If you want to spend some quiet moments in the lap of hills, Kalimpong near Darjeeling is perhaps the best destination to tour in West Begal. Locked in the hills and rinsed by the Teesta river Kalimpong spells tranquillity. Kalimpong is not only famous of its handicrafts and monasteries but it is also well known for orchids and other flowers that grow in abundance here. Vacations India takes on you on a tour to this hill station that lies on the northeast of India.

You can travel to Kalimpong by air, rail or road transport. The nearest airport to Kalimpong is Bagdogra and the nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri. The other major towns close to Kalimpong are Darjeeling, 51 kilometres, Siliguri, 65 kilometres and Gangtok 78 kilometres.

Once you reach Kalimpong, Deolo Hills on the north of Kalimpong welcome you. Kalimpong is a small hill station that was once a thriving trade center. But today Kalimpong is favorite haunt of tourist who wants to spend their holidays close to nature. Kalimpong is also a very good destination for trekking and other adventure sports.

Kalimpong is situated at an altitude of about 1250 metres and has a mild climate that range from 16 to 27 Degrees Celsius in summer and 5 to 15 Degrees Celsius in winter. The best season to tour Kalimpong is from March-June and September-November. Before coming under the control of Bhutan in 1706, Kalimpong was part of Sikkim. Later it came under the British rule.

With a number of scenic trek routes, beautiful scenery and fishing experience in Teesta; Kalimpong is a complete tourist destination. If you want to be in Kalimpong during the festive times, December and February are the months to tour Kailimpong. Kalimpong Fair is held in December and Pedong Agricultural Fair takes place in February.

There are a number of tourist places that one can tour when in Kalimpong. Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center in the heart of Kalimpong is a very good place to shop for some exquisite handicraft items. The center was founded in 1897 by a Scotish national, Mrs Katherine Graham. Some of the things that you can shop at the center include purses, tapestry bags, embroidered bags and pictorial wall panels.

Monasteries are other tourist attractions in Kalimpong. Some of the monasteries that you can visit are Tharpa Choling Monastery and Zang-dog Palrifo Brang. Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai that belongs Gelugpa Sect or the Yellow hat sect of lamas. Gouripur House about two kilometres from Kalimpong is another favourite spot for tourists. Gouripur House is associated with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who when on a visit to Kalimpong used to stay in this house.

Durpin Dara is best known for the breathtaking views of the surrounding areas. The point offers a panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga Range. From the View Point, one can also see the Chola Range and the Jeep La Pass. The other places of interest in Kalimpong include Dr. Graham's Home, the Lion's Golf Course, Central Sericulture Station, Swiss Welfare Dairy and Dharmodaya Vihar.

Those who want a feel of the rustic charm of the Himalayan villages can head to some nearby villages that include Lava, Gitdabling, Lolegaon and Samco Ropeway. Come and tour Kalimpong with Vacations India.