Jhandi Dara – Viewpoint Settlement with Orange Orchards

✨ Jhandi Dara – Viewpoint Settlement with Orange Orchards ✨

🌿 A Hamlet Bathed in Sunrise and Citrus

It was still dark when I climbed the small ridge near the homestay. A soft rustle came from the orange trees, and the scent of dew-covered earth filled the air. Then, in a moment that felt like magic, the first light touched the snow-capped crown of Kanchenjunga, turning it a warm gold. That place was Jhandi Dara — a quiet settlement perched high in the Kalimpong district, known for its breathtaking sunrise viewpoint and fragrant orange orchards.

Jhandi Dara isn’t just a destination. It’s a window into Himalayan village life, painted in tones of mist, mountain, and mandarin.

🚐 Getting There: The Scenic Approach

☞ How to Reach Jhandi Dara

  • From Siliguri/NJP: Approx. 85 km (3.5 to 4 hours)
  • From Malbazar: 35 km (1.5 hours)
  • From Gorubathan: 15 km (30 minutes)

🚜 Transport Tips

  • Hire a car from Siliguri or Malbazar
  • Shared jeeps may go till Gorubathan; local jeeps or pre-arranged transport needed to reach Jhandi

Pro Tip: Opt for the Gorubathan-Chel route — a beautiful journey with river views and tea gardens.

🏠 First Impressions: Where Hills Whisper & Orchards Smile

Jhandi Dara is a quaint settlement nestled amidst forests, terraced fields, and fruit orchards. The name ‘Jhandi’ translates to a small flagpole or summit, and fittingly so — this village feels like the top of the world.

You arrive to find:

  • Children flying kites
  • Women drying chilies and cardamom
  • Hillsides glowing with orange fruits (Nov–Jan)
  • Homes with wooden balconies and roofs dripping with moss

🌟 Main Attractions of Jhandi Dara

🌄 Jhandi Viewpoint

Arguably the biggest highlight, the viewpoint offers unobstructed views of:

  • Mt. Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Sinolchu, and more
  • Sunrise that paints the entire horizon
  • Clouds rising from river valleys below

Bring your camera, thermos of tea, and a quiet heart.

🍊 Orange Orchards Tour

Between November and January, the slopes of Jhandi are covered in vibrant orange trees.

  • Join a guided orchard walk
  • Taste fresh mandarins plucked straight from the tree
  • Learn about organic citrus farming

🌱 Forest Walks and Herbal Gardens

Short trails around the village take you through:

  • Alpine pine and rhododendron forests
  • Wild herbs and flowering shrubs
  • Hidden prayer flags fluttering in the woods

Great for photography, picnics, and spiritual solitude.

🍲 Local Cuisine & Warmth of Village Life

🍽️ Must-Try Dishes:

  • Rice, gundruk soup, and fire-roasted lentils
  • Churpi curry with millet rotis
  • Orange peel pickle and radish salad
  • Momos and thukpa during evening chill

Most food is organic and fire-cooked. You’ll often eat what was plucked that morning. And yes, don’t forget the fresh orange juice!

🌞 Culture, People & Community

Jhandi is home to a peaceful mix of Lepcha, Bhutia, and Gorkha families. Their lifestyle is deeply tied to the land and seasons.

🎟️ Local Experiences:

  • Watch traditional weaving on bamboo looms
  • Participate in orange harvest festivals (seasonal)
  • Learn to cook a local dish with your host family

You may also witness:

  • Bonfire dances during winter
  • Musical storytelling by elders

🌆 Nearby Destinations to Visit

  • Gorubathan (15 km): Tea estates and Chel riverbank picnics
  • Loleygaon (40 km): Canopy walk and misty pine forests
  • Lava (35 km): Entry to Neora Valley National Park
  • Samsing & Suntalekhola (40 km): Forest bungalows and waterfalls

Plan a 4N/5D village circuit with Jhandi as your sunrise retreat.

🌟 Best Time to Visit Jhandi Dara

  • November to January: Orange harvest, clear mountain views
  • March to May: Flowering season, pleasant weather
  • October to December: Perfect for sunrise treks and orchard tours

Avoid the monsoon (June–Aug) due to slippery trails.

🏨 Where to Stay in Jhandi Dara

🏡 Popular Homestays and Eco-Stays:

  • Orange Mist Homestay: Surrounded by orchards
  • Kanchen View Cottage: With valley-facing balconies
  • Himalayan Nest Eco-Retreat: Birdwatching & forest trails nearby

Facilities are basic but cozy. Expect candle-lit dinners, wool blankets, and fresh farm-to-table meals.

⛵ Travel Tips for Jhandi Visitors

📍 What to Pack:

  • Warm layers (especially for mornings and nights)
  • Trekking shoes and binoculars
  • Notebook for journaling or sketching
  • Reusable bottle and cash (ATMs are rare)

⚠ Responsible Tourism:

  • Don’t litter the orchards or forest
  • Ask before photographing locals
  • Buy local produce or handmade souvenirs to support families

🌺 Personal Reflection: A Place that Glows from Within

My last morning at Jhandi Dara was quiet. The sun rose behind the oranges, spilling golden light onto the valley below. I sipped tea while an old lady offered me a ripe fruit with a smile that said more than words.

It reminded me that in a world rushing ahead, some places still believe in taking it slow. In watching the sun rise. In picking fruit from your own tree. In sharing.

That is what Jhandi Dara gave me: not just a journey, but a return to simple joy.

🚊 Book Your Orange Blossom Escape with Sonakshi Travels

Ready to walk among orchards, mountains, and quiet Himalayan skies?

🌟
🐾 Where Jungle Meets River — Your Dream Sundarban Tour Package Awaits!
Feel the pulse of the delta in every sound, sight, and sunrise.

Includes stay in Jhandi, orchard visit, sunrise hike, and cultural dinner

🕊️

🌬️ The breeze in the Sundarbans smells of salt, survival, and ancient stories—let the Sundarban Tour sweep you into its tale

Custom 4N/5D trail through Gorubathan, Loleygaon, Jhandi, and Lava with local guides

Let the hills teach you how to slow down.

📱 Contact Sonakshi Travels
Whatsapp: +91 7980469744

Because some journeys begin with a fruit.
And end with a feeling you never forget.