Kurseong is an offbeat destination in North Bengal situated in the Darjeeling district at an altitude of around 4,800 ft. Located on Hill Cart Road (NH110) connecting Siliguri to Darjeeling. This place is called “Land of White Orchids” because this place full of white orchid flowers. It is less commercialised and quieter than Darjeeling, which offers a picturesque and peaceful retreat. A pleasant climate is usually predominant here, making short treks and small getaways more ideal. These are some points provided by mapunseen:
- Bagdogra (40 km away) is the nearest airport to this place, and the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), approximately 45 km away. Shared taxis and buses are available here easily; about a 2-hour drive from Siliguri. Travellers can enjoy a ride on a toy train in Kurseong Railway Station, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Eagle’s Crag Viewpoint offers a breathtaking view of the plains, mountains and rivers from the top. Another famous viewpoint is the Giddapahar Viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range.
- Dow Hill School is another mysterious and famous haunted place in Kurseong, a unique spot for nature lovers and thrill seekers. Deer Park is also known as Dow Hill Park, is a small forested land where you can see many deer and enjoy a walk amidst tranquillity.
- Lush green tea estates like Ambootia and Castleton are ideal places for photography and peaceful walks.
- You can also explore the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Museum, where he was kept under house arrest. It has now turned into a museum displaying the struggles and works of life.
If you are interested in knowing more about this place, you can book a homestay here and make the North Bengal trip worth it.
A Table for 50 Offbeat Places in North Bengal Including Kurseong
| 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. . Tourists can go for a forest safari through the dense forest trails. | . Cardamom plantations, orange orchards make it a perfect place for a weekend getaway. . Famous for the lush green tea garden estates like Fagu and Chalsa. | Hasimara | 15 km |
| Lepchakha | . The forest consists of the ruins of the Nalraja Garh, an ancient fort which is believed to date back to the Gupta period. . Tourists can go for a forest safari through the dense forest trails. | During mid-October to December (winter months) and April are the best time to visit Lepchakha | Alipurduar | 20 km |
Final Thoughts for Kurseong
In conclusion, Kurseong is a serene destination with white orchards that beautifully combine foggy landscapes, quaint charm and tea gardens. Whether you explore the viewpoints, walk through the forest trails and enjoy the delightful slow mountain breeze. Kurseong promises a soulful and refreshing getaway
FAQs
1. What is the best time to visit Kurseong?
March to June and October to April are the best times to visit Kurseong.
2. What is Kurseong well-known for?
Kurseong is mainly famous for its white orchids and misty hill view.
3. How many days are enough for the Kurseong trip?
Two days are enough for the Kurseong trip.
