Kalimpong tourism and travel guide

The town of Kalimpong stands on a ridge connecting two prominent hills, the Deolo and the Durpin, and is elevated at an altitude of 1247meters approximately, with Deolo (1704meters) being the highest point of Kalimpong. The river Teesta, flowing down the valley, separates the city from the rest of Sikkim, while the Shiwalik ranges stand tall, enveloping this tranquil site. An overview of the snow-clad Himalayas with a clear vision of the majestic Kanchenjunga completes the city's scenic beauty.

While natural scenery contributes to the visual glee of the city, the essence of Kalimpong lies in its diverse culture and cuisine. In a population of 42880 (2011 census), most people are ethnic Nepalese who migrated during the British rule, though the original settlers of the place are the Lepchas. However, Kalimpong is the home of numerous indigenous ethnic groups, including Bhutias, Sherpas, Gurungs, Tamangs, etcetera, and some non-native Bengalis, Anglo-Indians, and Muslims, and so forth. The city's beauty lies in this amalgamation of religions, where apart from Hinduism, Nijananda Sampradaya, Buddhism, and Christianity are followed with equal zest and reverence. Festivals, though affiliated with these manifold religions and cultures, are celebrated with unmatched enthusiasm and unity, some of them being the local Hindu festivals of Dasain, Tihar, Sakela cultural program, and the Tibetan festival Losar. The cultural confluence of Kalimpong echoes the 'unity in diversity mantra, which is evident in the peaceful co-existence of Buddhist monasteries like The Zang Dhok pair Phodang on the one hand and a mosque named Kalimpong Anjuman Islamia on the other, both honoring their heritage respectfully.

As the affectionate and joyful greetings of the residents warm the heart, the smooth and steamy cuisine of the town warms the soul. Kalimpong is known for its momos, with chicken or beef filling, soupy thupkas, wai wai noodles, locally brewed beer, and the famous Darjeeling tea as beverages, extremely comforting in the cool of the weather. Another local snack is Churpee, a hard cheese made from yak's or chauri's milk. However, the city also hosts a chain of restaurants, providing various cuisines for the tourists, from Indian to continental.

Kalimpong has become a frequently visited travel venue because of its mild temperate climate, avid range of orchids and flower plantations as well as a panoramic view of the mighty Himalayas. 

A visit to the Deolo hills is a must-do when in Kalimpong. Not only does it offer a magnificent view of the adjacent towns and villages perched on the vast ranges and a recently built picturesque garden, but also a little thrill of adventure through paragliding, trekking, and horse-riding. The Cactus Nursery is also a pleasant spot with a pallet of color splashed across in the form of exotic flowers and cacti. Durpin Dara, located in the southern part of the town, is another breathtaking point, with alluring romantic sunsets. While wandering along, one can also visit the Golf course and the haunted Morgan house located close to each other, with the latter having a spooky gothic feel about it. 

Kalimpong is an undoubtedly attractive tourist spot, ideal for a quick vacation, soothing to the eyes, and meditative for the mind.