Samsing Tea Garden & Suntaleykhola

Yesterday’s trip to Buxa Reserve Forest made me realise that we had too much on our plate than we could have ate. Buxa Tiger Reserve is a full day tour in itself. By including Phuentsholing with it we did injustice. Ultimately we had to just touch and go a Buxa. Nonetheless its a new day with new hopes and aspirations. Today we are going to Samsing Tea Garden and Suntaleykhola.

From Suntaleykhola we are going to visit Manas Da’s maternal aunt’s home in Jalpaiguri. So we checked out from Guest House in the morning itself while starting for today’s trip.

Here We Go Again

We followed the same NH 17 till Pundibari. After that we took a detour on Siliguri Road. At Bara Saulmari where Falakata Road merges into Siliguri Road to continue as Mill road. On crossing Falakata Check Post it furthered to NH 17/NH 27. At Birpara Chowpaty we turned left to continue on to NH 17. We turned right at Telipara, Shakojhora to continue on NH 17 and entered Upper Tendu Forest area. At Khunia More we turned Right onto Chapramari Railway Station – Kumani Road.

Then we continued left past Sunil Tea Stall onto Kumani- Nayabusty- Kopish Fari Busty- Yongttong Tea Garden Road. Past Kumai Sombaray Hat Shed, Kumai we turned left onto Mitiali Tea Garden- Yongttong Tea Garden Road. At Meteali-Samsing road T point we turned right to continue onto Meteali-Samsing road to arrive at Samsing.

Samsing Tea Garden

Situated at an altitude of 3000 feet, Samsing is truly one of those places which you have never encountered before. It is serene, peaceful and is at the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. Lush tea gardens, silent streams merging into rivers and plains, undulating topography and an unexplored nature is one of its best-hidden secrets. Samsing is divided into two parts; Samsing basti, which includes Khasmahal and Fari, and Samsing Tea Garden. We got down there and took some photographs in the tea garden.

Samsing to Suntaleykhola

Suntalekhola is a small hamlet surrounded by dense forest 4 km ahead of Samsing Chowk. It derived its name from the native language where the word “Suntaley” stands for “Orange” and “Khola” for “Stream”. situated at 2500 feet altitude it is paradise for nature lovers. As part of a day visit, the main attraction is the suspension (hanging) bridge over Murti river. We walked over the bridge to reach up to the gate of the WBFDC lodge. Afterwards we went down the bridge to the river bed.

After spending some time out there we took on the undulating paths around the forest to explore the surrounding. A trail lead us through thick broad leaved tropical and semi-tropical forests giving a breathtaking view of lush green tea garden and forest that rejuvenate our soul and mind.

Momo Time

After all this nature loving experience we started feeling hungry. So we stopped by a small shack to enjoy some Momos and we also got hold of some chilled beer. After satiating our hunger we started our downhill journey towards Coochbehar.

On the way we stopped by at a settlement to spend some time with the village kids.

Samsing to Meteli

After reaching Meteli we took a pit stop to have tea. While our tea was getting ready we headed to Meteli Kali Bari which is very famous among locals and nearby. Then we headed straight to New Jalpaigudi.

Towards Jalpaigudi

From Meteli we took Chalsa- Hatkhola- Matelli Road. After crossing Chalsha Station road cut we took a loop turn on Matelli – Samsing Road and crossed the bridge over Chalsha Railway Station. At Bon Voyagers Travel Agency we continued onto NH717. After passing by Jayanta Electronic Shop on the left we followed Teesta Bridge – Singimari Bypass to NH27 in Uttar Marichbari. Turned right at Singimari Bus Stop onto Teesta Bridge – Singimari Bypass. Turned right to stay on Teesta Bridge – Singimari Bypass. After passing by Loknath E Service on the right turned left to stay on Teesta Bridge – Singimari Bypass. At Domohini More turned right onto NH27 and crosseed the Teesta River bridge. Passed through Paharpur via SH 12A to enter Jalpaiguri.

Had a grand welcome at Manas Da’s aunt’s place. We had light chitchat over tea and snacks. Likewise we freshened up and there was again a round of chattering. Finally we got to devour on to fingerlicious Bengali dinner. After dinner we walked outside in the corridor for a while and then retired into bed.