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Located at an altitude of 4905 ft, 45 k.m. northwest of Siliguri and 59 k.m. southwest of Darjeeling Mall, with pleasant climate round the year having maximum temperature 30 degree Celsius during summer and minimum temperature 1 degree Celsius during winter, makes Mirik a sought after place for tourists.
Mirik is actually midway between Siliguri and Darjeeling. One can come here either from Siliguri or from Darjeeling. The most popular tour plan to travel Mirik is to stay for 1 night or some do Day tour while returning from Darjeeling to Siliguri or Bagdogra. But I had opted the unconventional plan. First I stayed for 1 night at Siliguri. Then on the next morning took a shared car for Mirik. It is a journey of 1.5 hours from Siliguri. Then I stayed for 1 night at Mirik and also did the sightseeing on that day. And on the next day morning again took a shared car to drop me at Darjeeling.
TRANSPORTATION COST
Firstly I am going to share the various transportation means for Mirik and also the associated fare. For your better understanding, I am giving a chart for it.
SILIGURI TO MIRIK
| CAR TYPE | FARE (In INR) |
|---|---|
| BUS | 70 / PERSON |
| SHARED CAR | 120 / PERSON |
| PRIVATE CAR | 1200 - 1600 |
DARJEELING TO MIRIK
| CAR TYPE | FARE (In INR) |
|---|---|
| BUS | 70 / PERSON |
| SHARED CAR | 120 / PERSON |
| PRIVATE CAR | 1200 - 1600 |
If you are arriving Mirik from Siliguri the best option according to me is by shared car. For this, you have to come to Darjeeling More in Siliguri where TATA SUMO, BOLERO, FORCE like large cars are lined up on both sides of the road and they will drop you at Mirik. The fare is Rs. 120 / person and if you pay Rs. 480 i.e. price of 4 persons then the whole middle seat is yours. So, now there is no reason to hire a private car for Rs. 1200 as you are getting the same privilege and saving a minimum Rs. 700 at the same time.
The same strategy is applicable if you are coming to Mirik from Darjeeling.
I don’t prefer taking the bus as it takes much longer time and at the same time, it is an uncomfortable journey.
SIGHTSEEING OF MIRIK
Though there are many points of interest in Mirik, I am going to share the top 6 places of attraction.
1 SUMENDU LAKE
2 MIRIK HELIPAD
3 KAWLEY DARA
4 SWISS COTTAGE
5 BOKAR MONASTERY
6 DEVISTHAN
SUMENDU LAKE
Mirik Lake or Sumendu Lake is the main point of attraction of Mirik. This 1.25 k.m. long lake with an arched footbridge of 80 ft, surrounded by tall trees, is a beautiful place to spend some leisure time. There is a big ground at one side of the footbridge where you can sit comfortably. There is a “Floating Handicrafts Market” at one side of this ground. Also, there is a small ticket counter for paddle boating which is very enjoyable in this big lake. The boat ride fare is Rs. 80 for 4 persons and the duration is half an hour and the counter opens at 11:00 a.m. Also, there is a provision for horse riding. The horse ride fare is Rs. 160 / person & Rs. 320 / person depending on the duration and the distance covered. Easily 2 to 3 hours will fly away here.
MIRIK HELIPAD
Mirik Helipad is a flat hilltop which is located at a distance of 10 min drive from Mirik Lake. From here you will get a 360-degree view of Mirik. Mt. Kanchenjunga can also be seen from here.
KAWLEY DARA
It is basically an observatory point and now a day is gaining popularity as a sunrise viewpoint. In the middle of a jungle stepping over the stony stairs, you have to climb to reach this place. There is an open ground where a Shiva lingam has been established. Beside this lingam, another stairs go up for the viewpoint. The place is calm and pleasant.
SWISS COTTAGE
It is a compound where a large number of cottage shape buildings have been constructed and they are meant for rent. It is very much well maintained and the surroundings are decorated with garden. The place seems as if we have come to the European countryside. A visit to the place is really worth.
BOKAR MONASTERY
Bokar Monastery or Bokar Ngedhon Choekhor Ling, which is very hard to pronounce, is located 2.8 k.m. from Mirik Lake. Here the monks are engaged in a full schedule of practice and study of Buddhism. Nearly every month a weeklong intensive group practice is done which includes constructing a sand mandala, sculpting intricate offerings, melodious chanting and traditional music. After entering, the main building will be on your right and in front, there is a huge lawn surrounded by the two-storied buildings where the monks reside. Everyone can enter the prayer room and there are places to sit adjacent to the wall and you can devote yourself with the divine chants of the monks. One interesting and good thing that I found here is everyone keeps the shoes in a triangular pattern. This makes easy for everyone to find the shoes and at the same time looks fantastic. The first thing that came in my mind after seeing this was that the monks not only lead a disciplined life but also show others the way to be disciplined.
DEVISTHAN
It is also another famous place in Mirik. You can reach here by crossing the arched bridge over Mirik Lake or following a path at the southern end of the lake. I had opted the first one and followed a trail with Mirik Lake on my left. After 5 min walk, I reached the gate of Devisthan. Now a long stairway starts from here and you have to climb up. It is a very strenuous job. Anyway, at the end, you will find the gate of the temple. Basically, there are many temples inside but the main temple is of Devi Durga. Some of the devotees are sitting on the floor with eyes closed, some are ringing the bells, some are circling the compound with hands closed, the place has been encircled by tall trees, only the sound of falling leaves can be heard; all these make the place very calm and peaceful.
EXTRA TIPS
Out of the 6 places of interest I mentioned above, you can reach Sumendu Lake and Devisthan by walking on your foot. But you will need a car to reach Helipad, Kawley Dara, Swiss Cottage and Bokar Monastery. The car rent is Rs. 150 / point of interest i.e. you have to pay Rs. 150x4 = Rs. 600 for the 4 places and that is quite reasonable.
WHERE TO STAY IN MIRIK?
It is best to stay near Mirik Lake and will be excellent if you stay near Mirik Lake foot bridge. There is only one hotel that fulfils my personal opinion is the hotel “The Park”.
THE PARK
I stayed in this hotel. This small white colored 3 storied hotel is just opposite to the Sumendu Lake and only a few seconds away from the footbridge. Location wise it is best in whole Mirik. It has also a restaurant on the ground floor. So you don’t have to worry about your Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. They close the restaurant within 8 p.m. So you have to order in advance and they will bring the dinner in aluminium foil and casseroles and keep it in your room. The rooms are spacious and try to take which are with lake view. I stayed at room No. 203 which is at the end of the 1st floor balcony. On payment of a few bucks, they will even drop your luggage to the main road. The food taste, hospitality, location; all these make this hotel a beautiful place to stay in Mirik.
OTHER HOTELS
There are other few good hotels to stay in Mirik. I am providing a chart below with the name of the hotels, their average per night rate and their respective specialty.
TOP 11 BUDGET HOTELS NEAR MIRIK LAKE
HOTELS ARE ARRANGED FROM LOWEST PRICE TO HIGHEST PRICE
| HOTEL NAME | DESCRIPTION | WANT TO KNOW MORE OF THIS HOTEL ? |
|---|---|---|
| THE PARK | IN-HOUSE RESTAURANT / BESIDE MIRIK LAKE / ATTACHED BALCONY | THEN CLICK HERE |
| RANGBHANG HOMESTAY | CALL 9832913617 / EXCELLENT HOSPITALITY / AWESOME VEG FOOD | THEN CLICK HERE |
| MANOKAMNA FARMSTAY | ASIAN BREAKFAST / BAR / FREE PRIVATE PARKING | THEN CLICK HERE |
| HOTEL BLUE LAGOON | FREE BREAKFAST / GARDEN & TERRACE / FREE WIFI | THEN CLICK HERE |
| HOTEL VIRAJ | BIG ROOM / GOOD LOCATION / IN-HOUSE RESTAURANT | THEN CLICK HERE |
| LINGDEN’S FARM | GARDEN & LOUNGE / FULL EQUIPPED KITCHEN / FREE VEG BREAKFAST | THEN CLICK HERE |
| JHARNA NATURAL HOMESTAY | GARDEN SPACE / VEG BREAKFAST / ROOMS WITH BALCONY | THEN CLICK HERE |
| HAAMRO GHAR | NEAR MIRIK LAKE / SMALL LOVELY LAWN / COTTAGE SHAPED | THEN CLICK HERE |
| HOTEL PRADHAN | PRIVATE BALCONIES / MOUNTAIN VIEW / IN HOUSE RESTAURANT | THEN CLICK HERE |
| HOTEL JAGJEET | FREE BREAKFAST / VERY NEAT & CLEAN / HIGH-SPEED WI-FI | THEN CLICK HERE |
| QUEEN’S HILL HOTEL & RESORT | AMAZING BALCONY VIEW / FREE BREAKFAST & WI-FI / GREAT HOSPITALITY | THEN CLICK HERE |
| SOURENEE TEA ESTATE | HORSE RIDING / GYM / FREE WI-FI / CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND / JACUZZI | THEN CLICK HERE |
BEST RESTAURANTS IN MIRIK
Some of the TOP RESTAURANTS IN MIRIK are listed below with their name, location and specialty of each of them for your convenience.
| RESTAURANT NAME & LOCATION | SPECIALITY |
|---|---|
| SAMDEN TIBETIAN RESTAURANT (KRISHNAGAR) | EXCELLENT TIBETIAN FOOD / THUKPA, NOODLES & MOMOS / VERY REASONABLE PRICE |
| HOTEL LOHIT SAGAR (KRISHNAGAR) | 100% VEG RESTAURANT / NORTH & SOUTH INDIAN FOOD / VEG THALIS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE |
| NESANG’S GORKHA CAFÉ (KRISHNAGAR) | BREAKFAST + LUNCH + DINNER / GOOD FOOD WITH LAKE VIEW / NICE AMBIENCE |
| DADA BHAI HOTEL (KRISHNAGAR) | FAMOUS FOR BENGALI FOOD / VARIOUS THALIS AVAILABLE / BREAKFAST + LUNCH + DINNER |
| HOTEL VIRAJ RESTAURANT & BAR (KRISHNAGAR) | EXCELLENT TASTE / BAR AVAILABLE / GOOD LOCATION |
| THE PARK (LAKE SIDE) | BREAKFAST + LUNCH + DINNER / GOOD TASTE / REASONABLE PRICE |
| DURGA HOTEL & RESTAURANT (LAKE SIDE) | AVERAGE FOOD / LOW PRICE / GOOD LOCATION |
| HOTEL JAGJEET (KRISHNAGAR) | BEST FOOD JOINT AT MIRIK / INDIAN / CHINESE / CONTINENTAL / EXCELLENT TASTE & SERVICE |
Apart from spending some time seeing the sightseeing, you can roam here around the foot bridge, buy some handicrafts from the floating market or you will find a fairground to the south of the lake. When I went Mirik at the month of October the fair was going on. The tourists as well as local people gathered here. There are many food stalls around this ground. The food stalls usually sell momo, coconut pieces, pineapple, noodle, tea, bread toast, butter toast and many more items. The specialty of this area is “Chatpata”. It costs Rs. 10 but is very tasty indeed. Never miss this!!
One thing that attracted me most is the JUMBO size momo available at Ankita Fast Food. Each momo costs Rs. 50 and served with hot soup. The taste is really good. Have a try!
SOME IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Now if you are heading towards Darjeeling or Siliguri from Mirik, you have to hire the car from Krishnagar area. The 2 main Tours & Travels who operate the car here are:
1 MIRIK TOUR & TRAVELS
Mobile Numbers are given in my Ebook
Click here to get the Ebook
2 SHIVAJEE TRAVELS
Mobile Numbers are given in my Ebook
Click here to get the Ebook
You have to come to their counter for booking a shared car, private car or for the sightseeing. If you want to travel in a shared car for Darjeeling dropping from Mirik, the rate is Rs. 120 / head and same for Siliguri whereas the private car will cost you Rs. 1500. As usual, I travelled in a shared car and saved a lot.
Want To Get All The Information Of Darjeeling Tour In 1 Place?
Then Click Here To Get My Ebook !!!
WHAT TO PACK FOR WHILE TRAVELLING.
WHAT TO PACK FOR WHILE TRAVELLING.
There are 8 things I never go travelling without:
1. Security Belt With Hidden Pocket
I never hit the road without my security belt. It is a regular looking belt with a secret pocket inside. Hide your notes inside the zip and wear it through airport scanners without any hassle. This is hands down the best way to hide your cash. Find Here
2. Camera
I may keep my luggage less but can’t miss the camera. It is the soul of my journey. There are several type of travel cameras available in the market like Point & Shoot, Advanced Compact Camera, Mirror less, DSLR etc. and each one has its own list of benefits.
I am listing some of the best cameras in each category:
(I) Best Compact Point & Shoot Travel Camera: Find Here
(II) Best Advanced Point & Shoot Travel Camera: Find Here
(III) Best Mirrorless Travel Camera: Find Here
(IV) Best Travel DSLR: Find Here
3. Sufficient Back Up Of Your Photos
I suffered a lot in the early days of my travelling due to data storage shortage. I used to carry few GB’s of memory cards. Obviously within 2 or 3 days ended up those and began to delete the captured photos to free some space. So get fully loaded with memory cards while travelling. Need ultra-fast memory card? Then Find Here
4. Trolley Bags
It is hard to decide which trolley to buy as there are so many varieties available in the market in this segment. But it is better to buy branded products rather than buying some cheap ones. Want to see the trolley I carry while travelling? Then Find Here
5. Torch
It is one of the most essential items while travelling. The best way to know a place is by walking around. But the roads are not always well lit up and then a torch comes out to be a true friend. Always add it to your luggage. Want to add a sleek and sexy flashlight in your baggage? Then Find Here
6. Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Whether you are laying on the beach or on the top of the mountain, now you can bring music everywhere. No need to get dependent on powerpoint to play music anymore. Thanks to Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Want to know more? Then Find Here
7. Gimbal
So you have a great Smartphone with unlimited features and excellent camera. But the captured videos are very shaky. Isn’t it? That’s why I use Gimbal. It stabilizes the video filming. Interested to know more on gimbal? Then Find Here
8. Power Bank
Travelling all day and capturing memorable pictures but at the time of return the Smartphone got switched off and unable to receive an important call. OMG! Don’t worry. Carry a Power Bank with you. Want to get it? Then Find Here
CLICK THE LINK GIVEN BELOW TO GET THE DETAILED INFORMATION ON:
