Kusuman Homestay

The food at Kusuman Homestay was a highlight. Bhabhi cooked wonderfully, using fresh organic vegetables from their garden, and the desi chicken was full of flavor. The sabjis, vermicelli, and gajar ka halwa were all delicious. I'd give the food 11 out of 10! The garden is tiny but well designed, with a sitting area, a DIY fish pond, and three sitting spots for evening addas or jamming. Plants and succulents fill the decorated dining space, all cared for by dada, who also runs a nursery with a huge collection. I liked how they reused plastic bottles and containers, shaping them into animals and other artistic designs. Dada is adding more floors, and I think the new rooms may have even better views. There's WiFi, plus bonfire and barbecue facilities, though we didn't try those. We'd planned this Kalimpong trip for work near the Army Public School and Kendriya Vidyalaya, with only three to four days to arrange it. After finding Vande Bharat tickets from Howrah, I chose Kusuman Homestay based on Google Maps reviews and booked three nights by calling the owner, Narayan Chhetri bhaiyya. Our Vande Bharat Express left Howrah at 5:55 AM on time and reached NJP 10-15 minutes early. We found a Tata Magic to Siliguri Pani Tanki, then a direct bus to Kalimpong. Luckily, we got two seats. The journey took nearly three hours, including traffic at Sevok Road. Dada was waiting for us at the Kalimpong bus stand with his car, and it took about 20 minutes to reach the homestay. Our room was basic, nothing fancy, but comfortable, clean, and well maintained, with all the essentials and a TV we never used. The bathroom was spotless, with a geyser and good water flow. It stayed cloudy, so we missed the Kanchenjunga view that dada said is usually visible on clearer days. The one thing I'd improve is the lighting in the room. A 20-watt LED baton would make a big difference, and I hope dada looks into it. We'd stayed at homestays around North Bengal, from Peshok to Rangaroon, over the past few years, and Kusuman's homemade food was just as impressive. If you're staying on the outskirts of Kalimpong, I highly recommend it. It's a 15-20 minute walk from Morgan House and the Golf Course. Sightseeing options are available too, though we didn't take them this time. A peaceful, eco-friendly place with lovely homemade food.