Indian States
Kalimpong
( Excursion )
Bhutan
From Kalimpong it is possible to visit Phuntsholing, just over the
Bhutanese border, without a visa. There's a daily bus to Jaigaon,
on the Indian side of the border, which leaves at 8.30am. There
are hotels and guesthouses at Phuntsholing, but not Jaigaon.
Teesta
Bazaar
16km from Kalimpong and where the road divides for Darjeeling and
Silliguri, is becoming a centre for white water rafting activities.
Lava
About 30km to the east of Kalimpong, is a small village with a small
gompa. Tuesday is market day, and a good time to visit. There's
a Forest Rest House buses and jeeps run regularly from Kalimpong.
Kaffer is another small village east of Kalimpong, and it also has
a Forest Rest House. Both of these places can be visited on treks
from Kalimpong.
Samco
Ropeway
A chairlift installed by the Swedish as part of an aid programme
to help villagers cross the Teesta River. If the idea of dangling
from a piece of wire 30m above the water doesn't entice, give this
a miss - it's definitely not for vertigo sufferers or heart patients!
The ropeway is on the main Silliguri to Gangtok road, at a place
known locally as 27th Mile.
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