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Kalimpong sightseeing by cab

Kalimpong itinerary for 3 days: places to visit, in order

Three days lets you see Kalimpong and its villages at an easy pace. Day one is the town: Deolo Hill, Dr Graham's Homes, the monasteries, Mangal Dham, the Lepcha Museum and Durpin, about 28 km. Day two is Rishop, Lava Monastery and the Lolegaon forest, about 91 km. Day three is Sillery Gaon and the walk to Ramitey Dara, Damsang Fort and Pedong, about 50 km.

14 places169 km by cabtimed against opening hours
How long do you have?
Day 1

Deolo Hill, the monasteries, Lepcha Museum and Durpin

Deolo Hill when the park opens at 09:00, then the Hanuman statue, Dr Graham's Homes, Tharpa Choling Monastery and Mangal Dham, with lunch in town at about 12:40. After lunch, the Lepcha Museum, then Durpin Monastery and Morgan House on Durpin hill. About 28 km by cab, back in central Kalimpong by about 16:00. Not on a Sunday, when the Lepcha Museum is closed; on a Saturday it shuts at about noon, so skip it that day.

08:45 to 15:588 places28 km by cab
  1. 1Deolo Hill
  2. 2Hanuman Temple (Hanuman Tok)
  3. 3Dr Graham's Homes
  4. 4Tharpa Choling Monastery
  5. 5Mangal Dham
  6. Lunch
  7. 6Lepcha Museum
  8. 7Durpin Monastery (Zang Dhok Palri Phodang)
  9. 8Morgan House
  10. Back
  1. Leave central Kalimpong
  2. 1

    Deolo Hill

    1 h here
    Deolo Hill
    Photo: Nichalp, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The highest point of Kalimpong, with a garden park on top. On a clear day you see Kanchenjunga to the north, the Teesta river far below and the town spread along its ridge.

    Views & forestsAbout 09:00 to 17:00 (some listings say 06:00 to 18:00). A small entry fee (about ₹20) and parking

    Tip: Go first thing: cloud usually rolls in by late morning. There is a tourist lodge and a café at the top. Paragliding from here has stopped and started over the years, so ask locally if you want to fly.

  3. 2

    Hanuman Temple (Hanuman Tok)

    30 min here
    Hanuman Temple (Hanuman Tok)
    Photo: DR1980SM, CC BY 4.0

    A tall Hanuman statue on the hill past Deolo, reached by a flight of steps, with a small Durga temple by the entrance. It looks out over the valleys east of Kalimpong.

    Monasteries & templesAbout 06:00 to 18:00 for visitors (the shrine opens from about 05:00). Free

    Tip: Entry is free. Take your shoes off at the shrine, and watch your bags: monkeys are about.

  4. 3

    Dr Graham's Homes

    45 min here
    Dr Graham's Homes
    Photo: Amitabha Gupta, CC BY 4.0

    A boarding school founded in 1900 by a Scottish missionary for children who had no one to look after them. Its cottages, old stone chapel and wide lawns are spread over the slope below Deolo.

    Old KalimpongAbout 09:00 to 17:00, grounds and chapel only. A working school, so ask at the gate?

    Tip: It is a working school, not a museum. Visitors usually see the chapel and the grounds; ask the guard at the gate and keep quiet near the classrooms.

  5. 4

    Tharpa Choling Monastery

    30 min here
    Tharpa Choling Monastery
    Photo: Amitabha Gupta, CC BY 4.0

    A Tibetan Buddhist monastery on Tirpai hill, just above the town. It has a calm prayer hall with large statues and paintings, and a small museum of old books and objects.

    Monasteries & templesAbout 09:00 to 17:00 (two listings say to 18:00). Free

    Tip: Entry is free. Walk round the hall clockwise, and ask before you take photos inside.

  6. 5

    Mangal Dham

    30 min here
    Mangal Dham
    Photo: Sumitsurai, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A large, modern Krishna temple and memorial to Guru Mangaldasji, a few minutes from the town centre. The halls are bright and well kept, with scenes from Krishna's life along the walls.

    Monasteries & templesAbout 09:00 to 17:00 (listings say from 06:00 or 07:00 to 18:00 or 19:00). Free

    Tip: Entry is free. Shoes come off at the door, and photos may not be allowed inside the main hall.

  7. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  8. 6

    Lepcha Museum

    45 min here
    Closed on Sundays

    A small museum about the Lepchas, the first people of these hills, in a house about a kilometre below the town centre. It has old tools, clothes, musical instruments, books in the Lepcha script and a lot of stories from the people who run it.

    Old KalimpongAbout 10:30 to 16:00 on weekdays; Saturday only in the morning (about 10:00 to 12:00); closed on Sundays and public holidays

    Tip: It is closed on Sundays and opens only in the morning on Saturdays. The fee is small. Someone from the community usually shows you round, and that is the best part.

  9. 7

    Durpin Monastery (Zang Dhok Palri Phodang)

    45 min here
    Durpin Monastery (Zang Dhok Palri Phodang)
    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The biggest monastery in Kalimpong, on top of Durpin hill at the south end of town. The Dalai Lama blessed it in 1976. The walls of the prayer hall are covered in bright paintings, and the hilltop looks over the Relli and Teesta valleys.

    Monasteries & templesAbout 09:00 to 17:00, with prayers at about 16:00. Free

    Tip: The road up runs through army land, so stay on it and do not photograph the army buildings. Entry is free. If you arrive at about 16:00 you may hear the monks at prayer.

  10. 8

    Morgan House

    30 min here
    Morgan House
    Photo: Subhrajyoti07, CC0

    A stone and ivy bungalow from the 1930s on Durpin hill, built for a British jute trader. It is now a government tourist lodge, with lawns and old trees round it.

    Old KalimpongA tourist lodge: visitors can see the outside and the lawns in daylight; inside is for guests

    Tip: Only guests go inside. Walk round the lawn, and have tea at the lodge if it is open to visitors that day.

  11. Back at central Kalimpong
Day 2

Rishop, Lava Monastery and the Lolegaon forest

East to the Kanchenjunga view at Rishop at about 09:45, then Lava Monastery and lunch in Lava at about 12:30, and a walk in the old Lolegaon forest in the afternoon. About 91 km by cab, the longest day here: the map says back by 15:40, but the village roads are slow, so plan on 17:00 or later. Works on any day.

09:15 to 15:393 places91 km by cab
  1. 1Rishop Kanchenjunga viewpoint
  2. 2Lava Monastery (Kagyu Thekchen Ling)
  3. Lunch
  4. 3Lolegaon heritage forest
  5. Back
  1. Leave central Kalimpong
  2. 1

    Rishop Kanchenjunga viewpoint

    1 h 15 min here
    Rishop Kanchenjunga viewpoint
    Photo: Arindamphotos, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Rishop (also Rishyap) is a tiny village of homestays above Lava, at about 2,600 m. From the road below it, the whole Kanchenjunga range stands up across the valleys on a clear morning.

    Views & forestsOpen hillside; go in daylight?

    Tip: The road up from Lava is narrow and rough in places. The famous sunrise point, Tiffin Dara, is a 2 km walk uphill from the village, so it is for people who stay the night.

  3. 2

    Lava Monastery (Kagyu Thekchen Ling)

    1 h 15 min here
    Lava Monastery (Kagyu Thekchen Ling)
    Photo: Joydeep, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A large monastery of the Kagyu school at the top of Lava village, opened in 1990, with about a hundred monks. Lava itself is a small market village in the forest at about 2,100 m, and the gateway to Neora Valley National Park.

    Monasteries & templesNo published hours; go in the day, about 09:00 to 16:00. Free?

    Tip: Entry is free. Lava is colder and wetter than Kalimpong, so carry a jacket. It is a good place for lunch: the momos and thukpa shops are on the main street.

  4. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  5. 3

    Lolegaon heritage forest

    1 h here
    Lolegaon heritage forest
    Photo: Prithwishc, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Lolegaon (also called Kafer) is a Lepcha village on a ridge, with a patch of old forest of tall cypress and oak trees. Paths run through the forest to viewpoints over the hills.

    Views & forestsOpen forest; go in daylight. The canopy walk is reported out of use?

    Tip: The canopy walk (a rope bridge in the treetops) was reported broken and not in use in 2024, so do not plan on it. The forest walk and the views are the reason to come.

  6. Back at central Kalimpong
Day 3

Sillery Gaon, Damsang Fort and Pedong

Sillery Gaon at about 09:30 and the forest walk up to Ramitey Dara for the bends of the Teesta, then Damsang Fort, lunch in Pedong at about 13:30, and the Pedong bazaar in the afternoon. About 50 km by cab, back in central Kalimpong by about 16:00. Works on any day.

09:00 to 15:563 places50 km by cab
  1. 1Sillery Gaon and Ramitey Dara
  2. 2Damsang Fort
  3. Lunch
  4. 3Pedong
  5. Back
  1. Leave central Kalimpong
  2. 1

    Sillery Gaon and Ramitey Dara

    2 h 30 min here
    Sillery Gaon and Ramitey Dara
    Photo: Sumit Surai, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A small village of homestays on a ridge near Pedong. From Ramitey Dara, a viewpoint above it, you can see the Teesta river winding through the valley in many bends, with Kanchenjunga behind on a clear day.

    VillagesA village and a forest walk; go in daylight?

    Tip: Ramitey Dara is about a 40 minute walk each way through the forest from the village, so the plan gives 2.5 hours. Fog often hides the view after mid-morning.

  3. 2

    Damsang Fort

    1 h 15 min here
    Damsang Fort
    Photo: Sumit Surai, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The ruins of a Lepcha hill fort from about 1690, in the forest above Pedong. Only low stone walls are left, but it is a quiet place with views over the hills towards Bhutan and Sikkim.

    Old KalimpongOpen ruins; go in daylight?

    Tip: The cab stops on the road, and it is about 15 minutes on foot through the trees to the fort. Wear shoes with a good grip, as the path is slippery after rain.

  4. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  5. 3

    Pedong

    1 h here

    A small market town on the old trade road from Kalimpong to Tibet, close to the Sikkim border. The old Sangchen Dorjee Monastery, from the early 1700s, and Cross Hill, a sunset point with a cross put up in 1882, are both near the bazaar.

    VillagesA market village; visit in daylight?

    Tip: Ask your driver to take you to Sangchen Dorjee Monastery and Cross Hill: neither is far from the bazaar, but they are not on our map.

  6. Back at central Kalimpong

Drive times come from road routing without traffic. Kalimpong's hill roads are narrow, steep and winding, the village roads to Rishop, Lolegaon and Sillery are rough in places, and monsoon landslides close roads, so real drives take longer than shown. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.

Book a cab for these 3 days

Call or message a local Kalimpong operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.

3 × full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator

We are still listing Kalimpong operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.

Opening times for this plan

The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.

PlaceOpenBest timeVisit
Deolo HillAbout 09:00 to 17:00 (some listings say 06:00 to 18:00). A small entry fee (about ₹20) and parkingEarly morning from October to March, when Kanchenjunga is most often clear.1 h
Hanuman Temple (Hanuman Tok)About 06:00 to 18:00 for visitors (the shrine opens from about 05:00). FreeMorning, on the way down from Deolo.30 min
Dr Graham's HomesAbout 09:00 to 17:00, grounds and chapel only. A working school, so ask at the gate?Late morning, on the way down from Deolo.45 min
Tharpa Choling MonasteryAbout 09:00 to 17:00 (two listings say to 18:00). FreeAny time in the day.30 min
Mangal DhamAbout 09:00 to 17:00 (listings say from 06:00 or 07:00 to 18:00 or 19:00). FreeAny time in the day.30 min
Lepcha MuseumAbout 10:30 to 16:00 on weekdays; Saturday only in the morning (about 10:00 to 12:00); closed on Sundays and public holidaysA weekday afternoon.45 min
Durpin Monastery (Zang Dhok Palri Phodang)About 09:00 to 17:00, with prayers at about 16:00. FreeLate afternoon, for the 16:00 prayers.45 min
Morgan HouseA tourist lodge: visitors can see the outside and the lawns in daylight; inside is for guestsLate afternoon, after Durpin.30 min
Rishop Kanchenjunga viewpointOpen hillside; go in daylight?Morning, from October to March.1 h 15 min
Lava Monastery (Kagyu Thekchen Ling)No published hours; go in the day, about 09:00 to 16:00. Free?Late morning.1 h 15 min
Lolegaon heritage forestOpen forest; go in daylight. The canopy walk is reported out of use?Afternoon, for a slow walk in the trees.1 h
Sillery Gaon and Ramitey DaraA village and a forest walk; go in daylight?Morning, before the fog comes up the valley.2 h 30 min
Damsang FortOpen ruins; go in daylight?Late morning or early afternoon.1 h 15 min
PedongA market village; visit in daylight?Afternoon.1 h

More or less time in Kalimpong?

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Kalimpong in 1 day

Deolo Hill, the monasteries, Lepcha Museum and Durpin

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Kalimpong in 2 days

Deolo Hill, the monasteries, Lepcha Museum and Durpin · Rishop, Lava Monastery and the Lolegaon forest

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All 15 places in Kalimpong

Every sight with what to see, opening times and how long to stay.

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Questions people ask

Is the Sillery and Pedong day worth it?

If you like quiet villages and walks, yes. Ramitey Dara shows the Teesta in many bends far below, and Damsang Fort is an old Lepcha ruin in the forest. Both need walking, so wear good shoes.

Can I add Icchey Gaon?

Yes. It is a homestay village on the way to Sillery, about 17 km from Kalimpong. Ask your driver to stop there on day three; it is not on our map.

Which days should I avoid?

Only the town day has a closed day: the Lepcha Museum shuts on Sundays and on Saturday afternoons. The bigger risk is weather: in July and August landslides can close roads, and fog hides the views.