Well, as this is my first published post of my blog (11 posts already 'Saved in draft'), this trip to Pedong was also my first ever date with the hills and mountains. So for a month or more, I literally could not sleep at night! Anyway, back to the topic...
For us, the people of Kolkata, finding a good weekend destination is tough like hell. Yes, you can anytime go to DiPuDa (Digha, Puri and Darjeeling), but that would be more like going to Esplanade or Gariahat on a weekend. Same crowd, same chaos, same boredom. Hence, we were searching for some off-beat destinations and found this beautiful name somewhere, Pedong. A little more research and we gathered quite a handful of information about this tiny town in the border of West Bengal and Sikkim.
On 10th November, 2012, we reached NJP station by train (Padatik Express) which was late by 1.5 hrs. After finishing our breakfast with Puri and sabji, we took an auto-rickshaw to Pani Tanki More. Back then, the auto fare was Rs 15 per head, now it should be around 20. You can also take a rickshaw or car, but, I'd say take an auto as it will save both time and money. From Pani Tanki More, there are no direct way to reach Pedong. In fact, most of the car drivers seemed not much familiar with the name. After half an hour's effort, we came to know that either we could hire a private car which would cost us Rs. 700-1000, or we could go for a break journey. Yes, you have to reach Kalimpong and from there shared jeeps are available for Pedong. And from Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus, regular bus services up to Kalimpong is available. So, we went for the 2nd option and got our seats booked from Siliguri to Kalimpong for just Rs. 70 per head. The bus left the terminus at 12 pm.
Around 4.30 pm, we reached Kalimpong. As we did not have any solid food after breakfast, we were actually dying to have something before catching a jeep to Pedong. After having our late lunch at a Tibetan restaurant, we took a shared taxi and headed for Pedong. It was 5.30 pm and the sky already started getting darker. Fortunately, the guesthouse we booked happened to be right on the way. It took almost 1.5 hrs, the driver dropped us in front of the gate of Damsang Guest House. As it was already pitch dark, we could not see anything around. So we went to the room, got freshened up, had our dinner at room and retired for that night.
A note of advice: Try not to waste time in Siliguri or NJP. Always try to catch an early bus to Kalimpong. So that you will reach Pedong in the afternoon and have an evening to roam around the town.
Damsang Guest House
The backyard of Damsang Guest House
My dutiful alarm did not let me sleep after 4 am and my partner did not much like the idea of getting up so early. So, I thought to give it a solo shot. Covered myself well with a jacket and a muffler, I came down to the road. I literally had no idea where was the sunrise point and all. The hour was also dark and I could not see another tourist around. I kept walking. I liked that serenity, that calm atmosphere, that being alone feeling...it was my forever love for solitude that made me bond so well with Pedong. And this has now become a practice for me. Wherever I go, I make it a point to get up at 4 am and take a stroll down the road, alone.
Pedong, waiting for a new dawn
Walking down the road, found this resting place. Sat there, breathed in the fresh air of hills, took out the camera and got busy capturing this sleeping beauty while totally forgetting about the sunrise. Only when an aged local couple, going for a morning walk, asked me whether I would like to see the sunrise or not, I realized the blunder. So, jumped off the bench and rushed to the Cross Hill Viewpoint. As expected, I was already late for that day, so, missed the Sunrise. However, the viewpoint was offering an awesome 180 degree view of the surrounding hills and areas. And, I was the only person seeing this beautiful view. So, sat there for another half an hour before coming back to the guest house for the morning tea. By the way, it takes a lazy walk of 20-30 mins to reach the spot from guest house, but if you are staying near Pedong town which is another 30 mins walk from Damsang Guest House, you have to wake up around 3am.
Cross Hill View Point
After a sumptuous breakfast at the guesthouse, we left for Reshikhola or Rishi Khola or River Reshi, a river that divides West Bengal from Sikkim. As this place was approx 19 km away from where we had stayed, we took a shared jeep from midway after an aimless hike of 2 km or more and reached Reshi Khola around 12 pm. The driver promised to pick us up in his return trip around 3.30 pm. So we had ample time in our hand to explore the riverside, have lunch at the resorts there and then come back. Here, I need to tell you that although you can hear the sound of the river from road, you have to go behind a house to find the downhill trail that will lead you to the Rishi River.
A note of advice: If you are planning to go to Reshikhola, try to take the shared jeeps available from Pedong Town. Do not ask local people because their "walkable distance" is not your walkable distance. Only if you are accompanied by a local guide and he knows the off-road trails or shortcuts, go for hiking.
A note of advice: If you are planning to go to Reshikhola, try to take the shared jeeps available from Pedong Town. Do not ask local people because their "walkable distance" is not your walkable distance. Only if you are accompanied by a local guide and he knows the off-road trails or shortcuts, go for hiking.
Reshi Khola
But luck played a bad joke on us that day as we discovered the lunch-at-resort option was not available as you must order your lunch beforehand. So we explored the riverside for a while and then, hungry and exhausted, sat on a huge boulder and finished our lunch with a packet of puffed rice, some Eclairs and water.
A note of advice: It does not matter where the destination is, always carry some dry food, water, chocolate bars etc in a small hand bag or knapsack. You never know when you have to face a situation like us. So, it's always better to go prepared.
A note of advice: It does not matter where the destination is, always carry some dry food, water, chocolate bars etc in a small hand bag or knapsack. You never know when you have to face a situation like us. So, it's always better to go prepared.
Bridge on the river Rishi
The border bridge
As there was nothing much to do at night, we found it better to sit at the beautiful backyard and enjoy watching the hills embracing another beautiful night. Had our dinner by 9 pm and went off to sleep.
12 November:
Our last day at Pedong; we planned to cover Silence Valley, Sillery Gaon and Ramitey which are all on the same route. We sat out early in the morning after having breakfast and checking out. You need to hire a car from Pedong town which will drive up the way to Ramitey. Bargaining is the only way to save your pocket. We managed to get a car for Rs. 700. The road condition was miserable and painful for the back. But the views will mostly keep you unaware of your backache. The motorable road ends 2 kms before the final destination in this route, Ramitey view point. So be prepared for a lovely trekking up to the viewpoint.
Our last day at Pedong; we planned to cover Silence Valley, Sillery Gaon and Ramitey which are all on the same route. We sat out early in the morning after having breakfast and checking out. You need to hire a car from Pedong town which will drive up the way to Ramitey. Bargaining is the only way to save your pocket. We managed to get a car for Rs. 700. The road condition was miserable and painful for the back. But the views will mostly keep you unaware of your backache. The motorable road ends 2 kms before the final destination in this route, Ramitey view point. So be prepared for a lovely trekking up to the viewpoint.
Silence Valley en route Ramitey
Ramitey View Point
Once you reach the view point, you will forget to breathe, I BET! The 360 degree view is THAT awesome to forget everything. What more? It offers a panoramic view of the River Teesta with its 36 bends! If you are lucky with a clear sky, you may even see the full range of Kanchenjunga right in front of you.
The panoramic view from Ramitey
The car drove us down to Pedong town area before 2pm as we had to get back to Kalimpong soon to catch the afternoon bus to Siliguri. Then from NJP to Kolkata and back to home. It may sound absurd, but, ACTUALLY, the total tour cost was LESS THAN Rs. 2700 per head, all inclusive, even the liquors. ;)
Here's another quick list of the tour cost (the costs might have increased in these 2 years) -
Train fare (round trip): Ours was Non-AC sleeper
NJP to Siliguri auto - Rs 15
Siliguri to Kalimpong Bus - Rs 70
Kalimpong to Pedong, shared jeep - Rs 50
Damsung Guest House - Rs. 700
Pedong to Reshi Khola (round trip) - Rs 100
Pedong to Ramitey (round trip) - Rs. 700
Damsung Guest House - 7602534734
Dadul Guest House - 8016188558
(A few homestays are also available in Pedong.)
If you are not much fond of crowd, if you are looking for a place where your team would be the only tourist group, if you are seeking peace and an off-beat weekend destination, then here's Pedong for you.
Pedong
Few more important information:
Altitude: 1,240 metres or 4.071 feet
Distance from NJP station: 94.2 km
Best time to visit: Any time of the year. But for a clear sky and sunny weather, visit Pedong between November and December.