Rishop: A Quiet Retreat Above the Clouds

Discover Rishop

Top Darjeeling Tour Packages, Just for You!

Starting From ₹9,200 ₹6,999

What To Expect at Rishop

Elope from your monotonous routine in the serene ambience of Rishop offering the best panoramic view surrounded by lush Pine and Rhododendron forests with the majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga standing at the backdrop. It is an ideal offbeat destination for the peace seekers.

Rishop is a peaceful Himalayan hamlet which offers the best view of the Kanchenjunga range and the misty forests, clear starlit nights and magical sunrise paints the landscape vibrantly. You can experience soul-soothing escape in this low-connectivity less crowded area to fulfil your peace-craving soul amidst the fresh rusty scent of the Pine forest.

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 Rishop

Rishop remains pleasant all year round and can be visited any time. However, the recommended best time to visit this beautiful hamlet near Kalimpong is during the months of October-May. The weather remains at its best form during this period with a pleasant climate and clear skies offering the best view of the mountains. The blooming Rhododendrons enhance the charm of the landscape, creating an ideal ambience for peaceful stays and enjoying scenic walks in the forest trails. You can either avoid the monsoon season or travel with caution as there are limited visibility, muddy trails and leeches during this season.

Weather and Temperature of Rishop (Season-wise)

Rishop offers a misty, cool mountainous climate all year round. A season-wise breakdown of Rishop’s temperature and climate is mentioned below-

Summer (May to June) remains cool and breezy with mild weather and temperatures ranging between 12°C to 20°C. This season is best to enjoy sightseeing and trekking.

Monsoon (July to September) offers frequent showers and heavy mist making the landscape appear lush green with the temperature ranging between 13°C to 18°C. It is an ideal time to enjoy the monsoon charm, however, you must remain cautious of slippery roads.

Autumn (October to November) offers golden landscapes and clear skies with temperatures ranging between 8°C to 16°C creating perfect weather to enjoy photography and mountain views. It is the best time to enjoy the sunrise view.

Winter (December to February) remains cool and dry with occasional snowfall and frost with temperatures ranging between 2°C to 10°C ideal for enjoying cosy stays in solitude and stargazing.

Geography and Natural Beauty

Rishop is a hamlet snuggled peacefully in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, India, roosting at an elevation of about 500 feet and nestled peacefully in the lap of the Eastern Himalayas. Rishop is placed on the edge of the lush Neaora Valley National Park and is encompassed by thick forests of Fir, Birch, Rhododendron and Pine, making it a tranquil heaven for nature lovers. You will get to enjoy an undisturbed view of the majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga, Siniolchu, Bhutan’s hills and Mt. Pandium from this hamlet.

Attractions and Activities

Some of the interesting attractions to explore and activities to try out in Rishop include-

Attractions

Tiffin Dara Viewpoint- You can visit this popular sunrise viewing point through a short forested trek offering the best view of the neighbouring peaks and the majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Neora Valley Forest Trails- Rishop is in proximity to this biodiversity hotspot, which is adorned beautifully with attractive forest trails, vibrant orchids and chirping birds.

Sunrise & Sunset Watching- You can enjoy golden sunrise beautifully painting the snow-clad peaks and nearby valleys at the hilltop spots and even from the balcony of your homestay.

Kanchenjunga Viewing- You can enjoy the view of Siniolchu, Mt. Padmini and Mt. Kanchenjunga from the nearby hilltop spots.

Activities

Trekking & Forest Walks- You can enjoy exploring the forests and birdwatching by going on a short to moderate trek in the attractive trails of Kolakham, Tiffin Dara or explore deeper paths of the Neora Valley.

Photography & Nature Sketching- You can click the phantasmagoric panoramas of the mountains, magical sunrise and vibrant wildflowers in your lenses as a reminder of your wonderful trip.

Birdwatching- You can go on early morning trips in the nearby forest trails to spot beautiful birds such as flycatchers, sunbirds, hornbills and Himalayan barbets.

Star Gazing- The clear nights of Rishop offer an opportunity to enjoy stargazing with minimum pollution, which you can do by setting up tents in the forests.

Nearby Attractions and places to visit on Rishop:

Lava- This quaint hamlet is situated at a distance of 5 km from Rishop. It acts as a base of the biodiversity hotspot which is the Neora Valley where you can enjoy some misty charms while exploring the local markets and Lava Monastery.

Loleygaon- The distance between Rishop and Loleygaon is 28 km where you can enjoy a canopy walk amidst the heritage forest and visit Jhandi Dara viewpoint to enjoy the best sunrise view.

Kolakham- This picturesque village is situated at a distance of 12 km, sitting peacefully on the edge of Neora Valley, offering wilderness of the forest, a serene escape, waterfalls and dramatic landscapes.

Changey Waterfall- This charming, hidden waterfall is situated at a distance of 14 km via Kolakham, surrounded by fern and pine forests. It is an ideal spot to enjoy nature photography and take peaceful breaks.

Local Cuisine and Cultural Experiences

The local cuisine of Rishop is simple, and the food here reflects the Himalayan flavours. The meals are prepared by the locals with utmost care and love using ingredients which they collect from the nearby forest or grow on their farms. Their menu contains simple, nutritious and comfortable items which carry the local flavours. Some of the recommended dishes to try out here include- Dal Bhat Tarkari, Aloo Dum with Roti or Poori, Thukpa, Momo, Ningro with Churpi and Po Cha.

Rishop offers a blended experience of serene ambience, natural beauty and traditional lifestyle of the Nepali, Bhutias and Lepcha communities inhabiting this region. You can take part in the following activities to get a true taste of Rishop’s enriching culture-

Visiting the nearby Lava Monastery- You can take a spiritual retreat by visiting the Lava Jamgyong Kongtrul Monastery, situated in Lava which is in proximity to the Rishop. You can attend the prayer sessions of the monks, soak yourself in the tranquil ambience and spin the prayer wheels.

Learning to cook the local dishes- You can ask the host of your homestay to teach you their ways of preparing meals such as momo, thukpa and dal bhat prepared using local spices and fresh ingredients collected from the mountain.

Listening to traditional music and folklore- You can enjoy your evenings by sitting near the bonfire and listening to the lively traditional music of the Nepali and Lepcha communities and interesting folklore from the elders passed down through generations.

Exploring the traditional farming techniques and crafts- You can interact with the locals and help them tend to their farms in harvesting fresh vegetables and watch them knit and weave attractive pieces and get an idea about the basic crafts of the locals.

More Places To Visit Near Rishop

Singtam: The Riverside Heart of East Sikkim

Discover the Heart of East Sikkim – Singtam

Rangpo: Gateway to Sikkim, Where Rivers Meet Hills

Rangpo: Where Sikkim Begins

Bunkulung: The Riverside Retreat of North Bengal’s Hills

Bunkulung: Darjeeling’s Untouched Valley of Tea and Tranquility

Varsey: A Symphony of Rhododendron Blossoms

In the Heart of Bloom – Discover the Magic of Varsey

Charkhole: Whispers of the Mystic Pines

Escape to Charkhole – Kalimpong’s Whispering Wonder

Lolegaon: A Dreamscape Wrapped in Mist

Unplug in the Misty Meadows of Lolegaon

Accommodations

You can enjoy a tranquil stay experience in Rishop in the budget-friendly rustic homestays, cottages and affordable hotels. You can enjoy the scenic view created by the surrounding pine forests and Mt. Kanchenjunga in these accommodations. Some of the recommended stay options here, which are known to offer the best possible hospitality and amenities, include Neora Valley Resort, Rishop Eco Village, Sonar Tari Homestay, Retreat Alpine View and Silent Valley Resort.

Homestays in Rishop

Most of the homestays of Rishop are small, cosy and are run by the local families residing in the region. You will get to enjoy an authentic taste of Himalayan lifestyle and warm hospitality by staying here while enjoying the breathtaking views of the majestic Kanchenjunga right from the windows of these homestays. The hosts are very friendly and you will be provided basic ammenities and delicious home-cooked meals. Some of the recommended homestays to book your stay in Rishop include- Rishop Mountain Homestay, Bomzan’s Dhim, Rishop – Zivaan Stay, Rishop Nature Homestay, Peaks & Valleys Homestay, Rishop Clouds Homestay, Snow View Homestay, Rishop Karma Homestay and Rishop Ridge Homestay By StayApart.

Where Is Rishop

Rishop is a peaceful mountainous hamlet in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, India. It is perched at an elevation of about 8,500 feet above sea level in the Eastern Himalayan region of the Neora Valley forest. The distance between Rishop and Kalimpong is about 32 km, and its distance from Lava is about 4-5 km.

How To Reach Rishop

By Air: The Bagdogra Airport (IXB) situated at a distance of 120 km is the nearest to Rishop. You can take a cab from the premises of the airport to reach Lava via Kalimpong and continue your journey on the bumpy stretch of road up to Rishop in a local cab. The entire travel time by road will take you about 4.5-5.5 hours.

By Train: The NJP railway station is the nearest to Rishop, being situated at a distance of 115 km. You can take a cab from NJP to reach Risjop via Lava, which will take you around 4.5-5 hours.

By Road-

From Siliguri: The distance between Siliguri and Rishop is about 110-115 km. The travel route includes- Siliguri- Kalimpong- Algarah- Lava- Risho, which will take you about 4.5-5 hours by road in a hired cab.

From Darjeeling: The distance between Darjeeling and Rishop is about 80-85 km, and the travel route includes- Darjeeling- Jorebunglow- Kalimpong- Lava- Rishop. The total travel time by road will be about 3.5-4 hours in a shared/private cab.

Pro-Tips while travelling to Rishop

Try to book your cab from the NJP or Lava region, as the fleets here are perfect to ride in the hilly trains of Rishop, which are very rough and steep.

Pack some warm jackets even if you are travelling in summer, as the temperature here can drop in the evenings.

Pack a pair of sturdy shoes to walk comfortably in the hilly terrain.

There are no ATMS in Rishop; thus, carry a sufficient amount of cash with you, which you can withdraw from Kalimpong or Lava.

Carry extra camera batteries, a flashlight and a power bank with you as power cuts are very common in this region.

Conclusion

Travelling to Rishop will give you lifetime memories of peace and tranquillity where you will be able to enjoy the sunrise view adoring the snow-laden Kanchenjunga. You can simply enjoy the silence of the greenery here along with sipping a warm cup of tea.

A Detailed Guide to Darjeeling Tourism Packages

Darjeeling Tour Packages By Theme

Darjeeling Culture Packages
Darjeeling Offbeat Packages
Darjeeling Wildlife Packages

Darjeeling Adventure Packages
Darjeeling Pilgrimage Packages
Darjeeling Package Deals

Darjeeling Honeymoon Packages
Darjeeling Family Packages
Darjeeling Tour Packages For Couple

A Guide to Staying in Darjeeling

Hotels In Darjeeling
Budget Hotels In Darjeeling
Resorts In Darjeeling
Hostels In Darjeeling
Farm Houses In Darjeeling
Tea Estate Stay In Darjeeling

Guest Houses In Darjeeling
Homestays In Darjeeling
Cottages In Darjeeling
Holiday Homes In Darjeeling
Lodge In Darjeeling
Camping In Darjeeling

5 Star Hotels In Darjeeling
4 Star Hotels In Darjeeling
3 Star Hotels In Darjeeling
2 Star Hotels In Darjeeling
1 Star Hotels In Darjeeling
Luxury Hotels In Darjeeling

Darjeeling Tourism Month-by-Month

Darjeeling Tourism by Season – When to Go & What to Expect!

Winter In Darjeeling (December to February)
Autumn In Darjeeling (October to November)

Monsoon In Darjeeling (July to September)
Summer In Darjeeling (May to June)

Spring In Darjeeling (March to April)

Darjeeling Travel Packages Guide from Major Cities

Day Wise Tour Darjeeling Package

Top Searched Queries About Darjeeling Tourism – Everything You Need to Know!

Darjeeling Tourist Places
Places To Visit In Darjeeling
Things To Do In Darjeeling
Homestay In Darjeeling
Where Is Darjeeling
Darjeeling Is Famous For

Darjeeling Toy Train
Best Time To Visit Darjeeling
Darjeeling Tea
Darjeeling Snowfall
Darjeeling People
Darjeeling Famous Food

Offbeat Places Near Darjeeling
How To Reach Darjeeling
Darjeeling Tour Packages
Darjeeling Hotels
Darjeeling Tourism
Best Places To Eat In Darjeeling

Rishop: A Quiet Retreat Above the Clouds

Discover Rishop

What To Expect at Rishop