Kurseong Tourism And Travel Guide

The hill town of Kurseong in the heart of the hilly terrain of North Bengal has become a hot favorite among tourists. Adorned with a scatter of beautiful white orchids, surrounded by the Himalayan ranges, dominated by towering colonial buildings, schools and churches, stunning view points, museums and forests, Kurseong has much to tourism. It has an old world charm that is infectious. A stroll through the winding roads or a ride on the Darjeeling toy train that passes through Kurseong is rejuvenating and enthralling experience. Experience the best of nature in this bustling yet dreamy little town of Kurseong. Here is a snippet of travel guide to see in Kurseong.

By Air: 

A small hilly town that it is, Kurseong does not boast of an airport and has to depend on the Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri for air accessibility. The airport is located at a comfortable distance of 40 km which tourists can travel by cabs or buses. Both are available from near the airport. Public and private air carriers operate regular flights between Bagdogra, Kolkata and other major cities of the country.

By Rail: 

Kurseong does not have a rail head and has to depend on the New jalpaiguri Railway Station in Siliguri for rail connectivity. New Jalpaiguri is one of the most prominent railway junctions of North Bengal which accounts for its improved connectivity with Kolkata, neighboring towns and other cities of the country. Those traveling from outside Kolkata can travel by rail till Kolkata and then take a connecting train to New Jalpaiguri. The station is located 44 km from Kurseong and there are buses and cabs that transport people to the town.

By Road:

Devoid of airport and railway station, Kurseong’s primary access with other towns and cities is via roads. There are well developed network of roads that help connect Kurseong with neighboring towns and cities like Kolkata, Kharagpur, Siliguri, Darjeeling etc. Jeeps, taxis and buses regularly ply between Kurseong and different destinations.

Getting Around: 

Buses, jeeps and taxis are easily available in Kurseong for sightseeing and for travelling to neighboring tourist destinations. Hotels and resorts often make arrangements for transport for the tourists. However, given the small picturesque town that it is, the best way to move around the place is by foot. Walking through the winding roads or forests, surrounded by scenic beauty all around can truly be an experience.

Summer (March to May):

Summer lasts in Kurseong from March till May and is considered to be one of the finest times for visiting the beautiful hill town. The weather is pleasant and comfortable and the temperature ranges between 8°C and 20°C, which is perfect. It is never too hot which makes it one of the best places to visit during summers to escape the terrible and scorching heat of the plains. May is the hottest month for Kurseong but is nothing in comparison to what the rest of the state has to suffer during these months.

Monsoon (June to September):

Monsoon in Kurseong lasts for three months from June to September. Like most hill stations, monsoon is pretty severe in Kurseong. There are torrential rainfalls accompanied by frequent cloudbursts, landslide and mudslide. It is not only uncomfortable, in fact the landslides can pose threat to life and property. Tourists often get stranded on the roads. Incessant rains also make sightseeing difficult. Monsoon is the least recommended season for visiting Kurseong.

Winter (December to February): 

Winter is another lovely time to visit and explore Kurseong. As monsoon bids adieu, the mercury starts dipping steadily. It gets colder and chillier. The skies remain clear and cloudless; there are no rains and the cool mountain breeze helps heal souls. Exploring and sightseeing is an enjoyable experience during these months. Winter also coincides with some local festivals and allows tourists to get a flavor of local culture. Dasai and Makar Sankranti are celebrated with much fervor in the month of January.

Taking a Ride on Darjeeling Toy Train: 

Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway popularly known as the Darjeeling toy train is the chief attraction in Kurseong. The train travels for 80 km and winds its way through Siliguri, Kurseong and Ghoom from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. It is a thrilling and fascinating journey as the tourists are treated to some amazing scenic beauty, hills of Darjeeling and plush green tea estates.

Stroll Through Tea Estates of Kurseong:

Like most hill stations of North Bengal, Kurseong too boasts of stunning sprawling tea estates. There are two tea gardens in Kurseong, Makaibari and Ambooti. Taking a stroll through the vast stretches of greenery can one of the best things one can do in the town. Tourists can get guided tours of the tea gardens and learn how tea leaves are grown, picked and processed. They can also visit the tea factories how tea goes through different processes to get different qualities of tea. Tea-tasting sessions can also be an interesting thing to do in Kurseong.

Taking a Tour of Dow Hill:

Dow Hill is one of the prime locations for tourists as there are a number of attractions here. There is the Dow Hill Park, previously known as the deer park. Over the years however their number has significantly dwindled and can be only found near the forest which covers a part of the hill. There is a Hill Museum housing species of flora and fauna; a rest house nestled in the lap of nature where tourists can stay with prior permission from the forest department of Kurseong. The hill also has two heritage boarding schools, the Dow Hill Girls School and Victoria Boys School. From here one can get an amazing few of the Himalayas and the valley below.

Water Rafting: 

Water rafting in Teesta has become quite popular among adventure lovers. The rough nature of the river with a series of rapids has made it an ideal destination for white water rafting. For over a decade now it has been drawing enthusiasts to take part in water rafting activities which are arranged and taken care of by private and government agencies. On an international scale, rafting in Teesta enjoys a grade IV rating.

Visiting the Viewpoints:

Viewpoints are elevated spots that offer a magnificent view of the surrounding landscape, the snow-capped peaks, the valleys and the plains. In Kurseong there are two celebrated viewpoints, Eagle Craig and Giddapahar viewpoints. Easily accessible, these viewpoints are must-visit tourist destinations. On a clear day the tourists are treated to some frame-worthy view of the mountains and gorgeous terrain.

A quaint till hill town that it is, Kurseong does not boast of any fine dining options or big restaurants unlike Darjeeling. The primary reason is that the town does not experience as much tourist footfall as its more celebrated counterpart. The Tibetan influence in their cuisine is too strong to ignore. The steaming hot Thukpa noodle soup and the steamed momos are delicious. There is a Tourist Lodge which is maintained by the West Bengal Tourism department which has a multi-cuisine restaurant offering good quality food. For tea-lovers it is the best place to be as they are treated to some of the best tea in the world. One can also get to taste the popular Muscatel organic tea here.