Offbeat and Untouched – The Magic of Charkhole

Charkhole Diaries

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What to expect in Charkhole?

Discover Charkhole, an untouched haven draped in the serenity of the Himalayas and surrounded by majestic pine forests, panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga and mystic mists, a perfect weekend getaway for peace-seeking and nature-loving tourists.

Best Darjeeling Tour Packages

We present to you with our exclusive and wide range of Darjeeling tour packages which will ensure to offer you a comprehensive experience of this hill station, curled up in the arms of the majestic Himalayas. Our packages typically include a wide range of activities, starting from visiting iconic attractions like Tiger Hill, Tea Gardens, Peace Pagoda or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, which will cater to all families, adventure lovers and honeymooners, alike.

2 Days 1 Night
(4.7) 415
Romantic Escapes: Darjeeling & Sikkim Weekend Getaway
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2 Days 1 Night
(4.7) 415
Weekend Bliss: Darjeeling & Lamahatta Getaway
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2 Days 1 Night
(4.7) 415
Mystic Blessings: Eastern Himalayas Pilgrimage Tour
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2 Days 1 Night
(4.7) 415
Wildlife Escape: Darjeeling & Sikkim
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2 Days 1 Night
(4.7) 415
Sacred Himalayas: Darjeeling & Sikkim Pilgrimage Tour
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9 Days 8 Nights
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Wild Himalayas: Darjeeling & Sikkim Wildlife Tour
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Best Time to visit Charkhole

Charkhole is open to visitors all year round although what the visitors want may vary from season to season. For instance, visitors who want to trek and get spectacular views of the area surrounding the village coming to the place in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) could prove to be effective. Visiting the place in the summertime would be apt for people wanting to get away from the heat of the summer (May to July). However, travellers may experience some pre-monsoon showers by the end of June. For people wanting to experience lush greenery and want to be one with misty forests the monsoon (July to early September) time would be perfect for them. Visitors and travellers who want to just come to the village and relax and cut themselves off from the cacophonic society the village accepts everyone all year round.

Weather and Temperature of Charkhole (Season-wise)

You can experience a pleasant and cool climate condition at Charkhole, year-round, with stunning panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga and occasional mist.

Summer (March to June) The summer season is pretty pleasant in Charkhole, with clear views that are ideal for sightseeing. The daytime temperature with slightly warmer temperature fluctuates between 12 and 22℃, while at night, it drops to nearly 10 to 14℃. Overall, the weather remains quite comfortable, and the cool mountain breeze is perfect for outdoor activities and exploration.

Monsoon (July to September) This season usually remains misty and wet, with frequent heavy rainfall transforming Charkhole into a green paradise, with cascading waterfalls. The daytime temperature is usually between 15 and 20℃, while at night, it drops to nearly 10℃. Heavy rainfall makes the roads slippery.

Autumn (October to November) Autumn makes Charkhole look amazing, with golden foliage, blue skies and clean waterfalls. It is one of the perfect seasons for tourists, offering clear mountain views and crisp, cool air that brushes against their skin. The daytime temperature hovers around 14 and 20℃, while at night, it typically falls between 10 and 12℃. This season is ideal for trekking/hiking and photography.

Winter (December to February) In this season, you can experience occasional snowfall at those locations in higher altitudes, with chilly air, both during the day and at night. The daytime temperature ranges between 4 to 8℃, while the nighttime temperature drops to as low as -1℃. It is essential to pack heavy woollen clothes if planning a trip to Charkhole in the winter. This season is great to experience the serenity of the Himalayas and a cosy bonfire.

Geography and Natural Beauty

If there are any upcoming plans to visit Charkhole, you can expect peace and serenity shrouding this quaint village, besides majestic pine forests and panoramic views of the entire Kanchenjunga range. This charming village is known to be a paradise for all birdwatchers, teeming with vibrant butterflies and rare Himalayan birds. Your stay here will be defined with leisurely nature walks and soulful sunset views. Also, the homestays here offer their guests warmth and heartfelt hospitality. You will get a personal stay experience when there are not many guests around. The mobile networks here are not very strong, which makes this a great place to experience digital detox.

What to See and Do in Charkhole?

Charkhole offers tourists a quiet nature experience to embrace to soothe their souls, alongside quiet forest trails and scintillating views of the Himalayas. Here is a small list to guide you to see what you can see and do when in Charkhole!

Enjoying the panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga One of Mother Nature’s hotspots for biodiversity is the great Mt. Kanchenjunga. With its majestic size and plethora of wildlife, the mountain has blended in with the surroundings that could be experienced by travellers coming to Charkole.

Nature walks through forests The surrounding areas that are near the village are surrounded by forests that are lined by pine and oak trees. Strolls through these areas are enough to uplift the soul of visitors who want to unwind and be one with nature.

Bird-watching and star-gazing The village doesn’t cease to amaze its visitors in terms of day or night time. As the area is part of an astounding array of animal diversity, the birdwatchers are in for delight with the variety of birds that they might find. The clear night skies are starry enough for the visitors to look at the stars and ponder over the cosmos.

Relaxing and Unwinding in Silence The village is frozen in time the people are excellent hosts who are ready to engage in humane interactions and the lack of internet connection is enough to jolt the travellers back to the basic sleeves away from the rush and the rat race. The visitors can truly unravel in the silence whilst learning the way of villagers.

Local Cuisine and Cultural Experiences

You are sure to be served with simple local dishes, yet they are surprisingly delicious and packed with authentic hill flavours! You will not regret trying them out when in Charkhole. The piping hot Momo, steamy hot Thukpa and Sel Roti, besides the staple food Dal-Bhaat and brewing butter tea are just delicious. These are a perfect food to enjoy and relish in the chilly evenings. You cannot miss out on tasting Gundruk and Sinki which is often offered as a side dish and is full of unique flavours of the fermented leafy vegetables. These are their comfort food which are all infused with the authenticity of the flavours of the hill. These hill cuisines will remain a memorable moment in your culinary experience.

If you wish to experience authentic village life with the warmth of Lepcha hospitality, you can check out this list to select the cultural experiences you wish to experience when in Charkhole!

Experiencing the local Lifestyles While getting a complete experience of the overall place interacting with the local Lepcha and Nepali families is a guaranteed way to improve the quality of stay that one experiences. You need to also try the local cuisines here, which are soul-soothing.

Folk Music and dance The traditional festivities and dance are a delight to be experienced by the travellers. During seasons the fun and frolic are high among the community with traditional Nepali dances like Maruni or Tamang Selo.

Religious and spiritual traditions Even the visitors can put on the local traditional wear and partake in the festivities that are welcomed by the locals. The visitors can learn about the culture through the local shrines and participate in small rituals or observe community prayers during Losar.

Explore the legacy of Lepcha weaving traditions You can witness the exquisite weaving traditions of the Lepcha community and can try purchasing one which will add a unique souvenir to your textile collection, back home.

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Accommodation Facilities in Charkhole

Charkhole offers numerous peaceful retreats for tourists, with a great blend of scenic homestays and forest retreats, perfect for spending the vacation in solitude. You can get a range of accommodation facilities in Charkhole, but be careful to book them well in advance to ensure you get standard and hassle-free accommodations, especially during the peak seasons. Check out these options here, for a tension-free booking. Accommodation options in Charkhole range from Private accommodations or luxury private stays like The Sojourn Charkhole Resort with superior amenities. You also have other options like Silent Valley Retreat, for a mid-range, yet comfortable accommodation experience. You also have the option of staying in guesthouses, with a budget-friendly, local vibe, which however has basic amenities, like in Charkhole Paradise Homestay. However, you can experience the rustic charm of village life while staying in these guesthouses in Charkhole.

Homestays in Charkhole

The rustic homestays of Charkhole are filled with Himalayan touch where you will be warmly welcomed by the kind-hearted hosts and offered heartfelt hospitality along with delicious meals and basic amenities. Some of the best homestays of Charkhole include- Charkhole Retreat Homestay, Kanchen View Homestay, Forest Nest Homestay, Whispering Pines Homestay and Charkhole Eco Home

Where is Charkhole located?

This serene offbeat village is in the district of Kalimpong in West Bengal, India. Sitting atop viewpoints that are at a height of 5500 feet, Charkhole is a village distinct with its beauty and lifestyle that can captivate its visitors and leave them speechless, just 27 km away from Kalimpong.

How to Reach Charkhole

After reaching Siliguri via flight, train, or road across India, you can opt for either of the three ways to reach this scenic hamlet, Charkhole.

By Air: The nearest airport to Charkhole is Bagdogra Airport about 79 km away. It takes approximately 3 hr 30 mins hours to reach this quaint village near Darjeeling via NH 10, depending on the road conditions. Bagdogra is well-connected by flight to almost all major cities.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Charkhole is New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP), which is about 75 km away. It takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes to reach the destination via NH 10. NJP is a major railway station hub that is very well-connected to almost all rail stations. After reaching NJP, you can either hire a vehicle or take a shared cab to Charkhole.

By Road: From Siliguri, the distance covered to Charkhole is about 68 km which takes approx. 2 and half hours to reach the destination, via NH 10. You can reserve a cab or get on a shared vehicle from Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus in Siliguri. The distance between Darjeeling and Charkhole is just 64 km, and a shared or reserved cab takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes to travel via Peshok Rd/Rishi Rd. Taxis/cabs through Rishi Rd are readily available from Chowk Bazaar.

Some Pro Travel Tips for Charkhole

    ↠Pack all your essentials like warm clothes, trekking gear, first-aid kit, personal medications, water bottles, snacks.
    ↠Properly acclimate to avoid altitude sickness.
    ↠Carry portable chargers and camera equipment.

Conclusion

This travel destination is a dreamland for many peace-seeking travellers, with purity and silence embracing nature. Charkhole promises tourists soulful solitude, unhindered snow-dusted mountain vistas and clean air. This is indeed a peaceful hidden gem in the heart of North Bengal.

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