Offbeat North Bengal Tour (Lepchajagat, Chatakpur, Sittong)

A Hidden Himalayan Trail through Misty Forests, Orange Orchards, and Soulful Quietude

Where Silence is Sacred and Forests Tell Stories 🌳🌋

Not every journey is about sightseeing. Some journeys are about slowing down, hearing your own breath, and letting nature take over. My Offbeat North Bengal Tour through Lepchajagat, Chatakpur, and Sittong wasn’t just a travel plan—it was an emotional detox.

These three villages, nestled quietly in the shadow of the Eastern Himalayas, are untouched, uncrowded, and unforgettable. With every chirping bird, every tea-scented breeze, and every smiling villager, I fell deeper into their slow, magical rhythm.

Let me take you through this lesser-known trail where the sunrise doesn’t wake crowds—it wakes souls.

Getting There: Into the Heart of North Bengal 🚌

By Air:

Bagdogra Airport is the closest major airport. From there, your journey continues by car.

By Train:

New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Station is well-connected to major Indian cities.

By Road:

Siliguri is your gateway town. Sonakshi Travels arranged a comfortable car, and we headed into the hills.

Day 1: Lepchajagat – Where Pines Meet Prayer Flags 🌳🌍

Distance from Siliguri: ~75 km | Travel Time: ~3 hrs

Nestled at 6956 ft, Lepchajagat welcomed me with cloud-kissed pines and complete silence. It’s a hamlet so small, Google Maps barely marks it.

What to Experience:

• Viewpoint at Ghum Rock: On a clear day, catch Mt. Kanchenjunga at sunrise.
• Walk through the Forest Trails: Misty pine groves perfect for introspective walks.
• Birdwatching: Home to Himalayan bulbuls, sunbirds, and thrushes.

Local Delights:

My homestay served hot Phaley (Tibetan stuffed bread) and gyathuk (noodle soup), all cooked with homegrown vegetables.

Stay:

Wooden eco-cottages with firewood heating and warm-hearted Lepcha hosts. No TV, no Wi-Fi—just you and the forest.

Day 2: Chatakpur – The Fairy Tale Forest Village 🧩🌿

Distance from Lepchajagat: ~22 km | Travel Time: ~1.5 hrs

Set inside the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, Chatakpur is a model eco-village with just 19 houses. At 7887 ft, it offered pure air, forest trails, and postcard views.

What to Do:

• Watch the Sunrise at Chatakpur Watchtower: The snow-capped Himalayas slowly light up.
• Explore the Forest Trails: Mushrooms, moss, orchids, and maybe even a barking deer.
• Engage with the Locals: They speak Nepali and Hindi, and their warmth transcends language.

Meals to Remember:

We were served millet rotis, spinach from the backyard, and sel roti with tea by the fireplace.

Homestay Highlight:

Wooden cottages built from bamboo and local pine, offering perfect Kanchenjunga views from your balcony.

Day 3: Sittong – The Orange Village of Bengal 🍊🌿

Distance from Chatakpur: ~38 km | Travel Time: ~2.5 hrs

Descending from the misty heights, we reached Sittong, a valley scattered with orange orchards, churches, and cheerful children.

Sittong Must-See Spots:

• Orchard Walks: December is peak orange season—I plucked one right from the tree.
• Monastery & Bamboo Bridge: Charming and tranquil.
• Jogighat: A serene riverside perfect for picnics and photos.

Local Life:

Children invited me to their community library. Women were making churpi (yak cheese). Men shared stories of how tourism brought new life to the valley.

Cultural Connections & Hospitality 💛🌍

In all three places, I stayed with local families. Rooms were basic but clean. More importantly, the hospitality was pure and heartfelt.

Cultural Highlights:

• Lepcha Folk Songs in the evening
• Organic farming & herbal garden tours
• Participation in a village cooking session

Everywhere I went, the smiles were genuine, the food organic, and the air full of the scent of rhododendrons and wood smoke.

Practical Travel Tips 🚶‍♂️🚗

• What to Carry:
  • Warm layers (weather shifts quickly)
  • Torchlight & power bank
  • Cash (ATMs are rare)
  • Binoculars & camera
• Weather:
  • Best time: October to April
  • Avoid peak monsoons (June to early Sept)
• Mobile Connectivity:
  • Weak to no signal in many spots (but you’ll love it!)
• Safety:
  • Very safe for families, solo travelers, and couples
  • Night treks not recommended unless guided

Nearby Add-ons to Explore 🛍️🌿

• Latpanchar: Birdwatcher’s paradise
• Dilaram & Bunkulung: More offbeat gems
• Kurseong: For tea garden stays & colonial nostalgia

Events & Seasonal Highlights 🌼🎉

• Orange Festival in Sittong (December)
• Forest Fair in Chatakpur (November)
• Wildflower Bloom (March-April)

Emotional Takeaway: A Journey That Healed 🌟🌳

This tour made me realize the joy of doing nothing. Of sitting under a pine tree. Of watching the mist roll in. Of sharing a meal with a stranger who felt like family.

The Offbeat North Bengal Tour (Lepchajagat, Chatakpur, Sittong) was not about ticking off checklists. It was about breathing deeply, connecting locally, and returning home fuller than I arrived.

If you want silence, sincerity, and stories—this is your trail.

🚀 Book With Sonakshi Travels for Seamless Offbeat Magic

🌳 Misty Woods Package (4N/5D)

• Lepchajagat (1N) + Chatakpur (1N) + Sittong (2N)
• Homestays with meals
• All transfers + guide for nature trails

🌈 Pine & Orchard Tour (3N/4D)

• Chatakpur + Sittong
• Bonfire night, cultural dance, and orange orchard tour

📞 Contact for Booking & Assistance

Sonakshi Travels
📞 Whatsapp: +91 7980469744
📄

🎏 From Bengali folklore to endangered wildlife, your Sundarban Tour bridges heritage and habitat

“Among pine shadows and citrus dreams, I found the quiet I was longing for.”