Kalimpong anyone?

Rajat

There are a lot of forums on Sikkim and Darjeeling here. I was thinking of taking a short detour of 2 to 3 days in Kalimpong before proceeding to Sikkim in February. Anyone having any firsthand knowledge please write in. I was wondering if anyone stayed at the Morgan House and their experience there.

My full itinerary: one week in Darjeeling and Kalimpong combined
One week in Sikkim. Like to cover Gangtok, Chhangu lake, Yumthang
Start on 24th Feb and back by 10th March.

Thanks and wishing everyone here the very best in 2006.
Rajat

ro-anD

Hi, I stayed at kalimpong 2 Decembers ago on my way back from Sikkim. really, really loved it. very serene, slow paced and an ideal place to R&R. cant remember the name of the small cottage we stayed in,but it was incredible. Expensive$$ but super hospiatlity and service. We ate 6 meals a day, basked in the sun, and read books..was a fantastic holiday!

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The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes "sight-seeing." ~Daniel J. Boorstin

davyd

I stayed in Kalimpong and Darjeeling one and a half month in may, june last year but my knowledge perhaps will not be so useful to you - to my knowledge foreigners and indians spend their holidays, especially in mountains, diffirently. Anyway Kalimpong is well worth to attract some of your time. I know some staff from Morgan House but did not stay there. February or march should be good time - flowers.

somnath

I went there for the official visit. Didn’t get time to see the place but it is beautiful place. I stayed at Morgan House which is great. a google search may help you to get their no. and all.

- Somnath

babuchand

dont stay in kalimpong for long, it wont offer u anything more than a big clumsy hill station can offer. same to darjeeling.....go to lava lollegaon rishap or pedong to stay amidst the nature for a day or two.

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babu
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caster

I would second Babuchand on that. I have stayed at Kalimpong and also at Lava. A day or two max at Kalimpong but certainly a longer stint at Lava lolegaon. Still very natural and many options to stay, given the time of your journey.

Yumthang would be quite cold at that time, too early for the flowers and tourists. Temi and Ravangla should also be in the options. One can directly go to Ravangla from Kalimpong and then proceed further for Gangtok.

rangers

If u like a place in KM I know is Dolma- A nice tibetian hotel)
Lava and kafer are long drive and wen I was there..it was just villages.Now I am not sure.

Rajat

Hello everyone,
After going thru' your suggestions I have been doing some research on the net. Lava.. etc. does sound great. Thanks Babuchand and Caster on that one. I need to fix my itinerary to fit that in. I just extended my trip by two days. We reach NJP on 25th morning (hopefully in time to take the toy train to Darjeeling) and return by Air Deccan from Bagdogra to Cal on 12th March (got 3 tickets at Rs.721 each and the fourth one at Rs.1900 from Indiatimes.com)
Thanks Ro-anD for your feedback. Sort of strengthened my resolve to visit Kalimpong.
Thanks Somnath for your feedback on Morgan House. I have surfed the net as you suggested.
I tried a search on Dolma but got a blank. Rangers if you have any other detail that could help please write in. And thanks for your suggestion.
As for you Davyd I guess others in this thread would still be interested in your experiences in Kalimpong. So go ahead and who knows someone may find it useful here (at last count there were 105 sightings on this thread).
Keep it coming in and any further info on Lava lollegaon Rishap will be welcome.
I shall post my draft itinerary in the next couple of days. Let me have your views on that too.
Regards
Rajat

somnath

Yeah, Dolma is not available (or it is there but I’m not avle to locate it). Rajat if these two links can help you……

1. http://www.darjeelingnews.net/kalimp...ommodation.htm
2. http://www.kalimpong.org/accomodation.html

- Somnath

Rajat

Thanks Somnath. However I would rather rely on a recommended place rather than go blind by seeing these photographs. Someone mentioned to me about Morgan House without quite staying there. You were able to confirm the place is good. Siomilarly since Dolma was mentioned in these pages I am game to try it. As of now Morgan House is the lead candidate!

somnath

Great!!!!
Rajat, actually I am biased to ‘Darjeeling Tourist Lodge’ and if it is impossible, even after my personal influence then ‘Maple’ in Darjeeling. And ‘Morgan House’ in Kalimpong. There are so many hotels / lodges those are cheap or more decoration on floor but I don’t know why I can’t think beyond this two (or three) . Unique sound from the wooden floor, some extra tip or request can arrange for the fireplace (else normally room heater like any other place - common ), food, really big and clean bathrooms with plenty of water / hot water, Lovely lawn – it is great. I am sure you will enjoy.

Happy traveling.

davyd

I don't know Morgan much, though when I was there I read critical article in press about it. I talked to one man, Mr Pradhan, who worked as a manager or he was just in stuff for a long time, he did not agree with this article. His wife still works in this hotel.
About Maple I know more because once I stayed one day there - there was no any water due to shortages of water supply. I can not recommend this hotel though I can not complain - my Darjeeling friends found this hotel and paid for my room.
To Rajat
thanks for your interest in my experience. But my stay in Darjeeling and Kalimpong was almost confined to these cities, I did not go for trekking just ocasionally took leisurely walks to parks and gardens, visited all interewsting places like Deolo Hill (with bad stingy restaurant), Dr Graham House, Roerich House, Durpin gompa, Bhutanese gompa, Bhutan house, and of course more than often I was in Karmapa House near Topkhana. I stayed first in old fashioned JP lodge then moved to rented apartment near Karmapa house and had lived like a local for one and a half month with 2 breaks for Darjeling (around 2 weeks). In Darjeling I also visited nice zoo with lively red pandas, Mountainering Institute, all Ghoom gompas, pagodas, Bhutia Busty gompa and beautiful illuminated Nightingale park near Raj Bhavan with statues of Indian godes and dance show in the middle.
Everywhere I found great friends, monks from all monasteries, Bhutanese students in Kalimpong that invited me for their dance parties, neighbours, with one of them I used to visit all places in Kalimpong on his bike, staff of Dargeeling Gymkhana club (I used to play with them in many sporting games and had visited houses of many of them). I have only deep gratitude for all of them.
Foreign travellers if they don't go for trekking try to meet and befriend locals and know more about their customs, way of life.

Rajat

Helllo guys. Sorry for the long silence.
Davyd I envy you. Your mail touched a chord somewhere deep inside.
Incidentally dont bother about the Dolma for the next 6 months. They are closed for the past year for renovation and dont plan to open just yet.
I have just worked out my itinerary. As mentioned earlier I had planned to split the two weeks equally between Sikkim and Darjeeling/ Kalimpong. Couldn't be simpler. However based on all your feedback I made a few changes by increasing the number of days. Please remember that I am accompanied by my wife and two daughters aged 6 and 2. So no treks!
Feb 24th: Reach NJP by Darjeeling Mail and transfer to Kalimpong by taxi
25th: Local sightseeing
26th: Transfer to Lava. Overnight at Rishab. Anyone has any suggestions about accomodation?
27th : Transfer to Darjeeling. I was wondering if we could travel to Kurseong and took the Toy Train 1D to Darjeeling. This would be the only way we could travel on this.
28th - 2nd March: Local Darjeeling.
I am not sure whether I could hire a jeep to Sandakphu and return same day or next day. I would be travelling alone as my wife would have to stay back for the kids. Any suggestions.
3rd : Transfer to Peymayangtse
4th : Local sightseeing
5th : Transfer to Gangtok via Yuksom
6th & 7th: Local sightseeing and Tchangu Lake
8/9: Depart for 2 night North Sikkim tour to Lachung. I will check if we can include Gurudongma Lake by adding a third night.
We had done the 2 night tour to Lachung in Feb 1996 as part of our honeymoon. We had a whole jeep to ourselves and were accompanied by one driver and guide. We plan to repeat the same on our 10th anniversary. We had stayed at the Apple Valley Resort. Very basic. Has things improved over the last few years. Last time we could not make it to Yumthang due to heavy snowfall. That is why we are going in March for better weather. Last time we had availed of the services of Blue Sky travels in Kolkata. It is run by one Captain (cant recall his name). Unfortunately I have misplaced his number. Anyone has any knowledge of a North Sikkim tour operator please write in.
11th: Reach Gangtok
12th: Transfer to Bagdogra for afternoon flight to Kolkata.
Phew! If you are still reading this Congratulations!
Let me have your feedback!

Chintuthewhizkid

Not spending time at Yuksom? I think its worth a day, at least. Dubdi monastery (abt an hours trek) is worth it.

Have fun.

sukanya

rajat,

stay at hemlock lodge. 1st floor extreme left room. just lie on the bed, open your eyes, and the magnificent kanchenjugha will celebrate the sunrise only for you. it's terrific. only a feet away

i was so excited, almost pulled down the pelmet instead of drawing the curtains.