12 Breathtaking Offbeat Places in North Bengal

The northern part of West Bengal is popular as ‘North Bengal’. Today we will explore some offbeat places in North Bengal. Well, if you are from a neighboring area, you have probably visited some popular hill stations such as Darjeeling, Kurseong, or Mirik. 

However, people are preferring more offbeat tourist places in North Bengal rather than traditional tourist hotspots. Most unexplored destinations are mainly mountain hamlets. So, don’t expect any luxury. Although we can ensure that you will have one of the best experiences of your life. 

Offbeat Places in North Bengal

As we mentioned before, the northern side of West Bengal is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in India. In the following, you will know about twelve splendid offbeat places in North Bengal. Let’s find out:

1. Bidyang

Bidyang is a less explored hamlet in the Kalimpong district. Situated at a distance of 15 km away from the main town, Bidyang is popular for lush green agricultural lands, colorful flowers, and hidden waterfalls. 

To reach this little Himalayan village, you need to hire a cab from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station. On the other hand, you can reach this from Kalimpong. 

As we mentioned before, don’t expect a lot of facilities here but you will definitely find some amazing people. To enjoy the charm of this place, it’s better to spend a night in a homestay. 

2. Tonglu

Located at the height of 10,130 ft, Tonglu is undoubtedly one of the best offbeat places in North Bengal. Well, this place is less visited by tourists due to the height. This hamlet is situated on the way to Sandakphu. So, most trekkers make a night halt in this settlement. 

If you want to explore the beauty of nature, Tonglu is the ideal place. In fact, this village is a great place to get an astonishing view of snow-capped Mt. Kanchenjunga. 

However, Tongu is not that developed compared to other offbeat villages of North Bengal. There are some dormitories for trekkers. 

3. Phalut

Phalut is the paradise for trekkers. Situated at the height of 11, 811 ft, Phalut is the second highest point of Singalila ridge. If you are into trekking, this is a must-visit destination for you. In fact, you can do a day camping while enjoying the picturesque view of Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Many people visit Phalut from Darjeeling which is only 80 km away. Make sure Phalut is only reachable by trekking. You will find some bungalow and trekker’s hut here. The best time to visit this place is from April to May. 

4. Bindu

Bindu is famous for cardamom plantation.

Popularly known as the last hamlet of West Bengal, Bindu is one of the best offbeat tourist places in North Bengal. The scenic view of this less explored place is marvelous where you can see the Jaldhaka river and the beautiful hills of Bhutan. 

Many tourists visit Godak tribal village from Bindu which is around 15 km away. The best time to visit this undiscovered hamlet of Dooars is from November to January. 

5. Latpanchar

Latpanchar is another spectacular destination in Dooars. Perched at the height of 4500 ft, Latpanchar is a place that can steal your heart. This place is only 41 km away from Siliguri. Moreover, this place is well-known for bird watching.

Some beautiful local sightseeings near Latpanchar are Raja Rani Hill, Namthing Lake, Latkothi, and Ahal Dara viewpoint. The best time to visit this place is from October to March. 

6. Takdah

The Orchid Center of Takdah was once Asia’s best orchid center.

Covered with lush green tea gardens, Takdah is one of the best offbeat places in North Bengal. This place was a British cantonment, so you will find some old buildings from the pre-independence era. 

Takdah is only 28 km away from Darjeeling and is located at a height of 4000 ft. Besides experiencing the panoramic views of tea gardens, you will find blooming orchids. In fact, Takdah’s Orchid Center is another amazing place.

Many people reach Takdah from Darjeeling. However, if you want to reach there directly from NJP railway station, you need to book a cab. Shared car services are also available which is the best option for solo travelers. 

If you want to visit Tinchuley, another beautiful offbeat destination, it’s just 3 km away from Takdah. Many tourists go for a little trek to reach Tinchuley. The best time to visit Takdah is from October to March. It’s better to avoid this area during the monsoon. 

7. Tabakoshi

Perched at the height of 3000 ft, Tabakoshi is a newly found gem in the foothills of Darjeeling. This place is only 3 km away from Mirik. So, if you are staying at Mirik, make sure you visit this breathtaking mountain hamlet. 

There are some beautiful homestays in Tabakoshi. You can go for various sightseeing such as tea gardens, Bokar Monastery, Shiva Temple, and Mirik Lake.

NJP railway station is only 65 km from Tabakoshi while Bagdogra is around 61 km away from this place. So, you can easily hire a cab from those places to reach Tabakoshi. 

8. Lamagaon

Situated around 35 km away from Darjeeling, Lamagaon is another spectacular hamlet in North Bengal. You can get a breathtaking view of Mt. Kanchenjunga from this place. This place has some amazing sightseeing such as Jhepi Independent Church, Chayote green cultivation, and Sai Mandir.

You can also visit Bijanbari from Lamagaon which is around 13 km away, To reach Lamagaon, you need to hire a cab from NJP railway station or Bagdogra airport. The best time to visit this place is from October to May. 

9. Sillery Gaon

Sillery Gaon is referred to as ‘New Darjeeling’ for its scenic beauty. 

Located at an altitude of 6000 ft, Sillery Gaon is one of the popular offbeat destinations in the Kalimpong district. The incomparable panoramic view attracts tourists from everywhere. This is why this hamlet is also famous for camping.

With the ruins of Damsang Fort, you can have an amazing trekking adventure. Sillery Gaon’s Ramitey Dara is another beautiful destination.

10. Pabong

If you are looking for a less explored place, Pabong is the perfect destination for you. Covered with the lush greenery of Neora Valley National Park, Pabong is one of the best offbeat tourist places in North Bengal.

Just like other offbeat hamlets in this area, this tiny settlement also promises a panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Moreover, this place is great for bird watching where you can see birds like Rollers, Sunbird, and Minivet. 

If you love adventures, make sure you are taking a trail to the Neora Valley National Park. Also, don’t expect luxury but you will get the best experience with Mother Nature.

11. Nimbong

Nested in the laps of the Himalayas, Nimbong is one of the best offbeat places in North Bengal. Well, this place is still unexplored for many people, so don’t expect too many people here. However, if you want to discover the magic of nature, this is the place.

This is the perfect destination for people who want to get relief from daily life. To reach Nimbong, you need to take a cab from NJP. On the other hand, you can reach here from Siliguri which is situated only 78 km away. 

12. Lungchu

This side of West Bengal has some magical tressures, and we just need to explore them. While talking about tressures, we should mention Lungchu, another picturesque mountain hamlet in North Bengal. 

The view of Mt. Kanchenjunga is always a pleasure when you are visiting Lungchu. However, the lush greenery will steal your heart. It takes around 6 hours to reach Lunchu from the nearest railway station, NJP.

Besides exploring nature, you can spend time with villagers. Bird watching is also a popular activity here. You can stay at both resorts and homestays here. The best time to visit this magnificent village is from October to May. 

Conclusion 

We can conclude that the northern part of West Bengal is more than phenomenal. There are many more offbeat destinations in this place that we didn’t mention in this article but we will cover all of them in the future. So, if you are planning for your next trip, chose some of these unexplored hamlets. You will feel the magic of Mother Nature.