Icchey Gaon & Ramdhura

Icchey Gaon is a place amidst untouched nature with scenic beauty. It is like ideally situated on the edge of a ridge.  From Icchey Gaon, you can get a panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjungha and wake up to the call of birds. One can have some rock climbing or a trail to Sillery gaon or take jungle walks through pine forests and stay in isolation.  Located at an altitude of 5800 feet, Icchey Gaon is close to Deollo and Monsong. There are homestay fgor guests with attached western bathrooms. At night, you can relish the twinkling lights of and the morning sky is ruled by the majestic Mount kanchenjungha. Ramitey Dara viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view of the winding Teesta River, flaunting its with the Mt. Kanchenjunga guarding it, is truly breathtaking. The hilltop near Icchey Gaon also offers a great view. Guests can visit the British-built Jalsa Bungalow of 1930. A trek along the Cinchona plantation and a visit to the Cinchona Godown and visit to Mahadev Dham temple and Hanuman Tok (viewpoint) nearby is also available. Visit to Ramitey Dara (which has the longest view of River Teesta), Damsang Fort, Valley of Silence, Tinchuley view point is worth a visit. Icchey Gaon is an offbeat destination in Kalimpong. Situated at an elevation of 5800 feet is this small hamlet called Icchey Gaon. Surrounded among the alpine forest of pine and conifer tree the destination is for leisure holiday. Birders and nature lover will be benefitted. It is approximately 17 kilometers from Kalimpong. This small settlement has caught the attention of travelers with its astounding view of Mount Kanchenjunga and rustic style of living. During the night time Darjeeling & Gangtok along with neighboring places lights up like fireflies. The night view from Icchey Gaon has captivated the mind of many travelers. Icchey Gaon is surrounded with astounding trails. This route lead towards Ramitey Dara, Mongsong, Tinchuley and Jalsa. On a clear day view of Mt Kanchenjunga along with the towns of Sikkim, Jelep La are visible from Tinchuley. One can visit the ruins of Damsang Fort situated at distance of 06 kilometers from Icchey Gaon. The fort was built in 1690 by the Lepcha ruler and during the Anglo Bhutan War the fort was destroyed. There are various places around Iccheygaon like Reshikhola, Pedong, Aritar, Lava,Lolaygaon, Rishyap, Charkhol, Jhandi, Samthar Valley, Kolkakham, Mankhim and Sillery Gaon. Icchey Gaon is located at a distance of 95 kilometers from New Jalpaiguri Rauilway Station (NJP) & Bagdogra Airport (IXB) and is nearly 65 kilometers from Pakyong Airport (PYG). Traveler has an option to visit Delo Nature Park, Rikissum, Sillery Gaon, Lava, Pedong, Loleygaon, Kalimpong, Charkhol, Jhandi, Kolakham and Rishyap. Mongsong & Ramitey Dara is known for its longest view of Teesta River. Valley of Silence, Damsang Fort and Tinchuley are other places to visit around Ramdhura & Icchey Gaon.

Ramdhura -This small hamlet is situated nearly 03 kilometers from Iccheygaon. It is situated just 07 kilometers from Deollo, this place offers great views of mount Kanchenjunga and the classic view of meandering River Teesta. It is surrounded by pine forests kissed by clouds and the view of flickering lights of Kalimpong make Ramdhura a great destination to spend a quiet weekend. One can always stay here and visit places nearby like Mungsong, Pedong, Algarah, Icchey Gaon, Sillery Gaon, Kalimpong, Rikissum, Lava and Loleygaon, Some places are good to stay other places demands onl day tour. Home stays at Ramdhura with rooms facing Mt. Kanchenjungha and amenities like attached western bathrooms, electricity and nice home cooked food are available for guests. Pine forest surrounds Ramdhura with short trail option. One can also visit the beautiful British-built Jalsa Bungalow of 1930. A trek along the Cinchona plantation and a visit to the Cinchona Godown and visit to Mahadev Dham temple and Hanuman Tok (viewpoint) nearby is also available. One can visit Rikissum, Sillery Gaon, Pedong, Lava, Loleygaon, Rishyap and Kalimpong. A sightseeing trip to Sillery and Icchey Gaon and its surroundings like Ramitey Dara (which has the longest view of River Teesta), Damsang Fort, Valley of Silence, Tinchuley view point. Ramdhura is a small village at about 15 kilometers from Kalimpong. It offers fabulous panoramic view and the Sunrise & Sunset is worth watching with its changing colors over Mount Kanchenjunga, the Teesta River, the pine forests, the Cinconha Plantation and various birds and butterflies. Tourist can overcome the heat of the plains during the summer and enjoy the cool breeze and refresh oneself and the monsoon is the best time to come here for the floating clouds across your room. Tourist / Traveler can visit Delo Nature Park, Rikissum, Algarah Bazar, Sillery Gaon, Icchey Gaon, Lava, Pedong, Loleygaon, Kalimpong and Rishyap. Mongsong & Ramitey Dara, near Icchey Gaon is known for its longest view of Teesta River. Valley of Silence, Damsang Fort and Tinchuley are other places to visit around Ramdhura & Icchey Gaon, all these places can be visited only if the stay is longer.

Places of Interest 

• Munsong
• Ramitey Dhara
• Kalimpong
• Kagey
• Lingsey
• Aritar
• Lava
• Lolaygaon
• Rishyap
• Kolakham
• Jhandi
• Samthar Valley
• Charkhol
• Jalsa Bunglow
• Cinchona Plantation
• Ramdhura
• Iccheygaon
• Silent Valley
• Zuluk 
• Memencho Lake
• Kupup Lake
• Peshok
• Lingtham

Connectivity / Communication

Airways - Ramdhura & Iccheygaon is approximately 95 kilometers from Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP). Bagdogra airport is served by regular Indian Airlines, Spice Jet, Go Air, Druk Air, Indigo and Jet Airways. There are daily flights from Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, etc. The airport is well connected by roadways and railways. The drive will be roughly 04 hours from Bagdogra Airport. Pakyong Airport is 65 kilometers from Iccheygaon & Ramdhura. Taxi as well as Private Vehicles for nearby tourist spots is available from the airport.  It is advisable to book vehicle earlier through net or contact as during season & festival the supply reduces. 

Railways - New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) is approximately 95 kilometers away and is the nearest major railway station from Ramdhura and Iccheygaon. Iccheygaon & Ramdhura do not have railway station neither do Kalimpong. There are regular train services from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station to all the major railway station like Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Patna, Mumbai, Guwahati, Bangalore, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Jaipur, Agra, etc. Taxi, as well as Private Vehicles for nearby tourist spots, is available from the Railway Station (NJP) / Siliguri Junction or Siliguri Town Station and Pakyong Airport (PYG)

Roadways - Situated in the Middle of National Highway number 10. Ramdhura and Iccheygaon is nearly 95 – 98 kilometers and is roughly 18 kilometers from Kalimpong. Sillery is 04 kilometers from Pedong and Rikissum is nearly 14 kilometers from Kalimpong. There are two major routes to Ramdhura & Icchey Gaon one is along the River Teesta and then through Kalimpong. National Highway 10 is to Gangtok and one has to travel along the route till Chitrey / Teesta Bazaar and then turn to Kalimpomg and further 18 kilometers is Icchey Gaon & Ramdhura. The other route is via Rangpo & Mongsong which is shorter when entering from Gangtok or Pelling.