Tinchuley is a tiny hamlet tucked in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in the Darjeeling region of north Bengal. Sprawled across vast stretches of mountains and tea gardens, the lush pastoral landscape of this place makes this a pristine locale and a destination with endless natural beauty.
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Things to do in Tinchuley
Include these fun and exciting activities for sightseeing –
Offbeat Things to do in Tinchuley
- Visit the Tinchulay Monastery early morning to hear the prayers and spend some quiet time with yourself.
- Walk around the village and meet the local families who are instrumental in reshaping the village and visit the local farms.
Adventurous Things to do in Tinchuley
- Visit the local orange orchards, Nirmal’s being the most popular one among tourists. You can walk through clusters of orange trees in full bloom or when they are bearing fruits. There’s also a factory nearby, where they make and sell fresh marmalade, juices, pickles, and other locally grown fruit-based products, which you can sample.
- Visit the local tea gardens. There are six prominent tea estates here. The Rangli Rangliot and Peshok Tea Gardens are the most popular ones.
- You can walk through the plantations, watch tea plucking, or visit the factory and see the manufacturing process.
Things to do in Tinchuley at Night
- You can camp by the Teesta River overnight and go rafting in the morning. Check with local tour guides for the right season.
Things to do in Tinchuley During the Day
- Visit the Sunrise point for the most unforgettable view of the Kanchenjunga Peak and Kalimpong Hills glowing in the morning sun. This is also the best time for photography.
- Plan day treks through the pine forests or the nature trails.
- Go for birding tours, especially during winter or spring, when most migratory birds come here from further up north.
- Visit the Teesta Bazaar for local shopping.
Places to Visit in Tinchuley
Thanks to the scenic mountainscape of the imposing Himalayas, there are a host of things to do and places to see. Check out these Tinchuley famous places on your trip –
- Sunrise View Point: Also known as the Tinchuley View Point, this site overlooks the Teesta Valley and offers stunning views of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, particularly during sunrise. You can also catch views of the Kanchenjunga Peak, as well as Kalimpong Hills, eastern and western Sikkim, and Latpanchar. Entry Fee- NA
- Lover’s Point: This vantage point on the hills offers breathtaking views of the Teesta Valley and the confluence of the Teesta and Ranjeet Rivers from the top. This site is also good for morning/day treks. Entry Fee- NA
- Gumba Dara: A hilltop site with large rocks and naturally-formed mountain caves, Gumba Dara is known for rock climbing and exploring. The historical caves date back 200 years and have historical and folk significance. You can also hike through the pine forests nearby to reach the rocks. Entry Fee- NA
- Tinchuley Monastery: A locally famous monastery, this religious site was established in the order of Nalanda and has significance in local folk mythology. An ancient monk is believed to have meditated here for 17 years. Entry Fee- NA
- Chhota Mangwa: A small village, downhill from Tinchuley, Chhota Mangwa is known for its exquisite horticulture and you can see a wide variety of exotic floral plants, including alpine varieties. Entry Fee- NA
Places to Visit Near Tinchuley
Besides the regular tourist places, you can also explore other scenic locales nearby –
- Lamahatta: Another scenic hamlet near Tinchuley, Lamahatta is known for its landscaped rose garden and tall pine forests. You can visit the local watch tower for uninterrupted views of the hills and peaks from the top. Entry Fee– NA
- Darjeeling: The most popular tourist destination of North Bengal, this colorful town is dotted with tea estates, colonial-era mansions, winding roads, and mesmerizing views of the Kanchenjunga Peak. Visit the Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Tiger Hill, and more. Entry Fee– NA
- Neora Valley National Park: The most popular wildlife sanctuary in the region, this forested area houses Himalayan species of wild animals and plants. You can do camping, trekking, jungle safari, or forest treks. Entry Fee– NA
- Lolegaon: This village near Kalimpong is known for its beautiful pine forests and misty valleys. Take the canopy walk through the forest or visit Eco Park or go to the Jhandi Dara View Point to see Kanchenjunga, Kalimpong Hills, Nathula, and Dooars Plains from one location. Entry Fee– NA
Places to eat
Explore these best local eateries in Tinchuley –
- Saarthi Restaurant
- Mukhia Restaurant
- Hebongay Restaurant
- Rumba’s Restaurant
- Yolmo Restaurant
- Tshering’s Restaurant
About
With fresh mountain air, serene ambiance, and the panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas, Tinchuley is akin to a live painting that you would want to step in and never leave.
With our Tinchuley travel guide, you can plan an all-rounded trip to this exquisite place and explore Tinchuley attractions.
Location
Tinchuley is located in the Takdah district of North Bengal, on the state border of West Bengal and Sikkim, about 66KM from Siliguri, 32KM from Darjeeling, 30KM from Kalimpong, and 73KM from New Jalpaiguri. The hill town faces the Kanchenjunga Hills. Surrounded by roads in perfect condition, the best way to explore Tinchuley is by a cab, so you wont have to waste your quality time worrying about the navigation.
Weather
Sitting in the foothills of the Himalayas, the weather can be classified as typical mountain weather. Summers are cool and pleasant, while winters are quite harsh and chilly, with temperatures dropping to lower single degrees. The rainy season sees quite heavy rainfalls, between July and September.
History
The name of the town, Tinchuley, is derived from the local words, “tin/teen” meaning three and “Chula” which means ovens, or three ovens, inferred from the three hills that surround the town and resemble mud ovens.
Geography
Tinchuley is a rich nature locale rising to 5500 feet. The village is distinguished by three prominent hills that envelop the valley settlement below. The rivers Teesta and Ranjeet intersect near the village, which makes for a popular geographical landmark. The involvement of the World Wildlife Federation has contributed to the region’s natural bounties. Apart from tea plantations and orange orchards, it is also known for floriculture, vermiculture, and organic farming.
Interesting Facts
The population of Tinchuley consists of only 20 families that have joined hands to develop the village into a travel destination for nature lovers, by setting up home stays, and organic farms, and turning this into an unknown Himalayan hamlet into a model eco-village.
[Also Read: Things to Do in Darjeeling – A Complete Travel Guide]
How to Plan a trip to Tinchuley
You can also plan a personalized trip by selecting the mode of transport, the route, and more.
How to reach Tinchuley
By Train
There is no railway station or train service in Tinchuley. The nearest major railway station is in New Jalpaiguri, about 70KM away. There are regular trains from major cities and towns in West Bengal to NJP, like Kolkata, Cooch Behar, Asansol, Durgapur, Rajshahi, etc. From NJP Junction, you can book a cab or rent a car, or take the local bus to reach Tinchuley.
By Road
Tinchuley is well-connected to the rest of North Bengal and other parts of the state via NH10 and NH110. There’s a handful of local buses from Siliguri to Darjeeling or Kalimpong which stop at Tinchuley. There are also options for shared taxis. But there is no local transport available in the area. So, the best way to reach Tinchuley is to book a cab or rent an outstation car from Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri city, or NJP station and drive to the village.
By Flight
The nearest airport to TInchuley is Bagdogra Airport, about 77KM away. From there you have to book an airport taxi or rent a local car to reach Tinchuley by road.
Best time to Visit Tinchuley
The best time to visit this beautiful hill station is in the summer months, between March and May when the weather is dry but pleasant and nature is in full swing. Alternatively, you can visit just before winter sets in, i.e. between August and October, or in peak winter, between November and February, depending on your travel goals. You can also visit during the monsoon, but it is recommended to avoid driving on hilly roads during rains and most outdoor places become inaccessible.
Hotels and Resorts
Check out these best-rated places to stay in and around Tinchuley –
| Hotel Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Gurung Guest House | Tinchuley Lopchu Rd, Tukdah Forest, West Bengal 734222 Phone: 099330 36336 |
| Tinchuley Ratna Vajra Vatika Resort | Royak busty, gumba dara Tinchuley, Takdah, West Bengal 734222 Phone: 079086 99355 |
| Tinchuley Himalayan Homestay | Tinchuley Lopchu Rd, Tukdah Forest, West Bengal 734222 Phone: 097332 66633 |
| Sarmila Home Stay | Sarmila Home Stay |
Witness the beauty of this ancient town by booking a car rental to take you to all these places with a local driver. Install Savaari cab booking app for offers and discounts on outstation rentals.
Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by aditya
