The little hill town Kurseong is a nostalgic travel destination for hill lovers, immensely popular among Bengali tourists. The place is teeming with numerous sightseeing opportunities, including Eagles Crag, Chimney Heritage Park, Pine Forest, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum, Giddha Pahar Viewpoint (Rock garden), Hanuman Statue Viewpoint (Top point), Himalayan Heritage Railways, Haunted Church, Kurseong Monastery, and more. However, amidst this abundance of attractions, there exists a hidden gem that remains undiscovered by most travelers – its “Heaven in Kurseong“.
In fact, you’ll barely find any detailed information about Heaven in Kurseong on the internet, making it a mysterious and lesser-known destination.
Let’s Join us on a virtual journey to this breathtaking place and discover the compelling reasons why including it in your travel plan is an absolute must.
Heaven in Kurseong: A Brief Introduction
Nestled on the outskirts of Kurseong town, Heaven is a truly rejuvenating destination, perched high above the clouds and embraced by a topical hill forest adorned with wild orchids, ferns, and awe-inspiring landscapes.
However, it is a private property owned by a nearby resort proprietor. Yet, with the assistance of a knowledgeable local travel guide, you can seamlessly access this hidden gem. Only a select few travel guides/ cab drivers help tourists to explore this hidden gem (contact details provided below), others simply skip this.
Considering the mesmerizing beauty of this place, a few years back, the property owner initiated a project on the hilltop of Heaven (Kurseong). However, due to certain reasons, including concerns about unethical construction, the project had to be halted. Upon reaching this place you can see the ruins of the unfinished project, while the man-made stairway leading to the top still stands as a testament.
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Exploring the beauty of Heaven in Kurseong
As you enter this place, you’ll walk through a lush pine forest. This area remains moist throughout the year, which provides a perfect environment for the beautiful white orchid known as Shining Coelogyne (Botanical name: Coelogyne nitida) to thrive. You can see, these orchids are hosted by many pine trees, creating a splendid sight.
In the downhill part, the hiking path passes through the topical pine forest. As you hike upwards, the dense forest gives way to hilly grasslands that guide you to the summit. One side of the hiking path is covered with tall grasses and hilly terrain, while the other side has steep slopes (safeguarded by iron railings).
As you continue hiking, the magnificent panoramic view of the entire valley gradually unfolds before your eyes. White clouds float above the valley, creating a mesmerizing sight that you’d only expect in the real heaven.
The ultimate wonder awaits at the hilltop. After a bit of effort, when you reach the top, it will truly mesmerize you! The exclusive 360° valley view, the mingling clouds, and the refreshing breeze at the peak all combine together to give you an unforgettable experience, making your Kurseong trip incredibly worthwhile!
Travel time: 1-1.5 hours (including rest breaks for the round trip)
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How to reach Heaven (Kurseong)
Heaven is located approximately 3 km away from Kurseong center. If you stay in a homestay in Dowhill region, it’s even closer to you.
Although this place is easily accessible from any part of Kurseong, most tour operators and cab drivers don’t include it in their Kurseong sightseeing packages; probably because it lies inside a private property. But if you’re eager to explore something incredible beyond the usual and crowded Kurseong sightseeing spots, just go and explore Heaven in Kurseong.
If you’re having trouble finding a tour operator who can arrange this trip, you can reach out to:
- Premba Bhutia (8927655063, 9832043438)
- Navinji (8972159338)
Both of them are owners of rental cars and provide delightful Kurseong sightseeing trips, including a visit to the Heaven spot.
You may find interesting: Trek to Double Decker Living Root Bridge (Cherrapunji)
When to visit Heaven in Kurseong
You can visit Heaven at any time of the year, except during the monsoon season. The best time to visit Heaven is from February to April, with April-May being the peak season when the orchids are in full bloom.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that during the peak summer months, Heaven can get relatively hotter and the valley view remains foggy, so you should plan your visit accordingly.
Also, it is suggested to visit this spot in morning hours, and strictly NOT after lunch. The reason is nothing, but it’s the forest area remains absolutely empty most of the time; also it’s a safe place for the wilds. Evening falls here quickly inside the forest; so, in the afternoon visit, if you get stacked on the top for any reason and the daylight disappears, you may realize great trouble.
So, plan to visit this place in the morning session, till before lunch.
Also Explore: Simanadara: A Hidden Heaven Where Mountains Meet the Valley
Foods near Heaven
No, you won’t find any restaurants or food stalls nearby. Heaven is located in a secluded area without any dining facilities. It’s advisable to carry some light snacks and an ample water supply with you, as you’ll need to trek a distance that takes about 1-1.5 hr for a round trip.
Where to stay
Kurseong is overwhelmed with a wide range of hotels and homestay facilities, giving you plenty of options to choose from.
Booking.comAlso, you can consider staying in the Dowhill area, which situates at a higher elevation and tends to be less crowded than the central region.
Wrapping up
Heaven in Kurseong is a true hidden gem, offering a mesmerizing escape for travelers seeking a unique and tranquil experience amidst nature’s beauty. With its ever-refreshing surroundings, lush pine forests, and stunning white orchids, this secluded spot provides an enchanting journey for those willing to explore off the beaten path.
Additionally, the breathtaking panoramic views, cool breeze, and exclusive 360° valley spectacle at the hilltop make the effort truly worthwhile.
During your Kurseong trip, If you’re searching for an extraordinary adventure away from the conventional tourist spots, Heaven awaits to captivate your senses and leave you with cherished memories of a truly heavenly retreat.
Have a great trip ahead!
Dr. Suvankar Das is a scientific advisor by profession, associated with a CRO organization. He pursued his doctoral degree in Chemistry in 2015. Later, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher & scientist in a couple of institutes/companies.
Besides his scientific journey, Dr. Das is also a passionate traveler and travel blogger. He loves to share all his travel experiences with other travelers so that everyone can enjoy hassle-free holidays with their own tour plans.
He believes, the most beautiful thing in this world is the WORLD itself. so there is no way to live like a clock; rather live it like a compass!
