Pedong

Pedong as a destination takes a minimum of 3 to 4 days of a traveler’s time to completely showcase what it has to offer. From thick pine forested areas to rivers to terraced fields to cotton clouds & ladybugs & butterflies, it has the perfect ambiance for a traveler. And all this, with a touch of history to beckon with. “One has only to ask oneself as to what kind of a traveler one is” to decide the number of days he would like to spend in Pedong. Nearby Places are Ramitey - This place offers the longest view of river Teesta. Nearly fourteen bend of the river at a glance. This place offers the best view of the Teesta flowing. On a clear day guest can view the Himalayan range which  adds to the beauty of the place. Tinchuley Hill - Lone hill amongst others is the Tinchuley hill and it offers one of the best views of Pedong. A climb / trek  for about 30 minutes to reach the hilltop is magnificient and one feel majestic. It is surrounded by the thick pine forests below and the Himalayan range in front. Silence Valley - One of the finest location and a great meadow.Practically a huge pasture surrounded by thick pine trees, a perfect picnic and can be best enjoyed by camping. During the rainy season this little place becomes something like a small lake. According to old locals, this was originally a lake long before. Damsang Fort - The Damsang fort is the only fort in the entire district of Darjeeling.  It was home to the last Lepcha King- Gyabo Achuk as the Lepcha people are the real natives of this place. After the Lepchas this fort came under the Bhutanese who then lost it to the British in the Anglo-Bhutanese war of 1864AD. The fort ever since then has lain in ruins but it still makes for one of the best hikes to go for. Huge fir trees which have six shoots growing together in one and their roots making a jungle staircase is a signature on its own. Rikkisum - Located at one of the best vantage points Rikkisum consists of the ruins of an old British bungalow constructed in 1902 to serve as a halting point for the British travelers when on their way to Tibet in the old days.  But because of its vantage point, it provides as a fantastic sunrise points alongside a very long Himalayan range with Mt.Kunchenjunga. Sangchen Dorjee Monastery - This is the one of the oldest monasteries in Pedong and its surrounding areas. Established in and around the early 1700AD it provides tremendous historical insight into the history and culture of this place. The Sangchen Dorjee Gumba also has some amazing fresco paintings on the inner walls of the main chamber depicting Tantric Buddhism. The Chyaam dance or the Buddhist Mask dance is also held here every year. Franco Swiss Museum - The “French Fathers” of the Foreign Missions Society of Paris (called MEP in French i.e. Missions Estrangeres de Paris) were given the charge of evangelizing Tibet 1846. Fr. Augustine Desgodins was sent to India in 1880 to explore the possibility of entering Tibet by the south. The village of Pedong seemed to be the most suitable place for such a purpose and so he settled down there in 11th November 1882. The mission however did not meet with success and then came turn of the Swiss Fathers. The Franco-Swiss Missionary Museum was set up at Pedong on 20th January 2005 to recall and remember the great dedication and sacrifices of the French and Swiss Fathers who toiled so hard in the Missions.

Crosshill - In the Tibet Mission a lot of Evangelists lost their lives or never came back from Tibet. Fr. Augustine Desgodins in due memory of them erected a cross at a vantage point facing Tibet directly with a hope that someday the evangelists may return. The Crosshill is located at such a vantage point wherein the view of the facing mountains is simply fabulous. Here one can see the Tibet or now the Chinese border and is also the perfect sunset point in Pedong. Reshi River - If you would like to unwind then this is the place to do it. Being at Reshi River can be most rejuvenating and fun. A cool dip every now and then or simply sitting on a rock with your feet in the water with a bottle of beer or juice can completely take you to new heights. If you are lucky you can also order for some fresh river trout.

There are also car parking facilities here. The food is essentially Indian and home cooked and the ingredients are mostly locally sourced and fresh. Homely food and warm hospitality will always make you feel at home. Guest can also cook food of their own choice with their support. Short treks to British built Jalsa Bungalow of 1930 and the surrounding cinchona plantation is advisable. One can also trek to Silent Valley. Birding & Angling can be arranged if informed early.  Excursion to Zuluk, Nathang / Gnathang, Kupup Lake, Memencho Lake,  Young Husband Golf Course, etc
 

Places Of Interest
 

• Damsang Fort
• Valley of Silence
• Tinchuley view point 
• Rishi Khola
• Rishyap
• Lava 
• Lolaygaon
• Deollo
• Kalimpong
• Mangar Jung
• Sillery & Iccheygaon
• Munsong Meditation Center
• Ramdhura
• Aritar
• Jalsa Bunglow 
• Cinchona Plantation
• Mahadev Dham Temple & Hanuman Tok

Communication

Visitors can hire a vehicle from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) / Bagdogra Airport (IXB) to Pedong via Kalimpong. By Public transport one has to reach Kalimpong and avail local vehicle. Pedong is around 21 kilometers from Kalimpong. The home stays also arranges pick-up services from nearby places. It is well connected from Gangtok, Pelling, Namchi, Darjeeling. To avoid rush it is better to reach Pedong via Kalimpong instead of Gorubathan