a ‘homestay’ with lodging and food facilities. (Green 5 Rural Towns)

 

Tinchule, Darjeeling

A small hamlet sleeping in the far reaches of Darjeeling is fondly called Tinchule – A small hamlet in the Himalayas. Tinchule Village in Takday Old Cantonment Area of Karshiang. Distance from Siliguri is 80 km. The name Tinchule means – three furnaces or ovens! The residents have turned their village into an eco-urban village. If you are a nature lover, foodie and bird lover, then Tinchuley is the place for you. The natural beauty here is breathtaking. No less than heaven! The eye-catching greenery and the hospitality of the villagers will be remembered for a lifetime.

From here a 180 degree view of the entire Himalayan range is available. In particular, there is hardly a better place to enjoy the eye-popping beauty of Kanchenjunga than in Tinchule. The magnificent form of Teesta can be seen from Gumbadara view point. Tinchule can be called heaven for photo-hunters. Especially if you want to take sunrise-sunset photos. If you go in November-December, you will get clear sky. The nature of three haired attraction. The green mountains nearby and snow capped peaks in the distance will blow your mind. In the middle of the green hills, the snow-capped Dhbal peak peeks out from a distance. Apart from this, the attraction of Tinchul is the orange garden.

If you go during winter, you will see ripe oranges on trees. The orange grove here is spread over a long area. Takda Orchid Center is nearby. Take a look at Tinchule Monastery. For those who love birds, the trident is important. There are many colorful birds here. There is pleasant atmosphere almost throughout the year. You can go out in any season for this purpose. But the best time to go is September to April. For those who love to watch birds, there are also special finds. Walk straight into the Bird Watching Center. Colorful birds can be seen. There is a tea garden.

How to go & where to stay

Tinchul can be reached by car from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri. The distance is 32 km, 35 km and 80 km respectively. Tinchule can be reached from New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri via Darjeeling or Kalimpong. There are many home stays in Tinchule. Rai Resort, The Village Guesthouse, Gurung Guesthouse, The Heritage Guesthouse etc (Green 5 Rural Towns)

 

Jhandi, Darjeeling

Jhandi is the name of making one’s mind happy without being upset by watching the play of foggy clouds. This is like a cloud house. The beauty of the forest across the hills and valleys. How many shades of green around. Many unknown birds are known at the bird fair. The best address to spend a little solitude from the monotonous life. From New Mall Junction, go through Malbazar, cross Garubathan, soak your feet in the water of the Chel river and go straight up to a height of 6300 feet. The Retreat (The Retreat) or Jhandi Eco Hut (Jhandi Eco Hut) is waiting for you. This is your home.

Sipping hot tea on the balcony of the pine wooded bungalows and watching the Kanchanjhanga in front and roast chicken in the bone-chilling winter at night will give you a sweet feeling of light refreshments. If it is on the forehead, you will not be deprived of seeing Nathula’s form. Walking around on foot is not a bad thing, with the sky-kissing mountain range all around and the vast Duars and Teesta flowing down the middle of it in a different way. want some adventure  & go to Geet Jhora? 4-5 km straight down the jungle path, dip your feet in the cold water of the river and come back to the bungalow.

If you want, you can go to Samabyong Organic Tea Garden as a side scene, the distance is only 7 kilometers. You can see the tea making process by entering the green carpet garden. Besides Lava, Reshop, Lalegaon, Kolakham and Duars, these can be visited in a day. Dense tea plantations on both sides, blue hills in the distance, sweet sunshine covered with mist and in the middle like a smooth black ribbon, Jhandi has to go through a winding road. When you reach Jhandi, you will think where I came from! Surrounded by steep hills, in the forest on both sides, there are countless flower markets. The cloud team is playing hide and seek with you.

And sometimes the veil of clouds is removed and the Kanchenjunga of Chouni shines like a new bride. There are only birds and nature. It is nice to walk on the Pakdagu route. Far away from the familiar world, it is like facing oneself. There is no market or shop in Jhandi. For shopping you have to go to Lava, Algara or Garubathan market. The night of Jhandi is more lonely. Aranyaka nature in moonlight is unique.

Get a chair on the front lawn when it gets dark. Dots of light on distant hills, endless galaxies overhead and strange noises across the landscape. As soon as you take the first sip of a steaming cup of coffee, you will think – Ah, how beautiful life is..!!

 

Srikhola, Darjeeling

Sreekhola – a small village in Darjeeling not usually visited by tourists But those who go for Sandakphu – Falut trekking stop for a moment at the beauty of Srikhola. Here the guests are welcomed by the calm and beautiful Srikhola river with the two hundred year old suspension bridge towering over it A momentary rest in this village surrounded by greenery provides fresh oxygen to the nomadic mind There is an electrical problem here Can’t charge phone or camera because it runs on solar Even at night there will be a little power light in the house It is difficult to find variety of food here It is also subject to some expenses Mainly vegetarian food is available But yak meat is sometimes available And yes, there will be rhododendron wine

how to go

Car hire is available from NJP, Siliguri, Bagdogra or Darjeeling Share jeeps are also available from Siliguri or Darjeeling Junction But it goes as far as rime If you give a little more money, they will release you in Srikhola The journey from Darjeeling to Rimbic is 5-6 hours. It takes 15-20 minutes to reach Sreekhola from Rimbic. Rimbic bus at seven in the morning will also be available from Darjeeling bus stand. (Green 5 Rural Towns)

where will you stay

Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council’s Trekkers Hut (GTA Lodge) is located above the Srikhola river. Advance bookings can be made from Kolkata and Darjeeling offices. Otherwise spot booking is also available. There are two double rooms in the market. Rest of the rooms are dormitories. There are also Sovraj and Goparma lodges in Hote You will get accommodation there, they will also arrange your trekking For all urgent information and hotel booking, you can contact the office of the State Tourism Corporation. (Green 5 Rural Towns)

Checkout this article: 5 Beautiful hill villages of Darjeeling!