DARA ECO VILLAGE, KALIMPONG – 58 KMS. FROM SILIGURI

Dara Eco Village is perched on a mountain slope amidst orange orchards facing Mt. Kanchenjungha and River Teesta. Located ahead of Teesta Bazar towards the western side of the Kalimpong hills, in the Teesta Valley, the Dara Eco Village is home to few terraced farms, forests and too many orange orchards. But, the real attraction of this little village is the 105 year old Heritage house. Completely made of wood, this century-old home still has the earliest wood foundations, door arches, staircases, wooden floors and khirkis intact. Recently renovated with modern facilities, the Dara Eco Village Heritage Bungalow with its sprawling lawns and old world charm is no less than a time-travelling experience. This bungalow is one of the very few heritage homes in the Eastern Himalayas, where you can still see the wood-works and architecture of century-old local artisans.

Places to see in Dara Eco Village: You can get a spectacular view of Mt. Kanchenjungha, Kalimpong hills as well as a bird’s eye view of the meandering Teesta River from your house. A huge orange orchard surrounds your heritage home, which is located on the fringes of the forest. You would also find some Buddhist Stupas (Chortens) on the nearby hilltop, from where you can savour a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. A stroll around the village will take you to a local school, a temple, terraced farms and more orange orchards.

Nearby attractions of Dara Eco Village: While staying at Dara Eco Village, you can visit Kalimpong just 24 kms away. The major attractions of Kalimpong include the Durpin Dara Monastery, Delo Park, the various Cactus gardens and off course its markets. If you want to tread the uncharted path, then the forests of Tinchuley and orange orchards of Chota Mangwa can be visited too. The confluence of River Teesta and River Rangit is 12 kms from Dara Eco Village. A trip to nearby tea gardens like Lopchu and Peshok should also be on your cards.

Things to do at Dara Eco Village: You have a lot of opportunities for activities at Dara Eco Village. Trekking and bird watching are abundant and so is river rafting in the waters of Teesta. Angling can be enjoyed in Teesta just 08 kms away. You can always take a nature walk along the forest trails to the nearby Chortens on the hill top. Meditation can be practiced in some secluded spot of Dara Eco Village, where no sound of this civilized world has ever reached.

How to reach at Dara Eco Village: Get down at New Jalpaiguri Railway station or Siliguri Bus Stop and then take NH-31A straight to Teesta Bazaar. From here you need to hire a car to take you to Dara Eco Village (around 08 kms away). The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport.

Best time to visit Dara Eco Village: In the winter season, the orange garden is full of oranges and in summers, the chill in the wind will give you the much awaited respite from the sun baked plains.

Lodging and dining facilities at Dara Eco Village: You would be staying in a 105 year-old wooden house rich in local wood-works overlooking Mt. Kanchenjungha. With a lush lawn in front and an orange orchard in its backyard this heritage home is one of the last few heritage homes built by local artisans. This bungalow is very different from the popular British bungalows of the Eastern Himalayas as local wood works decorate the doors, staircases, khirkis and every pillar and foundation of the house. There is also a gazebo at the backyard, where you can enjoy your food cooked on wood burners in the earthen kitchen (still functional) and even try kicking a dheki (a wooden device for husking rice). Some nice evenings can be spent here gossiping with local villagers beside the fire. Although this house is more than a century-old now but the recent renovation by its owners has given it the amenities like western bathrooms with hot water geysers, televisions and electricity. Food is home cooked, mostly in the traditional open-kitchen and the vegetables are locally sourced and organic. Fresh, lip-smacking Indian cuisine is served which are enjoyed by guests in a century-old wooden house high in the Himalayan slopes.