The Elgin Silver Oaks
Mountain views,
Colonial charm,
Central Kalimpong location
Couples,
Culture Seekers,
Solos
On a clear day, you can see the magnificent Kanchenjunga Mountains from the hotel.
But even when it’s cloudy, there are plenty of beautiful things to look at, both inside the Elgin Silver Oaks Hotel and from its windows, balconies, and gazebos. Period furniture, lithographs, fascinating bookshelves, and intricate furnishings complete the olde-worlde ambience, and it’s all surrounded by lovely landscaped gardens.
The hotel sits proudly in the Himalayas overlooking the valley and the River Teesta far below.
Kalimpong is around 3000 feet above sea level in the Darjeeling region of the Himalayas in western Bengal. There’s a bustling market, a gorgeous Catholic church, and some stunning hiking through villages, monasteries, and forests.
Kalimpong is a great way to see the beauty and diversity of the Darjeeling region without fighting past the throngs of tourists in Darjeeling itself. The Elgin Silver Oaks Hotel is right in the centre of the action just a short work from Haat Bazaar.
The Rooms
The 25 rooms are a decent size, elegantly decorated, and feature Burmese wooden floors, comfortable beds, and terrific views. You can expect all the usual amenities and a charming, classic ambience. The tea lounge and Oak Bar are wonderful places to relax.
What You’ll Find:
Why You'll Love It:
Explore ETG's Sample Itineraries in India
A few of our favourite routes, hand-picked by the team and ripe for tweaking.
Think of them as conversation starters. Curiosity sparkers. Not fixed plans, just ideas for what your holiday could look like, shaped by years of local know-how and the kind of immersive experiences that live long in the memory.
India
Highlights of East India
Little visited and often overlooked, East India is an incredible place: from the spellbinding contrasts of Kolkata to the sleepy waterways of the Sundarbans, the Buddhist culture of Sikkim and the mighty Himalayas.
This journey will enable you to explore Kolkata in depth, before heading south for a lovely tranquil experience in the Sundarbans National Park. While you’re unlikely to spot one of the park’s many tigers, there is a plethora of wildlife here, and it’s a lovely place to spend a few days.
Then it’s back up to Kolkata for an overnight train deep in the Himalayas. East India is an incredible region: the heart of Buddhist culture in India, a land of monasteries, sleepy hill towns, friendly people and breathtaking views.
Highlights
Kolkata
Explore Kolkata, the former capital of British India and a riot of colour, a hub of Bengali culture and an incredibly vibrant place.
Incredible culture
Discover timeless Buddhist monasteries and a highly distinct Sikkim culture.
Khangchendzonga Mountain
Being inspired by the view of the mighty Khangchendzonga Mountain, the third-highest in the world, soaring above the horizon
Gallery
India
East to West: Highlights of the Gangetic Plain
This holiday is for travellers with an adventurous spirit who like to get away from the tourist trail; people who have a desire to explore eclectic, busy and ever-evolving Indian cities, but who also want to contrast immersive city life with some unique, rural experiences.
Take time to delve into Kolkata and Varanasi with our signature experiences in each. You’ll journey by car, train and minimal internal flights so that you can experience the beautiful rural life and landscape of the Gangetic Plain as you move around. You’ll spend four days exploring northern Madhya Pradesh and three days in a remote valley of Uttar Pradesh; allowing completely different rural and wildlife experiences in each.
Highlights
Lunch with an art collector
Taking lunch with an art collector in his home in Kolkata
Sunrise at the River Ganges
Watching the sunrise from your private boat on the River Ganges
Chambal Valley
Experiencing life in remote hamlets of the Chambal Valley
Gallery
The Elgin Silver Oaks on the map
In Our Travellers’ Words
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Wonderful introduction to India
The most amazing honeymoon
The Curious Traveller’s Expert Guide to India
Want to know more? With its vast size, rich diversity, and countless possibilities, planning a holiday to India can feel overwhelming – so we’ve created our Curious Traveller’s Guide to India to help make sense of it all.
It’s our experts’ pick of standout experiences and places to stay, with honest advice on the best regions and tips for both first-time visitors and those returning for more.
