Soreng is a destination with rich historical heritage and sacred landscape. The Khangchendzonga National Park lies in this area and it is regarded as one of the most important hotspot of biodiversity in India.
The Soreng spans varying ecological zones from temperate to alpine and the visitor will be stunned by diverse altitude variation in landscape, flora and fauna offering a range of tourism activities which include trekking,mountaineering,paragliding,villagetourism, birdswatching,pilgrimage tours and local sightseeing.
Soreng
A four hour drive from Siliguri takes you to the picturesque village of Soreng. Surrounded by lush green hills, Soreng is located amidst scenic splendour. The area is famous for the wide variety of flowers and birds available here. A trip to Jhandi Danra is highly recommended for nature lovers.
Versey
Near Hilley is the Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Sandwiched between the Singalila National Park in the south and Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in the north, this small 104-sq-km sanctuary is at an altitude of 10,000 ft and supports a wide variety of bio-diversity. But the main attractions of the sanctuary are the rhododendrons which bloom in April-May coloring the Sanctuary in wild abandon. Hilley is the last motorable point before Varsey. A four-km walk through beautiful pine forests takes you to the Sanctuary. You can stay at the Gurash Kunj Lodge here.
Rinchenpong
The upcoming tourist spot in the western part of Sikkim, has a magnificent command over the mountain views, sunrise and sunset, flora and fauna, village tourism ,historical sites and heritage of Resum Monastery, rich forests and ample area for short treks. At an altitude of about 5576ft, Rinchenpong is the latest addition to the tourist map of Soreng . The place is famous for the beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga range of mountains. Apart from the natural beauty of the surroundings, the place is also quite significant from historical point of view.
Sombaria
Situated at an altitude of 3,700 feet, Sombaria, a small village is full of vegetation of temperate type and is located remotely in the extreme Western Sikkim. Sombaria is close to the Indo-Nepal border and border region of Darjeeling Hills. At a distance of 115 km away from Siliguri and 112 km from the capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok, it is an ideal place for Bird Watching.
Kaluk
Settled on the lap of Himalayan Mountains in west Sikkim at an elevation of 1620 feet is a pleasant town called Kaluk which is well known among the voyager for its dreamlike common magnificence. Far from the boisterous city life Kaluk offer its guests with the most stunning views of the Mt Kanchenjunga. It is one of the windiest places in Sikkim and noted for places like the Durga Mandir, Rinchenpong Monastery and Megi Dara.
Lying in the cushion zone of the renowned Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary Kaluk is honored with the characteristic assets in bounty. Guests can get the look at the conventional culture which has been effectively saved by the Lepchas individuals from the encompassing towns while visiting Kaluk. In the previous year’s individuals of Kaluk were exclusively subject to the agriculture yet after been proclaimed as the eco-tourism territory tourism has turned into the principle part of the business for the general population of Kaluk. Kaluk is one of the town in the west Sikkim which offers the 180 degree perspective of the Mt Kanchenjunga and its neighbouring reaches. The high backwoods of Kaluk is wealthy in verdure making it a perfect destination for all nature sweethearts. Kaluk is a place in the midst of the nature free from the contaminated air and humdrums of the dull city life. Each season has its own appeal in Kaluk yet the best season to savour the magnificence of Kaluk is amid April when the rhododendron blossom sprouts covering the valley in a brilliant shade of red and sweet-smelling aroma which will undoubtedly abandon you enchant.
Daramdin
Daramdin is a market village in the west Sikkim situated at an approximately 120 Km from the capital town Gangtok. Daramdin is located at 27.136275 latitude and 88.171996 longitude in the centre of some of the most fascinating places of attraction in the west Sikkim like, Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Soreng, Sombaria and Kaluk-Rinchenpong. A peculiar feature of the place is that it has a large surface of flat land. The name Daramdin is derived from the local Lepcha language ‘Dalom’ meaning a place of rest or a flat land. There is an interesting story attached to the place, it so happened many centuries back the villagers of Daramdin had a debate on the topic of distance between their village and the sky. They then decided to erect a tower made of clay pots arranged one after another. The construction started and eventually the tower got higher and higher, when they were on the verge to achieve the goal, the man on the top of the tower shouted, “Kok bing yang tal” (Get me a pole to strike the sky) in the local Lepcha language to the men in the bottom. Unfortunately, the men below heard Cheka which means destroy the ladder. The men in the bottom were surprised and asked the man on the top to repeat, they again heard the same word Cheka. Therefore the men in the bottom destroyed the ladder and their mission to touch the sky ended in smoke. The bits and pieces of the potteries, the remains of the big blunder are still found today.