RONGBULL, GHOOM – 52 KMS. FROM SILIGURI

• Weekend Tour

Just before Ghoom, on the way to Darjeeling you would come across a non-descriptive village market place called Rongbull Bazar. If you leave the highway and take to the dirt tracks, then a drive of another five kilometres would take you to the famous tea gardens, valleys, waterfalls and endless stretches of blue mountains in the Himalayan foothills of Rongbull village. Here lies our new found destination for travellers who love to spend their weekends far from the tourist crowds.

Here, you would find a village resort within a tea estate, overlooking the valleys, forests and tea gardens. While staying here, you can visit the ‘Queen of the Hills’ – Darjeeling just 15 kms. away in day trips and take local sightseeing trips to Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop or Kurseong. If you are of the adventurous type, then you can trek to the nearby Indrani Waterfalls, go for bird watching in the surrounding forests or try out angling in the Balasun River. The famous Tiger Hill is just 10 kms from here and you can take a short trip early morning from Rongbull Village to witness the golden hue over Mt. Kanchenjungha during sunrise.

Places to see in Rongbull: The tea estate provides the picture-perfect scenery for the guests interested in enjoying a bit of nature’s beauty. You can take long walks through the rows of manicured tea bushes, and enjoy magnificent views of the valley. Known to the locals as Indrani Waterfalls – this is an excellent picnic spot, where you find a perennial rainbow at the base of the waterfall. A short trek from the resort would take you to this waterfall.

Nearby attractions of Rongbull: Day trips to Balasun River Valley or the nearby tea factory would be a very refreshing experience. The other major sightseeing spots include Darjeeling and its nearby areas, Kurseong and Mirik. A short drive from the resort (just 15 kms away) would take you to Darjeeling and the famous Mall Road or Chowrasta crossing. The Mall is the best place to experience the local culture through shopping and eateries, as well as sit and watch the local life and colours. Visitors will also be able to enjoy phenomenal views of the Himalayan mountain ranges from here, as well as walk down the road for a leisurely stroll. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute founded by Tenzin Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary houses records of the expedition that had ever been undertaken to Mount Everest. It also provides basic mountaineering training to interested tourists. Another fascinating sightseeing is the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Garden or the popularly known Darjeeling Zoo, which houses some of the rarest animals found in the Himalayan region, such as the Red Panda, the Snow Leopard, the Tibetian Wolf and the Himalayan Pheasant. A toy train trip in Darjeeling can also be on your cards.

Things to do in Rongbull: Take leisurely walks around the tea gardens, visit the local tea factory and the local water dam, trek to Indrani Waterfalls, try out angling in the nearby Balasun River, enjoy bird watching in the surrounding forests or simply idle away your time basking in the balcony of your cottage watching over the endless stretches of tea gardens and valleys. Tiger Hill is just 10 kms from here, so you can take an early-morning trip to get a magical panoramic view of sunrise over the Mt. Kanchenjunga range.

Best time to visit Rongbull: You can visit Rongbull anytime of the year. The monsoon brings new leaves to tea bushes and forests and gives a heavenly lush to Rongbull and its surrounding areas. The winters are known for sparkling weather.

How to reach Rongbull: The resort is only 15 kms from main town Darjeeling. From Rongbull Bazar (near Sonada and Ghoom station), a drive down of 05 kms would take you to the resort surrounded by tea gardens. If you are coming from Siliguri, take to Kurseong and then keep a watch for Sonada. After crossing Sonada, you would spot Rongbull Bazar. If you are coming from Darjeeling, cross Ghoom and travel for another 04 kms to find Rongbull Bazar.

Lodging and dining facilities at Rongbull: Visitors to would be accommodated in wooden cottages. The cottages are well-equipped with LCD televisions, hot and cold running water, western bathrooms. All rooms and cottages come with modern facilities like wardrobes, large comfy beds, and balconies. Fresh, home-cooked meals are provided to all tourists, with vegetables and fruits – organically grown in nearby gardens. Non-vegetarians can avail a range of local delicacies, and the adventurous visitor may opt for either the local Darjeeling Thali which showcases the best in local Darjeeling cuisine, both veg and non-veg or special Barbecue meals in the restaurant hut. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. Visitors also need not worry about transportation, as it will be adequately provided. Guided tours, hikes and treks to all the attractions are routinely arranged by the resort.