Echhey forest village or Icche Gaon full view

Echhey Forest Village or Echhey Gaon, one of the organic village in India

Echhey Gaon is a picturesque village in the lap of Himalayas surrounded by dense forest of Juniper, pine and birch where you will feel detached from human civilization. With loads of greenery and peace and quiet, this old-world village has not been spoilt with materialistic pleasure of the city life. This is an ideal place for the nature lovers at an altitude of 5,800 feet none of the machines can disturb you from relishing the natural abundance of this village. Only 12 kilometers away from Kalimpong and cab fare is around 800 INR, this incredibly pristine hamlet is home to approximately 30 families living in peace and happiness. If you wish to share their happiness then definitely visit Echhey Gaon or the Wishing Village.

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Hornbillnest bird at Latpanchar

Latpanchar is only 13 kilometers from Kalijhora a part of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

Latpanchar is a small and wonderful hamlet near Kalijhora which is also a part of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. Only 13 kilometers from Kalijhora, you should not miss this beautiful and unspoiled forest village with an average elevation of 4,200 feet. The best part of Latpanchar visit is that you will be able to see many wild animals, birds and enjoy dense vegetation as it is a section of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. It is an ideal place for forest lovers. However, in spite of such natural splendor Latpanchar has yet to become a primary tourist destination in the Eastern Himalayas.

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Monsong is only 8 kilometers from Pedong and 32 kilometers from Kalimpong

Monsong is a lovely little quaint village located in the charming eastern Himalayan region. It is quite an offbeat destination and a perfect weekend getaway. The beautiful and cool weather, the formidable mountains, the lush green forests of fir, pine, birch shaal, cinchona and cypress, innumerable birds, some endangered animals and hospitable and warm people are some of the characteristics of this charming hamlet, Monsong. It is situated at a short distance of only 8 kilometers from Pedong and 32 kilometers from Kalimpong, the major town.  Sparsely populated and far from the din and bustle of city life, this is an ideal place for rejuvenating the senses; tired body, mind and soul.

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Rikisum is 15 kilometers north of Kalimpong

Rikisum is a beautiful and almost isolated village in the Kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling District in West Bengal. 15 kilometers to the north of Kalimpong, this quaint hamlet is only an hour’s drive from the main town. The hilltop settlement welcomes you with open arms to savor the unspoiled beauty of the village in its full glory. Since it falls on the PedongLava Road the village enjoys an elevation from which the mighty Kanchenjunga and other peaks are clearly visible. The towns of Gangtok and Pedong also present a panoramic from this village.

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Chibo in Kalimpong is famous for its flower nursery

Chibo is a busty found in the Kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling district in West Bengal which is famous for its flower nursery. Busty meaning residential area; Chibo Busty is quite a famous community in Kalimpong. Located on 7th Mile Kalimpong Chibo Busty attracts a large number of tourists for the Standard Nursery of flowers. Standard Nursery is popular for growing magnificent and colorful Dahlias, Gerbera and different types of roses. Continue reading

Rishikhola located at the border of West Bengal and Sikkim

Rishikhola is a unique gift of nature to Kalimpong. It is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination due to its scenic landscape and peaceful environment. Located at the border of West Bengal and Sikkim, it gets tourists from both the parts. Khola in the local language means stream and Rishikhola the place derives its name from the stream itself. Only 13 kilometers from Pedong sitting at an elevation of 1700 feet, Rishikhola offers a blend of fishing and trekking activities for the adventure lovers and lot of opportunity to sit and back, relax and relish the beautiful, tranquil environ with occasional chirp of birds and only constant noise of the stream flowing.

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Tinchule village view near Noryang-Homestay

TInchuley is located at a distance of 30 km from Darjeeling

TInchuley is a lovely mountain village located at a distance of 30 kilometers from Darjeeling, 25 kilometers from Kalimpong blessed with a lovely weather. Reckoned as an offbeat tourist destination, Tinchuley is a relatively new discovery in the eastern Himalayas.  Located at an elevation of 5,500 feet, the weather in Tinchuley is pleasant most of the year. However, the best time to Tinchuley is during the summers when the temperature remains between 18 and 22 degree Celsius. Tinchuley is promoted as part of the Home Stay Project in eco-tourism initiative. Lot of organic farming is also done in the area.

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Kalijhora falls, 13 kilometers from Mongpu

13 kilometers from Mongpu and 28 kilometers from Siliguri tucked away in the Himalayas is the small and relatively less crowded hamlet of Kalijhora. The village is totally covered by the forests of shaal, arjun, segun, eucalyptus and derives its name from the water fall Kalijhora cascading down from a height of 550 meters. Kalijhora literally means black water and the color is definitely more blackish than the mighty Teesta flowing downstream. Mouni Pahar/hill surrounds this quaint little hamlet and Swetkhola and Kalikhola Rivers act as borders of this Kalijhora while the village itself is the border between Bengal and Sikkim. Continue reading

Charcoal located at an elevation of 5000 feet

Charcoal located at an elevation of 5000 feet sits pretty at the top of the eastern Himalayan range rewarding the tourists with natural abundance. Only 16 kilometers from Lolegaon and 22 kilometers from Kalimpong, Charcoal or Charkhol is a small Lepcha village tucked away in the lap of the Himalayas. Charcoal offers the most pristine forests in the eastern Himalayas and a breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga which you will never forget in your life. Easy, simple, peaceful, Charcoal is arguably one of the best places for mind and body rejuvenation. With so much of greenery all around you, you will completely forget about the concrete jungle you have come from. Continue reading

Gumabadara Village Road and market.

Gumabadara Village, nestled in Kalimpong is 12 km from Lava and 10 km from Lolegaon

When you come to think of it Gumabadara Village, nestled in Kalimpong, is not exactly one of the leading tourist destinations in this part of the hilly terrain of Bengal. But boy, you would make a great mistake if you never visited this place at least once in your life when you had the chance to do so. In case you have been to Kalimpong before you would be well conversant with the destination known as Lolegaon.

How to reach Gumbadara Village


Before you make the trip to Gumabara you need to be aware of the fact that the accommodation that you shall get here is mostly village style facilities. It is 12 km from Lava and 10 km from Lolegaon. It is situated at a height of 6500 feet and is regarded as a virgin beauty of sorts. The hamlet is dotted with trees such as oak, pine and trees known in Bengali as jhau. It is a really wonderful site for the tired souls. It is like a riot of blue and green over here – the natural beauty will simply take your breath away.

 Attractions in Gumbadara Village


Chunabati road on the way from Lava to Loleyaon
Chunabati road on the way from Lava to Loleyaon

Nearby Gumbadara is located the Kafer Village (Also known as Loleygaon or Lolegaon). You know, what the best part of this journey is – the jungle that you need to pass through in order to get to Gumbadara from Lolegaon! For each day the cost for one person would be in the range of INR 1000. This includes both food and lodging. However, if you are not going alone then there is a good chance that the costs could come down. This place is known as the land of cloud fairies and not without reason. The greenery here is mind-blowing as well and you could jolly well spend at least a couple of days over here.

A monastery is building up in this village. A big Buddha statue and a lama school are here. In downhill there is a nice village is there. A newly set up high school and doctor’s dispensary are also there.

Accommodation in Gumbadara Village


salakha-guest-house-gumabadara-village-near-lava-and-lolegaon
Salakha Guest House, Gumabadara Village

Salakha Guest House is one of the various options that you would get here in case you are looking to spend a day here. You can also try out D600. Here you will get both food and lodging. Otherwise you can opt for home-stay facilities as well. The costs are not too much.

Salakha Guest House
Phone: 09933780018 / 09593652607
Tariff: Rs. 500.00 – Rs. 1600.00