A hill station is a small town, typically located in the mountainous regions, which are surrounded by plains and valleys. Once a part of history to serve against the Britishers, it has now become a popular tourist destination, which replicates natural beauty in its purest form.
Hill stations are often known for their history, rich architecture, pleasant climate, and scenic landscapes, and Siliguri is geographically blessed when it comes to being a crossroad to Hill Stations.
Therefore, to make things easier, we’ve put together a list of your most desired, beautiful, and nearest Hill stations from Siliguri. So that you can plan a vacation in your desired month.
SILIGURI: A Gateway to the Hills
Siliguri, also known as “the heart of North Bengal”, is located at the foothills of the Himalayas in the state of West Bengal.
It has a very strategic geographical location that allows roadways to many destinations. Bordering 3 countries, namely Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, Siliguri has one of the most strategic locations in all of India. But that doesn't compromise its beauty.
When it comes to natural and scenic destinations, this city is filled with them. Overall, this city has a lot of beautiful destinations, starting from hills, to hill stations, to rivers, towns, shopping malls, and many more. This highlights the fact that this city supports a very lush and diverse range of vegetation, ranging from extensive grasslands to dense tropical forests.
Talking about Hill Stations, you might think, “Which is the nearest Hill Station to Siliguri?”
The answer is Kurseong, often referred to as “the land of white orchids”, which is situated about 30-35 kms away from Siliguri. This Hill Station falls under the district of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India, with an altitude of approximately 1,458 meters (4,860 ft).
It is famous for its scenic Eagle’s Eye Crag viewpoint, historic tea gardens and architecture, landscape views, and pleasant weather throughout the year. Travel time typically ranges from 1 to 1.5 hours by road, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
Top Nearest Hill Stations From Siliguri
Some alternative best nearby Hill Stations from Siliguri can also be
1. Mirik
Centered around the Picturesque Sumendu Lake, Mirik is a beautiful scenic Hill Station, located at an altitude of approximately 4,905ft.
Distance from Siliguri: It is approximately 46-52km away from Siliguri.
Travel Time: Travel time is roughly 1hr, 45mins by car.
Best time to Visit: March to June (pleasant weather) AND September to December (clear mountain views).
Must-Visit Places here: Mirik Lake, Tingling Viewpoint, Don Bosco Church, Orange Garden Mirik, and more.
2. Darjeeling
Famously known for its tea, its stunning views of Mount Kanchenjunga, and its rich colonial heritage, this iconic Hill Station is located at an altitude of 6,700 ft. and is also known as “the queen of Hills”.
Distance from Siliguri:This is approximately 63-70 km from Siliguri.
Travel Time: Travelling time is 2.5 to 3 hours through the Rohini road, or Hill Cart Road, by car or private taxi.
Best time to Visit: March to May (pleasant weather), October to November (best views), December to February (for winter experience).
Must-Visit Places Here: Tiger Hill, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train), Happy Valley Tea Estate, Japanese Peace Pagoda & Temple, and many more.
3. Kalimpong
Kalimpong is a beautiful and charming hilltop town or Hill Station, situated at an altitude of 1,250 meters (4,100 ft). It is known for a significant portion of the production of India’s production of orchids and Cacti, and also famous for its bustling flower nurseries, pleasant climate, and colonial heritage.
Distance from Siliguri:anywhere between 67-68km.
Travel Time: 2-3 hrs, depending on road conditions near the Teesta Barrage.
Best Time to Visit: March to April (spring), May to June (summer), October to November (autumn), and December to February (winter).
Must Visit Places Here: Delo Point, 7th Mile View Point, Durpin Monastery, Mangal Dham, and many more.
4. Gangtok, Sikkim
Gangtok, Sikkim, is known for offering a spectacular view of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. Located at an altitude of 1,437meters (4715 ft), this is a very vibrant hill station, known for its mix of Buddhist cultural and modern urban amenities.
Distance from Siliguri:114-115 km from Siliguri.
Travel Time: 4 to 5 hrs by road, from Siliguri.
Best Time to Visit: March to May (spring), October to mid-December (autumn).
Must-Visit Places Here: Tsomgo Lake & Nathula Pass, MG Marg, Gangtok Ropeway, Monasteries, Ganesh Tok & Hmnuman Tok.
5. Pelling-Sikkim
This is the second most visited destination after Gangtok. Pelling is a beautiful hill station located in West Sikkim. With an altitude of approximately 7,200 ft, this hilltown offers the most breathtaking and closest view of Mount Kanchenjunga.
Distance from Siliguri: 130 to 135 km, from Siliguri.
Travel time: 4.5 to 5.5 hrs by road, depending on traffic and route conditions.
Best Time to Visit Here:March to May (blooming flowers), September to December (clear skies).
Must -Visit Place Here: Sky Walk Pelling, Sikkim, Rabdentse Ruins, Pemayantse Monastery, and many more.
6. Lava & Lolegaon
Lava is famous for its winter snowfall and is the gateway to the Neora Valley National Park. On the other hand, Lolegaon is famous for its dense pine forest, mystic atmosphere, and they fall under the district of Kalingpong.
Distance from Siliguri:100-105 km.
Travel Time:Approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hrs, by road from Siliguri.
Best Time to Visit:March to May (spring), October to December (clear views).
Must-Visit Places Here: Neora Valley National Park, Canopy Walk, Changey Falls, Interpretation Centre, Heritage Forest, and many more.
7. Sittong
Sittong, popularly known as the “Orange Village of North Bengal,” is famous for its Orange cultivation and orchards, which turn the entire valley into a vibrant orange blanket. It falls under the Darjeeling district, and is a beautiful town.
Distance from Siliguri: 52-55 km via the shortest route.
Travel Time: Roughly 2 to 2.5 hrs by car.
Best Time to Visit: November to January (for oranges), October to June (views), June to September (for serenity).
Must-Visit Places Here: Ahaldara viewpoint, Namthing Pokhari, Mangpo, Old Bamboo Church, and many more.
Best Hill Stations Based on Your Travel Type
To make things easier for you, we’ve further classified these Hill Stations
For Couples
Darjeeling is usually preferred for couples when it comes to trips or honeymoon packages, due to its intimate atmosphere.
For a Quick Trip
for a quick trip, mostly Kurseong is preferred as it is the shortest distance hill station from Siliguri, which is 30 to 35 km away and takes 1 to 1.5 hours by road.
For a Peaceful Gateway
Pelling, Sikkim, for a peaceful gateway, covered by mountains and with its closest views to Mount Kanchenjunga.
For a Short Adventure
That would be Gangtok, as it contains many activities which include adrenaline, along with breathtaking views.
Some Other Quick Gateways From This Town are Listed Below.
Quick Gateways from Siliguri, that can be done in the daytime, are:
Bengal Safari
A lush 297-hectare animal park that features a variety of different sorts of animals and birds, both wild and domestic, like tigers, lions, zebras, snakes, peacocks, and a lot more. It also features a jungle car safari ride, which gives a tour of the whole jungle safari, showcasing all the animals.
Rongtong
A peaceful hill destination, perfect for a ride or drive at any time of the day, which features a train station that gives the experience of a Toy train. It is a perfect spot for people who love watching birds, nature lovers, and for anyone who likes to escape from the hustle and bustle of Siliguri.
Gajoldoba
Located by the Teesta Barrage, Gajoldoba is perfect for bird watchers, fishermen, picnic spots, boat rides, nowadays a pre-wedding shoot location, and more. This place features a nice tourist location called Bhorer Alo, where tourists can have a one-of-a-kind experience. It also features a small fresh fish market, perfect for fish lovers to have fresh fish, fresh caught from the Teesta Barrage.
Dudhia
Dudhia is a popular riverside destination, located on the banks of the Balason River. It's a very famous picnic spot among people, also good for a perfect gateway away from the hustle and bustle and the heat of Siliguri.
Ewan India Buddhist Monastery
Located in the Toribari area of Siliguri, near Bengal Safari, is popularly known as Toribari Gumba. It is a major Buddhist spiritual centre, which features a seven-story structure of Buddha, founded by the H.E. Gochen Tuluk Sang-ngag Tenzin Rinpoche.
How to travel to these places from Siliguri?
This is where all the car rentals and tour operators in Siliguri come in. From booking your cabs to your hotels, to taking care of your meals, everything is done by tour and travel companies for you. If you want to travel to Kurseong or nearby Hill Stations, that can be done by car or bike, but traveling for long distances usually starts with taxis and cabs.
The journey begins from the Junction area of Siliguri. Whether you're a first-time traveler, be it solo, with friends, or family, it is recommended that you consult a travel agency that takes care of everything that is needed by the customers during their travels.
One such tour company who are one of the renowned tour & travel companies in North Bengal is Maahi Holidays and Events (Tour & Travels). They offer both domestic and international holiday packages, customized according to the tastes and preferences of the customers.
They are responsible for taking care of everything that is required for a successful tour package, starting from Hotel Bookings, Car Rentals, Passport & Visa services, and many more. On the other hand, they are also well known for their exceptional event organizing services, with expert drivers and well-maintained vehicles.
Also Read:-
What to pack for a trip to beautiful Sikkim?
How to Plan a Family Trip to Darjeeling
FAQ’S
Conclusion
If you or your family or friends are planning any trips in the near future, it is recommended that you go for Maahi Holidays and Events (Tour & Travels), because of their experience in this industry, they are known as one of the best. We hope you have a safe and happy trip! Plan your hill station trip from Siliguri with ease. From taxis to complete tour packages, everything is arranged for you. Contact now and make your journey smooth, safe, and memorable.
