What Is Delo Park Famous For And The Things To Do
I visited Delo Park, a quaint, manicured garden for relaxation and adventure activities such as paragliding, zorbing, and horse riding, on my way to Kalimpong and Icche Gaon.
The highest point in Kalimpong, Delo Park, located on the Delo Hill, also won me over with its various viewpoints offering amazing views of Mount Kanchenjunga. Also, the day was clear, and the Teesta Valley looked most beautiful from there.
Also, the exotic flowers here gave me the best photo opportunities. The cafe at the park was quite good, and I loved the sandwiches.
Overall, the experience at Delo Park was fulfilling, and if you want the perfect fusion of natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation, you must visit Delo Park.
Here is more on the location, access, things to do, accommodation, and special features of Delo Park.
Where Is Delo Park Located?
Delo Park is located in the Kalimpong District of West Bengal. It is located at an altitude of around 1700 meters, and the park has a well-maintained landscape with flower beds, children’s rides, and various viewpoints, offering stunning views of the Kanchenjunga and the Teesta River flowing below.
Along with being a popular natural attraction, it is an important destination for paragliding and other adventure activities.
The distance between Delo Park and Kalimpong is around 11 km, and the distance between Darjeeling and Delo Park is around 60 kms.
How To Reach Delo Park?
One of the best offbeat places to visit near Darjeeling, Delo Park is well-connected to the Kalimpong main town by road. You can take a shared taxi or bike rental to reach Delo Park from Kalimpong.
Otherwise, you can go for a trek from Kalimpong to Delo Park. The trekking route of 11 kms is well-maintained. However, remember that there will be an elevation change of around 500 meters (Kalimpong: 1247 meters and Delo Park: 1700 meters).
Furthermore, if you are traveling to Kalimpong from New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra Airport, you will meet Delo Park on the way.
The distance between Bagdogra Airport and Delo Park is around 85 km. If you hire a private cab or car, the price will be INR 2700. For shared rides, it will be around INR 100-150.
On the other hand, the distance between the New Jalpaiguri Junction, the nearest railway station to Delo Park, is 78 kms away. You can take a shared cab for INR 100-150, and a private cab will cost around INR 2500.
Delo Park: Entry Fee And Hours Open
The entry fee to the Delo Park is INR 20 per person. However, if you are staying in the government tourist lodge, you can have free access to the park.
Also, parking charges and the activity charges in the park are separate. For example, paragliding for 15 minutes costs INR 3500, and for 30 minutes, the charge is INR 5000.
The park remains open from 6 AM to 7 PM.
What Is Delo Park Famous For?
Built in the early 20th century, Delo Park is an important landmark in the history of developing Kalimpong as a tourist destination.
With time, Delo Hill and the park located atop have become prime recreational areas in Kalimpong.
The Delo Hill itself has a history dating back to the British era. The Bhutanese and Sikkimese rulers used it as a strategic point until the Treaty of Sinchula was signed in 1865. After the treaty was signed, Delo Hill became a part of the British territory.
So, Delo Park is beyond a beautiful picnic spot with manicured gardens and amazing views. It has a distinct colonial charm, which makes Kalimpong and Darjeeling stand out among other hill stations in India.
What Are The Things To Do At Delo Park?
Paragliding, zorbing, and horse riding are the main adventure activities at Delo Park. Here are brief details.
1. Paragliding In Delo
Paragliding in Delo is conducted by the Kalimpong Paragliding Association. You have to fill out a form before you go paragliding.
People with a bodyweight of 25 to 100 kgs can take part in these paragliding adventures. Also, as mentioned, the paragliding charges for 15 minutes are around INR 3500, and for 30 minutes, they are INR 5000.
2. Horseriding In Delo
This is something I don’t endorse. However, I saw many tourists riding horses from the Delo Park entrance to the park.
You will also get horses inside the park.
3. Zorbing In Delo
Zorbing is another fun activity inside Delo Park. Roll down the park inside a transparent ball and have a serious adrenaline rush.
What Are The Other Nearby Attractions?
There are beautiful viewpoints and cultural attractions near Delo Park. Explore the following places.
1. Kalimpong Pine View Cactus Nursery
At a distance of 18 km from Delo Park, the Kalimpong Cactus Nursery is home to more than 1500 species of cacti. Spread over an area of 2 acres, it has the largest collection of cacti in Asia. It also has cacti from North and South America.
The nursery remains open from 9 AM to 6 PM, and it remains closed on Sundays.
2. Thongsa Gumpha (Monastery)
A holy place for Tibetan Buddhists from the Nyingmapa school, Thongsa Gumpha was built by the King of Bhutan in 1692.
The monastery was demolished during the Gorkha-Sikkim conflict and was reconstructed with the help of the Dalai Lama. The monastery remains open from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Thongsa Gumpha has 129 wheels, unlike the usual 108 wheels in other monasteries. The central hall has a golden Buddha statue, beautiful murals, thangkas, and frescoes.
It is located at a distance of 9 km from Delo Park.
3. Nature Interpretation Centre
Just 10 km away from the Delo Park, the Nature Interpretation Centre in Kalimpong has lifelike dioramas, interactive exhibits, and interesting models, giving insights about the local flora and fauna.
Furthermore, it serves as a place to know about sustainable practices and be particular about environment-friendly habits such as rainwater collection and solar panels.
In addition, you will learn about the celestial bodies at this interpretation center. It remains open from 10 AM to 4 PM and the entry fee is INR 10.
4. Durpin Dara
Kalimpong is on the ridge connecting the Delo and Durpin hills. Durpin Dara, a viewpoint on Durpin Hill, is close to the Durpin Monastery.
On a clear day, you will get clear views of Mount Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan mountain peaks. Durpin Dara literally means “Binocular View.” It is said that the view you get here is similar to the view of the mountains you get after using binoculars.
5. Shanti Kunj
Shanti Kunj is one of the most prominent nurseries in Kalimpong and it welcomes you to a serene world.
It is located at a distance of around 11 kms from the Delo Park. Here, you will find various types of orchids and lilies along with hibiscus and other local and exotic plants.
The trained staff members are always happy to answer your questions regarding the plants.
6. Lepcha Museum
Located just 1 km from the Kalimpong Main Town and 10 km from the Delo Park, the Lepcha Museum is the best destination to know about the culture and history of the community.
It is the only Lepcha Museum in the country, and Padmasri Sonam Tshering Lepcha, the famous folk artist, inaugurated the museum. It has manuscripts, objects of worship, handicraft items, Lepcha musical instruments and more.
The museum remains open from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, it remains open from 10 AM to 12 PM.
What Are The Accommodations Near Delo Park?
If you want to cherish the manicured landscape of Delo Park and the amazing views from the park, you must plan a stay in the Deolo Tourist Lodge. It is maintained by the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.
The lodge is surrounded by a manicured garden, and from your room, you will get amazing views of Mount Kanchenjunga and the Teesta River. So, tourists always look for a place to stay here. You need to make the reservations at least 20 to 30 days before your visit.
The tariff for the rooms depends on the kind of room you choose. Here are the details.
| Types of Rooms | Charges |
|---|---|
| Double Bed Non-View Room on Ground Floor | INR 2100+ GST |
| Double Bed View Room with Balcony on Ground Floor | INR 2500+ GST |
| 1st Floor Double Bed Room with View and Balcony | INR 3500+ GST |
To know more details and for booking, you can contact the GTA Secretariat Lal Kothi at 0354-2255022 / 2254434.
Local Cuisine And Dining Near Delo Park
You can have coffee and sandwiches at the cafe inside the Delo Park. Furthermore, you can try iconic Darjeeling street food such as momos, thukpa and sael roti.
Furthermore, you will love Shaphalay, or a meat-filled bread of Tibetan origin. Of course, you cannot complete your trip to Delo Park without sipping on the famous Darjeeling Tea.
Safety And Travel Tips For Delo Park
Delo Park offers wheelchair accessibility and strolling across the park is an easy exercise. However, the park is at an altitude of 1700 meters, and the temperature drops suddenly after sundown.
- Carry jackets and gloves.
- Follow the safety guidelines for paragliding, zorbing and horse riding.
- Dispose of the waste properly and carry your own trash bags.
- Consider daytime if you are visiting the garden for a short while and want to explore the adventure activities.
- If you are staying at the lodge, visit the viewpoints for stargazing and a dreamy view of the city lights.
Photography Guide For Delo Park
Delo Park offers you endless photography opportunities with exotic flowers covering the landscape. Furthermore, the unique viewpoints here offer amazing views of Kalimpong, the Durpin Hill, Teesta River and Mount Kanchenjunga.
When the weather is clear from April to May, you will get to see the mountains in West Sikkim.
Cultural Insights For Visiting Delo Park
After visiting Delo Park, you can try a cultural exploration of Delo Hills. You can hike through the small villages and communities of the villages, like Sherpa Gaon and Icche Gaon near Delo Park.
Each village here stands out with its unique cultural practices and way of living. In addition, the monasteries here speak about the spiritual beliefs and history of the region.
Delo Park: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about Delo Park.
The entry fee for Delo Park is INR 20 for each person. However, you will have to pay separate charges for parking and adventure activities in the park.
For example, the paragliding charges in Delo Park are INR 3500 for 15 minutes and INR 5000 for 30 minutes.
March to May, or the dry season, is the best time to visit Delo Park. The temperature remains around 20 degrees Celsius during the daytime in these months.
September to November is another great time to visit Delo Park. The temperature hovers around 10-15 degrees Celsius in these months, and clear weather conditions ensure a better view of the mountains.
Delo Park is around 11 km away from Kalimpong Town. A short drive to Delo Park from Kalimpong Town takes around 32 minutes.
So, for locals, Delo Park, the highest point of Kalimpong, is a popular picnic spot.
Yes, adventure activities at Delo Park, Darjeeling, are most suitable for children. Children have dedicated play areas with swings and other rides. Horse riding is another outdoor activity for kids at Delo Park.
Furthermore, for kids over 12 years, there are supervised adventure activities such as sky cycling, artificial commando nets, and wall climbing.
Yes, you can visit Delo Park in Kalimpong in the monsoon season, spanning from June to September. However, you will experience rainfall and mist, which will create obstacles for the views of the Himalayan mountains and valleys.
Also, heavy rainfall can cause landslides and other road obstructions.
