RANGBANG, DARJEELING – 58 KMS. FROM SILIGURI

• Weekend Tour

Dreaming of a quiet and cozy home tucked within orange orchards overlooking blue hills, white mountains and endless tea gardens? Your dreams would come true at Rangbang! This beautiful escapade is far from the hustle and bustle of city life yet near to one of the most popular tourist attractions of Darjeeling Hills – Mirik. The beautiful Rangbang homestay, the meandering village paths through tea gardens, pony trails, long nature walks, chirping of unknown birds, the frolicking rivulets and mighty Mt. Kanchenjungha make Rangbang a dream destination for nature lovers like you.

Places to see in Rangbang: The joyful Rangbang River passes through the hills, tea gardens, orange orchards and villages at Rangbang. You can trek or take a pony ride from the Rangbang homestay and follow this beautiful river along its shores as long as you like. You can visit a naturally formed Rock Garden with some strange formations at Rangbang. A visit to Murmah Tea Garden would be a nice experience too.

You can also take a long nature walk or a pony ride to the Thurbo Tea Garden to relish the majestic views of the blue hills of “Nagari” and “Mangarjung.” At Rangbang, there is a Roman Catholic chapel run by the Selesian fathers and there is a Buddhist monastery and a Kabir Panth Math too. There is a nearby Lepcha Gaon, where you can still see the traditional village lifestyle of the Lepchas. You can also visit the Tin Tangay Waterfalls located nearby.

Nearby attractions of Rangbang: The beautiful Sumendu Lake (popularly known as Mirik Lake) surrounded by forests with views of Mt. Kanchenjungha is the most popular attraction of Rangbang. All the attractions in and around Mirik like the temple of Shri Mangal Dham, Devi Sthan and the view points like Rai Dhap are all located within 4 kms of Rangbhang. The Ramitay Dara viewpoint offering views of the mountains and the plains below and the Sunrise Point offering breathtaking sights of the sun rising over miles of tea gardens, orange orchards and Mountains are located nearby. The Bokar Monastery located on the way to Rameetay Dara, Jayanti Nagar, Pashupati Nagar, the Mirik Church and the Swiss Cottage are some of the places of attractions located very close to the Rangbang. Nearby tourist towns like Kurseong and Darjeeling attracts tourists from all over the world. On the way to Darjeeling from Rangbang, you can also check out lesser-known destinations like Bunkulung, Jorepokhri, Sukhiapokhri and Lepchajagat.

Things to do in Rangbang: There are no motorable roads in Rangbang connecting the village houses but cobbled footpaths that would remind you of fairy tales. So, morning and evening strolls would be ideal around Rangbang. You can go to the Mirik helipad in the early mornings to see the sunrise over Mt. Kanchenjungha. You can spend your evenings around the fireside hearing the forgotten stories of the demons and kings of the Himalayas from the locals. You can also enjoy Nepali folk music and dance. You can take pony rides to nearby tea gardens, arrange picnics on the shores of Rangbang River and visit the Rock Gardens to enjoy a beautiful view of the sparkling waters of Balason River and the endless stretches of paddy fields.

You can also spend a lazy day just reading your favorite novel at Rangbang or trek through the mountains and orchards along with a guide. Another special feature of Rangbang is the integration of different communities. There are Lepchas, Gurungs, Tamangs, Rais and Limboos. They have their own dialects and their own unique culture, food and lifestyle. One can experience village life in all its fullness.

How to reach Rangbang: Rangbang is only 3 kms from Mirik and can be reached by cars. Regular buses and taxis connect Mirik to Darjeeling, Kurseong, New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. If you are traveling by air, you have to reach Bagdogra Airport, situated very close to Siliguri. From the airport, you can board a taxi or a bus to reach Mirik. From Mirik you can hire a local car to Rangbang. You would also get cars from New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, Darjeeling or Kurseong to Rangbang.  By rail also, you need to get down at New Jalpaiguri station from where, taxis and buses leave for Mirik and Rangbang. It takes around 1.5 hrs to reach Rangbang from Siliguri.

Best time to visit Rangbang: You can esape the heat of the plains in summer and the winters are best for the oranges and beautiful sunrise.

Lodging and dining facilities in Rangbang: The Rangbang Homestay is a beautiful cottage with all modern amenities. There is a lounge with a fireplace, a dining hall and spacious bedrooms with large colonial-styled windows and attached western baths. Run by a hotel management graduate, this homestay offers organic food and local farm-fresh milk and vegetables on the menu.