Property Number: 075WBE

Described as a 'Garden of Eden' by The Venerable Bikchu Sangharakshita during a stay at the home, the beauty of the acres of botanical gardens, orchid farm and park forest that surround the chalets is matched only by the spectacle Mount Kanchenjunga, which rises magnificently above them. Supported by a natural spring, over 1000 species of orchids, plants & trees flourish, an array of wildlife making their home amongst them.

A kilometre from Kalimpong town, the haven has been a retreat for the Pempahisheys since 1939. It is now run by the fourth generation of the family, who have decided to open up their idyll to nature loving tourists. Keen to help their guests make the most out of the wonderful environment around them, the hosts will organise trekking, group tours (flora & fauna), cultural entertainment, river rafting, cycling and transport to anywhere in the region (in and around Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Sikkim & Bhutan).

Accommodation Offered:

• Chalets surrounded by botanical gardens, orchid farm and forest park, 1km from Kalimpong town



• 1 Twin, with en-suite, reading room & kitchenette
• 1 Queen + Twin: Two bedrooms, with en-suite reading room, walk in closet
• 2 Double + Single, with en-suite, living room & walk in closet room



• Cottage: 2 double and 1 Twin bedrooms with furnished living & dining room. 2 rooms with en-suite, 1 room with both attached bathroom and washroom.



• Cable TV in 'The Orchid Room'
• Home cooked meals in 'The Orchid Room'
• Use of lounge
• House sleeps up to 24 people

Local Attractions etc

Within a short walk:

• Hat Bazar market
• Hospitals: Sub Divisional Hospital (Govt); Ardesh Nursing Home
• Many charitable agency
• A restaurant
• A craft shop
• Tashi Targay local gift shop
• Banks: State Bank of India; AXIS Bank; ICICI Bank; Central Bank; Union Bank of India
• An ATM
• An internet cafe
• Mount Kanchenjunga
• A church
• A temple
• Cacti Nursery

Within a short drive:

• Temples: Delo Hamunan Mandir, Durpin Monastery
• Airport. Distance: 80 Km
• Bus Terminal. Distance: 1 Km
• Darjeeling. Distance: 45km. Driving Time: 1hr 15

A Message from the hosts

The niche has been the retreat for the owners Karma T. Pempahishey and family since 1939; 'the Garden of Eden' for English Ven. Vichu. Sankarakchita (the first English Theravada Buddhist teacher in the west) in his memoirs 'Facing Mount Kanchenjunga', now opened to guests to expend and de-stress from the present day lifestyle; for the family to enjoy few precious moments for future recollections; for the aging to sit in the quiet arms of nature and recollect memories; for the newly weds to acquaint with nature for guidance; for tourists to enjoy and relax on the lawns after hectic travels and for the general an adventure with nature. Our home, consisting of five wooden chalets in 2 acres of natural and botanical extravaganza - water fed from our private natural spring inhabited by a flora population of over 1000 species of orchids, plants and trees, conveniently located on the highway, a kilometre ahead of Kalimpong town having own car park and garages. The chalets are situated inside the premises of an expansive orchid nursery - growers and worldwide exporters of Indo Burmese orchids, Himalayan flora and exotic commercial floriculture.