Rongtong is a small village nestled in nature, known for its lush greenery and scenic beauty. It's located just 17.7 km by train from Siliguri Junction and only a few miles from Sukna. The village is frequently visited by people from the plains and tourists on their way to Darjeeling. Rongtong lives up to its reputation as a must-visit destination in North-East Bengal. Despite its small size, it offers many unique attractions for its visitors. Let's find out what makes it worth visiting.
What to See and Do
The tall and bold Himalayan range together with the abyss of tea gardens and the larks tuning to the melodious songs creates a juxtaposition of serenity and unmatched thrills. The road to Rongtong has gone through Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Sukna Reserve Forest making it an ideal destination for all the bird watchers. In the surrounding forest area, you'll find many intriguing birds like the Black-Crested Bulbul, Serpentine Eagle, Shikra, Himalayan Bulbul, Spangled Drongo, Scarlet Minivet, Golden-fronted Leafbirds, and Green Bee-eater. In short, It's a great spot for bird watchers. There's an old park in Rongtong that you might skip, but if you visit, you'll be amazed by the stunning sunset, with beautiful orange and gold colours lighting up the area.
Transportation options to reach here
Rongtong is reachable both by road and by railways. The toy train on the Darjeeling Himalayan section makes it easier for the tourists to visit Rongtong as well as provides a lifetime opportunity for them to enjoy the Joy Ride. From Siliguri, it only takes 40 minutes to reach Rongtong which covers a road distance of around 17 km. Moreover, the approximate distance from Bagdogra Airport (IXB) to Rongtong is 27 kilometres and from NJP, the distance is about 22 kilometres. North Bengal Tourism's pocket-friendly car rental service can help you reach rongtong without worrying about reaching this beautiful location with ease and comfort.
Staying Options in the Village
In Rongtong, you can only stay in homestays. Since it is actually an outskirt place away from the nearby city of Siliguri, there are no hotels you can find to stay. The homestays offer rooms that come with all the required basic amenities. You'll have Western-style bathrooms, homemade meals, room service, electricity for 24 hours, hot water, and more. The local villagers run these homestays, and they're very friendly, so you'll feel right at home.
Ideal Time to Visit Rongtong
There is no particular to visit Rongtong every season has its own charm but the most beautiful one is the autumn season when all the forest area leading to Rongtong is covered in golden and brown leaves which look simply magical. Autumn is the second spring when every leaf is a flower. The soft breeze making the leaves fall on the railway line beside the road makes it look so pictorial and mesmerizing that you cannot stop yourself from clicking a picture of this autumn wonderland. There is a rundown park in Rongtong which you may bypass but the sunset from that park is simply awe-inspired. You may be a local or a tourist Rongtong makes you come back for more. There is magic in this place whether it be summer or winter the weather out here does not fail to amuse you.