As the first rays of the sun hit the peak of Kanchenjunga, morning breaks in Samalbong. But the night view of Samalbong is even more captivating. Generally, exploring the hills after sunset isn’t feasible — but Samalbong is an exception.
Feeling drained in the summer heat? Are your social media feeds filled with pictures of the mountains? Does it make your heart yearn for Darjeeling? Don’t miss the chance. Take a break and head to the hills — but not to the usual cliffside Darjeeling. Instead, travel about 35 kilometers beyond Darjeeling to reach Samalbong. Though this mountain village falls within the Darjeeling district, it is located very close to Kalimpong. For those in search of an offbeat mountain getaway, Samalbong is the perfect destination.
It’s not a tiny village, but much of Samalbong is covered in farmland. The slopes of the mountains have been cut into terraced fields where crops like rice, ginger, cardamom, and corn are cultivated. Scattered among the fields are a few box-shaped houses. One side of the village rises along the mountain, while the other side drops into a deep, green valley. Standing at the top of Samalbong offers a breathtaking view of nature.
Every corner of Samalbong feels like a viewpoint. Whichever end of the village you go to, you’re greeted with spectacular views. If you hike to the uppermost part of the village, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Kalimpong and Kanchenjunga. The mountain in front is Kalimpong itself. From Samalbong, you can get a 360-degree view of the town of Kalimpong, and just above it stands the snow-covered Kanchenjunga in all its glory. Below flows the Relli River, and from the summit of Samalbong, every bend of the river is clearly visible. Surrounding you are wave-like rolling hills, 90% of which are blanketed in green. In the valley below, the Relli winds its way through — a view that’s truly mesmerizing.
As mentioned before, morning in Samalbong begins when the first rays of sunlight touch Kanchenjunga’s peak. But it’s the night view that steals the show. In most mountain areas, you can’t venture out much after sunset, but Samalbong is fortunate. When the sun sets in Samalbong, the snow-capped Kanchenjunga transforms into a shade of orange. As the sun dips below the hills, the entire town of Kalimpong lights up in a golden glow. From the viewpoint in the evening, you can sit and soak in this magical scene.
From Samalbong, you can also explore nearby spots like Charkhol, Panbu, Lava, and Lolegaon. You can even visit the historic Old Silk Route from here. Other destinations like Bijanbari, Jhepi, Relling, and Jawahar Parbat are also accessible. However, accommodations in Samalbong are limited, with only a few homestays available. The average cost for stay and meals is around ₹1,500 per person.
Samalbong is just 70 kilometers from New Jalpaiguri and can be easily reached from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri, and Gangtok.
Content and images have been sourced from TV9 Bangla.