Things to do in Kalimpong — monasteries, hill views, orchids and the Teesta river
The best things to do in Kalimpong: the Durpin monastery, Deolo Hill, Dr. Graham's Homes, the orchid nurseries and the Haat Bazar, with times from the town.
ArticleVerified 2026-10-26
How to reach Kalimpong — from New Jalpaiguri, Bagdogra, Darjeeling and Gangtok
How to reach Kalimpong: New Jalpaiguri 72 km and Bagdogra 78 km by road on our routing, Pakyong airport, the road from Darjeeling and Gangtok, and from Delhi.
Kalimpong is reached by road from the plains of West Bengal. The measured road times below are our own routing, and the rain and landslides add much more. We have no verified train, flight or bus timetable, so check current services.
From where you are
- New Jalpaiguri Junction: about 72 km, 120 minutes.
- Bagdogra Airport: about 78 km, 122 minutes.
- Siliguri Junction: about 67 km, 114 minutes.
- Darjeeling: about 49 km, 103 minutes.
- Gangtok: about 73 km, 129 minutes.
- Pakyong Airport: about 64 km, 121 minutes.
- Delhi: about 1,423 km by road, about 17 hours free-flow, so most people fly or take a train.
By train
New Jalpaiguri Junction in Siliguri is the main railhead, and Wikipedia gives 75 km for it, 66 km for Siliguri Junction and 45 km for Sivok. A railway from Sevoke to Rangpo that will serve the town is under construction, with stations at Tista Bazaar and Melli. Wikivoyage names Sevoke as the nearest railhead, with the road up the Teesta valley to Teesta Bazaar as the way on from there.
By air
Bagdogra airport, near Siliguri, is the usual airport, about 80 km by Wikipedia's figure. Wikipedia lists Pakyong airport in Sikkim as the closer one at about 56 km. Its passenger flights were suspended at the time of our Gangtok guide, so confirm before you rely on it.
By road
Kalimpong lies off National Highway 10, which links Sevoke with Gangtok, and National Highway 717A meets it at Algarah, 16 km away. Wikipedia says regular bus and jeep services run to Siliguri, Darjeeling, Gangtok and many towns around. From Darjeeling, Wikivoyage says State Highway 12 is the road to use.
In the rains
Wikipedia says the monsoon is severe from June to September, and that landslides often cut the town off. Keep a spare day in your plan, and ask your hotel about the road on the morning you travel.
Once you are here
Read things to do in Kalimpong and when to visit, and copy the one-day plan or the two days with Teesta and Pedong.
Places around Kalimpong
The Kalimpong guide →More stories to read
All stories →
Best time to visit Kalimpong — the five seasons, the monsoon and the Kanchenjunga view
When to go to Kalimpong: the spring and summer season visitors prefer, the severe monsoon of June to September, the cold of December to February, and fog.
Darjeeling tea gardens — how the tea began, the four flushes, and the estates you can see
Darjeeling tea gardens: first planted in 1841, the four flushes from March to November, Happy Valley (1854) near town and Makaibari (1852) near Kurseong.
Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake from Leh — permits, the roads, Diskit, Hunder and when to go
Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake from Leh: the online permit from the Leh district portal, the roads over Khardung La and Chang La, Diskit, Hunder, and when to go.
Sikkim permits — the Protected Area Permit for Tsomgo, Nathu La and North Sikkim, and the RAP for foreigners
Sikkim permits from the official Sikkim Tourism site: which places need a Protected Area Permit, the documents for Indians, and the free RAP for foreigners.
How to reach the Sainj valley — the turning at Larji, the junction at Aut, and the road up the river
Getting to the Sainj valley: the Larji turning off the Kullu highway, 30 minutes from Aut, 54 from the Bhuntar airport, and what the bus actually does.
Nearby destinations
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Questions people ask
How do you reach Kalimpong?
By road from the plains of West Bengal. The usual railhead is New Jalpaiguri Junction in Siliguri, about 72 km and 120 minutes away on our routing, and the usual airport is Bagdogra, about 78 km and 122 minutes. Kalimpong has no working railway of its own; a line from Sevoke to Rangpo is under construction.
How far is Kalimpong from Darjeeling and Gangtok?
About 49 km and 103 minutes from Darjeeling, and about 73 km and 129 minutes from Gangtok, on our routing. Wikipedia says regular bus and jeep services link Kalimpong with Siliguri, Darjeeling, Gangtok and many neighbouring towns. The monsoon and landslides can add hours to any of these roads.
How far is Kalimpong from Delhi?
About 1,423 km by road on free-flow OpenStreetMap routing, about 17 hours before traffic, so nearly everyone flies to Bagdogra or takes a train to New Jalpaiguri. We have no verified train or flight timetable, so check current services before you plan.