Dello

Dello, also known as Deolo or Deolo Hill, is a small and peaceful Himalayan hamlet in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. At a height of 1914m and only 6km away from Kalimpong, it is a perfect getaway amidst the majestic mountains for tourists who want a day off from their busy schedule. At Dello, you are in for a treat of a lifetime – a quiet romantic evening atop a picturesque landscape overlooking the Teesta valley, followed by one of the best views of the Kanchenjunga range the next dawn – a must-try for everyone visiting Kalimpong!

. . . Dello . . .

• Kalimpong is the nearest jeep/bus stand (only 6km from Dello), which is well-connected by jeep/bus to both Siliguri (2-3 hours) and Darjeeling (2 hours). One may reserve a car for Dello from the main bus stand of Kalimpong (costs about Rs. 200-300, as on 15 June 2012). The 6km journey from Kalimpong to Dello passes by a beautiful array of landscapes, through the properties of Dr. Graham’s Home, and it takes only about 15-20 minutes by car. The uphill road also offers a fair temptation for a trekking enthusiast, but hiking up this path is not recommended for the naive, especially during the monsoons when the roads tend to be unpredictable.
• Bagdogra is the nearest airport, about 2-3 hours away from Kalimpong, and about 14km (20-30 minutes) from Siliguri.
• Siliguri is the nearest major city with a strong railway network – the main railway station being New Jalpaiguri (NJP). One may also plan to arrive at Darjeeling by the heritage Toy-Train (from Siliguri), and then come down to Kalimpong and Dello.

A casual evening stroll is what it takes to cover Dello. Tourists mostly take a walk in and around the Govt. Guest House (of DGHC) compound, or a short horseback ride nearby.

Although Dello is mostly projected as a single-day picnic spot near Kalimpong, a one-night stay at Dello is highly recommended, just for the unforgettable view of Kanchenjunga.

• Sunrise
• Kanchenjunga range
• Garden in the compound of the DGHC guest house

Nothing – that’s the bliss! Dello offers you a perfect getaway, without worrying much about missing out on sight-seeing points and must-be-done activities. However, one may always choose to enjoy the following at Dello.

• In season time, during October-February: Get up at 5 AM to enjoy one of the best views of Kanchenjunga, right from your bedroom or the guest house/hotel compound. Follow it up with a stroll within the DGHC Guest House compound filled with seasonal flowers, bathed in dewdrops.
• In off-season, mostly during monsoons: Spend the evening on the guest house/hotel porch with your loved ones, looking at the misty mountains and valleys that form a mesmerizing romantic ambiance to die for.
• In season time, during October–February: For the adventurous souls, Dello offers an exciting opportunity of Paragliding, overlooking the curves of the picturesque hills and valleys. Contact the main desk of your guest house/hotel to get the details.

In a nutshell, Dello is at best a one-night stint, but of course, a highly recommended one.

There are no markets in Dello. The basic necessities like snacks, batteries and other essentials are met at the Guest House or Hotel itself. One may take a 3-4km walk to reach 14th Mile market, which offers some local shops. It is recommended to carry medicines and baby-food from Kalimpong, if required.

Meals and snacks are served in the guest house/hotel itself, as there are no restaurants in Dello. The quality of food and beverages is decent, both in vegetarian and non-vegetarian categories. Bite-size snacks and soft drinks are also available in the guest house/hotel. For meals according to not-so-common diet plans and food habits, please contact your guest house/hotel beforehand to check if they may provide the same.

Recommended:

• Momo (especially beef/pork momo)
• Thukpa
• Chilly chicken and Chicken fry

. . . Dello . . .

. . . Dello . . .