Exploring three unique Off-beat places in Darjeeling, West Bengal

Somnath Das | June, 2026

Namthing Lake, Sittong

Sittong, Darjeeling

      Sittong is one of the best off-beat places in Darjeeling district. It offers mesmerizing greenery and nature. On day one of our trip, we directly went to Sittong from New Jalpaiguri station. We stayed near to the Namthing Lake and we walked around the lake, Ahaldara.

Namthing Lake surrounded by Pine Forest

Namthing Pokhri (Lake) is surrounded by a dense Pine forest and there is also a Lord Shiva Temple in the pine forest. You can walk around and we will definitely love this place. We visited in the rainy season and it gave the foggy environment, which was another plus point.

You may also take a walk into the Ahaldara forest and it is also provides a pleasant environment. We stayed at Sittong for a day, you may stay there for two. Next day we left for Sonada. While driving towards Sonada, we stopped at a monastery and at Jogighat (beautiful place with a river).

A Monastery made of Muds, Sittong 

I have not seen a monastery made of mud in my life, it was something different and unique. The surrounding ground gives you an unique old days feeling and takes you into the history.

An Agarbatti Stand at the Monastery

After spending some time at the monastery we left for our destination.

Sonada, Darjeeling

      When we hear Sonada, the first thing comes into our mind is the toy train station and yes this place is a small town. But, if we go few kilometers from the main road we can easily get some off-beat places. We have found one, the place is Indreni Waterfalls or it is also called Rainbow waterfalls.

Indreni Waterfalls, Sonada

We could not reach at the waterfall itself as the wooden bridge was broken in the rainy season. But, we were close enough to enjoy the place.

Another small waterfall on the road towards Rainbow waterfalls

We stayed near the waterfalls. The place is really off-beat, full of nature and not far from main township.

In front of our Homestay

The view is beautiful. Isn't it? We also stayed here for a day and next day we left for another place called Badamtam. During our journey towards Badamtam, we visited the Darjeeline Zoo also.

Badamtam, Darjeeling

      This was our last destination (with staying) in this quick 3N/4D trip. After visiting the zoo, we went Badamtam. It was little down-hill and it was much warm than we expected. But, it is also an off-beat place with greenery and nature.

Walking down from our Homestay

We went for a walk into the nature and there are Tea Gardens as well. Actually this whole area falls under Badamtam Tea Estate area. While it was little humid and warm, still we found this place amazing.

While returning to the homestay the sun went down and we took a rest for the day. Next day was our return day to Kolkata. From our homestay we went to Badamtam Buddha statue located in the Tea Estate.

The Buddha Statue (made out of metal), Badamtam

This place is at a hill-top and offers a great view of the surrounding valley. You would see beautiful tea gardens and river which is little far away. You would definitely enjoy this place.

View of the Valley, Badamtam

After spending about half an hour here, we moved towards NJP via Dow-Hill and yes you might already heard about this place. After leaving Badamtam, we reached the Darjeeling Mall Road. We went inside the market just for a quick look and yes we stopped there as it was on the return road (was not in our plan). Some kind of food festival was happening there and we ate Millet-Momo and believe me we really loved it. It was the first time we came to know about momos made out of Millet. If you see that somewhere on the hills, you should definitely try that.

Then after few hours we reached the Dow-Hills and we were not expecting much crowd there, but it was the opposite. We spend about an hour there and the place is really beautiful, full of pine trees (also other trees), foggy.

Then the sad part comes as always, when we reach the point while coming down the hills and we see the plain-lands, we always realize that it is the end of that trip and from next day onward the same city lifestyle. Still we carry the memories inside us for a long time and always think about our next journey.

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