Bhutan

From Kalimpong it is possible to visit Phuntsholing, just over the Bhutanese border, without a visa. There's a daily bus to Jaigaon, on the Indian side of the border, which leaves at 8.30am. There are hotels and guesthouses at Phuntsholing, but not Jaigaon.

Teesta Bazaar

16km from Kalimpong and where the road divides for Darjeeling and Silliguri, is becoming a centre for white water rafting activities.

Lava

About 30km to the east of Kalimpong, is a small village with a small gompa. Tuesday is market day, and a good time to visit. There's a Forest Rest House buses and jeeps run regularly from Kalimpong. Kaffer is another small village east of Kalimpong, and it also has a Forest Rest House. Both of these places can be visited on treks from Kalimpong.

Samco Ropeway

A chairlift installed by the Swedish as part of an aid programme to help villagers cross the Teesta River. If the idea of dangling from a piece of wire 30m above the water doesn't entice, give this a miss - it's definitely not for vertigo sufferers or heart patients! The ropeway is on the main Silliguri to Gangtok road, at a place known locally as 27th Mile.

Sightseeing in West Bengal

Victoria Memorial ¦¦ India Museum ¦¦ Eden Gardens ¦¦ St. Paul Cathedral ¦¦ Tiger Hill ¦¦ Senchal Lake ¦¦ Kanchenjunga ¦¦ Dhirdham Temple ¦¦ Gymkhana Club ¦¦ Llyod Botanical Gardens ¦¦ Gompas ¦¦ Flower Nurseries ¦¦ Nature Interpretation Centre

General Info ¦¦ Trekking ¦¦ Sports ¦¦ Museums ¦¦ Personalities ¦¦ Dances

Wildlife ¦¦ Map ¦¦ Beaches ¦¦ Festivals ¦¦ Regional Highlight ¦¦ Cities