How to Travel to Ghoom, India
Tucked away high in the Himalayan foothills, perched upon the crest and down the upper side of the jungle-covered mountains, sits the old town of Ghoom. Little-known outside this portion of West Bengal, Ghoom is a place of spectacular views, deep-rooted religion and mixed culture befitting a crossroads area. The town also serves as the gateway to more well-known destinations such as Darjeeling and Gangtok. Getting to Ghoom, however, is an adventure in and of itself.
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Instructions
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Arrive in New Delhi, India. Delhi is home to the region's largest international airport. Spend the night here (most likely you've arrived in the middle of the night anyway)--you've got a long day ahead. Round-trip economy tickets from New York to Delhi usually run between $850 and $1,500.
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If you have the money, catch a plane to Siliguri. The plane option typically costs around $250 and takes about four hours before landing just outside of Siliguri in a town called Bagh Dogra. You can purchase your tickets online (see Resources below) or at the domestic airport, right next to the international airport at which you recently landed.
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If you are more of a budget traveler, catch a train. The train option takes about 20 hours, costs anywhere between several dollars and over $100 (depending on the type of seat you purchase), but takes you straight to Siliguri. You can buy train tickets at the central train station in Delhi; any cab driver can take you there.
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Find a shared jeep bound for Darjeeling (it will drop you off in Ghoom, around 20 or 30 minutes before reaching Darjeeling). If you traveled by plane to Bagh Dogra, shared jeeps and taxis are waiting outside of the arrival terminal. Typically these costs you between 1,000 and 2,000 rupees to get you all the way to your destination. If you traveled by train to Siliguri, find a taxi or a jeep outside of the train station. The price will be about the same, perhaps a few hundred rupees less.
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Drive to Ghoom. This generally takes about three hours. You'll head across the open plain, into the jungle, and up the windy roads that climb the mountains and descend the valleys until you reach Ghoom. The ride is incredible!
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Enjoy Ghoom. The most famous attraction in town is probably its very large and ornately decorated religious institution, Ghoom Monastery. The town also boasts fantastic lookouts from which to view the Himalayas (including Kanchenjunga, the world's third-tallest peak). This writer suggests spending at least two days in Ghoom before moving on to other foothill destinations.
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Tips & Warnings
If you take a train from Delhi to Siliguri, consider getting a sleeper for a few extra dollars.
Bring motion sickness tablets if you are easily car sick; the drive to Ghoom will be bumpy and windy.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by Sudip Dutta.
