After leaving Kolakham, our car headed straight towards Bidyang Valley. Before moving ahead, we requested Vicky Bhai to take us to the famous Changey Waterfalls. He informed us that the waterfall was located completely in the opposite direction and required a long downhill drive. The detour would add almost 10 kilometers to the journey along with an extra charge of ₹1000. Even though we were a little hesitant at first, the thought of missing one of North Bengal’s highest waterfalls didn’t feel right. So finally, we agreed.
After almost half an hour of driving, we reached the entrance point of Changey Falls. From there, the real journey began — a steep downhill trek on foot. It was quite a difficult descent, so those with leg problems decided not to continue. But my mother’s enthusiasm was unmatched. At the age of 62, she happily joined us to witness the waterfall herself.
An entry ticket of ₹20 per person was collected before entering. Around 11:45 in the morning, we started walking down. The first section had proper stairs, but gradually the path turned into uneven stone-cut steps. One had to be very careful while walking. Thankfully, small resting spots along with snack and water stalls were available at intervals, making the journey a little easier.
As we descended further, the continuous roaring sound of falling water slowly became louder. A few moments later, tiny droplets of water began flying toward our faces like mist, and finally — there it was.
After nearly 30 minutes of trekking down almost a kilometer, the breathtaking Changey Waterfalls stood right before us. Located in the Lingseykha region of Kalimpong, the waterfall has an impressive height of around 300 meters and is situated at an altitude of nearly 2200 meters above sea level. The weather was already cold, and the icy spray from the waterfall made it feel even more magical.
From where we stood, we noticed several people climbing further down toward the base where the water crashed against the rocks. The view from there looked even more stunning, so a few of us excitedly started going down. But the moment we reached lower, we realized how powerful the wind actually was. Since we hadn’t expected such conditions, none of us had carried jackets or caps. The freezing mist and sharp wind made it almost impossible to stand there for long. It felt as though the cold air was piercing directly into our ears. We quickly understood that taking photos and videos for too long would not be possible. Some moments are simply meant to stay captured only in the heart and mind.
Eventually, we began the climb back upward. Mountains are a lot like life — going down always feels easy, but climbing back up takes real effort. We kept stopping in between to catch our breath, and slowly but steadily, we finally reached the top again.
Only after coming back did we notice that walking sticks were available for rent at just ₹10 near the entrance. Still, it felt satisfying to know that all of us managed the difficult route without any support.
One more thing truly impressed me here. Most tourist places nowadays are filled with plastic waste, but the forest around Changey Waterfalls was surprisingly clean and beautifully maintained. It was heartwarming to see nature being cared for with such responsibility. I genuinely hope this effort continues.
And that was our unforgettable experience of visiting Changey Waterfalls. 😊