Weekend trip to the mountains from Kolkata

Hi Everyone,
Can anyone suggest me of any itinerary for weekend trips to the mountains from Kolkata. Actually, my hubby and I won't be able to manage more time. We've gone to Darjeeling and other popular hill stations. Can anyone suggest us any "off the track" weekend hill destinations from Kolkata.
Waiting fo your reply.
Thanks,
Debjani

Hi Debjani,
You can visit Aritar in Sikkim. It is a lovely lake surrounded by mountains overlooked by the mighty Mt. Kanchenjungha (World's third highest mountain). Two days in Aritar would be a lovely experience.

The best part is that there are some good hotels but the place is yet untouched. You can board any train heading towards New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Station from Howrah or Sealdah and take a car towards Aritar.

Its about 3 hours journey from NJP. For bookings you can contact Diamond Tours and Travels in Kolkata at 033-22120459 or Sandeep Pradhan of Aritar Tours and Travels at 99327-19611. Hope this helps you.

Bye, Chandrima

You can visit Mongpong. It is just 16 kms from NJP just beside River Teesta amidst jungles and hills. The West Bengal Forest Development Corporation (WBFDC) has a few cottages out there. You can book them from the WBFDC office at:
6A,Raja Subodh Mullick Square.
7th Floor
Arya Mansion
Kolkata-700013
Phone: 033-2225-5684
Website: www.wbfdc.com
I've heard West Bengal Tourism Dept. also books these cottages on behalf of WBFDC.
You can check out this lovely place.
Bye, Aditi

Hi Chandrima and Aditi,
Thanks for sharing this information. I am dying for a vacation in the mountains, I love visiting the peaks. The mysterious silence of the mountains beckons me. I have never been to Aritar or Mongpong ... it sounds nice to me. Most of the high altitude places remain so crowded that you don’t feel that you have come for a holiday. But as you are saying, the places are untouched, hope to have a perfect holiday.
Actually my hubby and I are planning for a trip, but we could not decide where to go, thanx for the information Chandrima and Aditi and thanx Debjani for bringing out this topic. Now, I know where I will go…I am so happy.
P.S.- hope to meet Debjani in the mountains. Lol!!!!
Love and care
Sreejata

Hey Gals,
Why are you all heading north? I heard the North Bengal area is quite disturbed nowadays… I know of a few places down south where you can go for a weekend. You can go to a place called Panchalingeshwar in Orissa. Its hills and forests out there. There are a few very good resorts out there too. Check it out.
Bye… Shreya

Have you heard about the place Daringbari in Orissa. They call it the “Kashmir of Orissa.” They say sometimes this place which is at an altitude of 4500 ft receives snowfall in winter. There’s a tour company www.clubdestinationholidays.com that organizes tours to this place. There’s an OTDC bungalow also there. Check it out…
Bye,
Aparajita