Do you know what is my favorite place to visit the mountains? The answer is Tabakoshi. Yes, this small village near Mirik, not far from Darjeeling, captured my heart with its exquisite beauty and peaceful atmosphere.
Today I am here with all the details of Tabakoshi travel for you. Let’s go together to the green sea of Tabakoshi Mirik.
Tabakoshi: Location and Distance
First of all, let’s know where Tabakoshi is located. Tabakoshi is a small village in the Darjeeling district, located near Mirik. Being at an altitude of approximately 2000 meters above sea level, the climate here is quite cool and pleasant. Lush green tea gardens, dense forests, and breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga surround Tabakoshi Mirik.
If you are wondering how convenient it is to go to Tabakoshi Mirik, then I will say, very convenient. The distance from Tabakoshi to Darjeeling is only 32.6 km. The distance from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Tabakoshi is about 62.9 km via SH12.
If you want, you can also drive directly from Bagdogra Airport to Tabakoshi. Some other popular tourist spots near Tabakoshi are Lepchajagat (18.4 km), Chatakpur (28.7km) and Mirik (7.1km).
What will you see in the Tabakosh Mirik?
Tabakoshi is mainly famous for its tea plantations and flowing rivers. Lose yourself in Tabakoshi’s tea gardens, relax by the river, or find peace in the mountains. Also, there are some other places to visit near Tabakoshi:
- Tabakoshi Jharna: This waterfall coming down the hill is a beautiful sight. Soak your feet in the cool water of the fountain and enjoy its beauty.
- Tabakoshi Monastery: Located at the foot of the hill, this Buddhist monastery is very quiet and peaceful. The architecture of the monastery and its surroundings are mind-blowing.
- Gopaldhara Tea Estate: One of the most famous tea gardens in Tabakoshi is Gopaldhara Tea Estate. Here you can see the process of making tea, and talk to the farmers to learn the story of tea.
- Orange Garden: There is a beautiful orange garden near Tabakoshi. Here you can see different types of oranges, and you can also buy fresh oranges if you want.
Places to visit in Tabakoshi Mirik
There are many places to visit in Tabakoshi. I was in Tabakoshi for three days. It was not possible to visit all the places in three days. But what I saw, I was impressed.
- Tabakoshi Tea Garden: The main attraction of Tabakoshi is its huge tea garden. Walking through the green tea garden is mind-blowing.
- Tabakoshi River: The Tabakoshi River flows by the village of Tabakoshi. The fun of sitting by the river is different.
- Sunrise View Point: Tabakoshi offers a spectacular sunrise. If you get up early in the morning and go to the sunrise viewpoint, you can enjoy this wonderful view.
What to do in Tabakoshi mirik?
Tabakoshi Mirik has not only places to see but also many things to do. Here you can spend your time in different ways:
- Tea Garden Walk: You can enjoy the beauty of nature by walking in the green tea garden of Tabakoshi. You can see the scene of tea picking, talk to the farmers, and smell the fresh tea.
- Bird watching: Tabakoshi has many species of birds. So if you are a bird lover, then this is an ideal place for you.
- Picnic by the River: You can have a picnic by the Tabakoshi River. The fun of spending time here with family or friends is different.
- Photography: The natural beauty of Tabakoshi will captivate anyone. So if you are into photography, don’t forget to carry your camera.
- Village Walk: Take a walk through Tabakoshi village and learn about the lifestyle of the people here.
- Camping: You can camp in Tabakoshi’s tea garden or by the river. You will always remember the experience of watching the stars filled in the night sky.
Accommodation in Tabakoshi Mirik
There are various arrangements for staying in Tabakoshi Mirik. These homestays will treat you like a home. Homestays in Tabakoshi are generally clean and comfortable. Here you can taste the local food and mingle with the villagers.
I stayed at a homestay called ‘Kirati Khim‘. The homestay owner and his family members are very nice people. They also love to eat home-cooked food.
- Tabakoshi Homestay is not very expensive. Good homestays are available between Rs. 800 to Rs. 1500 per night.
- Best Homestay Tabakoshi Mirik: The best Homestay is a bit difficult to find. But you can find good homestays by searching online or talking to locals.
- Tabakoshi Homestay’s contact number is easily available online.
Some of the popular homestays in Tabakoshi are:
- Kirati Khim Homestay Tabakoshi: This homestay is famous for its beautiful location and friendliness. From here you will have a wonderful view of Kanchenjunga.
- River Valley Homestay: This homestay is famous for its delicious food and cozy atmosphere. Here you will get care like home.
- Sunakhari Homestay Tabakoshi: This homestay is famous for its affordable price and cleanliness. Here you can stay comfortably within the budget.
If you want, you can book the homestay online, or you can contact the homestay directly by phone. Homestays in Tabakoshi usually start from Rs. 800 to Rs. 1600 per night.
Transportation to Tabakoshi: Hill route
Tabakoshi is a small village. There are no local buses or trains here. Walking is the best way here. But you can also rent a shared jeep or a private car if you want.
Ways to get from Tabakoshi to nearby places: Various options
- Share Jeep: Tabakoshi to Darjeeling, Mirik, Lepchajagat, Chatakpur – Share Jeep is available in these places.
- Private Car: You can also hire a private car if you want. You can move around at your convenience.
- Motorbikes: For those who love to ride bikes, they can also rent motorbikes to get around.
How to reach Tabakoshi Mirik
You may be thinking, how to go to Tabakoshi Mirik? I went from New Jalpaiguri (NJP). Tabakoshi to NJP distance is about 60.3 km. Share jeep or private cars are available from NJP.
I went by shared jeep. It takes about 3 hours to reach Tabakoshi. The experience of going by jeep on the mountain road was great.
- The distance from Tabakoshi to Darjeeling is only 32.6 km. So you can easily go to Tabakoshi from Darjeeling.
- And if you want to go from Mirik, the distance from Tabakoshi to Mirik is about 7.1 km.
- One can reach Tabakoshi from Chatakpur. The distance from Tabakoshi to Chatakpur is about 28.7 km.
- There is another small village near Tabakoshi called Lepchajagat. The distance from Lepchajagat to Tabakoshi is only 18.4 km.
How to get to Tabakoshi?
You can choose different ways to get to Tabakoshi:
- Train: You can reach New Jalpaiguri (NJP) or Siliguri by train. From there you can go to Tabakoshi by renting a car or by shared jeep.
- Air: You can come to Bagdogra airport by air. From there you can go to Tabakoshi by renting a car or by shared jeep.
- Bus: You can reach Siliguri or Darjeeling by bus. From there you can go to Tabakoshi by renting a car or by shared jeep.
Weather in Tabakoshi
The weather in Tabakoshi Mirik is pleasant throughout the year. The temperature during summer is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. The weather in winter is between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. The height of Tabakoshi is approximately 2000 meters above sea level.
So the weather here is always cold. I went during the rainy season. Rain-drenched mountains, cloud-covered peaks, green tea gardens – all in all, a wonderful environment.
When to go to Tabakoshi?
The best time to visit Tabakoshi Mirik is March to May and September to November. During this time the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy the sea of green tea gardens. But if you want to see snowfall, then you can go from December to February.
Sights around Tabakoshi
There are some other places of interest around Tabakoshi Mirik that you can visit:
- Lepchajagat: Lepchajagat, a small village with stunning natural beauty and a peaceful environment, lies just 18.4 km from Tabakoshi.
- Chatakpur: Just 28.7 km from Tabakoshi, Chatakpur is a small town famous for its tea gardens and Kanchenjunga views.
- Mirik: Just 7.1 km from Tabakoshi, Mirik is a small town famous for its lakes, monasteries, and tea gardens.
- Darjeeling: Tabakoshi is just a short 32.6 km from Darjeeling, famous for its tea, toy train, and stunning mountain views.
Where is the Tabakoshi?
Tabakoshi is a small village in the Darjeeling district, located near Mirik. Being at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level, the climate here is quite cool and pleasant. Lush green tea gardens, dense forests, and breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga surround Tabakoshi.
Distance from Tabakoshi
- Tabakoshi to Darjeeling: 32.6 km
- Tabakoshi to New Jalpaiguri (NJP): 60.3 km
- Tabakoshi to Bagdogra Airport: 54.8 km
- Tabakoshi to Lepchajagat: 18.4 km
- Tabakoshi to Chatakpur: 28.7 km
- Tabakoshi to Mirik: 7.1 km
Some suggestions
- The weather in Tabakoshi is quite cold, so don’t forget to take warm clothes.
- It is best to book a homestay before going to Tabakoshi, especially if you are going during peak season.
- Tabakoshi is a small village, so there are very few ATMs or banks. So keep enough cash with you.
- There may be mobile network issues in Tabakoshi, so it’s better to get things sorted in advance.
- If you want to do trekking, keep good shoes with you.
- The local people of Tabakoshi are very friendly. So don’t hesitate to talk to them.
So what is the delay? Now plan your trip to Tabakoshi Mirik. Hope you can come here and have a memorable experience.
Local Culture and Food of Tabakoshi Mirik
Along with the natural beauty of Tabakoshi Mirik, the local culture and food also attract tourists. People here are very sincere and hospitable. You can learn many new things by talking to them.
Food of Tabakoshi
A variety of foods are available in Tabakoshi Mirik. But the taste of the local food here is different.
- Momo: The Tibetan food momo is very popular in Tabakoshi Mirik. Different types of momos are available here.
- Thukpa: Thukpa is a type of traditional noodle soup. It is also Tibetan food. It is nice to eat hot thukpa on a winter day.
- Chowmein: Chowmein is everyone’s favorite. People in Tabakoshi Mirik make chowmein with various vegetables and meats.
- Tea: Tabakoshi is the country of tea. So you will get different types of tea here. There is Darjeeling tea, also green tea, oolong tea, and white tea – all available.
Cultures of Tabakoshi
People of different communities live in Tabakoshi Mirik. These include Nepali, Lepcha, Bhutia, and Bengali. The culture here also reflects this diversity.
- Local Festivals: People celebrate various festivals in Tabakoshi Mirik. These include Losar, Maghe Sankranti, Dashain, and Tihar.
- Folk Dance: The folk dance of Tabakoshi is very beautiful. Maruni dance, Tamang selo, Lepcha dance – these are worth seeing.
- Handicrafts: Tabakoshi produces various types of handicrafts. These include thangka paintings, bamboo products, and woolen cloths.
Tabakoshi Travel Budget
Tabakoshi’s travel cost depends on your budget and type of travel. You can typically complete a 3-day, 2-night trip for between 5,000 and 7,000 rupees.
Let’s take a look at an approximate budget:
The estimated cost of traveling to Tabakoshi:
- Sector Estimated Cost (per person)
- The journey from New Jalpaiguri to Tabakoshi is Rs. 500-700
- Accommodation (homestay) Rs.800-1500 (per night)
- Food Rs. 500-700 (per day)
- Getting Around (Share Jeep/Private Car) Rs.500-1000
- Others (entry fee, shopping) Rs.500-1000
- Total Rs. 4800-7700
Cost-cutting tips: ways to travel on a budget
- Off-Season Travel: Tabakoshi Mirik is crowded with tourists during peak season and accommodation costs are high. Traveling in the off-season will cost much less.
- Use of Share Jeep: Share Jeep fares are much cheaper than private cars.
- Staying at Homestays: Staying at a homestay is much cheaper than staying at a hotel. Apart from this, staying in a homestay also provides an opportunity to get familiar with the local culture.
- Eat local food: Food at local eateries is much cheaper than at restaurants.
Tabakoshi: Unforgettable travel within a budget
The cost of traveling to Tabakoshi is not very high. So you can easily travel to Tabakoshi Mirik within the budget.
Hopefully, this budget will help you plan your trip to Tabakoshi. Stay well, stay healthy.
Safety in Tabakoshi: Travel with peace of mind
Tabakoshi Mirik is a safe place. People here are very sincere and hospitable. You should take some precautions when traveling anywhere.
Safety Tips: Be careful, be safe
- Avoid going out alone at night.
- It is better not to carry valuables.
- If you have any problem, you can get help from the local police.
Tabakoshi Mirik: A safe and pleasant destination
Tabakoshi is a safe and pleasant tourist destination. So you can safely travel to Tabakoshi.
I will be back with a new travel story, then stay well.