Lava is a small hill town located 32 km from Kalimpong. Situated at a height of 7200 ft, Lava is surrounded by dense oak, pine, fir forests. The place is full of hills and mountains. From here one can get a breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Koktang and other peaks. For those who love the serenity of nature, Lava would be an unforgettable experience. Sherpa View Point is the most prominent attraction of Lava. From here you can get a beautiful view of the majestic Kanchenjunga peak. Another famous attraction is the Neora Valley National Park. This park is just 9 km from Lava. Situated at the foothills of Neora hill, this park has everything from majestic hills to dense forests, tigers, bears, leopards, red panda, deers and innumerous species of birds. You can also watch sunrise from Tiffindara view point.
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| Lava |
Things to do
If you are looking to satiate your adventurous mind, then trekking through the mighty mountains and dense coniferous forests should be on top of your list. The forested areas around Lava is also a paradise for bird lovers. Avid birdwatchers and photographers can easily spend hours spotting different species of birds like Blue Robins, Fulvetta, Finch, Wren Babblers in the surrounding forests.
Sightseeing
Lava Monastery
Built in 1987, this small yet vibrant monastery is just few kilometres away from Jhandi. Officially known as Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, this Buddhist religious centre is an ideal place for those who wish to spend a bit of time away from the usual tourist rush. The tranquil and serene ambiance of the monastery provides a perfect setting for the spiritual travellers who wish to reflect over things in a calm and peaceful environment. The monastery houses a 1000-armed Avalokiteshwara statue along with various Buddhist scriptures and figurines.
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| Lava Monastery |
Nature Interpretation Centre
The Nature Interpretation Centre of the Neora Valley National Park, located in Lava will help you know about the landscape, flora and fauna of the park. At a distance of 1 km from the Lava Jeep Stand, Nature Interpretation Centre is a museum situated on Rishi Road. Maintained by the forest department, the Nature Interpretation Center is a beautiful place for nature lovers where you can get comprehensive information about the rich flora and fauna of Neora Valley and Lava region. The museum exhibits life-like dioramas that are displayed in the form of models, photographs, stuffed birds and animals. It also has a good display of orchids and other flowers. The centre remains open on all days of week except Thursdays. Timings are 8 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm.
Tiffin Dara
Tiffin Dara Viewpoint is around 10 km from Samabeong Tea Estate. You can watch sunrise and sunset from Tiffin Dara which is much more beautiful than that seen from Tiger Hill in Darjeeling. The place is one of the best spots to view the beautiful sunrise with the rays of sun kissing the magnificent snowy peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga. On a clear day, the vantage point offers 360-degree panoramic views of Kanchenjunga range, the blue mountains of Sikkim and the Nathu La and Jelep La pass. To reach Tiffin Dara, you can reach the nearby town of Lava by car. A 4 km trek on a meandering route along the mountainside, across a waterfall, through the forests and the sleepy hamlet of Rishyap will take you to Tiffin Dara. If walking from Lava to Tiffin Dara is too much for you, then you can reach Rishyap by car and walk the last 40 minutes upward trail. The 40 minutes trek from Rishyap through a narrow forest trail flanked by dense woods on both sides is a one-of-a-kind experience for adventure lovers.
Changey Waterfalls
The scintillating Changey waterfalls with its lavish green surroundings is one of the best relaxation spots near Jhandi. From the point where the car drops you, a 900 m walking trail through the green wilderness takes you to the front of the mesmerizing waterfalls. The awe-inspiring sight of the white, foamy water tumbling down from a height of 400 ft will leave you transfixed. The waterfall looks absolutely stunning amidst the mighty mountains and emerald thickets. The continuous singing of Himalayan birds like White Capped Water Redstart, Verditer Flycatcher, Blue Fronted Redstart, Grey Treepie, Indian Robin and Blue Whistling Thrush in the background will make you feel as if you are on heaven.
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| Changey Falls |
Neora Valley National Park
One of the richest biological zones in the entire eastern Himalayas, Neora Valley National Park is the land of the cute Red Pandas and the mighty Himalayan Black Bear. The pristine, undisturbed natural habitat with rugged inaccessible hilly terrain and rich diverse flora and fauna together make the park an important wilderness zone. The full bloom of colourful rhododendrons during spring and summer turn the jungle into a magnificent fiesta. The wild orchids form a canopy in the forest. The Neora Valley National Park is also home to the barking deer, goral deer, leopard, leopard cat, Himalayan thar, flying squirrel, wild cats and even the Royal Bengal Tiger. The entrance to the park is at Kolakham, a village which is about 10kms from Lava. Due to bad road condition, it takes around 1 hour to reach the entrance of Neora Valley National Park from Lava. You need to obtain a permit to enter the park from the forest range office at Lava. To experience Neora Valley at its best, you should definitely hire a guide and trek through the various jungle trails in the forest.
How to Reach
Trains are running from Sealdah, Howrah and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. The journey from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri takes around 10 hours. Auto rickshaws are plying from New Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. Buses, cars and shared jeeps are available from Siliguri to reach Lava.
Accommodation
WBFDC Nature Resort. Tariff: Rs. 1100-1500. Tel: 8972000278.
Yankee Resort. Tariff: Rs. 1000-2800. Tel: 9932869205.
Cerulean Hotels. Tariff: Rs. 1000-1850. Tel: 7044218708.
Hotel Lava Viewpoint. Tariff: Rs. 1500-1850. Tel: 9163624818.
Hotel Paradise. Tariff: Rs. 900-1500. Tel: 9932889565.
Hotel Dreamland. Tariff: Rs. 800-1000. Tel: 9163596075.
Hotel Orchid. Tariff: Rs. 1500-1800. Tel: 9830252843.
