Offbeat places near Darjeeling:
The Queen of The Hills Darjeeling continues to astonish visitors. In the Darjeeling district's hilly terrain, there are surprises around every bend and route. Travelers are frequently surprised by the scenery of the eastern Himalayas and lush alpine valleys with woods and tea gardens. There are also new locations on the horizon. The vacation guide will keep you up to date on these future vacation spots. Come see for yourself what the locations have to offer.
Sittong- The best destination for a short trip.
Sittong can be the best destination for a short offbeat Darjeeling tour. This hilly village in the Karshiang subdivision of Darjeeling seems to have been decorated by nature. Sittong is a green valley surrounded by mountains at an altitude of about four thousand five hundred feet. Only mountains as far as the eye can see. There are small houses built-in steps of mountains.
This village of Lepcha is like an orange grove. As soon as you enter the village, you will first see a concrete bridge and a mountain, flowing under it is the river Riyang. Although Riyang will be your partner long before you enter sittong.
Sittong is comprised of many small villages. So you can walk around this village. In every house on this hill, you will see colorful flowers, orange trees, and assorted crops. Take several turns to reach the shitong viewpoint. There is a century-old cave. However, if you want to see this cave, you have to trek to the upper shitong and from here you can get a great view of Kanchenjunga. There is also a 120-year-old church. This was primarily made of bamboo which is now renovated with bricks and cement, but even though it is made of concrete, the architectural form is still unaltered and marvelous.
You will be welcomed at Shitong Orange Garden. Throughout the winter, only the sweet smell of oranges lingers in the air of Sittong. So don't forget to visit this garden if you are visiting the place in winter. Village Lepcha is within walking distance. Five ponds in the area and within five kilometers of the Namthing pond, home to the endangered prehistoric Himalayan salamander. Nearby is the Lang Lepcha Buddhist Cave, which is about 350 years old.
Enjoy the chirping of birds in the quiet forest of Mahananda Sanctuary, their free habitation. You can reach along the banks of the Riyang River in front of Lepcha Jhora. You can visit Latpanchar, Ahaldwar, Mongpu from Sitang. If you are interested in trekking, go to Labda, Sixin, Chatakpur and from there to Bagora and then to Karshiang.
How to reach:
Reach Siliguri from Howrah, Sealdah, or Kolkata. From there reach Shitong via Ramvi and Mongpu. Or you can reach from Karshiang with Bagora and Ghareyatar. According to the season, the price of the car may be more or less.
Best time to visit:
November to March
Staying:
There are some home-stay facilities available in and around sittong where you can enjoy nature at its best. Also, you should try some local dishes there as they are just delicious. It is good to make a prior booking to avoid the last-minute hustle, especially if you are visiting in peak season.
Package tour for sittong:
Njp to Njp with homestay including lodging and boarding, Local sightseeing.
Contact on WhatsApp only: 98261-24154
Suggested Reading:
Tawang-Unexplored wonderland of North-east