General Information About Chota Mangwa
Surrounded with green hills of Kalimpong, Sikkim and Darjeeling under the clear blue sky, 35km from the Darjeeling on the hilltop of Mangwa hill is an attractive village called Chota Mangwa. The latest addition to tourism map under the offbeat destination of Darjeeling, Chota Mangwa with its surreal beauty and serene ambience has gained the attention of many travellers making Chota Mangwa a favoured tourist destination.
In Lepcha language, the word Chota Mangwa means the “A small place of finger millet.”
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.
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.
I 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 flowers and butterflies than never-ending concrete and aeroplanes, you must visit Chota Mangwa.
Best Time To Visit Chota Mangwa
If you want to see the orchards full of oranges, the best time to visit Chota Mangwa is between October and February. Even otherwise, it's always a great time to visit this lovely quiet village and enjoy nature. Monsoon time is considered offseason.
Take a stroll through the nearby Tackling 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 savour 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.
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 35kms by road the, and takes about 1.5 hours to reach. From NJP station 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, the climb starts and the road goes through Bara Mangwa (well known for its step cultivation and green foliage), Orange Garden Complex, 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.
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