Is the heatwave taking a toll on you? And are you planning to escape from Kolkata to some hill station for a few days? Well, we’ve got you covered. This hill station in North Bengal, which is barely 31 km from the New Jalpaiguri Station and 35 km from Bagdogra airport can be your summer destination for sure. Lush greenery, a serene environment and a soothing weather — this summer be at Sittong.
You may have already heard about Sittong, mostly because of its oranges. But do you know all that you need to about Sittong? Well, in this article, we have tried to cover it all for you.
How to reach Sittong from Kolkata
From Sealdah station, take any train that reaches New Jalpaiguri Station or take a bus from Esplanade area that will take you directly to Siliguri’s Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand or the government bus stand. You may also take a car to Siliguri.
Once you reach New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Siliguri, there are two options to reach Sittong. You can either hire a direct cab that will take you to Sittong or avail a shared taxi to Kurseong.
From Kurseong, there are cab services that take people till Sittong.
Sittong is known for its oranges
Cab fare from Siliguri to Sittong
While it is never quite possible to put a finger on the cab fare, it is fair to say that a reserved cab from Siliguri to Sittong will cost anything between Rs 3500 to 4,500. Your bargaining skills can also help you here.
Additionally, a shared cab to Kurseong will cost around Rs 300-Rs 350 per head from Siliguri or NJP.
About Sittong
Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of Darjeeling’s renowned orange-growing region lies the tranquil village of Sittong. Situated in the Riyang river valley, Sittong offers a serene retreat amidst nature’s bounty. The village is located approximately 20 kilometers from Mungpoo and just 13 kilometers from the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, making it a strategically positioned destination for nature enthusiasts and explorers alike.
Sittong beckons visitors with its idyllic charm, offering a glimpse into the rich natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Darjeeling hills. It is divided into two parts — Upper Sittong and Lower Sittong. While Upper Sittong will provide beautiful views of the Kanchenjunga, lower Sittong has its own charm too being deeper into the valley.
Places to visit from Sittong
While tourism is gradually catching pace in Sittong, being a quaint village, it hardly has any touristy place (much to our relief). However, very close to Sittong are places that one may see. Most of these places can be covered in a day trip. All you need is a cab which the homestays will be happy to arrange for you. Here’s a short itinerary for a day trip from Sittong.
Ahaldara viewpoint: Head straight to Ahaldara viewpoint. This place offers a 360 degrees view of the mountain ranges. While on the left is the Kanchenjunga range, in the front one can see the Doka La of China and others. From beneath flows a mesmerising Teesta. You can spend as much time as you wish to here.
Latpanchar: Latpanchar is a part of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and people mostly visit this place to catch glimpses of some rare birds. If you are going in the months of March, April and May, you may spot the Great Indian Hornbill here. Apart from that, there are other birds too.
Namthing pokhri: If your cabbie hasn’t included this in the list, ask him to take you here. While in the summer months one may not find even a single drop of water, the monsoons are known to offer a beautiful sight. However, it is not totally worthless a visit. Namthing pokhri, or the Namthing lake is home to salamander fossils. While earlier entry used to be open for all, now, the authorities have blocked the same as people used to steal the fossils. Nonetheless, this place offers a beautiful sight and is a must visit.
Lepcha Gumpha: Gumpha is monastery in Nepali and this one is sure to give you chills. If you have visited monasteries in North Bengal or Sikkim, you may be painting a very bright picture in your mind now. A huge building with scores of prayer wheels, right? Well, the Lepcha Gumpha is nothing like that. Instead, it is a stone structure, situated on a non-decrepit roadside. One can hardly find a soul here. The rooms are dark, dimly lit, giving out adventurous vibes. The surreal feeling of this place is why you should keep it in your list.
Mahaldiram tea garden: If you like strolling from within tea gardens, this place is ideal for you. Lush green patches of tea leaves and the beautiful hills — Mahaldiram tea garden is the producer of one the costliest teas in Darjeeling.
Lepcha falls: Venture only if you can walk. A 10-15 minute walk near lower Sittong, through the forested areas, will take you to the Lepcha falls. Once there, you can see a stream of water trickling down a huge rock and accumulating into a small pool.
Jogi Ghat Bridge: This is basically a bridge which connects Sittong with Mungpoo while the Riyang river flows from beneath it. However, the serenity of the place is worth spending hours at this spot. One can also walk down to the river bed when there is less water and witness one of the best shades of green and blue being reflected in the water.
Mungpoo: Mungpoo or Mangpu or Mungpu or Mangpoo are all but the same place. It is a small village which is known for its cinchona plantations. However, what makes it more special is the fact that between 1938 and 1940, Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore frequented the quaint town of Mangpu, nestled amidst the verdant landscapes of Darjeeling. During his visits, Tagore found solace and inspiration in the serene ambiance of Mangpu, where he often sought refuge at the residence of his protégé, Maitreyi Devi, a distinguished poet and novelist in her own right.
Where to stay in Sittong
Sittong has a vast range of homestays to offer. A simple search on Google or even Facebook will throw a lot of options before you. Choose any, simply any because hospitality is something that the people of the hills ace.
Cost of stay in Sittong
Since most of the options here are that of homestays, one can expect a package which includes food and lodging. The cost ranges between Rs 1300 to Rs 1800 per person for a day’s stay and three meals plus a snack in the evening.
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