List of Offbeat Places to Visit near Darjeeling
Darjeeling is one of the most beautiful places to visit in North Bengal which is known by everyone. The scenic beauty of the hills will mesmerize you. There are so many things to explore near Darjeeling. But, most people still don't know some of the offbeat places located near Darjeeling.
You might need to visit multiple times to cover all the offbeat places. Now, if you have not yet visited Darjeeling or the surrounding areas, this is high time that you make your bucket list. Let's create a Darjeeling offbeat places name list for you where the best visit spots are mentioned for your reference.
Top Off-Beat Places Near Darjeeling
Bagora
One of the most offbeat places near Darjeeling is Bagora which is located around 7100 feet above the sea. Only a few people know about this wonderful location. The place is famous for its greenery and it is very close to nature. Those who are a nature lover should visit this offbeat place to experience its scenic beauty.
The place is surrounded by an Alpine forest, rhododendron trees and a thick forest. You can experience a beautiful view of Kanchenjunga covered in snow from Bagora. The weather is charming here all round the year and that's why you can plan a trip here anytime.
Bara Mangwa
The hilltop area of Mangwa has recently come into the limelight and has become one of the major offbeat tourist spots. If you are searching for the rarest darjeeling nearby offbeat places, Bara Mangwa is a must-visit place for you. The place is only 35 km away from the busiest town Darjeeling.
The place is surrounded by river Tista, river Rangeet and Kalimpong Hill. As the place has just got the hype, still it is a rush-free area to explore. The place is also considered one of the eco-friendly villages in Darjeeling.
You can witness orange orchards here. Many Himalayan birds come to this spot during the harvesting time of oranges to collect their share of the fruit. Also, there are multiple tourist spots nearby, which you can explore too while staying in Bara Mangwa.
Bees Gaon
If you are making a secular Darjeeling offbeat places tour plan, Bee Gaon could be a potential spot which you might include in the list. This beautiful tourist attraction is located near the hills of Darjeeling.
It offers a serene escape for those looking to explore a different world away from the hustle and bustle of the city, immersed in lush greenery. Bees Gaon is also surrounded by numerous tourist spots, pine forests, nature parks, tea gardens, churches, heritage bungalows reflecting British culture and heritage and a lot more.
Every spot has its unique charm to the experience, making Bee Gaon a versatile destination suitable for visits in any season. In monsoons and winter, the place turns into a different allure, showcasing its natural beauty in unique ways. No matter which season you visit this place Bee Gaon promises a delightful experience for all visitors.
Belter
There are a lot of offbeat places near Darjeeling but Beltar is a very popular tourist attraction point very popular these days. This newfound place has so many other options which you can explore also. This place is surrounded by mountains and tea estates. Nature lovers and adventurers can spend a lot of good time here.
The place does have some religious significance as the famous Ambotiya Shiva Temple is situated a little distance from Beltar. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum, Margaret's Place etc. are also located nearby which is another tourist attraction and a great place to explore.
Icchey Gaon
Darjeeling offbeat tourist places have a must-visit spot called Icchey Gaon. Icchey gaon is an offbeat destination of North Bengal, close to Darjeeling. The place is popular because you can witness the beautiful Kanchenjunga mountain from this place. Icchey Gaon is situated almost 5800 ft above sea level.
You can witness Darjeeling and Sikkim from this valley which looks like a firefly during the nighttime from Icchey Gaon Valley. The beauty of this place has captivated so many minds.
Lepchajagat
Another Darjeeling offbeat spot is Lepchajagat, a mystical town which is free from visitor rush, covered with green forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and located at a distance of 19 km from Queen of Hill Darjeeling.
Those who want to escape the busy city life can come here to explore nature closely. If you are a botanical enthusiast, this place is heaven for you. The peaceful atmosphere has always been filled with the chirping of beautiful Himalayan birds, the buzzing sound of small insects etc. This is the perfect place to find inner peace.
Rishikhola
Another one of the best offbeat places in Darjeeling is Rishikhola. The place is very close to the Sikkim border as well. Surrounded by emerald green forest on one side and hills on the other side, Rishikhola is located just beside the banks of a meandering river stream.
The beautiful offbeat place is suitable for adventurous water sports, treks etc. So, nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, both can explore Rishikhola.
Sillery Gaon
Sillery Gaon is our next suggestion for the best offbeat places near Darjeeling. The location of this place is at a high altitude of 6000 feet. You will be astonished to see the view of Mount Kanchenjunga from this offbeat place. The beautiful dense forests that surround the valley make the place look more mesmerizing.
Sillery Gaon is also often referred to as New Darjeeling. Sillery Gaon has so many nearby places to visit as well like Nathu La, Jeep La, Tin Chuley etc. and a lot more. You can also explore the village and its eco-friendly environment, and birding or adventurous sports are available here.
Sitong
Sitong is a rarest visited Darjeeling offbeat place which you can include in your travel plan as well. This is a newfound jewel place located in North Bengal where there are so many luxurious orange orchards. Because of that, the place is also known as Orange Village.
The surrounding Alpine pine forests make the place look more mysterious and attractive. The place is above 4000 feet of the sea level. If you've ever been to this place don't forget to try the oranges. You can also witness the beautiful Kanchenjunga from this place.
Tinchuley
The next offbeat destination near Darjeeling that you must explore is Tinchuley. The place has an elevation of 5800 feet. It is only 38 km distant from Darjeeling. With the help of the World Wildlife Federation, the place has now become a self-sufficient eco-friendly model village.
You can witness so many floriculture projects, nurseries, compost manure projects and more. There are three prominent hilltops which are surrounding the place. There are a lot of places nearby which you can explore too while staying at Tinchuley.
Tamang Gaon
Darjeeling offbeat destination must add Tamanggaon which is also very popular these days. The pictorial beauty of this place is just the perfect frame for your camera. The Singalila National Park is also nearby. Here lives a tribal community namely Tamang Tribe.
They always extend hospitality towards the tourists who visit this place. The breathtaking view of the beautiful Himalayan range is the major attraction of this place. The scenic beauty of the place will enchant you with its beauty.
Manebhanjan
Manebhanjan is a lively option of offbeat places in Darjeeling. The place is only 28 km away from the queen of hills, Darjeeling. Mane means Buddha stupa and bhajan means junction. The word is Nepali which signifies that here you can find some beautiful Buddha stupas. Also, Manebhanjan is the gateway to Singalila National Park.
Also, all the routes of tracking towards Sandakphu and Phalut start from this place. The unique aura of this place has its natural beauty as well for which tourists love this place. The place attracts a lot of tourists each year.
Hanspokhri
Hanspokhri is one of the rarely heard off-beat places near Darjeeling. The place is located beside the Balasun River. Also, the place is close to the Indo-Nepal border. If you are lucky enough, you can even witness some peacocks here. A lot of unknown birds can be seen and their amazing chirping sounds are audible during the daytime.
Apart from that, the green vegetation, Balasun River, and surrounding greenery add more uniqueness to this place. There are nearby tea gardens, monasteries, lakes, orange orchards etc. which you can visit as well while staying in Hanspokhri. You can also go for village walking to explore the simple rural life of native people.
So, a lot of options are there for you when you want to explore offbeat places near Darjeeling. If you are worried about your stay, then don't worry as Darjeeling offbeat homestays are available at every spot. These homestays are very welcoming, affordable and have nice vibes which is enough to make you comfortable. Apart from that, visiting such places will create more thrills and new experiences in your life which you will surely cherish.