Kalimpong is a sleepy but surreal Buddhist town which is located 50 minutes east of Darjeeling. Known for its panoramic views, Buddhist monasteries, Tibetan handicrafts, Kalimpong is a delight to visit. Apparently the area was ruled by Bhutanese kings and was a forward post of the Bhutanese Army till the 19th century. No wonder the Buddhist influence is so strong here.
If you want to explore a less crowded hill station, then ditch Darjeeling and go to Kalimpong. Here is a list of things to do in Kalimpong that’ll keep you busy during your stay.
13 Things To Do In Kalimpong
- Deolo Hill: Pay A Visit To The Magnificent Location
- Cactus Nursery: See The Most Exotic Flowers
- Durpin Dara Hill: Absorb The Breathtaking Vistas
- Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Gompa: Worth Exploring
- Crockety: Appreciate The Colonial Architecture
- Haunted Morgan House: Feel The Spookiness
- St Teresa’s Church: Seek Blessings
- Himalayan Handmade Paper Industry: Witness Paper-Making Process
- Neora Valley National Park: Witness The Wildlife At
- Lepcha Heritage Museum: Visit The History
- Shanti Kunj: Spend A Day Amidst Greenery
- Haat Bazaar: Go Shopping
- Durpin Gompa: Experience A Peaceful Visit
1. Deolo Hill: Pay A Visit To The Magnificent Location
Known as the highest point in the town of Kalimpong, visiting the Deolo Hill is one of the top things to do in Kalimpong, India. Located at a height of 1700 m, this hill has one of the best views of the city. You can see beautiful views of the surrounding valleys, rivers, and villages from here. If youre feeling adventurous, you can also do paragliding, trekking, horse riding etc.
Things To Do : in Deolo Hill: trekking, paragliding, horse riding
Sikkim-Gangtok-Darjeeling Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
2. Cactus Nursery: See The Most Exotic Flowers
Kalimpong has some of the most beautiful flower species you will ever see. This cactus nursery is one of the largest commercial flower nurseries in Kalimpong. They cultivate beautiful exotic flowers and also export them. The entire complex of this cactus nursery is surrounded by scenic views of hills and exotic colourful flowers.
Thing To Do : in Kalimpong: buy flowers, walk around the nursery
Suggested Read: 13 Gorgeous Homestays In North East India That’ll Transport You To Another World
3. Durpin Dara Hill: Absorb The Breathtaking Vistas
This hill is where Dr. Grahams home is located and it is a major education center in Kalimpong. This place was established in the 1900s by Sir Anderson Graham of England. The entire complex is spread over an area of 550 acres. They offer many educational and vocational courses in farming, baking, dairy management, clothing. You can go here not only to visit the house but also to see the panoramic view of Kalimpong. You will be able to see the snow-clad Himalayan ranges of West Sikkim, the Teesta river, and its valleys.
Things To Do : around Kalimpong: Visit Dr. Grahams home, walk around the hill, trekking
4. Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Gompa: Worth Exploring
This is an ancient Buddhist monastery which was built in 1975 under the guidance of Dalai Lama. This monastery is a fine sample of Buddhist architecture and an important site for Buddhists. It houses close to 110 published texts on Buddhism. One can also witness the amazing view of the Himalayas from there.
Things To Do : visit the monastery, see the Himalayas
Suggested Read: 31 Reasons Why You Should Never Visit Northeast India
5. Crockety: Appreciate The Colonial Architecture
A cute little British cottage, this place is situated 50 km from Darjeeling and was built during colonial times in India. A true architectural marvel, thanks to the British style building, this place receives tourists throughout the year. If you love photography, then this is a must visit just because of its old colonial world charm. During the early 1900s, Crockety house used to function as a trade point and was a hub of wool merchants coming from various parts of the world.
Things To Do : photography, explore the cottage, explore the gardens
Suggested Read: Singalila National Park: Home To The Red Pandas And West Bengal’s Highest Peak!
6. Haunted Morgan House: Feel The Spookiness
Remember some of the fairy tale houses you used to dream about- Well, now you can see one! This old colonial house was made by Mr and Mrs Morgan in the 1930s and is a great example of Colonial architecture. It has some spooky stories attached to it and it is called haunted. So paying a visit to this house can be one of the best activities in Kalimpong. This cute cottage lies right in the lap of nature. The surrounding landscape of gently undulating hillocks and beautiful coniferous trees make it an enchanting destination worthy of a visit.
7. St Teresa’s Church: Seek Blessings
This beautiful church was built in 1929 by Swiss Jesuits which has stunning designs from a Bhutanese gompa. The carvings resemble the Tashi tagye which are the auspicious symbols of Himalayan Buddhism. You can visit the church to seek blessings and solitude.
Things To Do: attend church services, marvel at the architecture
Suggested Read: Jigme Dorji National Park: The Abode Of Snow Leopards And Bengal Tigers
8. Himalayan Handmade Paper Industry: Witness Paper-Making Process
Learn about the traditional paper-making process by attending a small workshop at the Himalayan handmade paper industry. Learn the different stages of the papermaking process from boiling and pulping of the local daphne bush to sifting, pressing and drying. You can purchase notebooks and cards at the end of the process.
Things To Do: attend the papermaking workshop
Suggested Read: Shopping In Gangtok: 15 Things That Can Be Taken Home As Mesmerizing Souvenirs!
9. Neora Valley National Park: Witness The Wildlife At
This national park is home to several species like Red pandas, leopard cats and several species of woodpeckers, owls, pigeons, eagles, warblers and finches. You can indulge in many activities here like bird watching, jeep safari or simply relaxing amidst the lush greenery.
Things To Do: Bird watching, Jeep safari
Suggested Read: Paragliding In Sikkim: 6 Spots Where You Should Definitely Try Out This Thrilling Activity
10. Lepcha Heritage Museum: Visit The History
Explore the hidden treasures of the marvellous collection of Lepcha treasures that includes several myths, religious texts and sacred porcupine quill hats and old pangolin skins. The rustic and antique items could be a gem well explored.
Things To Do: Go on a heritage tour of the museum
Suggested Read: 24 Things To Do In Gangtok To Experience North-East Like Never Before!
11. Shanti Kunj: Spend A Day Amidst Greenery
Situated close to the Bong Post office, this nursery is an ideal place to enjoy a great time learning about various plants. This nursery is home to plants like cacti, gladioli and succulent plants which are also exported to various places. This is an ideal attraction for nature lovers.
Things To Do: Explore and buy various plants
Suggested Read: 15 Best Street Foods In Gangtok To Treat Your Tastebuds
12. Haat Bazaar: Go Shopping
A retreat for the budget shoppers, Haat Bazaar is a weekly local market which sits on Wednesdays and also on Saturdays. People can find local items to buy here like clothes, spices, herbs and also plastic garlands.
Things To Do: Go shopping in a local way
Suggested Read: River Rafting In Gangtok: Plan An Amazing Adventure In Teesta River
13. Durpin Gompa: Experience A Peaceful Visit
Earlier known as the Zangto Pelri Phodang, this monastery is known as one of the largest monasteries in Kalimpong. Constructed around 1976, one can enjoy the sight of amazing murals which are there decorating the main prayer room downstairs.
Things To Do: Meditate, explore the art inside the monastery
Further Read: 15 Secrets Of North East India Locals Have Been Keeping To Themselves
Kalimpong is an all-year-round destination that caters to all kinds of tourists. If you want to have some peace, then there’s no better place than to visit Kalimpong! Make sure you mark these things to do in Kalimpong on your trip to West Bengal.
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Question About Things To Do In Kalimpong
Which is higher Kalimpong or Darjeeling?
Situated at a height of 1,247 meters Kalimpong is about 52 km away from Darjeeling and almost 70 km from Siliguri. Darjeeling, on other hand, has its amazing beauty, colder than Kalimpong and much crowded. How far is Kalimpong from Darjeeling?
Kalimpong is located 70 km away from Darjeeling. Is it safe to plan a trip to Darjeeling?
It is recommended to avoid a plan for a vacation during this Covid situation due to rising cases of novel coronavirus. Why is Kalimpong famous?
Kalimpong is a famous hill station in West Bengal primarily because it used to be the gateway for trade between Britain and India during the British era. It is also famous owing to the several avenues for adventure in the region. Can you see Kanchenjunga from Kalimpong?
Yes, you can see Kanchenjunga from Kalimpong. If you climb the Deolo Hills, you will get a marvellous view of the Kanchenjunga range towards the north. You will also get a sweeping gaze of the hills in Sikkim, Relli valley, and the Teesta river. What can I buy in Kalimpong?
You can buy a range of exciting things in Kalimpong, like cheese, noodles, handicrafts, embroidered items such as purses and bags, Tibetan jewelry, artefacts, and more. Does Kalimpong have snow?
The winter season in Kalimpong lasts from December to February. There is a very low chance of snowfall in the region. It rains during the winter season. It receives 1.2 inches of rainfall in February and 0.2 inches of rain in December. Is Kalimpong worth visiting?
If you’re planning a tour of Darjeeling or Sikkim, then you should definitely add Kalimpong to your travel itinerary. There is a myriad of exciting things you can do here, like paragliding in Kalimpong and climbing Deolo Hill to take in the scenic views of the mountains. Can I buy land in Kalimpong?
There is no restriction on outsiders vis-a-vis buying land in Kalimpong or Darjeeling. It is a prime place to buy properties owing to the rich, fertile land. What is the best time to visit Kalimpong?
The best time to visit Kalimpong is either March to May or September to November. Having said that, the weather is pleasant throughout the year. It is a year-round destination and you can visit it whenever you please.
Looking To Book A Holiday Package?
People also read:
Things To Do In Gangtok Things To Do In Sikkim Things To Do In Shimla
