RISHOP

Surrounded by thick forests, this village is nestled in the Darjeeling hills at an altitude of around 8,000ft.

The hook: Get lost amid pine, dhupi and rhododendron trees as a mysterious mist swirls itself around the wild flowers and jungle foliage. The biggest attraction of Rishop is a clear and close view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and other beautiful peaks of India and Nepal. The thick forest of birch, pine, fir and orchids makes it a bird lover’s paradise. However, the village of Rishop is not accessible by motor vehicles. So, to explore the village, you need to walk up and down the hill. You can also view some parts of Nathu La and Jalep La from Rishop. And Lava is just 7km away. 

How to reach: Rishop is a four-hour drive from Darjeeling and four-and-a-half hours from Siliguri. It is easily accessible by road, either directly from Siliguri or via Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

Where to stay: Numerous resorts, hotels and homestays of all budgets are scattered throughout Rishop.

TAKDAH

This little gem located amid mountains and tea gardens is just 27km from Darjeeling and 4km from Tinchuley.

The hook: A walk in the cedar and pine forests, then a stopover at an orchid garden, dropping by a heritage British bungalow and watching local women pick tea leaves from the endless stretches of tea gardens. This was a British cantonment and you can still feel the Raj hangover in the bungalows and gardens. It is an ideal place to spend a lazy weekend. An early morning visit to nearby Durpin Dara View Point to watch the sunrise and bathe Mt. Kanchenjunga in shades of gold is a breathtaking experience.

How to reach: You can hire a car from Siliguri, which is 70km away, or take a shared car or a bus from Darjeeling to Takdah. 

Where to stay: Homestays and government guesthouses. 

NAMCHI

The capital of South Sikkim is about 90km from Siliguri. With its 135ft-high statue of Guru Padmasambhava in Samdruptse Monastery, majestic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and the Char Dham point, Namchi offers much to do and see. 

The hook: A large number of sightseeing spots, like Salleybong Bul Cave, Tirikhola Dancing Falls, Temi Tea Garden, Rayong Sunrise View Point and the Tendong State Biodiversity Park. There are trekking and nature walks too. 

How to reach: The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. Jeeps and cars can be hired from the station itself. 

Where to stay: Numerous private hotels to fit varying budgets. Most have dining facilities. There are roadside eateries selling local dishes too.

RAVANGLA

The small town of Ravangla in South Sikkim is a new find as a nature retreat. With towering snowy mountains, exotic flora and fauna, scenic tea gardens, age-old monasteries and welcoming villages, this is gradually becoming a tourist hotspot.

The hook: The snow-capped mountains and the serene surroundings. The place is also dotted with a number of old monasteries and sunrise points. You can trek to the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, which boasts of a lush green forest of magnolia, chestnut oak and rhododendron. The sanctuary is home to some endangered species like the Himalayan Black Bear and Red Panda. You can also walk around the nearby villages and soak in the atmosphere.

How to reach: Ravangla is over 100km from Siliguri. You can rent a car from New Jalpaiguri station. Ravangla is also accessible from all tourist spots of Sikkim, like Gangtok, Pelling or Namchi.

Where to stay: There are a number of nice resorts and hotels offering decent accommodation and dining facilities.

TINCHULEY

This is still one of the hidden treasures of the over-exposed Darjeeling region. Local residents have taken an initiative and converted their village into an eco-urban village. 

The hook: Numerous viewing points, like the Gumbadara View Point for extraordinary views of the Teesta river, and Tinchuley View Point, which offers a nearly 180-degree view of the entire Eastern Himalayan range with Mt. Kanchenjungha ruling the sky. You can also get a glimpse of Gangtok, Kalimpong and Darjeeling from these points. Plus, treks, birdwatching and cave-hunting. 

How to reach: Tinchuley is located above the old cantonment area of Takdah in Kurseong. It is around 80km from Siliguri. Any hill-bound vehicle will take you there.

Where to stay: Heritage guesthouse or village homestay. 

Text: Rwitoban Deb and Debdeep Banerjee