Icchey Gaon, North Bengal – The Wishing Village

Icchey Gaon also known as “Wishing Village” is a place where all your wishes to stay amidst pristine nature will be fulfilled. At Icchey Gaon, enjoy a scenic view of Mt.Kanchenjungha, wake up to the call of unknown birds, take a stroll amidst the pine forests and stay in a village still unexplored by tourists. It is located at an altitude of 5800 feet, and is close to Pedong. At night, you can relish the twinkling lights of Darjeeling, Namchi and Ravangla from your homestay and the morning sky is ruled by the majestic Kanchenjungha.

Places to see at Icchey Gaon:  The best viewpoints of the Kalimpong Hills are located close to Icchey Gaon. Ramitey Dara viewpoint, offers a marvellous view of the winding TeestaRiver, flaunting its 14 turns with the Kanchenjunga guarding it, is truly breathtaking. The hilltop of Tinchuley near Icchey Gaon also offers a great view of Kanchenjungha and the Eastern Himalayas.

You can get a spectacular view of Nathula and Jeep La from Tinchuley. Make a tour to the Damsang fort, located at a distance of 6 km from Icchey Gaon. However, the fort is almost in the verge of extinction. Conclude you day trip by admiring the fascinating beauty of the Silence Valley, a small forestland. Many tourists also visit the Jalsa viewpoint, a great place nestled within the Cinchona plantation with a magnificent view of Kanchenjungha, River Teesta and lush forests surrounding it. There is an old British Bungalow at Jalsa, which gives the place a completely different feeling reminding one about the Sahibs and their trips to the Himalayas. You can trek to these destinations or hire a car for the whole day to go around these places too.

Nearby attractions around Icchey Gaon: This little village of Icchey Gaon is near to Reshi, Pedong, Sillery Gaon and Mankhim. A prime tourist attraction near Icchey Gaon is the age-old Sangchen Dorjee Monastery, located close to Pedong. This monastery is a 300-old structure, constructed during the domination of Bhutanese in Pedong. The old section of the monastery showcases an array of beautiful wall paintings, depicting Tantrik Buddhism. The center of attraction of the new section of the monastery is a mummified body of a Bhutanese priest. During April-May, the annual “Chyam” dance is also celebrated at this place with great pomp.

The Cross Hill near Pedong built in 1882 by Augstine Desdgodins is another popular destination, located nearby. The place is acknowledged as a site of pilgrimage by the Local Christian Community. Another wonderful location is the Shahid Park, which nestles 2 km away from Pedong Bazar. The park guards a stone, which has been laid to honor the memory of a local young soldier of Indian Army, Late Palender Raj who gave up his life at Thangdhar J & K sector (Kargil War).

Another popular viewpoint called Rikisum, which you will pass on the way from Algarah to Lava can also be visited in daytrips. The Kashyone village, located 8 km from Pedong Bazar offers a great view of the insection of Teesta River and Rongpo Khola. The village is adorned with beautiful Cinchona plantation. Explore a little ahead top visit Ranibon – a preserved forest. The place also has a 300-year old Lepcha house, which exhibits the exquisite Lepcha craft works.

Reshi Bridge and Reshi Khola are also worth visiting, located at a distance of 15 km from Pedong Bazaar. Rishi and Mudum Khola combined together to form Rishi Khola just before the bridge. The place has a charming romantic ambience. The Aritar Lake or Lampokhri Lake is a wonderful eco-tourism spot, which nestles 16 km from Rishi Bridge in East Sikkim. The highest point, famously called Mankhim above Lampokhari offers a breathtaking view of Mt.Kanchenjungha on the south west and Nathu La and Jelep La at the northeast. Another highlight of Aritar is Love Dara. Exciting day trips are also arranged regularly at Dello Hanuman Park, Rishap, Lava, Loleygaon and Sillery Gaon from Icchey Gaon.

Things to do at Icchey Gaon: Apart from enjoying the view of Kanchenjungha and its changing colours during sunrise, Icchey Gaon is ideal to enjoy a nature trail along the beautiful landscape. You can enjoy a short trek of about 2.5 kms from Icchey Gaon to Sillery, via Ramitey Dara through alpine forest. The place is also a delight for the bird watchers. You can also plan a riverside picnic at the bank of ReshiRiver visit the local monastery.

Best time to visit Icchey Gaon: Icchey Gaon welcomes tourist round the year. Winter is the best time for viewing Kanchenjungha. The monsoons fill up the rivers to the brim and boundless water, lush forests and wild flowers all around make Icchey Gaon a small paradise tucked along the slope of Himalayas.

How to go ?

The closest railway station from the destination is the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station and the Siliguri Railway Station. The nearest airport is the Bagdogra Airport. Hired cars are available from both airport and railway stations to Kalimpong via Teesta Bazar. From Kalimpong you can take a pick to Icchey Gaon.

Where to stay ?

There are few home stays in Icchey Gaon which provides furnished rooms with attached western bathrooms. Necessities like hot water, electricity, transport facilities and guides for local trek are also provided.  One option is;

Khawas Home Stay
Ph no. : 8670242128, 8116760140

Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.