✨ Sonada Monastery Trail – Buddhist Heritage & Forest Backdrop ✨

🌿 A Whispering Trail Between Pine Forests & Prayer Flags

Some journeys are planned, and some, like the Sonada Monastery Trail, feel like they were destined for your soul. I still remember the hush of the pine trees swaying gently with the wind as I made my way along the narrow ridgeline path, fluttering prayer flags greeting me like old friends. The scent of incense floated in the air, blending with the earthy aroma of moist forest trails. Sonada, nestled quietly between Darjeeling and Kurseong, is not just a town — it is a feeling, a sacred pause where Buddhist spirituality and Himalayan silence breathe in harmony.

Traveling to Sonada felt like uncovering a secret: a place untouched by the hustle of tourist-heavy hills, yet resonating with the chants of monks, the soft footsteps of villagers, and the golden hue of early morning sunrays falling on monastery walls. It’s where spiritual heritage meets forest serenity — and I was about to walk a trail that would stay etched in my heart forever.

🚐 Planning the Journey: From City Rush to Himalayan Hush

☞ Getting There

Sonada is comfortably situated on the Hill Cart Road (NH-110), about:

• 16 km from Darjeeling (approx. 45 minutes by car)
• 17 km from Kurseong
• 65 km from Siliguri (about 2.5 hours drive)

The drive is a scenic one, especially during monsoons when waterfalls burst forth from hillsides, and tea gardens unfurl like emerald carpets.

• By Train: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the nearest major railway station. From NJP, book a cab or shared jeep to Sonada.
• By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport (about 70 km). Private taxis or shared vehicles are easily available.

Travel Tip: If you’re a slow traveler like me, take the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) to Sonada. It’s a dream journey across bridges, loops, and whispers of old colonial history.

🏛️ The Trail Begins: Exploring the Buddhist Soul of Sonada

⛺ Yiga Choeling Monastery (Old Ghoom Monastery)

Although technically in Ghoom, the Yiga Choeling Monastery is a spiritual prelude to Sonada. Built in 1850, it houses a majestic 15-ft statue of Maitreya Buddha and ancient Buddhist manuscripts.

The faint aroma of butter lamps, rhythmic chanting of monks, and the sound of prayer wheels turning slowly prepared my heart for what Sonada would offer next.

💼 Sonada Monastery – The Heart of the Trail

As I ascended through the winding path towards the Sonada Monastery, the surrounding pine forest whispered secrets of age-old meditations. Officially known as the Samdrup Darjay Choling Monastery, it belongs to the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was founded by His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche in 1960s.

What makes this place unique?

• An expansive prayer hall decorated with thangkas and murals
• Rows of prayer wheels circling the courtyard
• Stunning views of the Eastern Himalayan range from the rear ridge

I spent over an hour just listening to the silence inside. A monk smiled and offered me warm butter tea, and suddenly, I wasn’t a tourist. I was a welcome soul.

🌲 Nature’s Embrace: Forests, Echoes, and Village Life

The beauty of the Sonada Monastery Trail lies not just in the destination, but in the journey through nature.

🍃 The Pine Forest Ridge Walk

A light trek from the monastery took me deeper into the woods. Every now and then, through a clearing, I could see the valleys dropping deep into tea gardens and the Balasun River meandering below.

Monks often take this route as a meditative walk, and I followed their footsteps with reverence.

🏠 Warm Hospitality in Local Homes

I stayed in a family-run homestay that offered:

• Homecooked dal-bhat-tarkari
• Steaming plates of momos with spicy chutney
• A small fireplace where we exchanged stories

The warmth of the locals is what made the cold nights memorable.

🍲 Food to Warm Your Soul

Sonada may be quiet, but its food sings with flavor.

• Tibetan Thukpa: Noodle soup with local vegetables and meat
• Sel Roti: Ring-shaped sweet rice bread
• Sha Phaley: Deep-fried bread stuffed with meat or vegetables

Hot Tip: Try the family-owned cafe near the monastery gate. Their cheese-loaded momos and herbal teas are healing after a long walk.

🌟 Key Events & Festivities

• Losar (Tibetan New Year): February or March. The monastery comes alive with masked dances, chants, and festive offerings.
• Kagyu Monlam Festival: A week-long prayer event in December that draws monks and pilgrims from across the world.

📍 Nearby Destinations Worth Exploring

• Ghoom: Visit Batasia Loop and the War Memorial
• Kurseong: Explore Dow Hill forests and Eagle’s Crag
• Darjeeling: Toy Train, Tiger Hill sunrise, Japanese Peace Pagoda
• Chatakpur Eco Village: A dreamy forest escape with views of Kanchenjunga

Each of these places is under 1 to 1.5 hours away.

🚔 Travel Tips & Practical Information

✈ What to Carry:

• Layered clothing (weather changes rapidly)
• A thermos (for butter tea!)
• Torchlight if you plan to walk back from the monastery in evening
• Basic medicines & personal toiletries

⛅ Weather:

• Summer (April to June): Cool & breezy, perfect for walks
• Monsoon (July to September): Misty and magical, but slippery trails
• Winter (November to February): Cold but spiritually vibrant

🏨 Where to Stay:

• Homestays: Warm hospitality with meals
• Buddhist Retreat Centers: For those seeking longer meditative stays

🌺 Emotional Takeaway: More Than a Trail

I went to walk a trail, but ended up walking into myself. The Sonada Monastery Trail reminded me that beauty doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes, it arrives quietly — in the form of a prayer flag fluttering against a pine silhouette or a monk’s kind nod while sipping butter tea.

Whether you’re a traveler, a pilgrim, or a seeker of stillness, Sonada offers a journey inward — where every step taken on the forest trail feels like a mantra whispered into the wind.

🚊 Book Your Monastery Escape with Sonakshi Travels

Ready to breathe in the spiritual air of the Eastern Himalayas?

Sonakshi Travels brings you two curated Himalayan experiences:

📖

🐟 Fish, Forest, and Folklore — All Included in Our Sundarban Tour Package!
Dive deep into Bengal’s traditions with every moment of your stay.

Explore our top-selling packages for culture seekers and offbeat nature lovers.

🌟

🐢 Spotting a rare terrapin is a blessing your Sundarban Tour might quietly offer

Discover handpicked trails, luxury homestays, monastery access, and personalized guides.

Let us craft your next soulful escape — be it a solo retreat, a honeymoon of quietude, or a family walk into spiritual bliss.

📱 Contact Sonakshi Travels
Whatsapp: +91 7980469744

Follow the trail where monks walk and pines whisper.
Your spirit will thank you.