A ridge settled atop Darjeeling Hills with magnificent view of Mt. Kanchenjungha on one side and teesta river and valley with Kalimpong Hills on the other side is Chota Mangwa. Placed wonderfully with both side views and orange gardens and citrus plantations surrounding the small quiet village, Chota Mangwa is rapidly growing as a hot tourist destinations. Chota Mangwa is settled just beaneath Tinchuley of Darjeeling Hills and a three to four days trip comprising of Tinchuley, Chota Mangwa, Bara Mangwa can be your next choice. Chota Mangwa is an eco village in the Mangwa hills with a population of 150 families living nearby. The marvelous view of Mt. Kanchenjungha and equally wonderful sunrise will definitely charm you during your stay at Chota Mangwa. The locals are mainly engaged in farming and the main produce is rice along with vegetables like squash, karela (not the one we usually know), with orange orchards almost everywhere in Chota Mangwa, Lemons are also grown here.

How to Reach : At a driving distance of around 2.5 hours from the nearby railhead New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and 3 hours from Bagdogra , the nearest airport , Chota Mangwa offers excellent accommodation facility with cottages of Darjeeling Eco Blossom’s Cottages, the only accommodation solution available at the area, with multiple side views from the whole complex. A drive from NJP or Bagdogra through dense and green Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary will take to you to Sevoke which is around 20 kms from Siliguri, from Sevoke, another 22 kms is Teesta Bridge and Teesta Bazar, from where your vehicle will start climbing the hills passing through the beautiful Bara Mangwa, a green village with step cultivation all around and magnificent view of Teesta river and valley and then through the Orange Garden Complex, which also falls within the Bara Mangwa area, from where you can pick the oranges of your choice at moderate price, a little climb will then take you through Serong, another orange village with 1500 family population and at last a right hand diversion from the main road with 1.5 km bolder road will lead you to Chota Mangwa. The main road continues to Tinchuley, another 20 minutes drive. The Darjeeling Blossom Eco Tourism Complex will welcome you with its lovely cottages with almost all modern amenities in such difficult conditions at considerably moderate rates. Tourist coming from Darjeeling side will have to take the Hill Cart Road upto Ghoom and then a left hand diversion to JoreBungalow and then again a right hand diversion from 6 mile will lead you to Takdah which is 9 kms from 6 mile. The distance from Takdah to Tinchuley is 3 kms and after arriving at Tinchuley, a right hand diversion will take you down to Chota Mangwa. The entire vegetation and forests in the area comes under the Senchal range where one can see the tall Dhupi (Coniferous Cryptomaria) and Pine trees through out the drive.

Local Sight Seeing : A very old Monastery at Takling is a place to visit during your stay at Chota Mangwa. If you are not planning a stay at Tinchuley, this also falls under the must visit list, the lush green pine forest surroundings of Tinchuley is surely going to make you feel great. The age old Takdah Tibetan Medical centre can also be visited which is only 3 kms from Tinchuley. Takdah also has a Forest Rest House which offers excellent accommodation facilities. The Rungliot Tea Estate is also a place to visit. The other important places to visit are Bara Mangwa – 12 kms, Mongpoo – 22 kms, 6 Mile – 12 kms, Ghoom – 23 kms, Sukiapokhri – 31 kms, Darjeeling -33 kms.

Things to do in Chota Mangwa: Bird watching is a thing you are going to enjoy at Chota Mangwa and Tinchuley, Tourists can also take the adventure of River Rafting at Teesta. Chota Mangwa is a place to sit and enjoy nature. A shot trip to Bara Mangwa and Tinchuley, two nearby major destinations can also be visited within short durations.

Best time to visit Chota Mangwa: You can visit Chota Mangwa any time of the year. However, to see the oranges in full bloom, it is better to visit Chota Mangwa between October and early February especially during late November and early December.

Lodging and dining facilities in Chota Mangwa: Darjeeling Blosom Eco Tourism Cottages provide excellent accommodation facility considering such location. The complex offers excellent view of Mt. Kanchanjhengha and Teesta Valley on its two sides as it is located on a ridge. Food cost are 500/- for Non Veg and 400/- for Veg per day per head. Solar equipped Hot Water facility is added advantage in the complex. Most of the rooms are double bedded with one family room comprising of four bed will be operative by Jan 2013.