Bagora: Bird watchers' paradise

Bagora is a wonderful small village located at an altitude of 7,150 ft in Kurseong sub division. The quaint village is well known for its variety of birds, forest of oak and pine and of course the rhododendrons. Nestled amidst pine forests and rhododendron trees with majestic views of Mt. Kanchenjungha and the meandering River Teesta, this romantic getaway will not disappoint you. Bagora is also called Zero Point and has a station of the Indian Air Force with a helipad. If you are fond of low altitude jungle treks and bird watching then Bagora can be very interesting for you.

Places to see in Bagora: You can always enjoy a nature walk along the scenic landscape of the region. You can take a short stroll from Bagora to the Air Force base alongside the Tea Gardens. The site offers a spectacular view of the vast stretch of River Teesta and breathtaking views of Mt. Kanchenjungha. You can also visit the Forest Rest House to savor the view of the exotic variety of Himalayan flora. You will truly treasure the sight of the nicely maintained flower garden, adorned with terraced greenhouses. Bagora is renowned for its herbal and medicinal plants. Moreover, in the months of November-December, you will find the trees bearing oranges.

Twisting road to Mahaldiram

Nearby attractions: The little village of Chimni with its surrounding valleys is just a few kilometers away. The dense pine forests surrounding this little village, a viewpoint and a dilapidated British-built chimney in a nearby village are few other things to be discovered here. From the small and rural market area of Bagora, a road goes all the way to Latpanchar and beyond. Another road at the upper level leads to the Indian Air Force station. On this route you will find a small gazebo type view point which offers magnificent view of meandering river Teesta and that of Mt. Kanchenjunga. You can also walk up to the View Point and then up to the Air Station from the Market area in about 25 minutes. Bagora is an ideal place for trekkers and bird watchers. You can take a 12km trek to Mongpu, via Labda busty, or a nice modest day trek (about 6 hours) to Senchal Lake. From near the market area of Bagora, a trail goes through forest of Dhupi and oak, and then through a place called Chaitapani and then all the way to a small hamlet called Chimney.

You can also take your vehicle along this route. View of sunset from a point in Chaitapani is simply awesome. You see the sun setting on the opposite mountain beyond the forests. Along the way at Chaitapani you will also come across a temple of goddess Kali which is well known in this area. The temple is set up in a lush garden setting with many small fluttering prayer flags around. This is where most locals in the area come for worships.

Things to do in Bagora:  There is also a nice trekking trail from Bagora to Zero point. The place is also a heaven for the avid bird watchers, as Bagora is the home to a wide variety of birds. You can also walk down the shadowy forest trail to Tiger Hill, to watch the spectacular sunrise or plan for a trek of 12-km to Mongpu. If you are planning for more than a weekend in Bagora, enjoy a three-day forest trek from Kurseong to Kalijhora via Bagora, Namthing Pokhri and Latpanchar.

Forest Rest House at Bagora

How to reach Bagora: Regular bus and car services are available between Siliguri and Darjeeling via Kurseong and Ghoom. While driving from Kurseong to Darjeeling, take a right turn at Dilaram to reach the village of Bagora by a steep road of only 3 Km. The total distance is about 15 kms from Kurseong.

Best time to visit Bagora: You can visit Bagora any time of the year. In March and April, you would find the Rhododendrons in full bloom in the surrounding forests. This is also the best time for watching birds.

Where to stay: The accommodation options offered in Bagora is limited and exclusive. The State Government operated Forest Rest House is the best place to stay in Bagora. There is only one private homestay in Bagora run by a local family. The home stay has Double Bed rooms and Four-Bedded rooms in their main building and annexe cottage. All the rooms and cottages of the homestay have western bathrooms, comfy beds, running water in bathrooms and views of Mt. Kanchenjungha, surrounding forests and the deep valleys. The home stay can also arrange for local treks, birdwatching tours and campfire in the evenings. The homestay has a lovely terrace where guests can bask in sunny mornings and lush lawn for the children to run around. The food served is home-cooked and essentially Indian cuisine. For booking, contact us at GreenChannel.treks@gmail.com or phone us at +91-8145863495

Nearby Places:
Kurseong - 13 Km
Darjeeling - 21 Km

Rishyap / Rishop : Living beside virgin forests

Rishyap is a small hamlet in the Kalimpong hills at an altitude of about 8,100 feet, very  close to Lava . Being located in the close proximity to Neora Valley National Park, the charm of staying in a hill village among chirping birds and waking up with the view of the Majestic Kanchenjunga is the primary reason behind the popularity of Rishyap. The 300 degree majestic view of mountain ranges  visible from Rishyap/Risop are (left to right) Mt.Kharg, Kokthang, Rathong, Kabroo (North, South, Dome and Forked), Talung, Pandim, Khang-Chen-DZongha, Simvo, Narsingh, Siniolchu.  Apart from the Kanchenjunga range, a visitor can also see the Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal mountains including Jelep la from Rishyap. Nathula, the famous Indo-Chinese border that has been opened up for trade, is also visible from here.

Rishyap can be reached either by vehicle or on foot. Rishap can be reached from Lava easy trekking ( only 5 kms) or Four Wheels ( 12 kms). But the bumpy road can make the jeep journey uncomfortable. An excellent view of Kanchenjungha from 'Tiffin Dara' (Dara means ridge in local language) in Rishop attracts tourists to this place. The same place is also sometimes referred to as Sherpa Dara. There is a viewing tower at Tiffindara for better view of Rishyap and around. The deep silent forest of Pine, Birch, Fir and Orchids with soothing path following the chirps of birus & the view of big sky on the lad of snowcapped Khang-Chen-DZongha is a special gift of Rishyap. At Rishyap/Risop the night sky is bright and clear. It may seem that the stars have come closer. Far below, one can view the lights twinkling in the nearby towns and villages.



Southeast of Rishyap/Risop is the Lava monastery. The entire village is not covered by motorable road. To see the whole village, you have to walk down the mountain paths with majestic Kanchenjungha standing in front.

Over the years a number of tourist accommodations have come up at Rishyap. Almost all of the tourist accommodation are village homestay type and cannot be compared with hotels in major towns. Basic facilities are available at the place with running water, attached bath and decent food. For booking, contact us at GreenChannel.treks@gmail.com or phone us at +91-8145863495

Nearby Places:

Lava – 12 kms
Lolegaon – 32 kms
Kalimpong – 35 kms
Siliguri – 95 kms

Kumai - An offbeat destination of North Bengal.

Kumai is one of the lesser known destinations of North Bengal that is yet to be explored by nature lovers. It's a place located between some of the most reknowned tourist destinations of North Bengal like Samsing, Suntalekhola, Gorumara-Lataguri. Kumai is nearly 80 kms from NJP railway Station, 90 Km from Bagdogra airport and one can truly enjoy the ride following the diverse beauty of nature covering the high mountains and vast plains.

The place is an attractive choice for a short stay because it has connectivity to all the above destinations, so you will perfectly connected to the outside yet remaining isolated from the crowd of floating tourists. Kumai is both a tea garden, forest land and even agricultural land. The journey starts from the plains and gradually rises to the hills covered with the dense forest of Neora Valley National Park.

Apart from wide varieties of wildlife combining birds like hornbill, minivets, peacocks and many other birds, the place has all the blissful beauty of Murti river and some historical memories.

Adventure Activities at Kumai:
Whether you love the cultural exploration of foothills of Himalayas, or love to explore the dense wilderness of pristine heritage forests, Kumai has all that will add up to your adventure tour a memory of unique experience. Apart from just the adventure lovers Kumai also serves as a healing destination for people who suffer from joint pains, fractures and broken bones etc. Our ethnic medicine men, who uses the methods of herbal treatment will certainly be a wonderful visit for the travelers.

Different Adventure Options at Kumai: Wild, Cultural, Ethnological, Volunteer, etc,
1. Togtongay Trek- (Neora Valley National Park)
2. Spend the night at Jungle with the Nomadic Cowboys of Himalayan culture.
3. Volunteer options available to work for hand made- tea processing units.
4. Workshop for herbal medicinal treatment available to work with patients at a local village herbal centre.
5. River trekking, fishing and visit to cinchona plantation to learn medicinal plants processing and cultivation.


Where to stay: 
Kumai Gorkha Homestay is a home stay owned by a small family of a veteran of the Gorkha Regiment of Indian army. So, you may see a culture blended with discipline and punctuality of an Army man. The homestay serves as the best accomodation to explore Kumai and other adjacent tourism destinations of North Bengal. Located on a sweeping lanscape beside the road, the homestay offers a mesmerising view of rivers flowing through the hills and getting lost in horizon of vast plains. Above all, the culture of a true Gorkha famaily is what that heralds all the nature lovers to be a part of their family for a memorable holiday experience.

Yonzonla Homestay is another newly started homestay in the Kumai area with excellent amenities and wonderful traditional food.

For booking, contact us at GreenChannel.treks@gmail.com or phone us at +91-8145863495

Nearby places:
Samsing, Meteli, Jhalong, Chalsa, Dhupjhora, Lataguri