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Kalimpong

Kalimpong

hill station · West Bengal

Kalimpong sits at 1,250 metres — some eight hundred metres lower than Darjeeling and a couple of hours further on — and is warmer and quieter for both reasons.

State
West Bengal
Type
Hill Station
Best season
Winter
Things to do
2+

Kalimpong sits at 1,250 metres — some eight hundred metres lower than Darjeeling and a couple of hours further on — and is warmer and quieter for both reasons. The town's real trade is flowers. The nurseries here grow orchids, cacti and gladioli commercially and ship them out, and most will let you walk through the greenhouses if you ask. Zang Dhok Palri Phodang on Durpin hill holds scriptures the Dalai Lama brought out of Tibet in 1959. Thongsa Gompa, down in town, is Bhutanese and older. Kanchenjunga is visible on a clear morning and gone by ten. If the mountain is why you came, be up early or accept you may not see it at all. October and November for the clearest air; March and April for the orchids.

When to go

October to March, when the winter air makes the ridge walks pleasant.

Why visit

Kalimpong is the quiet alternative to Darjeeling, an hour further on and a few degrees warmer for sitting lower. Orchid nurseries, a Bhutanese monastery, and Kanchenjunga on a clear morning.

Cultural notes

Trade between India and Tibet came over the ancient Jelep La pass and through Kalimpong, and the town still carries the mix that trade brought: indigenous Lepcha, Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhist. Heritage buildings survive too, among them Morgan House, a classic British mansion.

How to reach

The closest airport is Bagdogra International Airport, 75 km away, while New Jalpaiguri Junction is the nearest major railway hub (70 km). The road up follows the loops of the Teesta river, covered by local shared or private taxis.

Kalimpong in 2 days

See the full itinerary

2 days in Kalimpong

Take the whole plan, or add any single stop.

Day 1

Day 1

Deolo Hill

Deolo Hill

Day 1

Durpin Monastery

Durpin Monastery

Day 1

Morgan House

Morgan House

Day 1

Town market

Town market

Day 2

Day 2

Orchid and cactus nurseries

Orchid and cactus nurseries

Day 2

Dr Grahams Homes

Dr Grahams Homes

Day 2

Teesta river viewpoint

Teesta river viewpoint

Day 2

Local cheese tasting

Local cheese tasting

Kalimpong guide & itineraries

Kalimpong is perfect for

naturecouplesfamily

What & where to eat

Kalimpong lollipop

Kalimpong lollipop

Local dairy sweets and hardened cheese chew

churpi

churpi

Local dairy sweets and hardened cheese chew

Hill bakeries

Hill bakeries

Breads and cakes from old bakeries

Kalimpong cheese

Kalimpong cheese

The hill town famous local cheese

thukpa

thukpa

Steamed dumplings and noodle soup

Momos

Momos

Steamed dumplings and noodle soup

Nepali thali

Nepali thali

Hearty hill meals

Aloo dum

Aloo dum

Hearty hill meals

Nearby getaways

Gangtok (SK)

~3 hrs

Teesta Bazaar

~45 min

Things to do

How to spend your time in Kalimpong.

Zang Dhok Palri Phodang (Durpin)

Zang Dhok Palri Phodang (Durpin)

Hilltop Tibetan monastery

Flower nurseries

Flower nurseries

Orchid and cactus nurseries the town is known for

Hidden gems

Teesta river & Morgan House

Teesta river & Morgan House

Riverside stop and a colonial mansion

Popular attractions

The places in Kalimpong most people come for.

Zang Dhok Palri Phodang

Zang Dhok Palri Phodang

Attraction

Deolo Hill Park

Deolo Hill Park

Viewpoint

See all attractions

Frequently asked questions

What is Kalimpong known for?

Flower nurseries (especially orchids), Himalayan views, Buddhist monasteries and its local cheese.

Best time for Kalimpong?

March to May and October to November for clear views.

Been to Kalimpong?

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