Introduction
Karmi Farm is a quaint little eco-resort situated amidst an agricultural area in the north-west Darjeeling town. Kolbong village, the nearest concentration of human habitation, is five kilometers from the farm. Karmi borders West Sikkim and Nepal and is opposite the Sandakphu trek. Placed at an altitude of 1,300m, Karmi is the perfect place to observe middle hills species which
inhabit the eastern Himalaya.
Mixed broadleaved forests with good growth of bamboo can be found in the slopes surrounding the area. The natural forest is interspersed with land under cardamom and maize cultivation. Being surrounded by the lofty heights of the Singalila Ridge, Karmi lies in a bowl created by the abrupt telescoping of terrain so characteristic of the general area. The farm itself is located on the top of a hill and looks steeply down over a valley through which
gurgles the Little Rangit on its merry way to the plains of India.
The geographical location and climatic conditions at Karmi are suitable for a wide variety of middle hills residents of the eastern Himalaya. Flycatchers, Laughingthrushes, Bulbuls, Minlas, Yuhinas, Barbets, Thrushes ~ they are all there and are observable at close quarters. Good birds include Black Eagle, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Little Pied Flycatcher, Necklaced Laughingthrush, Golden-throated Barbet, Fire-tailed Sunbird and many others. Serious birding
in the area is at an early stage, and as time progresses and more observations are recorded, Karmi is expected to have an impressive list of birds.
Bird Images
Fire-tailed Sunbird
How to reach
Karmi is best approached from Darjeeling, West Bengal and is a two hour drive via Phulbazar. I drove from Bagdogra Airport and the journey took about six hours via Ghoom - Bijonbari - Phulbazar. Karmi is also accessible from west Sikkim and there are trek routes from the Sandakphu trail.
Where to stay
Karmi Farm
PO Kolbong; Bijanbari
Dist. Darjeeling
West Bengal, India
Telephone: (0091) 354 2260 209
email: karmifarm(at)yahoo.co.uk
Best time to visit
November to April.
General Information:
Altitude: 1100 meters to 1500 meters
Best Season: November to March
Websites
Karmi Farm Home Page
gonomad.com: Travel information on Karmi farm
Help Tourism :
For travel to Karmi
Sumit Sen
Kolkata, India
