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The houses of Kalimpong packed along a green ridge under a cloudy sky, seen across a valley
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Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day planFirst visitmonasteries and viewsbalanced

A day in Kalimpong from Darjeeling — Zang Dhok Palri Phodang, Deolo Hill and Dr Graham's Homes

A one-day plan from Darjeeling to Kalimpong: Zang Dhok Palri Phodang on Durpin Hill, the view from Deolo at 1,704 m, and the chapel of Dr Graham's Homes.
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Kalimpong is Darjeeling's neighbour across the Teesta valley: a ridge town at about 1,247 m, between Deolo Hill and Durpin Hill, known for its monasteries, its old school and its flower nurseries. This day from Darjeeling takes in the monastery of Zang Dhok Palri Phodang, the view from Deolo and the chapel of Dr Graham's Homes.

Photos: Bernard Gagnon (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Bernard Gagnon (CC BY-SA 4.0) · DR1980SM (CC BY 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

Who this is for

Visitors with a spare day in Darjeeling who want a second hill town, a great monastery and a long view.

Day by day

Day 1

Across the Teesta to Kalimpong

3 stops · 31 min on the road

A long day: about 112 minutes each way, so leave Darjeeling by 8 am.

  1. 10:00
    Zang Dhok Palri Phodang
    temple · 1 h 52 min from Darjeeling · about 45 min there
    The Gelug monastery on Durpin Hill, consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1976, which keeps the 108 volumes of the Kangyur.
  2. ↓ 23 min by road · 11 km
    12:00
    Deolo Hill
    peak · 1 h 58 min from Darjeeling · about 30 min there
    The highest point of Kalimpong at about 1,704 m, about 23 minutes on, with a Hanuman temple and long views; lunch here.
  3. ↓ 8 min by road · 3 km
    14:00
    Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel
    temple · 1 h 51 min from Darjeeling · about 45 min there
    About 8 minutes from Deolo, the chapel of Dr Graham's Homes, the school founded in 1900 for Anglo-Indian children.

Getting there

Kalimpong is about 112 minutes from Darjeeling on our routing; see how to reach Darjeeling and things to do in Darjeeling.

Where to stay

Return to Darjeeling for the night, or stay in Kalimpong. We have no verified lodging, prices or booking rules.

Know before you go

  • The road drops to the Teesta and climbs again; it is slow and can be cut by slips in the rains.
  • Dress modestly in the monastery and ask before you photograph monks.
  • Kalimpong's flower nurseries sell orchids and bulbs; ask locally which welcome visitors.

Going together

No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.

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More places nearby

All of Darjeeling →
Samdruptse, Namchi — the 135-foot statue of Guru Padmasambhava
Samdruptse, Namchi — the 135-foot statue of Guru Padmasambhava
monument · 15 km away
Siddhesvara Dham, Namchi — the Char Dham with its 108-foot Shiva on Solophok hill
Siddhesvara Dham, Namchi — the Char Dham with its 108-foot Shiva on Solophok hill
monument · 17 km away
Tiger Hill, Darjeeling — the sunrise viewpoint for Kangchenjunga and Everest
Tiger Hill, Darjeeling — the sunrise viewpoint for Kangchenjunga and Everest
viewpoint · 18 km away
Mahakal Temple, Darjeeling — the Shiva shrine on Observatory Hill
Mahakal Temple, Darjeeling — the Shiva shrine on Observatory Hill
temple · 19 km away
Chowrasta, Darjeeling — the town square on the Mall
Chowrasta, Darjeeling — the town square on the Mall
area · 19 km away
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway — the toy train and its loops
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway — the toy train and its loops
monument · 19 km away
St Andrew's Church, Darjeeling — the town's oldest church
St Andrew's Church, Darjeeling — the town's oldest church
monument · 19 km away
Lloyd's Botanical Garden, Darjeeling — the Himalayan plants below the town
Lloyd's Botanical Garden, Darjeeling — the Himalayan plants below the town
monument · 20 km away

Nearby destinations

All destinations →
The huge copper-coloured seated statue of Guru Padmasambhava on its painted base on Samdruptse hill under a grey sky
Namchi
18 km away · 2 itineraries · 3 places
A long snow-covered Kanchenjunga ridge in blue morning light above dark forested hills with a few wisps of cloud
Pelling
29 km away · 3 itineraries · 8 places
The seated golden and dark-blue Buddha statue on a stepped, richly painted base against a forested hillside and a cloudy sky
Ravangla
32 km away · 1 itineraries · 3 places
Pastel-coloured buildings of Gangtok climbing a steep, forested hillside, seen from a viewpoint across the valley
Gangtok
48 km away · 5 itineraries · 11 places
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Questions people ask

Can you visit Kalimpong as a day trip from Darjeeling?

Yes, but it is a long day. Our routing puts Kalimpong about 112 minutes from Darjeeling each way, down to the Teesta and up again, so leave early. Zang Dhok Palri Phodang, Deolo Hill and the Graham chapel are close together, within about 23 minutes of each other.

What is Zang Dhok Palri Phodang?

A Gelug monastery on Durpin Hill in Kalimpong, consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1976. Wikipedia says it keeps rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, among them the 108 volumes of the Kangyur. Dress modestly, walk clockwise around the shrine and ask before taking photographs inside.

What is the highest point in Kalimpong?

Deolo Hill, at about 1,704 m by Wikipedia's figure, with long views over the town and the valleys. The town itself lies at about 1,247 m on the ridge between Deolo and Durpin Hill, at about 1,372 m. A Hanuman temple stands on Deolo, at the top of a red stairway.