“A house is a bond of two days, a path is forever.” – Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay
People love offbeat destinations than before. If you love to explore offbeat destinations near Darjeeling, Sillery Gaon is an unavoidable paradise.
People love the majestic picturesque beauty of the Himalayan range and the dense pine forest.
Sillery Gaon is a little hamlet in Kalimpong, one of the most lovable tourist destinations in North Bengal.
Not only the natural beauty, but Sillery Gaon is also famous for its quality Cinchona plantation.
The ultimate beauty lies amid the panoramic views of mountain ranges. Just imagine, how ideal it will be your weekend trip here!
The snow peaks with our beloved Mt Kanchanjungha are the prime attraction here.
If you are looking for a virgin destination near Darjeeling, Sillery Gaon is undoubtedly the best.
You’ll enjoy the language of the forest here. Sillery Gaon is the paradise of various species of birds. The hilly breeze with chirping of birds will bring you to the next destination.
People love to call this place “New Darjeeling” for its beauty and bounty.
Here in this blog, I am going to reveal all the necessary information about your next destination in North Bengal. Let’s dive in!
Sillery Gaon Location
Do you know the meaning of Sillery Gaon?
The name comes from the Sillery plant which is “abundant in this area”.
Sillery Gaon is around 6000 mt. high from sea level. This mesmeric offbeat hamlet is located near Pedong in Kalimpong. The altitude is 27.14°N 88.58°E.
The border of this pristine village is interesting. Sikkim is on the north and east, Nepal is on the west, and Bengal is on the south.
You’ll enjoy a 180 degree view of the Himalayas from here. The river Teesta is an important river here.
Sillery Gaon is just around 24 km from Kalimpong. Generally, it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes (approx) to reach.
How to Reach
Sillery Gaon is in Kalimpong. So, you have many options to reach there. This offbeat hamlet is well connected with all the large cities in the country.
You can start from the gateway of North Bengal and Dooars, New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station.
You can also start from Siliguri station as well.
From both NJP and Siliguri station, you can come by both bus and cab.
If you want to reach by rented car, the closest destination is Kalimpong. Then take another cab to reach your dream destination, Sillery Gaon.
The nearest airport is Bagdogra. You can also get a cab from there.
Communication is not an issue.
From NJP and Siliguri, the distance is around 130 km. It generally takes 4 hours and 30 minutes. Though time depends on many factors such as road conditions, traffic, etc.
Best Time to Visit
Winter, spring, and summer are the best seasons to visit this offbeat destination near Darjeeling.
Though people prefer to visit this beautiful place anytime.
I suggest avoiding monsoon.
The months of March to May are the best time to visit this offbeat Kalimpong destination.
The combination of clear sky and mild temperature is the major attraction at this time.
Though sometimes fog adds an unavoidable beauty during this time.
October to mid-December is the best time for those who love to enjoy winter.
The sky is clear, so you can easily enjoy the beauty of Mt. Kanchenjunga and other snow peak Himalayan mountains.
The temperature is cool but pleasant.
Sightseeing
Sightseeing is one of the most important parts of any travel journey. Sillery Gaon itself is beautiful. You can only enjoy its beauty while staying here.
The key tourist attractions of this offbeat North Bengal tourism are:
Ramitey View Point
If your first target is to get a heavenly view of Mt Kanchanjungha, then Ramitey View Point is the ideal point.
Besides Mt. Kanchenjunga, you’ll see the mesmerizing beauty of other snow peak mountains from here.
Teesta is an important river of North Bengal and Sikkim. From Ramitey View Point, you’ll get a breathtaking view of the flowing Teesta River along with its 14 bends.
The confluence of River Teesta and Rishi is a rare sight that you’ll enjoy from here.
The natural beauty will hold you here for a while.
On a sunny day, you’ll enjoy the beauty of the entire region from Teesta Bazar to Majhitar in Sikkim (East) from here.
The distance of Ramitey view point is around 3 km from Sillery Gaon. You can trek or go by cab.
Damsang Fort
Do you love adventure? If you love adventure, your Sillery Gaon trip would be memorable.
Explore the ruined Damsang Fort from your homestay. You can reach Damsang Fort by trekking.
Damding Fort is an old architecture. In the year 1690, it was built. Lepcha kingdom established it.
Post-Anglo-Bhutan War of 1864, this fort was destroyed. However, it is still a tourist attraction.
This mysterious ruined house is just 1 km from Pedong and around 4 km away from Sillery Gaon.
Apart from mystery, this beautiful place is famous for bird watching.
The way to reach this beautiful place is amid the lush green forest with surrounding hills.
Hanuman Top
Hanuman Top is just a little upward trekking from Damgins Fort. The beautiful Hanuman status is the major attraction. According to locals, God Hanuman is protecting this place.
You’ll see Kalimpong from here just like a bird’s eye.
You can easily spend a couple of hours there enjoying the calmness and surrounding beauty.
Tinchuley
Tinchuley is one of the most beautiful offbeat destinations near Darjeeling. Tinchuley is just a few meters away from Sillery Gaon.
You can easily trek from your homestay and reach this breathtaking beauty. The trekking is adventurous. You have to trek a stiff uphill road to reach Tinchuley.
Tinchuley is famous for a 360-degree view of Mt. Kanchanjungha and the Himalayan snow peak mountain range.
Even if the sky is clear, you’ll see the majestic view of Jeep La and Nathu La pass from here.
Silent Valley
Silent Valley is a vast wide green pasture, surrounded by tall pine trees. You’ll enjoy the chirping of various birds.
An ideal trekking for adventure lovers. According to locals, it is a den of some wild animals like leopards, and hyenas.
You’ll reach through a little descending trek.
Once upon a time, there was a lake. During monsoon, the Silent Valley becomes a water body.
Cross Hill
Hill and sunset are a beautiful combination. Cross Hill is mainly famous as a sunset point. During sunset, when the sky becomes red, the whole mountain range becomes mysterious.
On every clear day, Mt. Kanchanjungha and other snow-capped peaks are visible like a dream.
Even you’ll see Tibbet from here on a sunny day.
In April and May, the “Chyam” dance becomes an attraction to tourists.
Do you know the local Christian community often visit Cross Hill as their pilgrimage?
Why?
During the 19th century, some Christian evangelists started traveling to Tibet. Unfortunately either they lost their lives or never returned.
In 1882, Fr. Augustine Desgodins erected a cross as a memorial of these lost evangelists. The face of the cross is Tibet. He hoped that he could bring them back.
Apart from history, the Cross Hill is famous for its natural beauty.
Sahid Park
We Indians will never forget the Kargil War. If you visit Sahid Park, you’ll see the martyrs of the Kargil War.
Sahid Park is one of the most attractive sightseeing points nowadays.
Here you can enjoy the history, beautiful nature, and a pleasant atmosphere.
This spot will bring trill if you are an Indian.
Where to Stay
Sillery Gaon is not an undiscovered offbeat. So, you’ll get various options to stay here.
Many homestays and resorts are available. During the peak season, the price is higher.
The price varies depending on season and occasion.
The average cost of staying here is around INR 2000/day including food. The cab rent for sightseeing and pick and drop is extra.
You can enjoy the local touch while staying here. Organic vegetables and pure food are another attraction here.
My Final Thought
If you are a wanderlust, you’ll love Sillery Gaon. The unending beauty of majestic views and calm nature is the main attraction here. If you want to explore this offbeat destination near Darjeeling, Sillery Gaon must be on your bucket list. Even you can plan to explore this hamlet on your Darjeeling and Kalimpong trip. In this blog, I have covered all the necessary information regarding the Sillery Gaon trip.
Disclaimer: I don’t encourage or discourage you to travel any place. I just share my opinion. It is simply a knowledge-base content.
