Padamchen

Padamchen is a small village on the Silk Route circuit at a distance of 14 km from Rongli and 10 km from Zuluk. The hamlet lies at an altitude of 7000 ft and is surrounded by dense forests. The place experiences pleasant weather throughout the year which is one of the main reasons behind its increasing popularity among tourists. Padamchen is also a bird watcher's paradise. The dense forests covering the entire valley is home to various species of birds including laughing thrush, honey buzzards, steppe eagles and babblers. The interior region of the jungle is inhabited by Himalayan black bear, red panda and leopards. Thambi Viewpoint is 24 km from Padamchen which offers visitors a magnificent view of sunrise and the snow capped peaks of the Kanchenjunga range. The beautiful Kuikhola falls is just a few minutes drive from Padamchen.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. Hired cars are available from both New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri to reach Padamchen. It will take around 6-7 hours to reach Padamchen.

Hotels

Silent Wood Retreat. Tel: 7872895493.
Sonam Inn. Tel: 9932487358.

Batote

Batote is an offbeat destination situated at a distance of 120 km from Jammu in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The place lies at an altitude of 1560 m above sea level. The main attraction of Batote is the temple of Lord Shiva. Gourikund and a waterfalls are located near the temple. Another attraction of Batote is Mantalai. Mantalai is a beautiful scenic place with some religious significance too since it is believed that the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati took place at this very spot. Some archaeological remains have also been found in this place.

How to Reach

Jammu Tawi is the nearest railway station. Patnitop is 112 km from there. Buses and shared cars are available from Jammu to reach Patnitop. Batote is 11 km from Patnitop. Hired cars are available from Patnitop to reach Batote.

Hotels

JKTDC Hotel Alpine. Tariff - Rs. 800-1500. Tel: (01998) 244243.

Borong

Borong is a nature lover's paradise, 17 km from Ravangla in the Indian state of Sikkim. Located at an altitude of 5800 ft above sea level, the place serves as an ideal destination for spending time with nature. Borong is situated in a calm and peaceful environment with chirping birds, dense forests and mind blowing views of the snow capped mountain peaks. View of sunrise and sunset from Borong is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The prime attraction of Borong is the Dungdung Waterfalls. Apart from that there are two more waterfalls namely Rainbow Falls and Silver Falls which are also worth visiting. Other nearby attractions include Old and New Ralang Monastery, Barmili Bridge and Maenam Hill.

Borong

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri which is well connected with various parts of the country. Auto rickshaws are plying from New Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. Hired cars and shared jeeps are available from Siliguri to reach Namchi. The journey takes about three hours. It takes another one and a half hour to reach Borong from Namchi by shared car.

Hotels

Borong Retreat. Tariff - Rs. 4500. Tel: 9051166563.
The Wild Flower Retreat. Tariff - Rs. 1500-2300. Tel: 9830705512.

Dentam

Dentam is a peaceful scenic hamlet located in West Sikkim. Situated at a height of 4800 ft above sea level, Dentam is one of the most beautiful valleys in the state. Dentam offers a mesmerizing view of the tiny colourful houses, terrace farming and the Kalej Khola river set against the backdrop of lush green hills. The place is ideal for trekkers and nature lovers. Apart from the scenic beauty, Dentam is also famous for the Alpine Gouda Cheese Factory which was the result of an Indo-Swiss collaboration. Some other tourist places near Dentam include Pelling, Kaluk and Uttarey.

Dentam Valley

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri which is well connected to major cities of the country by rail. Cars are available from New Jalpaiguri to reach Borong. Dentam is 69 km from Borong. Cars are available from Borong to Dentam via Rinchenpong.

Hotels

There are no proper accommodation options at Dentam. The best place to stay near Dentam is Pelling.
Hotel View Point. Tel: 9830514093. Tariff - Rs. 800-1500.
Hotel Holiday Inn. Tel: 9734943804. Tariff - Rs. 3500-4800.
Hotel Norling. Tel: 9830027584. Tariff - Rs. 1000-1800.
Namsaling Residency. Tel: 9733077358. Tariff - Rs. 1200-1500.

Tandrabung

Tandrabung is a small village situated at a distance of 22 km from Lava in West Bengal. The village is mostly inhabited by the Lepchas. The lush greenery, blue sky and colourful flowers make Tandrabung an ideal destination for nature lovers. Around 15 types of orchids are seen at Tandrabung. The best time for seeing orchids is from February to May. The main attraction of Tandrabung is the Lepchahut. Lepcha Museum is also worth a visit. Another important tourist spot of Tandrabung is the Dunga Falls which is 1 km from Lepchahut.

How to Reach

The nearest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri which is well connected to various parts of the country. Cars are available from New Jalpaiguri to reach Kalimpong. Tandrabung is 27 km from Kalimpong.

Hotels

Lepcha Eco Hut. Tel: 9002108611. Tariff - Rs. 950. Food charges: Rs. 350 per head.

Biharinath

Biharinath is a beautiful hill spot in Bankura District of West Bengal. It is also known as Araku Valley of West Bengal. The beauty of the place increases during winter and spring time. Biharinath Dham is located at the foot of this hill. There are temples of Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga and Kali temple. You can also walk through the Sal forests to the nearby tribal villages.

Biharinath Hill

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Raniganj which is well connected to Kolkata by train. Biharinath is 25 km from Raniganj. You can reach Biharinath Hill from Raniganj via Damodar Bridge, Mejia and Saltora.

Hotels

Zilla Parishad Atithi Bhavan. Tariff - Double Bed Rs. 400, Dormitory Bed Rs. 1000. Tel: 9647902125.
Biharinath Tourist Point. Tel: 8017202499.

Bunkulung

Bunkulung is a picturesque Himalayan village situated at a distance of 15 km from Mirik in the state of West Bengal. Bunkulung is surrounded by majestic hills and cascading rivers. Nestled in the lap of nature, the village is mostly inhabited by the Limbus of Gorkha community. The lush green meadows, outstretching paddy fields, scores of ponds and mesmerizing greenery make the place immensely beautiful. The Balasun and Murmah Khola rivers flow by the side of this hamlet. There are 19 ponds of pisciculture project which add to the beauty of the location. The nearby tea gardens and factories are worth a visit. You may also visit the town of Mirik which hosts the famous Sumendu Lake. Adventure lovers can go for a short trek to the nearby villages.

Bunkulung

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. Siliguri is close to New Jalpaiguri. Bunkulung is 48 km from Siliguri. Hired cars are available from Siliguri to reach Bunkulung.

Hotels

Khim Khesang Homestay. Tariff - Rs. 300. Tel: 9932224074.

Tumling

Tumling is a small hamlet in the Eastern Himalayas located on the way to the popular trekking destination of West Bengal, Sandakphu. The village lies at an altitude of 9500 ft above sea level and is blessed with unparalleled natural beauty and scenery. The prime attraction of Tumling is the mesmerizing view of the snow capped peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest. The place also offers an unforgettable view of sunrise and sunset to the visitors. The area is situated inside the Singalila National Park. Red Pandas are sometimes sighted in and around the place.

Tumling

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri which is well connected to various parts of the country. Hired cars are available from New Jalpaiguri to reach Manebhanjan. Tumling is 11 km from Maneybhanjan. Land Rover cars are plying from Manebhanjan to Tumling.

Hotels

Shikhar Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 700. Tel: 9564797551.

Palmajua

Palmajua is a small hill village situated in the lap of the Singalila National Park in West Bengal. Located at an altitude of 7250 ft, the place offers peace and tranquility to the visitors amidst lush greenery and breathtaking sceneries. A mind blowing view of the Mt. Kanchenjunga can be viewed from this village. The main attraction of Palmajua is the Singalila National Park. The forest is home to the Red Panda, Pangolin and about 170 species of birds. You can visit Dhotrey, Rimbik, Srikhola and Meghma from Palmajua. Adventure lovers can go for short treks from the village to the nearby forest.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. Hired cars are available from New Jalpaiguri to reach Manebhanjan. Palmajua is 35 km from Manebhanjan. Jeeps are plying from Manebhanjan to Palmajua.

Hotels

There is home stay option for accommodation at Palmajua.
Bugial. Tel: 9231581177. Tariff - Double Bed Rs. 1200-1500.

Aru Valley

Aru Valley is located at a distance of 12 km from Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The place is also called Aru Reserved Forest. It lies at an altitude of 2690 m above sea level. The scenic beauty of the valley is mesmerizing. Aru Valley offers a stunning view of the snow capped mountain peaks. The view of the lush green valley of West Lidder river is awe inspiring. There are several waterfalls which add to the beauty of the place. You can also take a horse ride to Kolohoi Glaciers, 36 km from Aru Valley. The Kolohoi Glaciers is the source of the Lidder river.

Aru Valley

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Udhampur which is well connected to various parts of the country. Buses and cars are plying from Udhampur to Pahalgam. Hired cars are available from Pahalgam to get to Aru Valley.

Hotels

There are several accommodation options at Pahalgam.

Sanasar

Sanasar is an unexplored hill destination located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Sanasar is 129 km from Jammu and 19 km from Patnitop. Situated at an altitude of 2079 m, the place is blessed with unparalleled natural beauty. Sanasar offers stunning views of the snow capped Himalayan peaks including the Brammah massif. The lush green meadows and golf courses surrounded by conifer trees are one of the main attractions of the place. Paragliding and horse riding at Sanasar are added attractions for the tourists.

Paragliding at Sanasar

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi which is well connected with the rest of the country. Distance from Jammu to Sanasar is 129 km. Hired cars are available from Jammu to reach Sanasar.

Hotels

Sanasar Tourist Bungalow. Tariff - Rs. 1200-3000. Tel: (0191) 2457927.

Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti is a picturesque hill station located 25 km from Mussoorie in the state of Uttarakhand. It lies at an altitude of 2250 m above sea level and is still virgin and unexplored. The place is surrounded by forests of pine, oak, fir, devdaru and rhododendron trees. Dhanaulti offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Nanda Devi Range and other Himalayan peaks. The misty surroundings, towering alpine trees and stunningly beautiful landscapes makes Dhanaulti an amazing place to spend a holiday. One of the main tourist attractions of Dhanolti is the Tapovan Hill. You can also visit the Surkanda Devi Temple, 9 km from Dhanaulti.

Dhanaulti

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is Dehradun. Dehradun is well connected to other parts of the country by rail. Cars and buses are plying from Dehradun to reach Mussoorie. Taxis are available from Mussoorie to reach Dhanaulti.

Hotels

GMVN Dhanaulti Heights. Tariff - Rs. 1250-1800. Tel: (01376) 226223.
Himalaya Guest House. Tariff - Rs. 700-1000. Tel: (01376) 226220.
Hotel Crystal Palace. Tariff - Rs. 2000-5000. Tel: 9456311529.
Crown Plaza. Tariff - Rs. 1000-1200. Tel: (01376) 226230.