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.

The post What Does Kalimpong Look Like at Night? Find Out from the Cliffside Views of Samalbong appeared first on NewsCloud.

Many people escape the concrete jungle in search of peace and solitude in the mountains. While natural beauty can be found in most hill stations, true tranquility is harder to come by. That’s why mountain villages are often more peaceful and charming. One such hidden gem is the hill village of Chhayatal in Sikkim — a small settlement surrounded by greenery and hills. Despite not being as well-known as other Sikkimese villages, Chhayatal offers a serene and scenic getaway.

As mentioned, Chhayatal falls under the Hee Patal region — a serene and pristine part of Sikkim. The name “Chhayatal” comes from the word tal, meaning lake. This picturesque village is built around a tranquil lake. The area is known for cardamom and kiwi cultivation. A walk through the forested paths will lead you to a river, where you can rest for a while with your feet dipped in its cool waters. On another side of the village stands a peaceful monastery, surrounded by hills and forests. It is rarely crowded and holds a beautiful statue of Buddha within its neatly kept premises. In Chhayatal, apart from the sound of birds, there’s complete silence — the kind of calm where you can sit quietly and gaze at the snow-capped Kanchenjunga.

There’s more to see in Chhayatal — a stunning waterfall cascades down the hillside nearby. The force of the waterfall turns a Buddhist prayer wheel, which rotates day and night. It’s a beautiful sight to behold. On your way from Hee Bazaar to Chhayatal, you’ll also come across a lovely waterfall — a perfect spot to take selfies. You can also visit the nearby Srijunga Park. Nights in Chhayatal are magical, especially during a full moon when the light reveals a different, ethereal view of Kanchenjunga. From Chhayatal, you can trek to Hee-Bermiok, which offers even more spectacular views of the mighty Kanchenjunga. During summer, trekking to Varsey is another great option — a paradise of rhododendrons.

Chhayatal is located 145 kilometers from New Jalpaiguri, and it takes about 5 hours by car. If you’re taking shared transport, you can reach Chhayatal via Jorethang from Siliguri. Alternatively, you can travel via Pelling. Nearby places include Bermiok, Rinchenpong, Pelling, Darap, and many more. Homestays are available in Chhayatal, with food and lodging costing approximately ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per person.

The post Sikkim: Lakes, Waterfalls, Hills, Forests, and Kanchenjunga! Escape into the Serenity of Chhayatal appeared first on NewsCloud.