Sittong - Orange Trail in the Himalayas

Sittong - in Teesta Valley (the area is located in between NH10 and NH55) in Darjeeling district of West Bengal is known for Orange Orchards, Large Cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb) plantations & Cinchona plantations. With many small village (Mana, Ghaleytar, Ahal, Selphu to name a few) Sittong offers a splendid view of Mighty Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak of the world and the guardian deity of Eastern Himalaya. Local population is versatile with many indigenous tribal groups. Lepchas & Mangars are prominent among them. A good number of homestays have come up offering their unique hospitality in Sittong area.

Almost, every house in the Sittong is having beautifully maintained gardens and almost all the gardens hosts Orange Trees. Mungpoo the place know for many visits by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and for Chinchona plantation is only 7 kms from Sittong. October to January is a very good season to visit Sittong to experience Orange cultivation. Sittong, Selphu, Mana, Ahaldara, Ghaleytar are the villages in and around Sittong. One has to cross Riyang River in Jogighat to reach Sittong from Mungpoo side.

A good number of home stays have come up in Sittong - Ghaleytar - Ahaldara - Selphu  for tourists. A few of the home stays are having very good rooms with majestic views of Mt. Kanchendzonga, the third highest peak of the world. Almost all the homestays are having western toilet facility. Tourists can be entertained with villege trails, cultural programs, short treks in and around Sittong.

Sittong can be accessed by 4 routes. a) After crossing Kurseong on NH55 - a places comes up called Dilaram - One has to take right diversion from Dilaram to reach Sittong via Bagora. b) After crossing Kalijhora Bazar on NH10 after Sevoke one can find an uphill road in left. This road can take any traveller to Sittong via Latpanchor (a hotsopt for Birdwatching in Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary) & Namthing Pokhari. c) From Birik Dara on NH10 after Kalijhora - a steep road in left can take one to Sittong via Selphu & Zero Point. d) From Mungpoo Bazar one has to take the road to Jogighat. Sittong is only 7 kms from Jogighat.

For more updates on information on Sittong and surroundings one can drop us a mail at info@marinetoalpine.com or can visit http://www.marinetoalpine.com. Marine To Alpine Pvt Ltd is actively working in Sittong area with help from the locals.