Tinchuley – A Peaceful Vacation At Darjeeling’s Hidden Retreat
Tinchuley is a quaint mountain village in the hills of Darjeeling which is situated at an elevation of 5,800 feet. This beautiful hamlet is a hidden gem of the Darjeeling region which was once a distant wilderness but now it has emerged as a famous eco-urban village.
This village is named as Tinchuley because of the three prominent hilltops surrounding the place which seems like an oven from a distance. The unexplored ambiance of Tinchuley has made it an offbeat destination of Darjeeling.
Best time to visit:
Due to its favorable weather conditions, Tinchuley can be visited throughout the year. However, the months of January and February are the coldest month which is not ideal to visit.
Even though, if you want to catch the majestic view of the snow-covered Himalayan mountain range then you can visit during the month of mid-September to December.
During these months the sky remains clear and you can clearly experience the beauty of the village.
How to reach:
By Air: The nearest airport is the Bagdogra Airport which is located 77 kilometers away. You can hire a car from the airport to reach Tinchuley.
By Road: Tinchuley is located 32 kilometers from Darjeeling and you can hire a car to travel by road from Siliguri by experiencing the beautiful views of the mountains.
It is located at a distance of 71 kilometers from Siliguri and it takes approximately 2 hours 35 minutes.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station which is located at 73 kilometers away from Tinchuley. There are many cars or taxis available outside the station for Tinchuley.
Attractions in Tinchuley:
Other than Tinchuley there are many other attractions in this small village stored for the tourists.
Tinchuley View Point: This point offers a perfect place to view the shining rays of the sun and the excellent snow-capped peaks of the Mount Kanchenjunga and also a small part of the lesser Himalayas
·Gumbadar View Point: It is located at a walking distance from Tinchuley and this viewpoint offers a view of River Rangeet and also a part of Sikkim. Above the viewpoint, there is the Gumbadar rock and cave for climbers to practice.
Local sightseeing places in Tinchuley:
You do not have to step out of the village to spot for wonders as the village itself offers many local sightseeing places worthy of your visit:
#1-Tea Gardens:
The soil of Tinchuley is ideal for the cultivation of fine tea crops. However, there are six tea gardens in the village situated next to each other. A visit to any of these tea gardens will give a unique marvelous experience to get to see the origins of the early morning beverage. Among all the popular plantations Peshok Tea Garden and Rangli Rangliot Tea Garden are the most attractive.
#2-Orange Orchards:
The small village of Tinchuley is very famous for its cultivation of oranges and quite popular for its Mandarin oranges. With the arrays of gorgeous orange trees, these orchards can provide a sense of peace and tranquillity after a heavy trek in the forests. There is a factory which produces marmalade, orange juices, pickles which will let you complete your appetite with these products.
#3-Tinchuley Monastery:
This monastery is a veritable center of spirituality in this hamlet. The locals believe that a Lama meditated here for 17 years. Every morning, cymbals are rung in order to soothe the spirits of the ancestors. This monastery is quite a natural haven and talking to the monks and learning from them is an additional experience.
#4-Chotamangwa:
The village of Chotamangwa is now a popular destination after staying unexplored for years. This village is known for its friendly and hospitable locals and due to its huge horticultural practices; one can get to see a variety of beautiful flowers in this village.
Activities to do in Tinchuley:
There are not many activities to do in this small village of Tinchuley other than bird watching. It is a nice thing to do and the gardens are an ideal spot to view a large number of beautiful migratory birds.
Accommodations in Tinchuley:
The village has 17 families and they provide the tourists an opportunity to stay with them by experiencing a homely like feeling. There are many homestays for you to stay in Tinchuley which offers delicious home-made cuisines and reliable facilities.
• Abhiraj Homestay
Address: Tinchuley, Peshok Rd, Peshok Tea Garden, West Bengal 734222
Contact: 097493 70965
• Tinchuley Gurung’s Homestay
Address: Royak Forest Road, Tinchuley, West Bengal 734222
Contact: 0353 253 5896 ext. 2433683
• Tinchuley Himalayan Homestay
Address: Reyok Khasmal, Darjeeling, 734222
Contact: 097332 66633
A laidback vacation amidst the hills
Tinchuley is the dream destination for some people who want to experience peace and serenity away from the crowded life of the city and looking for spirituality out from their travel. The gorgeous landscape and magnificent hilltops are an added attraction to this beauty. So, if you are seeking for something exactly like this then you must visit Tinchuley to make your journey worth it.
