Sittong: Valley of oranges and cozy homestays.
Sittong is a valley of oranges and cozy homestays in the Darjeeling Mountains of North Bengal, under Kurseong Block. This beautiful mountain has become a hidden gem for travelers who are looking for peace and closeness to nature.
Known for its picturesque landscapes, home stays, vibrant orange gardens, tea gardens, favorable temperature and tranquil ambiance, this village is a perfect place to escape from the chaos of urban life.
Here, you can enjoy natural streams, waterfalls, and different types of Hill’s organic vegetables. You will also be served local cousins and organic vegetables. From this place, you can see a magnificent view of the mighty Kanchanjang, sunrises, and sunsets. For nature lovers, Sittong is a paradise.
How to reach Sittong?
If you are going by plane to reach Sittong, then first you will have to travel to Bagdogra Airport, and if you are going by train, then you will have to get down at New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station. One has to book a cab to reach Sittong. Sittong is nearly about 50-60 km from both places. There are two main routes to Sittong viz.
Route 1: Via NH 55.
NH 55 is an old and famous National Highway built in the British colonial era.
For this route, you have to go through Darjeeling More via Sukna, Rongtong, and then the Shivakhola route. You get to see a very beautiful view and Shiv Temple on this route. Those who have faith in God will receive Darshan from God Shiva.
Then you will reach Sittong enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery of Malotar Tea Garden, and Mahaldiram Tea Garden.
Route 2: Via NH 10.
If you choose NH 10, famous for its different views and dense forest. From this route, you can see the beautiful view of the Teesta River and the renowned coronation bridge (Bagh pull) which was build in british era.You can reach Sittong by taking a left from Kalijhora via the Latpanchar route which is about 15-20 km away from Kalijhora.
Another option for this route is to reach Sittong via Birik Dara. The Birik Dara route is full of adventures. A small, narrow road between the woods with sharp turns gives you new experiences and memories.
Home stays and Orange gardens.
There are many home stays and lodges available for staying here in Sittong, you don’t need to worry. If you want to make your visit memorable, you will have to stay in a home stay and enjoy the warm hospitality of the local people. It’s not just about staying overnight, it provides an authentic cultural experience. Will get typical local food and local folklore which gives you a very unique experience. If staying in the home stay you will be offered to visit the “orange garden” and you can experience the plaguing oranges from the garden. You will get to see most of the home stay’s owners have their own Orange gardens.
Sightseeing of Sittong:
Ahal Dara: Ahal Dara is famous for its breathtaking view of the majestic Kanchanjanga range and its panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.
Namthing Pokheri: A small natural seasonal lake famous for its rare Himalayan salamander is surrounded by dense pine trees. The monsoon season is the best time to visit this lake, as it is full of water.
Jogighat steel bridge: A steel bridge over the Ryiang Khola connects Sittong with Mungpoo. You can take selfies, photos and walk over the bridge and make your trip memorable.
Latpanchar: Latpanchar is a small village heaven for bird watchers especially for the rare Rufous-necked Hornbill and rich in biodiversity.
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