If you are tired of the crowd and traffic during holidays in places like Manali, Shimla or Rishikesh, then you can try something different this time. Some unique places in North Bengal are great for getting relief from the heat of Delhi. Here you will find beautiful mountains, dense forests, tea plantations and a peaceful atmosphere. The best part is that traveling to these places can easily be done in a budget of around ₹20,000.
You can reach North Bengal from Delhi by train or flight. Rajdhani Express running from New Delhi Railway Station is considered to be the best train option; Its one-way fare is around ₹3,500, making the total round trip fare around ₹7,000. Traveling by flight is faster, but fares can vary depending on time of booking – you may get a better price by booking in advance. After reaching Bagdogra, shared and private vehicles are easily available to reach Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim and surrounding areas.
Mirik is about 53 km from Bagdogra Airport and it takes 2 to 2.5 hours to reach there. This small hill station is famous for Sumendu Lake, tea gardens, pine forests and orange groves. Highlights here include boating, strolling along the lake and Ramite Dara view-point. Homestays here are available for ₹500 to ₹800 per night.
Rishyap, located about 121 km from Bagdogra, is a quiet village of Lepcha community that offers spectacular views of Mount Kanchenjunga. Nearby attractions include Neora Valley National Park, Changi Falls and Jhandi Dara View-Point. Cottages and homestays are available here for around ₹1,500.
Temi Tea Estate is about 121 km from Bagdogra. It is an old tea plantation located in Namchi, South Sikkim. Here one can see beautiful views of greenery and mountains all around, and also get a chance to see the process of making tea closely. The cost of accommodation and meals at Temi Guest House is around ₹1,500 per person. Lava is about 105-110 km away from Bagdogra, while Lolegaon is about 103-105 km away. Lava is known for its Buddhist monastery and Neora Valley National Park, while Lolegaon is famous for its Kanchenjunga views, dense forests and canopy walks. There are many hotels and homestays that offer accommodation and food for around ₹1,500 per person.
Located about 60 km from Bagdogra, Sittong is often called the ‘Orange Valley’ of Darjeeling. The orange groves, mountains, forests and peaceful atmosphere here attract tourists. The main places of interest here include Sittong Monastery, Lepcha Falls, Jogi Ghat Bridge and Ahaldara View-Point. Staying in a homestay here gives tourists a chance to experience the local atmosphere and eat home-cooked food.