Rongtong – A Misty Village with Stunning Mountain Views

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What To Expect at Rongtong

Rongtong is a peaceful village encompassed by lush forest, serene tea gardens and winding slopes. The misty mornings make it a scenic route along the Hill Cart Road. Rongtong will be your earliest stop on the joyous toy train ride. It is an ideal destination to enjoy tea breaks, picnics and short hikes surrounded by cool, refreshing breeze, chirping birds and wild forest trails.

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 Rongtong

Rongtong boeing surrounded by peaceful forests and its mild climate makes it a year round destination. Depending on the kind of experience you are looking for you can choose your best seasons. However, the autumn and spring seasons especially comes with some rewarding experiences such as golden sunlight, crisp air, clear skies and blooming wildflowers.

Weather and Temperature of Rongtong (Season-wise)

A detailed breakdown of the weather and temperature of Rongtong is mentioned below-

Spring (March to April) remains fully green with breezy and fresh air. The temperature ranges between 18°C to 24°C during the daytime and 10°C to 15°C at night. It is a perfect season to enjoy blooming flowers, chirping birds and forest walks.

Monsoon (July to September) remains lush green with cloudy and rainy weather. The temperature ranges between 20°C to 25°C during the daytime and 15°C to 19°C at night. You can enjoy the misty beauty of the nature cautiously amidst the slippery roads.

Autumn (October to November) offers cooler evenings with clear skies and temperatures ranging between 18°C to 24°C during the daytime and 8°C to 14°C at night. The forests appear golden green during this season, creating opportunities for scenic drives and nature photography.

Winter (December to February) comes with crisp air and chilly mornings, and the temperature ranges between 12°C to 20°C during the day and 5°C to 8°C at night. It is an ideal season to enjoy foggy mornings with quiet and cosy vibes and enjoy a warm cup of tea while enjoying the view of the misty hills.

Geography and Natural Beauty

Rongtong is a part of the Toy train route which falls along the Hill Cart Road and is situated in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, in proximity to Tindharia and Siliguri. It is perched at an elevation of about 1,500- 1700 feet and sits quietly above the breathtaking Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. This region is surrounded by evergreen forests where you can find trees such as fern, sal, bamboo and pine and often appears charming, especially after a rainfall or during the mist-covered mornings.

Attractions and Activities

Some of the top attractions and activities of Rongtong are mentioned below-

Attractions

Toy Train Route- Rongtong is amongst the earliest stops of a toy train ride. You can simply watch the toy train and take its photography while riding and enjoy its scenic route winding amidst the lush forests, crossing several narrow curves and bridges.

Forest Surroundings- Rongtong is surrounded by lush sal and pine forests where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and take some serene walks.

Rongtong Railway Station- This railway station exudes a very vintage vibe where you can take some great shots to add to your collection.

Valley and Hill Views- Different forest clearings and road turns of Rongtong offer views of the tea gardens, hill ridges and plains of Siliguri.

Activities

Nature Walks & Forest Trails- The forest trails of Rongtong are easy which can be taken by people of all ages. You can enjoy a walk amidst the misty, bird-filled trails especially during the golden hour or early mornings.

Photography- It is an ideal place to enjoy misty views, golden sunsets and nostalgic railway tracks. You can capture the raw beauty of the Toy trains winding along the misty trails filled with greenery.

Tea Stall Hopping- You can soak yourself in the stillness of the mountains while sipping a warm cup of tea along with delicious snacks and momos from the roadside stalls.

Birdwatching- You can witness some of the beautiful bird species here, especially in the forest edges, such as woodpeckers, thrushes, owls, bulbuls and drongsos.

Nearby Attractions and places to visit in Rongtong:

Tindharia- This charming hamlet is situated at a distance of 20 km from Rongtong, where you can enjoy slow-paced village life, stunning views and breathtaking forest trails.

Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary- This is a biodiversity hotspot, which will take you just about 15-20 minutes from Rongtong to reach. It is an abode to diverse birdlife, barking deer, leopards and elephants. You can take some serene walks with the help of a guide or explore the watch towers and the forest trails.

Kurseong- A drive of just 45 minutes will take you to the “ land of white orchids”. You can enjoy the charm of the colonial era amidst cool mountain breeze and great tea here, while enjoying the viewpoints such as St. Paul’s School, Dow Hill forest and Eagle’s Crag.

Salugara Monastery- This peaceful monastery is situated just at a 30 minutes distance away from Rongtong where you can witness towering stupa and enjoy spiritual reflection, cultural visits and meditation.

Local Cuisine and Cultural Experiences

The food of Rongtong is basically simple and wholesome which are mostly homeware prepared using organic and seasonal ingredients. The foods are generally prepared with utmost care in the roadside kitchens and the homestays. Some of the recommended dishes that you must try out in Rongtong include- Momo, Thukpa, Dal Bhat Tarkari, Bamboo Shoot Curry, Smoked Pork, Gundruk & Kinema, Darjeeling Tea and Aloo Dum & Noodles.

More Places To Visit Near Rongtong

Accommodations

Rongtong has a limited number of homestays, which are now growing in number. You will get clean, basic rooms here, which might be small in size but offers all kinds of basic amenities and delicious home-cooked meals amidst forest surroundings. It is an ideal stay option for the nature lovers, solo travellers and writers. There are alos some forest guest houses located nearby which are situated near the Mahananda wildlife Division.

Homestays in Rongtong

The homestays of Rongtong are situated near the Hill Cart Road and are run by the families residing in the area. You will be offered heartfelt hospitality with warm, delicious meals and basic, clean rooms. If you are a peace seeker, then these homestays will serve you right, as mostly very few tourists come here to make a cro, wd offering serene silence and peace of the recommended homestays of Rongtong to book your stays include- Rongtong Forest Homestays, Toy Train View Homestay and Nearby Homestays.

Where Is Rongtong

Rongtong is situated in the route of Hill Cart Road which connects Darjeeling and siliguri and is situated in West Bengal, India and is a part of the Darjeeling district. It sits peacefully at an average altitude of around 450-520 meters and is in proximity to charming spots suchas Tindharia, Gayabari and Mahananda wildlife sanctuary.

How To Reach Rongtong

By Air: The nearest airport from Rongtong is Bagdogra Airport (IXB), situated at a distance of 25 km. You can take a cab from the airport premises which are going towards Kurseong, Rongtongs falls on the way. By Train: The nearest railway station to Rongtong is the NJP railway station, which is situated at a distance of 30 km. You can take a taxi from this station via the Siliguri- Hill Cart Road and reach Rongtong within 1.5 hours.

By Road-

From Siliguri: The distance between Siliguri and Rongtong is about 20 km and the route include Siliguri → Sukna → Rongtong via Hill Cart Road. This route will pass along the scenic Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.

From Darjeeling: The distance between Darjeeling and Rongtong is around 55 km, and the route includes Darjeeling → Kurseong → Tindharia → Rongtong. This is a scenic drive along the Hill Cart Road surrounded by lush valleys and serene tea gardens.

Pro-Tips while travelling to Rongtong

  • It is recommended to hire a private vehicle to Rongtong as mostly the shared ones do not make a stop here.
  • Check in advance the schedule of the toy train to enjoy a scenic ride.
  • The weather can get chilly at night, thus pack some light jackets even during summer.
  • Bring enough cash as there are limited ATMS in the region.
  • Pack essentials such as a first aid kit, dry snacks and water bottles.
  • Conclusion

    Rongtong is different from the usual tourist destination, its serene, misty beauty and quaint trails makes it unique and peaceful. It is ideal to spend some time away from the crowds of the tourists and enjoy digital detox sessions. Rongtong will help you pause, breath some fresh air and enjoy the rhythmic sound of the hills.

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