IndiaKalimpongIn the far northeast of India, scraping the border between West Bengal and Sikkim, is the laid-back hillstation of Kalimpong. Overview Trip ideas Experiences Regions Best time to visit Accommodation Back to all places in Kolkata, Darjeeling & The North East Far quieter and less touristed than the more famous Darjeeling, it has just as much to offer in terms of rolling, green tea estates, colonial architecture and views of jagged, sky-scraping Mt Khangchendzonga (magnificent from Deolo Hill).Kalimpong’s attractions are many and varied. A tea estate visit is popular, of course, but then you can choose between a delightfully eclectic roster of activities. Stop in at some of the area’s Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, browse herbal medicines at the town market, visit greenhouses filled with orchids, begonias and cacti, or visit a workshop making Himalayan paper.Our favourite place to stay in Kalimpong is the Elgin Silver Oaks. Former home of a British jute magnate, now a beautifully converted luxury hotel surrounded by petunias, asters and azaleas, it’s full of 1930s character – with a proud history welcoming the great and good in its colonial-style lodgings. Other destinations in this region India DarjeelingLush tea plantations, colonial bungalows, and a vibrant, Tibetan-Nepali town centre — all against a dramatic backdrop of snowcapped peaks. India Gangtok (Sikkim)Modern, clean and cosmopolitan, Gangtok has a unique Himalayan cultural mix, and is totally unlike any other state capital in India. India GuwahatiUnassuming Guwahati has more to offer than meets the eye. Take a stroll along the Brahmaputra and browse its bazaars for a slice of everyday Assamese life. India JorhatA landscape ruled by the Brahmaputra River and shaped by British colonialism, Jorhat is one of only two places in the world where tea grows natively. India KazirangaThe unique, flood-prone landscape of Kaziranga national park is one of the last refuges for the endangered one-horned rhino. India KolkataThere’s never a dull moment in Kolkata, a city known in India for its cultural and intellectual life, its enthusiastic sports fans, and its delicious desserts. India Majuli islandThe river island of Majuli is a shrinking gem, home to bamboo stilt villages, Vaishnavite temples, sleepy farms and Mising tribal culture. India PellingPelling is all about the landscape: Tibetan and Limbu villages, sacred lakes, alpine forests and skyscraping mountains, all watched over by snowy Kanchenjunga.