Unfiltered and Untouched – Pabong Through the Lens

Pabong Diaries

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What To Expect at Pabong

Escape to Pabong, a serene Himalayan village near Kalimpong, where pine forests, Kanchenjunga views, and peaceful homestays create the perfect offbeat retreat.

Pabong is a quaint hamlet which offers simple Himalayan lifestyle and serene whispers of nature. It offers a perfect blend of stunning vistas of the Mt. Kanchenjunga, warm hospitality, lush forest trails and misty mornings. The pure mountainous air, limited connectivity and less crowds creates a soulful escape in the lap of nature creating a perfect opportunity to enjoy some digital detox session.

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.

Best time to visit Pabong

Pabong remains stunning and welcoming throughout the year where each season tells a different story and has its own unique charm. You can choose your best time accrding to your preferences. However, the ideal recommended time to explore the scenic charm of Pabong is between March- May and October- May as the skies remain clear during this time and the pleasant weather adds to the beauty of the surroundings where you can witness lush greeny amidst cool mountain breezes.

Weather and Temperature of Pabong (Season-wise)

Pabong offers a cool, refreshing mountainous climate all year round. Here is a season-wise breakdown of Pabong-

Summer (May to June) remains cool and breezy with a temperature ranging between 12°C to 20°,C and the weather remains milder in comparison to the plains. It is an ideal time to enjoy some serene hill stays by escaping from the soaring heat.

Monsoon (July to September) remains lush and misty with frequent rainfall limiting the views of the views of the surround landscapes and makes the roads very slippery. It is recommended to explore with caution due to poor visibility and risk of landslide.

Autumn (October to November) offers clear skies and crisp mountain air amidst goldenstein landscapes. It is the best time to enjoy undisturbed vista of the snow-laden Mt. kanchenjunga and try out exciting outdoor activities.

Winter (December to February) remains dry and cold with occasional occurent of frost. The temperature ranges from 2°C to 10°C creating a perfect ambience to enjoy quiet escapes, cosy stays and stargazing.

Geography and Natural Beauty

Pabong is a peaceful Himalayan hamlet perched at an altitude of about 5,800- 6,000 feet in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, India. It is placed serenely in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas presenting scenic vistas of Kanchenjunga range. Pabong is encompassed by meandering trails and luxuriant forests of Rhododendrons, Oak and Pine. This village is a perfect blend of chirping birds, misty mornings and meandering hills making it an ideal destination for the tranquil seekers, birdovers and nature enthusiasts.

Attractions and Activities

Some attractions and activities to try out in Pabong include-

Attractions

Kanchenjunga Viewpoint- The hilly ridges or the balcony of homestays of Pabong offers breathtaking Kanchenjunga views especially during early mornings which you canenjoy with a warm cup of tea.

Local Forest Trails- You can take a walk amongst the untamed Himalayan trails of Rhododendrons, Oak and Pine forests where you can enjoy serene walks and birdwatching amidst the stunning vistas of flora and fauna.

Terraces and Village Fields- The locals of Pabong grow their vegetables, millet and maize in the terraced farms where you can take some photo walks and enjoy countryside relaxation.

Activities

Birdwatching- If you are a bird lover then Pabong is an ideal destination for you to spot some rare bird species such as occasional pheasants, barbets, flycatchers and sunbirds.

Sketching and Photography- Pabong is a paradise for artists and nature photographers offering stunning vistas of rustic mountain charm, misty trails and continually changing mountain lights.

Short day trips- You can enjoy some extended sightseeings amidst the nature trails of Rishop, Kolakham, Lava or Loleygaon.

Stargazing- The clear night skies and zero to light pollution of Pabong offers perfect opportunity to enjoy night photography and stargazing by setting your camp near the forest trails.

Traditional Homestays- The rustic homestays of Pabong are very eye- cathing yet simple which offers cosy stys, mountain stories, handmade meals, warm hospitality and digital detox.

Nearby Attractions and places to visit on Pabong:

Loleygaon- You can go for a day trip in this captivating village situated at a distance of 12 km from Pabong and enjoy canopy walks amidst ancient forest trails, along with exploring the spellbinding Jhandi Dara Viewpoint.

Jhandi Viewpoint- This hidden viewpoint is situated at a distance of 14 km from Pabong and offers a panoramic view of the nearby peaks of Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and the Eastern Himalayas, where you can enjoy sunrise view and nature photography.

Kaffer Gaon- This quaint hamlet in proximity to Loleygaon is situated at a distance of 15 km from Pabong offering traditional farming life, serene village walks and the warm hospitality of the locals.

Lava- This tranquil hill station acting as the gateway to the serene Neora Valley is situated at a distance of 20 km and offers misty pine forests and nature trails for a fulfilling visit.

Local Cuisine and Cultural Experiences

The warmth and simplicity of the Himalayan lifestyle are reflected greatly in the local cuisine of Pabong, which is influenced by the local flavours of the Lepcha and Nepali communities. You will be able to taste fresh meals here, served with love and care in the cosy homestays. Some of the recommended dishes to try out here include- Dal Bhat Tarkari, Thukpa, Momo, Churpi with Ningro, Aloo Dum & Sel Roti, Tongba and Suja.

Pabong offers a blended experience of community, tradition and nature where you can taste the raw Himalayan culture by taking part in the following activities-

Taking Part in the Local Rituals- You can ask the locals whether you are permitted to take part in their morning spiritual chants and incense rituals. This will get you an idea about the spiritual practices of the indigenous groups and Buddhist influence in the region.

Cooking Experience with the Locals- You can form a strong bond with the host of your homestay by asking them to teach you their traditional way of culinary heritage, which they have been practising for ages, and learn their ways of preparing different dishes such as churpi, sel roti, thukpa and dal bhat in their traditional fire-wood stoves.

Storytelling and Folk Songs- The locals of Pabong often end their evenings by sitting near the fire and sharing thrilling mountain folklore that has been prevailing amongst them for ages, along with some lively hill songs.

Participating in the Seasonal Fairs- If your visit coincides with the seasonal festivals of Pabong, then you will get the opportunity to witness the collective spirit of village life shared by lively music, traditions and cultural dances.

More Places To Visit Near Pabong

Accommodations

Pabong is an offbeat gem, and you will be offered homestay-style, peaceful and simple accommodations here. These homestays are run by the locals, where you can enjoy warm hospitality and basic amenities amidst eye-catching mountain vistas. Some of the popular homestay options in Pabong include- Pabong Homestay, Kanchenjunga View Homestay and Woodland Retreat Homestay.

Homestays in Pabong

The homestays of Pabong are surrounded by breathtaking views of lush greenery, refreshing mountain air and vibrantly blooming orchids. You will be offered more than just a simple stay experience here. You will be offered an enriching experience filled with thrilling local stories, lip-smaking home-cooked meals and lots of smiles. Some of the popular homestays of Pabong to ensure a decent stay include- Whispering Pines Homestay, Pabong Farm Stay, Kanchenjunga View Homestay, Pine Haven Homestay and Orchid Nest Homestay.

Where Is Pabong

Pabong is an offbeat gem of the Kalimpong district nestled peacefully in the lap of the Eastern Himalayas. It is perched at an elevation of about 5,800- 6,000 feet above sea level. It is situated in the Eastern Himalayan region in proximity to Loleygaon and Algarah. The distance between Kalimpong and Pabong is about 35 km, and from Siliguri it is 85-90 km.

Pabong is a quaint hamlet which offers simple Himalayan lifestyle and serene whispers of nature. It offers a perfect blend of stunning vistas of the Mt. Kanchenjunga, warm hospitality, lush forest trails and misty mornings. The pure mountainous air, limited connectivity and less crowds creates a soulful escape in the lap of nature creating a perfect opportunity to enjoy some digital detox session.

How To Reach Pabong

You can reach Pabong by the following means-

By Air: The Bagdogra Airport is situated at a distance of 90 km from Pabong and is the nearest airport to this offbeat gem. You can reach Kalimpong from the airport premises in a taxi and then reach Pabong via Algarah in a journey of about 4-5 hours.

By Train: The NJP railway station situated at a distance of 85 km is the nearest to Pabong. You can reach Pabong via Kalimpong in a taxi taken from NJP which you can change in Kalimpong.

By Road-

From Siliguri: The distance between Siliguri and Pabong is 85-90 km and the road route includes- Siliguri- Kalimpong- Algarah- Pabong. This route is steep but very scenic thus is it recommended to travel during bright daylight.

From Darjeeling: The distance between Darjeeling and Pabong is about 70-75 km, and the route includes Darjeeling- Jorebunglow- Kalimpong- Algarah- Pabong. This journey will take you about 4-4.5 hours, and you are recommended to travel with an experienced driver on these narrow, winding and foggy roads.

Pro-Tips while travelling to Pabong

    You must hire a local cab with an expert driver to explore the bumpy, narrow and steep roads of Pabong.
    The evenings and early mornings of Pabong can get quite chilly thus you must remember to pack some warm set of clothes for your journey.
    Remember to withdraw a sufficient amount of cash from Algarah and Kalimpong due to the lack of ATMs in Pabong.
    Carry backup for your camera batteries, basic medicines, comfortable shoes, toiletries, torch and power bank to enjoy your trip without any inconvenience.

Conclusion

Pabong is an ideal destination for nature photographers, solitude seekers and bird lovers. You must visit this offbeat gem near Kalimpong to dance with the rhythms of the hills and take a break from the outside chaos of city life.

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