Lava in West Bengal is a quaint little town tucked away in the eastern Himalayas. A small hamlet situated 34 kilometres (21 mi) east of the town of Kalimpong via Algarah in Darjeeling district. It is situated at an altitude of 7,016 feet (2,138 m) which makes it quite chilly even during summers.
Lava is one of the few places in West Bengal where winters are snowy. Lava is the base and the gateway for the famous Neora Valley National Park and surrounded by the dense forest of coniferous trees. The route to Lava is scenic with the change in vegetation from tropical deciduous to the wet alpine trees of fir, pine and birch. The verdant forests are a popular spot for picnicking, trekking and bird-watching.
Lava in West Bengal is full of scenic attractions. The Neora Valley Valley National Park is quite near to it which is replete with various flora and fauna. There are many beautiful monasteries and temples. You can even explore most of the nearby tourist attractions and sightseeing places.
When it comes about tourist attractions in Lava, it does not lack any of them. Considered to be an ideal holiday destination, let's have a look at what this tranquil hamlet has to offer.
Lava in West Bengal is known as the paradise for the bird's watcher since it's located near the forested area. The best spot around Lava for birding walk is in the Rachet Reserve Forest, Rangbang Valley, Upper Rishi Valley, and Neora Valley, providing good birding treks.
Hill Partridge, Kalij Pheasant, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Great Barbet, Golden Throated Barbet, Drongo Cuckoo, Tawny Owl, Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Black Eagle, Common Kestrel, Common Green Magpie, Grey Treepie are some important species found in the region. Apart from the bird watching lava is also famous among the tourist for the pictorial view Jelep-la and Rechi-La passes.
There is Nature interpretation centre in Lava where you can learn about the flora and fauna of Neora Valley National Park and get a briefing about the type of plants and animal found in there.
In cities, all we hear is honking and beeping of the vehicle but you can soothe your senses by listening to the alluring sound of Changey Waterfall, it is about 12kms from Lava. Seeing the wonderful waterfall gushing down from high above and disappearing into the lush foliage below can be quite mesmerizing and soothing. And if you are an adventure seeker you can even camp during your visit to Lava bringing you more close to nature or trek your way to Samthar plateau from Gompa Dara which is close to Lava.
If you want to calm your mind you can go to Lava Monastery. Close to the local market (bazaar) is Lava Jamgyong Kongtrul Monastery with a serene and peaceful ambience which calms your mind.
Lava is quite near to Kalimpong. You can reach this tiny town from any nearby cities through Kalimpong. The available transportation options are as mentioned below.
By Road: Reaching Lava by road is one of the most preferable options. You can hire a taxi from many major nearby cities like Siliguri, Darjeeling, Bagdogra, etc. From Siliguri, the distance to Lava is more than 101 km. whereas; Darjeeling to Lava distance is 80 km.
By Train: NJP, the nearest railway station at a distance of 104 km, has links with every major city. Car or Taxi is available to hire from outside the railway station and it will demand not more than 3 hours to reach. The distance between NJP to Lava West Bengal is about 100 km.
By Air: The distance between Bagdogra to Lava is 118 km and it is the only airport near it. Direct flights are available from all the major cities of India. From Bagdogra, the journey time to the town is about 4 hours.
Lava, even though, a tranquil destination in the Kalimpong District of West Bengal, offers luxury or standard hotels to its visitors. All kind of facilities is available in these hotels or resorts. You can even opt for AC or Non-Ac accommodation options.
Lava in West Bengal is gaining more popularity due to its pleasant weather. The temperature of this scenic town does not reach too high and also not too low. So, this town can be visited at any season of the year.
However, if you want to enjoy a peaceful summer, March to June is the best time to visit. As the temperature does not go down to zero degrees Celsius, winter here can also be enjoyed.
Lava is a quaint village where can one truly be close to nature and feel the vibes of the forest surrounding the village. You can find peace of mind in this small village and get to see and experience the life of simplicity.
So, why not make a holiday plan to Lava soon with North Bengal Tourism. Choose one of our tailor-made Lava Tour Packages and call us or fill up the enquiry form to customize it as per your likings.
Darjeeling
The Batasia Loop
Darjeeling Ropeway
Darjeeling Toy Train
Dhirdham Temple
Ghoom Monastery
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
Lloyd's Botanical Garden
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
The Rock Garden
Tiger Hill
Kalimpong
Kurseong
Mirik
Lava
Lolegaon
Kolakham
Changey Falls
Neora Valley National Park
Sonada
Charkol
Manebhanjan
Sandakphu
Rohini
Sukna
Rongtong
Ramdhura
Icchegaon
Sillerygaon
Pedong
Rishikhola
Siliguri
Chota Mangwa
Bara Mangwa
Lamahatta
Latpanchar
Tinchuley
Lepchajagat
Rishyap