#rishyap

If the mundane routine of city life has drained you enough, nothing can be more therapeutic than travelling. Unlike the situation two decades back, now North Bengal is thriving with a plethora of touristdestinations to choose from, like ‘Rishyap’. Rishyap also known as Rishop was unheard before, it’s a small hamlet sitting pretty in the lap of the hills of Neora Valley. Situated at a height of 8500 ft it is a peaceful haven of abundant greenery and breathtaking mountain ranges- a perfect weekend getaway.

This small Lepcha village located in the hills of North Bengal will take you far from the madding crowd and invigorate your senses like anything. The ‘Ri’ from Rishyap refers to mountain peak and ‘shyap’ or ‘shop’ means ancient trees in Tibetan dialect. Rishyap is famous for offering a stunning 180˚ view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and a 360˚ view of other mountain ranges around such as Talung,Khang-Chen-D-Zongha, Kokthang,Pandim,Mt.Kharg, Siniolchu, Rathung,Simvo,Kabroo and Narsingh. Two other peaks which lie just after these are Panhundri and Khanchangyao and below them rests the glacier named "Khangse" which is known as the source of the river Teesta. Few famous mountain passes visible from Rishyap are Nathula, Jelepla, Batungla and Clola. The Clola forms the border between Sikkim and Tibet.

Rishyap is endowed with a wealth of flora and fauna like other hilly locations in north-eastern India. The dense dark forests are filled with tall growths of Pine, Birch, Orchids and Fir. Theair comes alive with chirpings of thousands of birds- forming a soul stirring music to the tired ears. Bird watching is a well-known activity here for naturalists and nature lovers with thousands of species thronging the forest such as the Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus, Rufous-winged Fulvetta Alcippe castaneceps andRed-billed Leiothrix lutea Flocks. The snow laden peak of Khang-Chen-D-Zongha is also a special gift of Rishyap.

The place ‘Teffindara’ (old name: Sherpa Dara) in this village provides the best panoramic view of Mt. Kangchenjunga as it turns from fiery red to molten gold and then pink, before dusk sets over the silent valley. At night, it turns magical when the sky appears to hang low with millions of stars shining bright and below the quaint lights of the surrounding towns and humble villages twinkle away.Stay at the hillside resorts or small cottages scattered around the valley and visit the places of interestlikethe Lava Jamgyong Kongtrul Monastery, Neora Valley Nature Interpretation Centre,and Kagyu Thekchen monastery, Changay Falls, Lolegaon and Pedong (Lepcha villages).

Adventure junkies can opt for trekking to reach this village through a picturesque path from Lava (3 km approx.). The path cuts through dense forests and lush tea gardens, a memorable journey. Trekking through the Neora Valley National park could also be a thrilling experience. Playing with the clouds or walking down the hills through the cold mist, stepping over scented wild flowers and shrubs is like living in a dream indeed. Rishyap can be reached through a bumpy motorable road- the distance from Lava is (11 km), from Kalimpong (27 km), from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (117 km) and from Bagdogra Airport (133 km).

Rishyap could be that much awaited weekend getaway into the green hills of Neora Valley, a place known to have the richest biological zones in the entire north-eastern India. The name ‘Rishyap’ stands for ancient trees. Once unheard but now a haven for trekkers, mountaineers and hikers, Rishyap is a small village located at a height of 8500 ft with breathtaking mountain ranges around standing majestically as if to guard the place. At present filmmakers, nature lovers, travel bloggers, writers and poets are flocking here in great numbers to admire the splendor of this place.

Rishyap is well-known for offering eager visitors a stunning 180˚ view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and an equally splendid 360˚ view of other famous mountain ranges such as the Talung, Khang-Chen-D-Zongha, Kokthang, Pandim, Mt.Kharg, Siniolchu, Rathung, Simvo, Kabroo and Narsingh. Two other prominent peaks behind them are Panhundri and Khanchangyao and below them rests the glacier named "Khangse" which is known as the source of the river Teesta. The famous mountain passes which are visible from this village are Nathula, Jelepla, Batungla and Clola. The Clola pass is actually the border between Sikkim and Tibet. Another location of massive attraction is "Tiffin Dara" (old name: Sherpa Dara) provides an amazingly beautiful panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. You can sit here in silence and watch the snow-capped mountain before you change into varying shades of colour as the Sun changes its positions across the sky. At night Rishyap is magical with the sky clear as crystal studded with millions of stars. You can even spot some well-known constellations from here and also admire the flickering lights of the nearby towns and villages twinkling away in the distant.

Rishyap has much to offer to its visitors as the forest here is a rich abode of a variety of trees and rare shrubs. You can spot here tall towering trees like Pine, fir, Oak, Birch, bamboo and Cypress when you trek through the deep and dark enchanting forest. The forest is alive with thousands of variety of rare birds and insect life that throng here in huge numbers, buzzing away beneath the bushes. Few areas being inaccessible due to precariously sharp edges and slops gives trekkers a great challenge to trek their way to Neora Valley national Park through lush green tea gardens and virgin forests. There are plenty of other places of interest around Rishyap such as the Lava Jamgyong Kongtrul Monastery, Neora Valley Nature Interpretation Centre, and Kagyu Thekchen monastery, Changay Falls, Lolegaon and Pedong (Lepcha villages).

Rishyap or Rishop is that ideal spot for a vacation in the summer months when you are dying to experience a quick short weekend getaway and escape from the boring routine of your life. It is considered to be a haven for trekkers, mountaineers and naturalists who love to spend their time walking down the misty hills and meander through the lush green tea gardens and forests that leave you enchanted with its beauty. Situated at a height of 8000 ft Rishyap is a small hamlet in the famous Neora Valley. The name Rishyap stands for an interesting meaning- "Ri" means mountain peak and "shyap" or ‘shop’ means ancient trees in Tibetan. Rishyap is one of those most visited hill spots in North Bengal today and is popular for offering visitors a grand 180˚ view of the snow-capped Mt. Kanchenjunga and a beautiful panoramic 360˚ view of other mountain ranges such as Rathung, Simvo, Kabroo, Narsingh, Talung, Khang-Chen-D-Zongha, Kokthang, Pandim, Mt.Kharg and Siniolchu.Behind these ranges lie two other peaks named Panhundri and Khanchangyao and below them rests the glacier named "Khangse" which is known to be the source of the river Teesta. The famous mountain passes like Nathula, Jelepla, Batungla and Clola are also visible from this quaint little village. The Clola pass forms the border between Sikkim and Tibet.

Few decades back and one can bet one never heard the name Rishyap, but now the place is teeming with tourists, filmmakers, travel bloggers, writers and other nature enthusiasts who just can’t seem to get enough. Blessed with a huge expanse of virgin forest with abundance of wildlife, it could be a photographer’s delight. Rishyap or Rishop is a small hamlet residing in the hills of Neora valley, a valley that is considered to be the richest biological zones in the entire northeastern India. Located at a height of 8000ft it is surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges. This small Lepcha village has all the characteristics of a perfect tourist destination. It's peaceful, beautiful and takes one far from the humdrum of city life, healing your soul in the process. Rishyap is famous for offering a stunning 180˚ view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and also a complete 360˚ view of other mountain ranges such as Rathung, Simvo, Kabroo, Narsingh, Talung, Khang-Chen-D-Zongha, Kokthang, Pandim, Mt.Kharg and Siniolchu. Mountain passes like Nathula, Jelepla, Batungla and Clola can also be viewed from here. "Khangse" the glacier which is known as the source of the famous river Teesta lies below the mountain peaks of Panhundri and Khanchangyao.