A picturesque town in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, Mirik lies at an elevation of 4,905 feet above sea level and gets its name from the Lepcha words Mir-Yok which means ‘place burnt by fire’. Due to its cool climate, natural beauty and easy accessibility, Mirik is a popular tourist destination.
Its best known landmark is Sumendu lake that has a garden on one side and pine trees on the other with a footbridge called Indreni Pull (or Rainbow bridge) connecting the two sides. A 3.5 km road runs around the lake and is popular among morning walkers. Sumendu lake also offers boating facilities in quaint shikaras and some stunning views of the Kanchenjunga.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MIRIK
Majority of the hotels are located in the Krishnanagar area of Mirik. The DGHC (Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council) operates a motel atop the hill near the helipad and a tourist lodge near the lake. The hotels here range from budget to mid-range but you should try the only Rangbhang homestay that is the first of its kind in Mirik.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN MIRIK
There are several restaurants around the town serving a variety of cuisines — from Bengali to south Indian. The lake itself has several stalls that serve fast food items.
Photograph courtesy: Bishal Rai/Creative Commons
BEST TIME TO VISIT MIRIK
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Mirik is as given below. The best time to visit Mirik is also specified.