We started our tour fo North Bengal from Sittong which is also known for white orchards then we travelled to Kurseong which is famous for Tea gardens. From mid September to November is the best time to get a clear view of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Date of Journey - 6th November & 7th November 2024
Gadgets that we use:
Gadgets we use for Visa2explore & Harish Bali Travels.
Sony A 7 111 camera: https://amzn.to/4clE2zI
Z -90 Sony: https://amzn.to/3SO8T10
Go pro Hero 12: https://amzn.to/46GULw6
IPhone 15 Pro: https://amzn.to/3YJgr8Y
For Background Music, we use “Epidemic Sound” in our videos. You can use it from the link below.
https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/ujnsd6
For the Delhi to Sittong journey video you may watch ep - 1 (BTS) on “Harish Bali Travels” Youtube Channel.
We stayed at Yang Cottage & Restaurant in Sittong, we had paid Rs 1800 per person which includes the Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Mr. Sumit - Phone number - 7908530759
Double occupancy room 1800 per person and single occupancy room tariff Rs 2500
Ahal Dara View Point - Sunrise view point and also popular viewpoint of Mt. Kanchenjunga,you get a beautiful valley view from this point. There are also a few guest houses near that area. There are also many Cinchona plantations around this area which are helpful in the treatment of malaria. On our way back to our cottage, we also saw Kiwi Orchards, we could not see
We were lucky to get such a clear view of majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga usually there are clouds. Chances of such clear view are more in the period between 15th oct to 30th november.
Namthing Pokhri Lake - This holy lake, which is active during monsoon, also popular for the Himalayan Salamander which is an endangered species. Although there is no water in the lake, the scenic view of this place is a beautiful, dense forest of pine trees.
Tar Longho Lepcha Buddhist Monastery - built in 1831 made out of bamboo & mud which belongs to lepcha which are indigenous community in the Darjeeling district of west bengal.
Lepcha Falls - located in Sittong II. It takes about 20 min to walk through the rough terrain to reach the falls.
Jogi Ghat Bridge - After 500 m from lepcha falls, we visited this bridge, built on the Riyang River. There are few accommodation & eateries around this area.
Ditya Food Corner - We had veg thali - Rs 130.
Rabindra Bhawan Mungpoo - This was the place where Noblelaurette Rabindra Nath Tagore ji stayed from 1938 to 1939. Due to diwali pooja the Museum was closed. During our visit to Kolkata we visited the Jorasanko Thakur Bari - Ancestral house of Rabindra Nath Tagore.
Here is the link to that video - Kolkata, West Bengal Food & Travel EP 1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMdZFFAo-_E
We ended our day at Kurseong, we stayed at a homestay. Mungpoo to Kurseong - 45 km
Next day we started on 7th November
Kurseong Railway station - We visited the Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also saw the Toy train, Which is located at 4864 Ft height. Parking is problem in Kurseong,
Kurseong to Siliguri - 35 Km - Shared Taxi price - Rs 150 per person
Kurseong to Gangtok - 115 - Shared Taxi Price - Rs 500 per person
Margaret’s Deck - We visited this tea lounge by looking at the Tea garden around this area. Margaret’s Hope White Single Pot - Rs 530
Bagora View Point - Height at 7700 ft, this viewpoint just near the Air force station, when the weather is clear, you get the view of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Chimney Hills - Heritage Garden - Entry ticket - Rs 20 per person, In 1839 britishers built the Dak Bungalow, by time that Bungalow does not exist any more, however you would see the Chimney (Fire Place). There is also view point just a few metres walking distance. Kurseong is also known as the land of white orchards.
Dow Hills - West Bengal Forest Museum which was closed, there is also Heritage Victoria school of boys & girls which is not open for tourists.
Hanuman Top - There is a big statue of Lord Hanuman also a temple, you get a beautiful view of the city, in our case due to cloudy weather we could not see much.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum - This museum has the belongings of Netaji.
Timboor on Trail Restaurant - We tried the Nepali veg thali - Rs 350 along we separately ordered Sel roti & country chicken which was not part of veg thali. This restaurant is on the way to Darjeeling in Rohini when you are coming from Bagdogra via Kurseong.
Address: Subash Ghisingh Marg, above Rohini Toll Plaza, Kurseong, Rohini Tea Garden, West Bengal 734203
In the next episode you will see the journey of Mirik to Darjeeling.
Hope you enjoyed the video.