Rangbul La: A Love Letter to the Hills with a Cuppa
Escape the summer heat with a soul-soothing retreat to Rangbul La, a serene hideaway near Darjeeling. Discover a heartfelt travel tale infused with warmth, and a slice of mountain magic.
Ah, wanderlust—the one affliction we’re quite happy to catch. And let’s be honest, when summer rolls around like an overbearing aunt with a hot water bottle, most of us would rather be anywhere else but stuck in the swelter. The search for cooler winds, quieter corners, and fresher air becomes less of a desire and more of a national emergency. And so, dear reader, allow me to whisk you away—virtually for now—to a hidden gem in the lap of the Himalayas. Meet Rangbul La, the kind of place that hugs your soul and gently whispers, “Don’t leave.”
It all started with a work trip, as most good stories often do. I was off to Cooch Behar (yes, that charming little pocket of North Bengal) to train some eager minds in the fine art of creative writing. The plan was simple: finish up by the 29th of March and head back to the chaos and yellow cabs of Calcutta. But as fate would have it—or perhaps some divine intervention by the travel gods—my schedule was cut short by a week. Suddenly I had a whole seven days to kill. What’s a bloke to do? Naturally, I headed north.
Now, Darjeeling is a name that sends a warm tingle down the spine of any self-respecting Bengali. It’s the postcard of our childhoods, the setting of countless films, and the eternal escape from whatever’s bothering you in the plains. And tagging along on this impromptu escapade was Arnab, a friend, and colleague.
We reached Siliguri, and as we sipped on roadside chai and shared stories of unfulfilled deadlines, a memory tugged at me—Rangbul La. I had visited it years ago, and like an old love that never quite leaves you, the place had remained etched in my mind. “Let’s go,” I said. And off we went.
Just ten kilometres from the main Darjeeling town, Rangbul La is where serenity goes on holiday. Nestled amidst a dense forest canopy, with the sort of silence you can hear, we arrived wide-eyed and slack-jawed. The air was crisp, the breeze flirtatious, and the lobby was wafting with the scent of first flush Darjeeling—honestly, if I could bottle that feeling, I’d be a millionaire.
There we were—two friends, sipping tea, strumming the guitar and ukulele (badly, I’ll admit), and soaking in a view so gorgeous it should be illegal. The moment could have lasted forever, but our tummies had other plans. Lunch arrived in the form of a delightful Newari thali. Multiple kinds of saag (some of which I couldn’t name if my life depended on it), a comforting dal, and a chicken curry that had me questioning all my previous life choices. If happiness could be served on a plate, this was it.
Post lunch, the usual happened—eyes heavy, bellies full—we dozed off, only to wake up and find ourselves drawn back to the lobby like moths to a very melodic flame. An evening of adda (the Bengali equivalent of soul-cleansing banter) followed, joined by the lovely Prakriti, the resort’s owner, whose hospitality could give our grandmothers a run for their money.
Out came the homemade organic wine—yes, you heard that right—and with it, cheese and sausages that felt like they were made in a parallel universe where everything is better. Our dinner request was simple, something light. But Dawa Daju—chef, magician, and all-around legend—decided we needed a meal fit for royalty. He wasn’t wrong.
The next morning, we awoke not to alarm clocks but to the sound of birds—hundreds of them, chirping, chattering, probably gossiping about us city folks. The heart wanted to stay. The suitcase did not. But life, as they say, is rarely fair.
We left Rangbul La with heavy hearts and lighter souls, promising to return again, and again, and again. If you’re looking for a place that offers more than just a holiday—somewhere that reminds you of what it means to just be—this is it. It’s not five-star luxury. It’s not glitzy or pretentious. But it is perfect.
And no, this isn’t a paid promotion. Heaven knows I’d have demanded a second thali if it were. This comes straight from the heart, which now beats just a little faster whenever someone says “Darjeeling.”
For those interested in experiencing this slice of heaven, ring up Rangbul La at 82504 75874. Just don’t blame me if you end up staying a wee bit longer than you intended.
Cheers, and safe travels!
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