North Bengal is a beautiful place to visit for nature and culture lovers. In this blog series, we will take you on a virtual trip to the lovely villages of Rishop, Kalimpong, Kolakham, and Charkhole in North Bengal, located among the stunning hills of the Eastern Himalayas.
Rishop offers panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and lush evergreen forests, making it a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers like us. Kalimpong offers a vibrant colonial atmosphere that reflects its cultural heritage. Kolakham is all about rejuvenating your soul by staying in the tranquillity of the Neora Valley forests and cascading waterfalls. Meanwhile, Charkhole’s serene ambience and panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range create an extremely pleasant experience for relaxation and introspection.
You can understand that each village has its charm and vibe. Excited Huh!! If you don’t know who we are…….
We call ourselves travel freaks…… MITKAU…..
Let’s share a perfect North Bengal Itinerary with you. The first thing that comes to your mind for planning a trip….
Table of Contents
Best Time for Planning North Bengal
North Bengal offers a lot, especially for those seeking tranquillity amidst their busy lifestyles. It is important to choose a perfect season to arrive.
- Spring: The months range from March to May. This is a great time to visit North Bengal if you enjoy cool weather and blooming flowers.
- Monsoon: The months range from June to August. North Bengal experiences monsoons during this period, with lush greenery and intermittent showers. Adventure seekers generally avoid this season.
- Autumn: The months range from September to November. Autumn brings clear skies and pleasant weather, making it an excellent time for trekking, wildlife safaris, and exploring tea estates.
- Winter: The months range from December to February. Winter is a popular time to visit North Bengal, especially for those seeking chilly weather and snowfall in places like Sandakphu and Lava.
Now that you have got an idea about the best time for you to visit, the next important thing that comes to our mind is….
Things to carry in your backpack
- Carry lightweight and breathable clothing during summer or daytime.
- Warm layers such as sweaters, jackets, and thermals for chilly evenings and mornings, especially during winter.
- Walking/hiking shoes. Preferably water resistant.
- Umbrella or rain jacket. (sometimes, the weather in North Bengal is unpredictable)
- Sunscreen lotion with high SPF.
- Sunglasses.
- First aid kit with essential medicines.
- Reusable water bottle.
- Light snacks. (avoid chips on long journeys)
- Insects/mosquito repellant for outdoor activities.
- ID proofs, medical insurance.
- Power bank.
- Travel map in case of low network coverage area.
Visa for Foreigners
Foreign travellers can apply for an Indian Visa through here. Check the visa requirements and the documents required from your country of travel.
Travel Insurance
Though travel insurance is not mandatory to enter India, it is highly recommended to get one as it provides coverage in case of unforeseen circumstances such as medical emergencies, baggage loss, trip cancellation, etc.
There are many online options available to choose from. Most of them are pretty affordable. You can check out various options available online.
Things to keep in mind before you book your Stay
North Bengal is a friendly location with helpful locals. However, you might be keen to take a note of the following points.
- Location: Choose a location that suits your itinerary and preferences. Whether you’re interested in staying closer to the marketplace or closer to nature in rural areas like Kolakham or Charkhole.
- Accommodation Type: North Bengal offers a range of accommodation options, from budget guesthouses and homestays to luxury resorts and heritage hotels.
- Seasonal Considerations: Consider the time of year you plan to visit. We suggest you plan during the Spring and Autumn seasons to avoid extreme temperatures.
- Accessibility: The most important thing is to check the accessibility of your chosen accommodation, especially if you’re planning to visit remote areas or hill stations. Consider transportation options and whether you’ll need a vehicle or prefer to rely on public transport.
- Reviews and Ratings: Read reviews of accommodations on online platforms. Review the booking policies, including cancellation policies, payment methods, check-in/check-out times, and hidden specific terms and conditions.
- Budget: Set a budget for your stay and look for accommodation options that fit within your budget range. Consider room rates, meal plans, additional fees, and special offers or discounts.
- Facilities and Services: Check the facilities and services offered by the accommodation, such as Wi-Fi availability, parking, meals included, room amenities, recreational activities, and assistance with tour arrangements or local guides.
Now that you have finalised the accommodation, you might be excited about the…..
Food Options
North Bengal is a culinary delight for the travellers. It has got some of the best mouth-watering cuisines you can imagine. A fusion of Himalayan, Tibetan, Nepali, and Indian flavours. Start your food journey with the iconic momos, steamed or fried filled with vegetables or chicken, paired perfectly with spicy dipping sauces.
You can also try the renowned dish, Thukpa, a hearty Tibetan noodle soup with vegetables, meat, noodles, and aromatic spices.
For a sweet treat, try the traditional Nepali Sel Roti, a crispy fried bread made from rice flour and sugar.
Beer lovers can try Chhang, a traditional Tibetan and Nepali fermented beer. You can also opt for Sikkimese cuisine like Gundruk, Phagshapa, and Thenthuk. Of Course, don’t forget to try the world-famous Darjeeling tea in any of the tea estates. These are a few things that you must try, if you are travelling to North Bengal.
Local Transport
Shared taxis are a standard and affordable mode of transport in North Bengal. Shared taxis are at designated stands or junctions, especially in towns and tourist areas. The challenge is that they ply on a fixed route.
If you plan to take offbeat routes, you must take Private Cabs. They offer more flexibility and comfort compared to shared taxis. You need to show your negotiation skills while planning with private cabs.
North Bengal has a network of local buses operated by state transport authorities and private operators. These buses connect towns, villages, and tourist spots across the region. It all depends on the region you are travelling. In case you need help in planning, we are just a click away.
In places like Darjeeling and nearby hill stations, you can experience the beauty of toy trains.
Lastly, car or bike rentals can also be viable if you prefer to be independent. There are rental agencies in towns like Siliguri, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong.
Let’s finalise the……
Budget Breakup for the Trip
The following is the breakup for budget travellers:
- Rishop:
- Accommodation: Budget Guesthouse (approximately ₹ 1,000 per night).
- Food: Estimate around ₹ 600 per day for meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at local restaurants or guesthouses.
- Transportation: Local shared taxis or private car rental ₹ 1,000 for short trips within the area (depending on your negotiation skills).
- Sightseeing: Explore nearby viewpoints like Tiffin Dara, Lava Monastery, and Neora Valley National Park (budget around ₹ 200).
- Kolakham:
- Accommodation: Budget Guesthouse or Homestay (approximately ₹ 1500 per night).
- Food: Budget around ₹ 700 per day for meals at local eateries or guesthouses or homestays.
- Transportation: Local shared taxis or private car rental (₹ 1,000 for short trips).
- Sightseeing: Visit Kolakham Forest and Changey Waterfalls (entry fees and guide charges extra, approximately ₹ 500).
- Kalimpong (two nights):
- Accommodation: Budget Guesthouse or Homestay (approximately ₹ 1000 per night).
- Food: Budget around ₹ 600 per day for meals at local restaurants or guesthouses or homestays.
- Transportation: Shared taxis or private car rental for sightseeing (₹ 2,000 for two days).
- Sightseeing: Explore Deolo Hill, Durpin Monastery, Pine View Nursery, and a few other attractions (entry fees and shopping expenses, budget around ₹ 200).
- Charkhole:
- Accommodation: Budget Guesthouse or Homestay (approximately ₹ 1,000 per night).
- Food: Budget around ₹ 700 per day for meals at local eateries or guesthouses/homestays.
- Transportation: Shared taxis or private car rental (₹ 1,000 for short trips).
- Sightseeing: Enjoy views of the Kanchenjunga range, visit Charkhole Viewpoint (no such entry tickets).
Total Estimated Budget Range in case you plan to stay for a five nights and six days trip: ₹10,000 – ₹13,000. The price of course reduces if you are planning in a group and the season you are planning. The above breakup is just for your reference purpose only.
Tip: Keep in mind that prices may vary based on the type of accommodation, amenities, seasonality, and negotiation skills. It’s advisable to book in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to secure preferred accommodations and possibly get better rates.
Places we visited during our Trip
1. Rishop/Rishyap
Plan a perfect weekend trip to Rishyap/Rishop in 2024 with these insider facts.
2. Kolakham
Plan a perfect weekend trip to Kolakham in 2024 with these insider facts.
3. Kalimpong-I
Plan a perfect weekend trip to Kalimpong in 2024 with these insider facts- Part 1.
4. Kalimpong-II with Charkhole
Plan a perfect weekend trip to Kalimpong in 2024 with these insider facts- Part 2.
Do check out all the blogs and see all the places through our eyes.
Wait, we are not going without this last question……
What kind of help are we going to provide?
Let us inform you that we prepare itineraries not only for anywhere in India but also for Asia. We have been travelling since we were toddlers. So here in our blogs and stories, we will give you a glimpse of our journey and help you plan your trip.
Read about our Uzbekistan blogs.
Read about our Kazakhstan blogs.
Read about our Singapore blogs.
Read about our Vietnam blogs.
Read about our Cambodia blogs.
Read about our Bali blogs.
Read about our Kuala Lumpur blog series.
Read about our Sri Lanka blogs.
Read about our Nepal blogs.
Read about our Char Dham blogs.
Read about our Ladakh blogs.
Read about our day trip to Hyderabad.
Read about our Madhya Pradesh blogs.
Do follow our Instagram handle @mindfulllofvacations and watch for the next destination story of Kerala. For any query related to any trip, drop a mail at @mitkau007@gmail.com.
by mitkau