Chota Mongwa
The idea of spending few days in Darjeeling was dropped, the broken roads, the overdose of tourists, shortage of water and most importantly the weather was not as usual. Everything was just not working right. It was truly not the Darjeeling I knew. It was humid and hot. Very unusual at this time of the year. Just no rains…although remained cloudy throughout the day.
So I decided to disappear to an obscure exotic location in and around the hills of Darjeeling. Little confused as to where to go, I quickly called up a person I met in Facebook and since then we are friends. He is an ardent traveler and lover of nature and wilderness. He suggested I go to Chota Mangwa.
Chota Mangwa is one and half hours drive from Darjeeling and can also be reached via Teesta bazar from NJP/Bagdogra. From Darjeeling it took us about 40 minutes to cross Ghoom and then take a left turn from Jorebangla. Drive up to 6th-mile and then take a right turn to proceed down towards Takdah which is about 8kms from here.
Takdah is a small little town with lovely tea gardens. It is here you can stop for a cup of tea and then proceed towards Tinchuley which is 3kms from Takdah. After about 20-minutes drive from Tinchuley you will reach a diversion where a 1.5km stretch on a boulder road will take you to Chota Mangwa. The main road continues all the way up to Teesta Bazaar. You should ideally take a larger vehicle like a Bolero or Scorpoio to Chota Mangwa as the roads are not in good conditions here.
The entire vegetation and forests in the area comes under the Senchal range. You get to see the tall coniferous Cryptomaria (locally called Dhupi) through out the drive. Chota Mangwa is a relatively new destination located on a ridge at the top of the Mangwa hill in Darjeeling district.
It’s a quiet village with some excellent views of the meandering river Teesta and magnificent Kanchenjungha on a clear sunny day.
Chota Mangwa is an Eco friendly village with extremely friendly and down to earth people to welcome you. While we missed out on the clear skies, we enjoyed the serene, tranquil atmosphere with occasional rains and mist. Needless to mention the true warmth and hospitality of the local people living in and around the area.
Me and my family have had a very different experience and enjoyed every bit. If you want silence, be amongst an area where you have more of flowers and butterflies than never ending concrete and airplanes, you must visit Chota Mangwa.
Nearby attractions
- Take a stroll through the nearby Takling village. There is an old monastery here.
- Take a nature walk through the mountain forests and many orange orchards. You are allowed to pick up the oranges that fall off to the ground and savor the natural juices.
- Visit the wonderful Rungli Rungliot Tea Garden in Takdah
- Lopchu is another small village and located close by. You can visit the orange juice manufacturing unit here and see how the juice is produced.
- Bara Mangwa, where the Darjeeling Blossom Ecotourism Complex has a few other cottages, is located about 12kms from Chota Mangwa
- Tinchuley and Kalimpong are also within short driving distances
- If you want to try out white water rafting, go down to Teesta or river Rangeet. There are several tour operators who organize such watersports. Talk to Mr. Pradhan and he will help you out.
Bara Mongwa
The Himalayan range is the perfect destination for eco tourism in India. Tough Himalayas is so rich in natural resources, still due unawareness of people today the Himalayan region is facing a major crisis as its natural resources have become limited. So it is our duty to maintain an eco system for the betterment of mankind and environment. And of course, now the scenario is quite reassuring for people are gradually realizing their responsibility towards mother-nature, its preservation and growth. That’s the reason why eco tourism has become so popular in India from recent past. Especially in the Himalayan region it has gained so much of momentum. The travel operators who arrange the tour just provide booklets on ecotourism, which guide you with what to do and what not to do. As example springs and rivers should not be polluted with any harmful chemicals, we should not cut trees and plants and we must avoid littering of any sort, etc. The natural flora and fauna should be maintained. It is our duty to maintain the law and order in Nature, and then only we can establish a balance between the nature and man. So to sustain the exotic beauty of the Himalayas it is our responsibility to see that our existence under the lap of Nature does not cause any environmental hazards. So next time as you go on tours to the Himalayan region, please follow what the eco tourism booklet says. Eco-tourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways with which to cope with our vulnerable planet. It is typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural bonding with local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, initiatives by hospitality providers to promote recycling, energy efficiency, water re-use, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities are an integral part of ecotourism.
The Farmhouse: This is a non-profitable project that is dedicated to the people who like to travel into the heart of Nature, and the community people who are directly involved in both good and adverse effects of community tourism. It is one way of creating economic opportunities for conservation of the natural resources and wildlife; it is also creating awareness among the people to protect nature to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
The farmhouse started in the year 2005, when a few like minded people came to visit the Bara Mangwa village. Subsequently, in few years of hard work with the community people an organic farming center is established. Few other activities like animal husbandry, yoga and martial art center, a village school and a small unit of health center are also being run by the farmhouse. But the splendid thing is its panoramic perspective of the hills and river. That at once enthralls the travelers.
This rural community in and around the farmhouse is an added attraction for the nature and adventure lovers. For whom the vista has been an ideal place to enjoy the rural life in Himalayan Kingdom. The farmhouse is dedicated to serve you to inherit the Himalayan Home Stay with unforgettable hospitality. The spectacular view of river Tista encircled by Kalimpong and Sikkim hills will certainly seize your eyes like a magnet. Simple but essential facilities are offered such as running water and regular cleaning. One will be served food four times a day. The farmhouse has its own cultivated regular crops and various seasonal vegetables. Also some seasonal fruits are produced in the project area. The farm has a poultry, a dairy and a small goat house.
The farmhouse is yet to be further developed. We welcome your new conceptual suggestions to give the farm an added boost up. This project needs your support to enable promises to fulfillment. Here is something you can do to improve the life condition of many of our less fortunate brethren in a meaningful and positive way. We await your valuable inputs and active involvement.
Communication :-
Bara Mongwa & Chota Mangwa is accessible from NJP, Bagdogra, Sikkim, Kalimpong & Dooars via Teesta Bazar, and from Kurseong, Mirik and Darjeeling via Jorebangla.
The distance from Darjeeling town is 35 kms by road, and takes about 1.5 hours to reach. From NJP station the fare is Rs 2100 and takes about 2.5 hours to reach (distance ~70kms). From Gangtok the distance is 62kms.
The route from NJP/Bagdogra is via Sevoke and Teesta Bazaar. From Teesta Bazaar, teh climb starts and the roaad goes through Bara Mangwa (well known for its step cultivation and green foliage), Orange Garden Compex, and the village Serong. A 1.5kms diversion from the main road leads to Chota Mangwa through a dirt road. The main road continues to Tinchuley, Takdah etc.
For Details & Booking please contact to deysholidays@gmail.com Or sales.deysholidays@gmail.com
