Circuit · Darjeeling hills
Kalimpong hills
Kalimpong, Lava, Lolegaon and Rishyap — quiet forest villages.
- Places
- 3
- Altitude
- 1,247–2,600 m
- Fly / train to
- Bagdogra / NJP
- Daily spend
- about ₹2,200
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Best for most places here: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec. Each place here needs 3–4 days on the ground; places in one circuit share travel days, so pair two or three.
Places in this circuit
Kalimpong
A quieter hill town of flower nurseries, monasteries and old colonial buildings.
Lava & Lolegaon
Forest villages at the edge of Neora Valley National Park, with a canopy walk and birding trails.
Rishyap (Rishop)
A hamlet of homestays on a ridge with a wide Kanchenjunga panorama.
What to pack for Kalimpong hills
Everything the places in this circuit call for, most widely needed first. Each place's page has its full list with reasons.
- Fleece or light sweater
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Day pack, 20–30 litres
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total
- Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets
- Power bank
- Insect repellent
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom)
- Down or padded jacket
- Woollen cap that covers the ears
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs
- Waterproof gloves
- Neck gaiter or balaclava
- Hand warmers
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Where to stay
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Pickups & drivers
No drivers listed for this circuit yet. Drive here? List your cab.
Kalimpong hills: questions people ask
Which places are in the Kalimpong hills circuit?
The Kalimpong hills circuit in Darjeeling hills covers Kalimpong, Lava & Lolegaon and Rishyap (Rishop). They share a gateway, so two or three are usually combined in one trip.
What is the best time to visit Kalimpong hills?
March to May and October to December suit most places in Kalimpong hills. Individual places differ, so check each one.
How do you reach Kalimpong hills?
Travel to Bagdogra / NJP, then continue by road.
How much does a Kalimpong hills trip cost per day?
About ₹2,200 per person per day on the ground for a mid-range trip, averaged across the places in this circuit.
Which is the easiest place in Kalimpong hills, and which is the highest?
Kalimpong is the easiest (easy). Rishyap (Rishop) is the highest at 2,600 m.