Lamahatta Eco Park And More: Guide To Lamahatta Tourist Attractions You Must See

If you want to get away from the heat and humidity of Kolkata, the first thing that springs to mind is to plan a brief excursion to the idyllic and magnificent villages of Lamahatta, Chatakpur, Tinchuley, and Takdah in Darjeeling, West Bengal. All of these locations offer spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga range, picture-perfect Instagram-worthy frames, and Pinterest mood boards that say you’re a certified mountain person!

The name Lamahatta, which combines the words "Lama," which translates to Buddhist monk, and "Hatta," which refers to hermitage, conjures stories of monks who had previously discovered comfort in its lush arms. While you're in Lamahatta, read this unambiguous guide to what to see, do, where to stay, and what to eat, so you can have a peaceful trip and a box full of polaroid-worthy memories! 

Lamahatta is a wonderful spot close to Kalimpong and Darjeeling! It's on its way to Teesta Bazaar. Monks and the local population used to reside there. With its large trees, towering mountains, and vibrant flags flapping in the breeze, it is now a popular destination for tourists. The air feels clean and mystical at Lamahatta, which is 5,000 feet above sea level. It's the ideal location for an excellent mountain experience! Read on to know more. 

The most visited location in Lamahatta and one of the most charming places for tourists close to Takdah is the Lamahatta Eco Tourism Park! As far as I can tell, it's not quite the busy tourist destination one might anticipate, but it is unquestionably a haven for people looking for peacefulness enveloped by nature. A meandering walkway greets visitors as they enter, seemingly inviting a leisurely walk. Wooden benches that are positioned throughout the road like contemplative stops provide peaceful times for introspection or just taking in some fresh air.

A set of stairs leads up the hill between the pine and Dhupi trees, in addition to the vibrant flags. These stairs lead to the summit, where two little lakes known as the "Jore Phokhari," or twin ponds, are located.This foot track, which is roughly a kilometre long, leads up the mountain to the lakes. These lakes are considered sacred by the locals. Further to this trail, you can walk five kilometres into the forest to get to Takdah.

Perch in tiny wooden and bamboo gazebos and admire the scenery or simply relax in the mist. Last but not least is the 'Roadside Garden,' a small greenbelt where seasonal flowers quietly bloom. Orchids in shades of white and yellow emerge as sheepish entertainers, bobbing delicately as though they are waiting for their own praises.

The watchtower's strategic location allows guests to take in sweeping views of the Teesta River, the Rangeet, the Sikkim Hills, and Mount Kanchenjunga.

Feluda would have been pleased with the towering Lamahatta pines and their aroma wafting through the fog. A path for the nomads, a backdrop for the photographers, and a melody for those who seek. This forest doesn't care whether you walk, sit, click, or simply breathe. Venture far into the shadowy pine forest. You will come across a realm of partial sunlight as you walk. The trees do a good job of camouflaging the surroundings while also offering effective cover.

Peace for all eternity? Check. Call me biassed, but they're definitely my favourites. You sit on a rock and do nothing at all; you just exist. Birds sing, the calm hums, and for once, nature does not want your opinion.

Lamahatta is well-known for its stunning tea gardens. It gives guests the opportunity to observe organic tea estates. It is well-known for producing superior Darjeeling tea. You can also learn about the entire tea-making process at Kumai Tea Estate, where the best and most flavourful tea is grown. The Makaibari Tea Estate is well-known for its delicious tea produced with rare flowers. 

The Runglee Rungliot Tea Estate is environmentally conscious and offers incredibly delicious tea with a sweet muscatel flavour. And lastly, the Singtom Tea Estate is so old and full of exquisite tea that it smells like enchantment in the air. 

Under the Jogighat bridge is the River Riyang. The remnant of an ancient wooden "jhulapul" is also a great choice for photographers. The aesthetic appeal of the iron bridge itself is enhanced by the surrounding natural splendour. You can bathe in the river, and there are plenty of photo opportunities inside the rocky river. Watch out for strong currents. 

For nature enthusiasts, the villages of North Bengal offer a veritable treasure hunt. Tinchuley, Takdah, and Mungpoo offer a distinctive blend of diverse terrain. Locals have created some stunning homestays in those villages. Explore the magnificent panorama of Mount Kanchenjunga, learn about the local cuisine and culture, and participate in mountain living.

Takdah, which is roughly 28 kilometres from Darjeeling, is a stunning location. Because the area is not yet commercialised, it has extraordinary scenic beauty. Takdah also translates to "the land of mist," and frequently the mist descends, resulting in a rogged and romantic ambiance.

Tinchuley, a tiny mountain settlement; more accurately, a hamlet in the Darjeeling district, is only 3 kilometres above Takdah and 5,800 feet above sea level. You can go rock climbing in Gumbadara Viewpoint, explore more tea gardens, Chotamangwa, Tinchuley Sunrise Point, and the Tinchuley Monastery.

The trip to Mungpoo is akin to a magical experience. Everywhere you look are tea gardens that tumble down the slopes, with vibrant orchids that resemble mystical flowers. As you descend, tiny flower nurseries appear and clear streams shine. Perched at 4,000 feet, Mungpoo overlooks the stunning blue Teesta River. Here, you can also visit the waterfall in Kalijhora. At the northern boundary of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, its waters meet with the Teesta at an elevation of 550 feet.

Fun Fact: In addition to being well-known throughout northeastern India for its cinchona crops, Mungpoo established its first quinine mill in 1864. While residing at a cottage that his protégé Maitreyi Devi had given him, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore frequently travelled to Mungpoo in search of creativity and quiet. Upon his passing, the bungalow was transformed into Rabindra Bhavan, a museum that now displays his artwork, possessions, and outputs of creativity.

With all the hike trails, nature walks, and long drives, you're going to get hungry. You need a good plate of something comforting and foodgasmic at the same time, right? Lamahatta has you covered with an assortment of Bengali, Nepali, and Tibetan flavours.

Darjeeling tea is incredibly popular in Bengal and beyond; it calms the soul in ways you can't imagine. Tea tasting should also be on your itinerary while visiting the tea plantations and estates in Lamahatta! As you sip your cup of Darjeeling tea, get to know how the precise process of withering, oxidation, and drying gives Darjeeling tea its deep brown amber colour and unique earthy scents. And don't forget to buy yourself a few packets! 

A typical soup-like Tibetan dish, thukpa will make you rethink your life! Noodles, cooked veggies, and meat are included. The meat may be pork or chicken, but vegetarian versions are also available in India. It tastes extremely mild, is served hot, and is meant to be eaten with spoons or chopsticks.

The Indian states of Sikkim, Kalimpong, and Arunachal Pradesh also eat this meal. It is also well-liked in the state of Himachal Pradesh and the Ladakh region. People prefer to drink thukpa throughout the winter months because it keeps the body warm.

Momos are steamed-filled dumplings from East and South Asia. Momo is indigenous to Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Darjeeling, and the Indian Himalayan Region of Ladakh. It enjoys widespread popularity throughout the Indian subcontinent.

From fried momos to jhol momos, the combination of these dumplings with your favourite veggies and meat filling, on a cosy winter day seals the deal for an ideal local experience! All-purpose flour is used to form the dough, giving the momos a more opaque appearance. Typically, the fillings consist of a base of onions, garlic, and ginger. Therefore, whenever you pass an eatery while driving down or walking by, make sure to pick up a plate!

It is believed that churpee is the world's toughest cheese. The smoky-flavoured, hard, protein-rich churpee cheese, which has been traditionally made by pastoralists in the Eastern Himalayan highlands, gets chewier the longer you chew on it. Churpee and paneer have a similar flavour, but the harder it gets, the less flavour it has.

It is a popular snack in parts of eastern India, as well as in Nepal and Bhutan, and is produced from the milk of Chauri, a hybrid between a male yak and a female cow. According to some, hard churpee takes anything from a few minutes to many hours to soften. Once it does, it melts gradually and takes on the flavour of a dense, milky substance.

If you're a cheese lover who makes ordinary folks wrinkle their noses in the same way when they smell blue cheese, you're in Lamhatta for the very best cheese. However, don't shatter your teeth while munching on churpees!

A traditional Nepalese flatbread, sel roti is prepared for festivals and other special events. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it's a delicacy that resembles deep-fried doughnuts. After tasting sel roti, you'll not want to order your usual doughnuts or waffles. It can also be eaten as a snack with tea or coffee or as part of breakfast.

In essence, gundruk is a fermented, partially or completely dried food that is mostly used to make pickles and soups. A range of green leafy items, such as bok choy, cauliflower, and collard leaves, can be used to make it. The vegetables are hammered in a bottle after initially being sun-dried. After some time, you can eat it as a pickle or curry. It can be eaten with rice or a different meal.

It's time to unwind and rest after devouring the scrumptious local cuisine, taking part in cultural events, socialising, hiking, driving, and creating memories. You can reserve a room at these hotels or lodgings, each of which has an amazing view. 

Among the best properties in Lamahatta is this one. Everest Hut is ideal for nature lovers and birdwatchers because it offers several excellent views of a wide variety of birds from the balcony. On a clear day, you can also get the best view of Kanchenjunga from one end of the balcony. There are hot water amenities in the restrooms. This homestay is excellent in terms of location as well. It is located directly across from the Lamahatta Nature Park. 

Timing: Open 24 hours

Contact: 070015 63077

Price: INR 1,000- INR 2,500

Google Rating: 4.1/5

What more could you want for the ideal retreat than tea gardens with the powerful Kanchenjunga keeping watch? You will feel lighter and more liberated after spending a weekend here, which also helps to clear the mind and rejuvenate the soul. Your attention is drawn to the Instagram-worthy frames and the Pinterest mood boards that look similar to the pins you saved from the app under "Mountains" and "Nature Lovers."

Timing: Check-in time is 7 AM. Check-out time is 12 PM

Contact: 080166 76868

Price: INR 1,400 per night

Google Rating: 3.5/5

Situated directly across from Lamahatta Eco Park, Mountain View Homestay is among the best homestay choices in Lamahatta. Tourists can stay at Mountain View Homestay in pleasant and cosy rooms with a clear view of the beautiful snow-capped Himalayan ranges of mount Kanchenjunga. Tourists are offered sanitary, home-cooked meals at Mountain View Homestay.

Timing: Open 24 hours

Contact: 9831311606 , 9830381306

Price: INR 1,500 per day

Google Rating: 4.2/5

The Oak Retreat has three rooms and a café, which is called Lamahatta Café. We can attest that it would be your ideal lodging option in Lamahatta and undoubtedly your second home, offering friendly service and mouthwatering cuisine that includes Indian, Italian, European, Oriental, and Nepali dishes. Every room offers a glimpse of the stunning pine forests and the Kanchenjunga range.

Timing: Check-in is at 1 PM. Check-out is at 11 AM

Contact: 7400885985

Price: INR 5,206 - INR 10,925

Google Rating: 4.7/5

March to May: Lamahatta's colour palette is bright in the spring. The slopes adorned with rhododendrons shine in different hues. Clear skies provide unhindered views of the magnificent Kanchenjunga peak, and the weather is mild, with typical highs of 15°C to 25°C. The spring season is ideal for taking nature walks, seeing birds, and touring the nearby towns, allowing you to enjoy the peace and quiet of Lamahatta.

June to August: Seeking a respite from the humid weather? Planning your trip to Lamahatta during the monsoon months is pure magic. The terrain is covered in lush vegetation, and waterfalls tumble down the slopes. Although there may be sporadic rains, they typically happen in short spurts, leaving the air feeling cold. The typical temperature is between 20°C and 28°C. 

From Kolkata, take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and then rent a taxi for the three-hour trip. Another option is to drive 2.5 hours to Lamahatta from Bagdogra Airport. If you're driving, the trip takes roughly 14 to 16 hours.

Lamahatta is 70 kilometres from Siliguri, and it takes roughly two hours to drive there. It is 23 kilometres from Darjeeling and takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour to drive there. The distance to Lamahatta from Kalimpong is 25 kilometres, or roughly an hour's drive.