Deolo Hill and Dr Graham's Homes
Deolo Hill stands at the northern end of the Kalimpong ridge. At the top is a landscaped park, a small temple and a viewpoint that looks over the Relli valley, the Teesta and, on clear mornings, the snow peaks of Sikkim. Paragliding operators often fly from the slopes here in the dry months.
On the way down you pass Dr Graham's Homes, opened in 1900 by John Anderson Graham, a Church of Scotland missionary, as a home and school for Anglo-Indian children. It grew into a village of cottages named after donors, with a farm, a hospital and the Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel of 1925.
The Homes is still a working school, so visits are limited to the grounds and chapel when allowed. Ask at the gate, keep to the paths and avoid school hours if possible.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Can tourists visit Dr Graham's Homes?
Visitors are often allowed into parts of the grounds and the chapel, but it is a working school, so access depends on the day and on school activities. Ask politely at the gate, avoid exam periods and school hours, and do not photograph children. Weekends and holidays are usually easier for a short look.
How high is Deolo Hill?
Deolo is about 1,704 m, the highest point in Kalimpong and roughly 450 m above the town centre. The hill holds the town's water reservoirs, a park and the Science Centre. From the top you can see the Teesta valley, Kalimpong town and, on clear days, the snow peaks of West Sikkim.
Is paragliding available at Deolo?
Tandem paragliding has operated from Deolo for years in the dry season, usually from October to May, with short flights of about 10–20 minutes. Prices are roughly ₹3,000–5,000 a person, indicative. Use a licensed operator, check safety gear and weigh the weather. Check current status before you travel.
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