Mongpong in june

Hi IMers,
My friend and I are thinking of visiting Mongpong in the third week of june for a weekend and planning to book the wbfdc cottage there. I gathered that it is only 30kms from NJP. The place looks nice in pictures. We just want to spend a couple of days relaxing and looking at the mountain views. If someone can provide some more info as below, I will be very grateful.

1> Do I need to book a car from NJP or are there shared jeeps available. Also, any idea about the cost part would be helpful. Will it take more than an hour to reach there from NJP?
2> How will be the weather there during third week of june. Will there be heavy rainfall, do we need any woolens?

I have stayed at Mongpong WBFDC Cottage with my family a few years back. The location of Cottage is indeed nice, serene and pollution-free atmosphere, in the midst of forest, chirping of birds all around, mighty river Teesta flowing nearby - it is really good for those who love tension free, relaxed holiday for a couple of days. Now, about, transportation from NJP. We had hired an exclusive vehicle as we had other places to move around. But my my guess is that this place is close to Coronation Bridge. May be you have to proceed a few KMs after crossing the Bridge. Then you will get a forest road on right, a sign board was there showing an arrow towards the Cottage. From this point you have to go a KM or even less to reach the Cottages. If you do not want hire an exclusive vehicle to drop you there, I think you have the following choices:

1. You can come to Siliguri Mittal Bus Stand and take a bus going towards Oodlabari or Malbazar, or Chalsa etc. etc. and ask the Conductor to drop you at the gate of the Mongpong Cottage. From there you can trek for a KM or so.
2. You can buy a seat in shared taxi going to Sikkim side upto Coronation Bride. From Coronotion Bride you can hop in any vehicle going towards Oodlabari side by crossing the bridge.
3. The third option would be to take a train upto Sevak Station and then hop in any vehicle going toards Dooars side by crossing the bridge.

The above submission is on the basis of my personal experience a few years back. The situation might have changed during the period gone by. For current update I would like you to re-check the info furnished by me as above. Thanks.

Hi Deep!

I could retrieve an old pic from my Dooars Album showing a Mongpong Cottage at the back drop; Here is the pic for your viewing.

Thanks asishda for the info. When did you visit the place, I mean at what period of the year. And can we see some mountain ranges from nearby view point?

The bungalow looks a nice place to stay at

As far as I know- this bunglow is for the VIPs. Visited this place this April. Heard that our former CM used to stay here atleast once in a year.
Attaching clips of the usual bunglow that Forest dept is offering to ordinary tourists. The area is very serene. Only forest all around. Only sound you can hear is chirping of birds and occasionally whistle of a train running just through the jungle 100 mtr down. Elephant corridor is just out side the bungalow- and as per the caretaker it is not safe to go outside in the night. Sunset on the hill is awesome . Bonfire in a full moon night can be unforgettable. If you go there don’t miss to go to Teesta (not far away ) and the small village of the caretaker –“Basant”. A nice small village with few log huts – surrounded by forest and just beside a hill with a Stream –that flows only in the rainy season. What a place- I will love to settle there after my retirement !
No need for prior booking of cars- Lots of vehicle ply through out the day. Forgot to mention – no mountain range can be seen from Mongpong FRH. I think June is perfect time to enjoy the rainstorm from your balcony .

Thanks for the lovely photos, Sujit

Hi Deep,

We were in November, 2007. Weather-wise it was lovely. You have already got all the answers from Sujit's reply. Sujit is a recent visitor and hence he has updated info. Yes, Sujit is correct, that particular Bungalow was meant for VIPs (though officially it will never be revealed or expressed), but then sometimes a mortal like me got the opportunity to stay. I am unable to speak more on this. Ha Ha...

Hi, IMikers

we are two friend also want to go Mongpong

My quires is...

A. I have seen that WBFDC have Four Cottage 1.Cuckoo 2.Kalij 3.Munal 4.Tragopan - Which is the best?

B. have we get meal from cottage or there was any other Restaurant beside the cottage? How many charges of Launch Dinner in cottage?

Dip, as far I know they wbfdc have a common eating place beside the cottages.

Kalij and Tagopan are AC cottage . Other two are Non AC. Otherwise all are same . you may book any one. You will get food from cottage kitchen only as per your order. Price is very reasonable. Else you may have your lunch in a roadside eatery. But that is not up to the mark.
The common eating place , the glassroom is knocked down in the last earthquake few months back.

I have faced a problem...

We are three friends wants to go Mongpong but WBFDC says that only 2 Persons are allow in one room they have not take extra charges....

So, My query is we have manage it in Mongpong or We have to Book 2 room?



And My Itinerary is

29 Sept Sat - Catch the train from Sealdah

30 Sept Sun - Njp 8.30 am to Mongpong

1 oct Mon - Mongpong

2 Oct Tue - Evening catch the train to Sealdah

Please suggest any place other than mongpong of above itinerary...(My choice Hills and forest)

Its not at all a problem. Just book one room and take an extra cot from the caretaker, he may charge a nominal amount for that. But in that case I would suggest you to book any of the AC room, because only the AC Rooms can accommodate with the extra cot. If you like I can share the phone no of the caretaker- you may talk to him before you book it.
As per your itinerary – you have 1st October fullday- which you can just relax in Mongpong or if you like you can go out for a day trip – say to Lava or Kalimpong via Gorubathan Damdim. Its just next to Heaven.
Alternatively you can think of Coachbihar- Rasikbill. It is also a very nice place. and is surrounded by forests –and a paradise for the birdwatchers.

Okay I have booked the cottage for a day. Planning to spend the day relaxing. Next day, I will check out at 11am and my train from NJP is at 9pm. I am thinking of booking a car for the day, doing some sight seeing and dropping off at NJP in the evening. Can you guys suggest some places?

Hi deep u can go to Garubathan forest just not too far from Mongpong or u can go to Mongpu the famous Tagore's House is there. Lovely sight of mountains. U can halt for a while beside the Coronation Bridge at Sevak to enjoy the beauty of Teesta river.