Hail Holiday to Gorumara, Kalimpong and Darjeeling from Kolkata

Updated:- 15-Sep-23 Summer holidays call for some cool breeze near the mountains in North Bengal. Head to Darjeeling, while breaking the journey to Gorumara National Park and Kalimpong. If you're looking to explore the wilderness, Gorumara National Park is a must-visit destination. And when you're in Kalimpong, make sure to indulge in some delicious local cuisine. For breathtaking views of the sunrise, and sipping on the historic-flavoured tea, head to Darjeeling. Finally, you're up for a road trip to Darjeeling from Gorumara via Kalimpong.

The journey starts from Kolkata

Board a flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata to Bagdogra International Airport in Siliguri. Or, reserve tickets for a train from Howrah Junction or Sealdah Station to reach New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. The nearest railhead from Gorumara National Park is New Mal Junction, but not all major train halts at this station. Therefore the safer side is to go for New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. The train journey can take from 8.30 hours to 13 hours and the flight to Bagdogra will take around 1 hour.

The distance from Bagdogra Airport to Gorumara National Park is 71 km and from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station is 57 km.

Vacation begins with Gorumara National Park

Visitors to Gorumara National Park can choose from a variety of accommodations. The hotels and resorts in Gorumara offer amenities such as safari tours, nature walks, bird watching, sightseeing and more. The best time to embark on a Jeep Safari in Gorumara National Park is from November to April when the weather is pleasant and wildlife sightings are at their best.

Depending on the time of checking into the hotel or resort in Gorumara, plan for the rest of the day. It is better to settle down and relax in your retreat and gear up for the next day. At the break of dawn get up and soak in the cool morning ambiance. Go for a morning safari on a jeep. Jeep safaris are available for morning and afternoon slots and penetrate into the jungle through 4 routes - Lataguri, Chapramamri, Jataprasad and Medla routes. Book for jungle safaris for both morning and afternoon slots. Asian elephants are commonly spotted in Gorumara National Park.

Calling it a day after two rounds of safari, go for nearby sightseeing the next day. Checking out of the hotel or resort in Gorumara National Park, visit the Murti River and Rocky Island en route to Kalimpong.

Kalimpong, the penultimate destination

Kalimpong is about 96 km from Gorumara National Park. Kalimpong, according to local dialect means a strong hold on the King’s Minister - Kalim refers to King’s Minister and Pong refers to strong hold.

Tourist attractions in Kalimpong include -

1. Durpin Dara Hill

2. Deolo Hill

3. Dr. Graham's Homes

4. Morgan House

5. Jelepla View Point

6. Tharpa Choling Monastery

7. Kalimpong Arts and Crafts Center

8. Pine View

9. Pedong

To mention the offbeat attractions, Lava and Loleygaon are among the popular places of tourists’ interest.

Darjeeling, the third and ultimate destination

Drive for 52 km to reach Darjeeling, the ‘Queen of Hills’, from Kalimpong. Toy train ride, tea gardens, viewpoints and many more mesmerizes the tourists to their satisfaction. Darjeeling’s top attractions can take at least 2 days to cover.

Top attractions of Darjeeling include -

1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

2. Tiger Hill

3. Observatory hill

4. Batasia Loop

5. Happy Valley Tea Estate

6. Japanese Peace Pagoda

7. Ghoom Monastery

8. Mahakal Temple

Heading back

Enjoying a vacation for 6-7 days, head back to Kolkata from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra International Airport. The distance from Darjeeling to the airport and the railway station is about 72 km.