Pop: 47,000 Area Code: 03552

The pleasant town of Kalimpong at 1250m was once part of Sikkim and in the 19th century the British made it part of West Bengal. It is known for its flowers and mountain views. You may stop here on the way from Darjeeling to Sikkim. It is an interesting journey from Darjeeling to Kalimpong. There are several good walks in the area. It is nice here from September to June. It goes up to around 30ºC in the summer and down to 6ºC in the winter.

Information
You can change only travelers check at the Central Bank of India (55715), Main Rd. Mintri Transport, Main Rd, changes money. Silver Oaks Hotel, Rishi Rd, changes money for guest and may change money for others.

There is a Railway Booking Agency (55643), Mani Rd, near Rishi Rd, where trains out of New Jalpaiguri can be booked.

Gurudongma Travels (55204), Hill Top Rd, near Hotel Silver Oaks, operates high-end trekking and bike trips in the area. Kalimtrek (55448; fax 55290), Main Market, does treks, rent mountain bikes and arranges home stays.

Shangri La Services (55109), Rishi Rd, is the agent for Jet Air, Blue Dart Express for sending packages and hires out cars.

Arts and Craft Cooperative Centre sells copperware, tapestries and handicrafts made by local women (Mon to Sat 9.30 am to 3 pm & Sun 9.30 am to noon).

Gompas
Thongsa Gompa, also known as the Bhutanese Monastery was founded in 1692. The present building is not that old, because the original monastery was destroyed.

Tharpa Choling Gompa was established in 1922 by the Gelukpa “Yellow Hat” sect of Tibetan Buddhist, which the Dalai Lama belongs to. It is a fairly hard 45-minute walk. You take the path to the right just before the Milk Collection Building on KD Pradhan Rd.

Zong Dog Palri Fobrang Gompa was consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1976. It has some nice wall paintings in the prayer hall, and thangkas paintings. Upstairs there is a wooden model of heaven and a thousand-armed image of Avalokiteswara. It is on Drupin Dara Hill (Rinkingpong Hill), 4km south of town, from where the views are good. The hill is under the control of the army.

Other Places
Dr Graham’s Home is a school established in the early 1900s. It is about an hour walk from town.

The Parnami Temple on Relli Rd is dedicated to Lord Krishna.

From Deolo Hill at 1650m, which is a 45-minute walk from Dr Graham’s Home, there are some good views.

There are some big flower nurseries in Kalimpong. There is a Flower Show in Kalimpong in October.

Where to Stay—Lower
There is a lack of water in Kalimpong, and often water comes in a bucket.
Cosy Nook Lodge (55541) is a family-run place that has rooms for Rs 200/300. Water in a bucket.
Bethlehem Lodge (55185), Rishi Rd, is a well-managed place with comfortable rooms with bath and hot water for Rs 200/300. It is a good place.
Lodge Himalshree (55070) has clean rooms with common bath for Rs 150/200. It is a friendly family-run place.
Shangri La (55280), down some steps off the main road, has clean, cheap rooms.
Deki Lodge (55095), about a 10-minute walk from the bus stand, has clean rooms with common bath for Rs 125/200, Rs 175/225 with bath and Rs 400 with bath and hot water. It is a friendly family-run place. It is popular with travelers and is recommended.
Gompu Hotel (55818), Chowrasta, is a friendly older place with large rooms with bath for Rs 250/350. It has a good restaurant.
Crown Lodge (55846), in a quiet area off HL Dikshit Rd, has good size, clean rooms with bath for Rs 350/450. There is hot water in the morning and some rooms have a TV. Recommended.
Janakee Lodge (55479) has rooms with common bath for Rs 250/350 and Rs 300/400 with bath. Hot water in the morning. It is a good place.

Where to Stay—Middle
Kalimpong Park Hotel (55304; fax 55982), one km from the bus stand, is a nice, older place with a garden. Rooms with bath, hot water and a TV are Rs 900/1200. Some rooms have a view and it is a good value. It has a good restaurant. Accepts credit cards.
Orchid Retreat (55389), 3km from the town center, has rooms and cottages. It is a good peaceful place next to an orchid garden.
Gurudongma House (55204), Hill Top Rd, a few km from the center of town, has rooms for Rs 800/1000. It has tents for Rs 200.
Drolma (55909), near Novelty Cinema, is a mid-range, family-run hotel that has a good garden and views.
WBTDC Tourist Lodge (Morgan House) (55384), a few km from the center of town, is a nice older building with rooms with bath and hot water for Rs 900/1250 including meals. It is in an excellent location and has a really nice garden.
Tashiding (55029) has rooms for Rs 900/1200.
WBTDC Hill Top (55654), off Rinkingpong Rd, is an old Victorian lodge that has rooms for Rs 750.
WBTDC Shangrila (55230), on the road going to Teesta Bridge, near Novelty Cinema, is an older place with rooms for Rs 750 and dorm beds for Rs 250 including meals.

Where to Stay—High
Himalayan Hotel (55248; fax 55122), Upper Cart Rd, is a British Raj place with nice gardens and character. It has good rooms for Rs 1250/1700 or Rs 1750/2800 with meals. It has a good restaurant. It is friendly and is a recommended, good valued place.
Hotel Silver Oaks (55296; fax 55368), close to the post office, near the center of town, is a nice modern hotel with comfortable rooms for Rs 2100/2300, which includes meals. Good views and a garden.

Where to Eat
Ritu’s Fast Food, Dambar Chowk, has good Indian snacks and lassis. Ferrazzini’s Bakery has good baked goods and snacks.
Gompu Restaurant, Dambar Chowk, has good Chinese and Tibetan food.
Myal Lyang, Rishi Rd, is a good Chinese restaurant.
Maharaja has good Indian food.
Kalimpong Park Hotel has a good restaurant. Mandarin, near the taxi stand, has good Chinese food.
Himalayan Hotel has set meals. It should be booked in advance.

Travel
There are buses to Darjeeling (4 hr), Siliguri (3 hr) and Gangtok (4½ hr). Buses should be booked in advance. Shared jeeps go to Darjeeling (3 hr, every half-hour) for Rs 65 front seat and Rs 55 back seat. They are quicker and more convenient than the bus.

Mintri Transports (55241), Main Rd, is the Indian Airlines agent, and they also book flights on other airlines. They operates a daily morning bus to the Bagdogra airport and Siliguri (3 hr, Rs 100).

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