Mirik is one of the charming hill stations in the list of North Bengal offbeat destinations, a perfect alternative to Darjeeling. The word ‘Mirik’ has derived from a Lepcha word ‘Mir-Yok’, which means “place burnt by fire”. The place is nestled in the route of Siliguri-Darjeeling at an altitude of 5,000 ft. So, come and join mapunseen to discover this beautiful offbeat place in North Bengal.
- The nearest railway station here is New Jalpaiguri station, which is approximately 55 km away from this place. The nearest airport here is Bagdogra, which is 50 km away. Mirik is well connected with Darjeeling (49 km away) and Siliguri (52 km).
- The tourists get attracted due to its cool climate, pine forest, and serene atmosphere. Mirik’s centrepiece, Sumendu Lake, is surrounded by pine forests, walking trails and gardens enhancing its natural beauty. Those walking trails are lined with Himalayan pine trees, which makes the trails ideal for leisurely walks. You can do boating here, as it is a very popular activity.
- If you are a good photographer, do not lose the opportunity to capture the great views of Thurbo Tea Estate.
- A peaceful Buddhist monastery named Bokar Monastery is situated at the top of the hill, which offers a sense of spiritual calmness, including panoramic views.
- Here, Rameetay Dara Viewpoint is a fantastic spot to enjoy the perfect sunset views, including other mesmerising views of Kanchenjunga and other plains. In winter, the lower regions bloom with orange orchards. This place is also known for orange honey and local handicrafts.
- The spring and summer (March to June) and post-monsoon months (September to November) are the ideal times to visit here.
If you are a solo traveller, this can be an ideal choice for you, including people who are travelling with families. There are many homestays available in one of these offbeat places in North Bengal, providing various facilities as per your needs.
Quick Overview of 50 Offbeat Places in North Bengal, Including Mirik
| PLACE NAME | KNOWN FOR | BEST TIME TO VISIT | NEAREST TOWN/CITY | DISTANCE |
| Mirik | · Rameetay Dara Viewpoint · Bokar Monastery | During the spring and summer (March to June). | Darjeeling | 49 km |
| Kurseong | · Eagle’s Crag Viewpoint · Lush green tea estates like Ambootia and Castleton | Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). | Darjeeling | 30 km |
| Ghoom | · Oldest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery · DHR Museum, consisting Baby Siok steam engine. | March to May and also during autumn, i.e. between October – December. | Darjeeling | 6 km |
| Lepcha Jagat | · Hawaghar Viewpoint · Ghoom Rock viewpoint | October to May for clear views and skies. | Darjeeling | 19 km |
| Lamahatta | · 3 km hike to Gari Danda · Lamahatta Eco Park | During Spring, i.e. between March to May and during Autumn, between October to December | Tinchuley | 6 km |
| Tinchuley | · Grumph Dara Viewpoint · Tinchuley monastery | Between September/October – February/ March | Darjeeling | 32 km |
| Takdah | · Dechhen Pema Tshoiling Monastery · Famous tea gardens here are Teesta Valley Tea Estate, Gielle Tea Estate | Peak blooming season is between February and April. | Darjeeling | 28 km |
| Mungpoo | · Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Museum · Dinchhen Sherap Chhoeling Gompa Monastery | The best time to visit is between March to June and October to December. | Darjeeling | 33 km |
| Latpanchar | · Sarsari Dara Viewpoint · This place lies within the Buxa Tiger Reserve, a dense forest | The spring season and between October to May are the best times to visit here. | Siliguri | 41 km |
| Bijanbari | · Rammam Hydel Power Plant · Rangeet River bank | The best time to visit here is between Spring – Summer (March – June) and during Autumn (September –November) | Darjeeling | 32 km |
| Phalut | · Phalut offers the best view of the iconic “Sleeping Buddha” · The trails of nature through rhododendrons and magnolia forest | During the autumn months (October-November) and spring (March-April) | Sandakphu | 21 km |
| Manebhanjan | · A peaceful Buddhist monastery · Nearby tea garden-Sukhiapokhri | The best time to visit is from October to December (Autumn) and March to May (Spring) | Darjeeling | 25 – 28 km |
| Sittong | · Namthing Lake · Ahal Dara Viewpoint | Best time to visit here is between October to January and during March to May | Kurseong | 24 km |
| Chatakpur | · Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary · A well maintained watchtower that provides 360° panoramic views of Kanchenjunga and other views of Eastern Himalayas | October to May is the best time to visit | Sonada | 7 km |
| Dawaipani | · Places like Glenburn, Lamahatta are great for strolling through tea estates and tea tasting. | The Best time to visit here is Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) | Darjeeling | 16 – 20 km |
| Ahaldara | · The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary · Namthing Pokhari | Pleasant weather for tourist visit is during – October to April/May | Latpanchar | 5 km |
| Tabakoshi | · Gopaldhara Tea Garden · Tabakoshi waterfalls | The Best time to visit here is between October to March for ideal sightseeing. April to June for witnessing lush greenery | Mirik | 5.5 km |
| Lebong | · Nearby tea estates like Badamtam, Ging and Phoobshering · The Gorkha Stadium | The best time to visit here is between March to June (Summer), October to November (Autumn) and December to February (Winter) | Darjeeling | 8 km |
| Dhotrey | · The 7-8 km trek to Tonglu · Ramiteydunga Viewpoint | The Best time to visit here for trekking is between March to May and October to December. | Manebhanjan | 11 km |
| Bara Mangwa | · Teesta-Rangeet confluence · the tea gardens like Poomong, Rungli, Namring, etc. | The ideal season to visit here is during October to February | Kalimpong | 22 km |
| Peshok | · The Lover’s meet viewpoint or Triveni Sangam · Gumbadara Viewpoint | Ideal season to enjoy in this place is October to December and March to June | Siliguri and Bagdogra | 65 km (approx.) |
| Srikhola | · A hanging wooden bridge over the swift Srikhola River | The best time to visit here is between October to May and November to February | Rimbik | 4 km |
| Paren | · Jungle trails connect to nearby spots like Gairibas, Dalgaon and Rongo · Stroll along the Jaldhaka river banks | People can visit here only during the harvesting season between October and February. | Jhalong | 10 km |
| Rangaroon | · Rangaroon Tea Estate · Mata Singha Temple | The Spring and Autumn are ideal season | Darjeeling | 12 km |
| Chhota Mangwa | · Century-old Phunchok Choeling Monastery (100 years old) of Takling Village · Lopchu is a tourist attraction famous for small orange-juice factory | Ideal season to visit here is between October to February | Darjeeling | 35 km |
| Sandakphu | · Trekking route is from Manebhanjan to Tumling to Kalipokhri to Sandakphu · The view of ‘Sleeping Buddha’ is a major attraction for tourists | The best time to visit here is during spring time (April-May) and also during autumn (October-November) | Manebhanjan | 27 km |
| Lava | · Lava Monastery · Tiffin Dara Viewpoint | Best time to visit here is between March to June and October and December | Kalimpong | 30 km |
| Kolakham | · Changey Falls · Kolakham Waterfalls | October to April is the best time to visit here | Lava | 10 km |
| Lolegaon | · Kafer Village and Charkhol | The perfect time to visit here is between October to December and February to May | Lava | 24 km |
| Rishikhola | · The Reshi river here is the main attraction · East silk route for extended trips like Lampokhari Lake, Aritar, Zuluk roads, Nathang Valley, Kupup lake and Jelep La Pass | Spring to Summer (March to June) and post-monsoon to early winter (September to December) | Kalimpong | 36 km |
| Rishop | · Lava Jamgyong Kongtrul Monastery · Shiva Buddha Temple | Best time to visit here is during Spring (March-May) and Autumn (October-November) | Lava | 11 km |
| Yelbong | · Discover Rainbow waterfall and three-step waterfall · Experience the flow of Canyon river along with Rumti river | Ideal season to visit is between October to March | Bagrakote | 7 km |
| Ramdhura | · Damsang Fort · An ideal spot for stargazing | Ideal time to visit here is between March-June, October-December, December-February | Kalimpong | 15 km |
| Jhandi | · Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary · Nearby attractions include Sambaing Organic Tea Gardens | Ideal season to visit here is between March to May and October to November | Lava | 12 km |
| Jogighat | · A hidden waterfalls known as Lepcha falls · Long steel bridge in Jogighat over the Riyang river, replacing an old wooden hanging bridge | October to April is the ideal time to enjoy the clear skies, pleasant weather, and winter-bathing by river | Sittong | 25.5 km |
| Rongo | · Rongo Monastery · Cinchona Plantations | Ideal time to enjoy the tourism here is between October to March including April and November to January | Todey | 28 km |
| Munsong | · Burmaik Mahadev Dham · Main attraction of this place is panoramic vistas of the snow covered Kanchenjunga | Can only be visited during winters (November – February) | Kalimpong | 20 km |
| Kaffergaon | · Witness unique views of remote villages and Eastern Bhutan Hills glowing during sunset. The colour of the skies turn pink and gold in the afternoon | October to April is the peak season for clear skies | Lava | 20 km |
| Daragaon | · Heritage of this place is a 300-year-old Lepcha Cave with a Buddha shrine and ancient Tibetan clay · Main attraction of this place is Jalsa Bungalow | Throughout the year the winter season and October to May is the ideal time to visit here | Lava | 22 km |
| Jhalong | · Jaldhaka Hydel Project · Famous for cardamom plantations | Best time to visit is here is between October to May | Bindu | 10 km |
| Pabong | · Nearby tea gardens are Fagu, Syle, Chel and Kumai · Renowned for Vibrant Himalayan bird species in forests and orange orchards | Ideal season to come here is during October to April and December to February | Kalimpong | 35 km |
| Suntalekhola | · Mouchiki is a popular picnic · Suntalekhola is entry point of Neora Valley National Park | Best time to visit here – October to April | Samsing | 3-4 km |
| Bindu | · Bindu Dam, serves as a bridge into Bhutan · The environment is covered with terraced orange and cardamom orchards along with shimmering rivers | The best time to visit here is between October to march and Winter season | Jhalong | 16 km |
| Ichhe Gaon | · Silent Valley offering a peaceful retreat · Short treks lead to nearby villages like Ramdhura and Sillery Gaon | The best time to visit here is during Summer (March to May) and Winter (October to December) | Kalimpong | 15 km |
| Samthar | · Samthar Plateau Viewpoint · Witness Nathula Pass and Jelepa pass | The best season to visit here is between October to May | Kalimpong | 42 km |
| Lungchu | . Nearby attractions include Mulkhara lake, especially famous for its wish fulfilment beliefs . Aritar lake known as Ghati-Tso, beautiful place surrounded by river and mountains | Ideal time to visit here is during autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) | Lava | 17 km |
| Rocky Island | . Clean riverside location for campfires, outdoor games and star-gazing . Trekking routes like Mo or Mouchuki, Suntalekhola, Tree Fern Point or Neora Valley forest base | Perfect time to visit this place is between October to April | Samsing | 3 km |
| Samsing | . Cardamom plantations, orange orchards making it a perfect place for a weekend getaway. . Famous for the lush green tea garden estates like Fagu and Chalsa. | Ideal time to visit here is between October to March | Matiali | 7.7 km |
| Chilapata | . The forest consists of the ruins of the Nalraja Garh, an ancient fort which is believed to date back to the Gupta period. . Tourist can go for forest safari through the dense forest trails. | Best time to visit here is between October and March | Hasimara | 15 km |
| Lepchakha | . Former British detention centre, the Buxa Fort. . Nearby attractions are Mahakal Cave, Buxa forest area and Jayanti Riverbed – 14 km distance. | During mid-October to December (winter months) and April are the best time to visit Lepchakha | Alipurduar | 20 km |
Final Thoughts for Mirik
In conclusion, Mirik is a calm and splendid hill destination that blends nature, relaxation, and culture beautifully. From its peaceful lake to its viewpoints, every corner provides unique comfort. Whether you are on a small getaway or a long vacation, MIrik promises a refreshing break from city life.
FAQs
- What is the best time to visit Mirik?
- October to April is the best time to visit Mirik.
- Are these restaurants family-friendly?
- Yes, most restaurants in Darjeeling welcome groups and families.
- Do these restaurants in Mirik provide vegetarian options?
- Absolutely, almost all restaurants offer a variety of veg options.
