Tinchuley

Tinchuley is a tiny hamlet tucked in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in the Darjeeling region of north Bengal. Perched at an elevation of 5800ft, it is just 32 km from Darjeeling and  3km above Takdha.

The word “Tinchuley”, stands for “Three Chullahs or Ovens”. It has got its name because of the three hill tops surrounding the place which look like Chullahs or Ovens. Sprawled with lush green valley of alpine forest, there are multiple pictorial places in and around Tinchuley. 

Overlooking the Kalimpong Hills Tinchuley is a hidden eco-friendly destination that has lured many travelers towards it with its extraordinary view of the Teesta River and the Eastern Himalayas. Tinchuley has a remarkable number of homestays, lodges, and resorts in and around. In Tinchuley, one can engage in rock climbing, trekking, sightseeing, all with a background of scenic green mountains cape. 

Sightseeing Attractions and Activities

• Visit the serene Nirmal’s Orange Orchards located 8km from Tinchuley. Fresh orange juice, pickles, and marmalades are produced in the factory located at this family-owned property, which is something you can buy at the best prices.
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• Tinchuley Monastery is well regarded for having a long queue of prayer wheels on the outer wall and it is where the Dalai Lama meditated for 17 years.

  

  In the proximity, there are six tea gardens where you can watch farmers plucking tea, explore the garden life, have a factory tour to see how tea is processed. Rungli Rungliot is the closest tea estate here along with Peshok Tea Estate.
• Tinchuley View Point, also known as Sunrise View Point, is the best place to catch the exotic sunrise on your camera and witness how Kanchenjunga snow-capped mountains and other Himalayan mountains sparkle in the daylight.

  

• Have a stroll through the forest of ferns for around 20 minutes and reach another exotic viewpoint, Gumbadara. Here, you can witness Rangeet River and some parts of Sikkim. You can also witness the exotic views of snow-capped mountains of Kanchenjunga here.
• Trek through the serene nature walks and explore the villages in proximity. You can have a local guide by your side arranged by your homestay or guest house. Local villagers may seem to be shy initially. But they are very warm and friendly once you start talking to them. There are flowering pots in almost virtually every village house.
• Visit Namchi: Namchi, located nearby, is known for its large statue of Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche. Explore the statue complex and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

  

• Also, explore Lovers’ ViewPoint while visiting the Peshok Tea Gardens. It also has beautiful views of Triveni – where Rivers Rangeet and Teesta meet.
• Chhota Mangwa: A small village, downhill from Tinchuley, Chhota Mangwa is known for its exquisite horticulture and you can see a wide variety of exotic floral plants, including alpine varieties.
• Visit the Teesta Bazaar for local shopping.

Places to Visit Near Tinchuley

• Lamahatta: Another scenic hamlet near Tinchuley, Lamahatta is known for its landscaped rose garden and tall pine forests. One of Lamahatta’s most prominent attractions is the Roadside Garden, which covers a huge area. You can visit the local watch tower for uninterrupted views of the hills and peaks from the top.
• Neora Valley National Park: The most popular wildlife sanctuary in the region, this forested area houses Himalayan species of wild animals and plants. You can do camping, trekking, jungle safari, or forest treks.

Where to Stay at Tinchuley

There are several homestays and guest houses that provide good accomodation with basic amenities. Usually the homestays provide each room that has two double beds that can accomodate a maximum of four adults. However, depending on availability, you can get a room for two adults. The cost varies between Rs. 1200-1500/- per person depending on the season and number of persons in a team. The cost includes lodging, breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner. Most homestays provide wifi-access, but you won’t get a TV, most propably.