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Deolo, also spelt Dello, is a low-lying hill in the West Bengal. At a height of 1914 m and only 6 km away from Kalimpong, it is a perfect getaway amidst the majestic mountains for tourists who want a day off from their busy schedules. At Deolo, you are in for a treat of a lifetime - a quiet romantic evening atop a picturesque landscape overlooking the Teesta valley, followed by one of the best views of the Kangchenjunga range the next dawn - a must-try for everyone visiting Kalimpong!
Get in
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- Kalimpong is the nearest terrain vehicle/bus stand (only 6km from Deolo), which is well-connected by terrain vehicle/bus to both Siliguri (2-3 hours) and Darjeeling (2 hours). One may reserve a car for Deolo from the main bus stand of Kalimpong (₹200–300 in June 2012). The 6-km journey from Kalimpong to Deolo passes by a beautiful array of landscapes, through the properties of Dr. Graham's Home, and it takes only about 15-20 minutes by car. The uphill road also offers a fair temptation for a trekking enthusiast, but hiking up this path is not recommended for the naive, especially during the monsoons when the roads tend to be unpredictable.
- Bagdogra is the nearest airport, about 2-3 hours away from Kalimpong, and about 14 km (20-30 minutes) from Siliguri.
- Siliguri is the nearest major city with a strong railway network - the main railway station being New Jalpaiguri (NJP). One may also plan to arrive at Darjeeling by the heritage Toy-Train (from Siliguri), and then come down to Kalimpong and Deolo.
Get around
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A casual evening stroll is what it takes to cover Deolo. Tourists mostly take a walk in and around the Govt. Guest House (of DGHC) compound, or a short horseback ride nearby.
See and do
[edit]In a nutshell, Deolo is at best a one-night stint, but of course, a highly recommended one. Although Deolo is mostly projected as a single-day picnic spot near Kalimpong, a one-night stay at Deolo is highly recommended, just for the unforgettable views of Kangchenjunga and sunrise. Deolo offers you a perfect getaway, without worrying much about missing out on sight-seeing points and must-be-done activities. However, you may always choose to enjoy the following at Deolo.
- In season time, during October–February: Get up at 5AM to enjoy one of the best views of Kanchenjunga, right from your bedroom or the guest house/hotel compound. Follow it up with a stroll within the DGHC Guest House compound filled with seasonal flowers, bathed in dewdrops.
- In off-season, mostly during monsoons: Spend the evening on the guest house/hotel porch with your loved ones, looking at the misty mountains and valleys that form a mesmerizing romantic ambiance to die for.
- In season time, during October–February: For the adventurous souls, Deolo offers an exciting opportunity of Paragliding, overlooking the curves of the picturesque hills and valleys. Contact the main desk of your guest house/hotel to get the details.
Buy
[edit]There are no markets in Deolo. The basic necessities like snacks, batteries and other essentials are met at the Guest House or Hotel itself. One may take a 3- to 4-km walk to reach 14th Mile market, which offers some local shops. It is recommended to carry medicines and baby-food from Kalimpong, if required.
Eat
[edit]Meals and snacks are served in the guest house/hotel itself, as there are no restaurants in Deolo. The quality of food and beverages is decent, both in vegetarian and non-vegetarian categories. Bite-size snacks and soft drinks are also available in the guest house/hotel. For meals according to not-so-common diet plans and food habits, please contact your guest house/hotel beforehand to check if they may provide the same.
Recommended:
- Momo (especially beef/pork momo)
- Thukpa
- Chilly chicken and Chicken fry
Drink
[edit]Regular beverages like tea, coffee and soft drinks are available within the guest house/hotels. There are no liquor shops in Deolo, and thus it is recommended to carry your liquor from Kalimpong. However, the guest house/hotels offer quite good range of liquors at a reasonable price. Please avoid drinking in public places like roads or guest house/hotel compounds, unless permitted by the authorities.
Recommended:
- Darjeeling tea (preferably without milk and sugar)
- Ginger tea or Masala tea (with milk and sugar)
Sleep
[edit]- Deolo Tourist Lodge, ☏ +91 3552 274101-253341-255320. Maintained by the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, this is by far the best place for staying at Deolo. The property is situated atop the Deolo Hill, with a beautifully maintained garden, secluded from the world. The best 360-degree view of the Kanchecjunga range is available from the property. There are only 13 rooms at the Lodge, and hence one should look for a booking at least 20-30 days in advance (in season) or 5-10 days in advance (at other times). Advance booking is highly recommended (may be done online, or from Kolkata, Siliguri, Darjeeling and Kalimpong). ₹800-1500.
- Himadri Hotel, ☏ +91 98323 41989. About 1 km from the Deolo Tourist Lodge, this hotel is situated near the Science City. It allows the visitors a short walk to the Deolo Tourist Lodge gardens, as well as offers a majestic view of the Kangchenjunga. Booking in advance is recommended. ₹500-1500.
- Sanghsay Valley Resort, ☏ +91 90027 89654, +91 81018 59791, sanghchayvalley_resort@yahoo.com. About 3 km from the Deolo Tourist Lodge, this resort is situated at 14th Mile, Dara Gaon, Upper Echhey, Kalimpong. Offers a nice view of Kanchenjunga from the rooms as well as from the terrace. Booking in advance is recommended. ₹500-1500.