Icche Gaon - the Hamlet of Kalimpong hills

‘Icche Gaon’ literally means ‘wishing village’ where all your wish related to calmness and peace will fulfill. This is an unraveled hamlet located at an altitude of 5800 feet in the hills of Kalimpong near Pedong, West Bengal. You can get a panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga from Icche gaon. You can visit Icche gaon round the year but winter is the best time to visit.

Going to Icche Gaon:

NJP/Bagdogra is the nearest Rail station/Airport. You can hire a cab directly to Icche Gaon or break your journey to Kalimpong and then from Kalimpong to Icche gaon via RamDhura. You can also contact DK Khawas and he will arrange your transport from NJP/Bagdogra.

Staying in Icche gaon:

This is an Eco-friendly organic green village. There are very few home stay developed in recent past and DK Khawas’s home stay is one of the best with good western facility washrooms. DK’s family will treat you as a relative with homely food and comfort lodging.

Flowers at DK Khawas' garden:

 At DK's home stay:

 And Mr. DK and his family:

Attractions near Icche Gaon:

You can experience panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjungha and sun rise/set from your rooms. This Hamlet is good for bird watching. There are few short trekking trails to some beautiful places. Few of them are:

Sillery Gaon -

Sillery Gaon better known as ‘New Darjeeling’ is only 2.5 KM away from Icche Gaon and situated just opposite side of the hill. There is a well-defined trekking route passing through dense forest of Pine and Fern. Sillery Gaon also has few home stay and a clear panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjungha.

Ramitey Dara-

One can view river Tista and it’s curve from Ramitey Dara view point. One can trek from Icche Gaon and it will take ~1 hour. In rainy season this trail is full of leach.

Tinchuley –

This is a hilltop near sillery gaon with 360 degree view of hills and Sikkim village and Pedong locality from top. It is situated ~3 KM away from sillery and one can trek this beautiful place from Sillery/icchey gaon.

Hari bhai was our guide for all near by view points and a special person to be mentioned. I rarely meet such simple and down to the earth person. He works in DK khawas' home stay.

Silent Valley –

This is another beautiful place near Tinchuley and one can experience the awesome greenery of the Green Valley.

Jalsa Bungalow-

British - built Jalsa Bungalow on 1930.

Ramdhura -

Ramdhura is 2 KM before reaching Icchey gaon. Ramdhura has few newly build hotels and home stay. You can find some beautiful landscape and Mahadev and Hanuman temple. There is a football ground nearby.

Contacts of Icche Gaon:

DK Khawas: 8670242128

MK Khawas: 8116760140

For more Snaps, please refer following flicker site:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/117477246@N08/sets/72157649335774219/