The Prayer Flag
The prayer flag from a Hindu temple........The Sleeping Buddha in the background!
Tonglu (3036 m), a small hamlet inside the Singalila National Park in the Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal in India near the India - Nepal border. It is a roadside halt along the trekking route from Manebhanjang (11km) to Sandakphu. The other and easier way to reach Tonglu is via Dhotre; a 5km trek route winds through the forest to Tonglu.
A panoramic view of snow-covered peaks including the majestic Kangchenjunga range (8,586 m / 28,169 ft), a picturesque trekkers’ hut and solitude — Tonglu is the perfect retreat to explore few leisurely days in the vast natural canvas. If you can't make Sandakphu for your busy schedule, come to Tonglu, you will not be disappointed. In my opinion, Tonglu is one of the best unknown tourist destinations in West Bengal.
Take a overnight train from Kolkata to Siliguri (other option is to fly to Bagdogra). From there, it is a four-hour drive to Dhotre and a further four-hour trek will take you to Tonglu. The trekkers' huts can be booked from the DGHC counter in Kolkata, New Delhi, Siliguri or Darjeeling. A single bed will cost you INR Rs.100 (USD $2) and a room with four beds for USD $8. Foods are available from the caretaker's kitchen with a nominal price.
West Bengal Govt. can easily upgrade the facilities (mainly western-type toilets and foods) with minimum budget. I feel sad when I see tourists avoiding Tonglu for 'noisy' Tumbling (in Nepal) only for better foods and facilities but with a much higher price.
Eastern Himalayas
Beautiful Bengal, India
The Prayer Flag
The prayer flag from a Hindu temple........The Sleeping Buddha in the background!
Tonglu (3036 m), a small hamlet inside the Singalila National Park in the Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal in India near the India - Nepal border. It is a roadside halt along the trekking route from Manebhanjang (11km) to Sandakphu. The other and easier way to reach Tonglu is via Dhotre; a 5km trek route winds through the forest to Tonglu.
A panoramic view of snow-covered peaks including the majestic Kangchenjunga range (8,586 m / 28,169 ft), a picturesque trekkers’ hut and solitude — Tonglu is the perfect retreat to explore few leisurely days in the vast natural canvas. If you can't make Sandakphu for your busy schedule, come to Tonglu, you will not be disappointed. In my opinion, Tonglu is one of the best unknown tourist destinations in West Bengal.
Take a overnight train from Kolkata to Siliguri (other option is to fly to Bagdogra). From there, it is a four-hour drive to Dhotre and a further four-hour trek will take you to Tonglu. The trekkers' huts can be booked from the DGHC counter in Kolkata, New Delhi, Siliguri or Darjeeling. A single bed will cost you INR Rs.100 (USD $2) and a room with four beds for USD $8. Foods are available from the caretaker's kitchen with a nominal price.
West Bengal Govt. can easily upgrade the facilities (mainly western-type toilets and foods) with minimum budget. I feel sad when I see tourists avoiding Tonglu for 'noisy' Tumbling (in Nepal) only for better foods and facilities but with a much higher price.
Eastern Himalayas
Beautiful Bengal, India