Lamahatta

Lamahatta is a calm, quiet and romantic tiny mountain village in the lap of nature settled at a sub division of Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Set at an altitude of 5700 feet, the village of Lamahatta is surrounded by Pine and Dhupi forest amidst picturesque terraced farmland all around. Lamahatta as an offbeat tourist spot gain its title in the late 2012. Earlier in the same year the Chief Minister of West Bengal while passing by the village of Lamahatta stopped for a while and took some photos of this tiny village. Later with the efforts of state tourism department along with the forest protection team and the local villagers joined hands and transformed this tiny village of Lamahatta into a beautiful tourist spot. Lamahatta has a large community of tribes like Sherpa, Tamang, Yalmo, Bhutia, Dukpa and the likes. Before the introduction of tourism in Lamahatta, these local villagers were into farming and cattle rearing as their main source of livelihood, but later with the advent of tourism in Lamahatta many villagers started to actively participate in accommodating tourists in the extended part of their properties as homestay basis while some built separate accommodation options as an alternate source of livelihood. Since then Lamahatta with its vast stretch of Pine, Dhupi and Large Cardamom trees along with the looming Mt. Kanchenjunga in the forefront has been wooing the heart of visitors. The word Lamahatta is derived from two different word Lama – meaning Buddhist Monk and Hatta for but – a monk’s Hermitage. Although the village of Lamahatta is very calm all over, but very often this calmness gets broke away by the symphony of numerous birds those inhabit this village. There is a beautiful park at Lamahatta, named as ‘Lamahatta Park’ which is beautifully decorated with wide species of flowers and abundant in coniferous and Pine trees along with rows of the fluttering Buddhists prayer flags on one side of Lamahatta Park is a very soothing and pleasing sight. The village of Lamahatta is a perfect gateway for tourists looking for complete isolation from the madding city crowd.

Activities and attractions in and around Lamahatta:
Being a tiny offbeat village, Lamahatta offers tourists with handful of activities to try and nearby attractions to visit.

Lamahatta Eco Park: Lamahatta Eco Park is the most significant tourist attraction in Lamahatta with beautiful landscape of manicured garden with abundant in Pine trees. There is a watchtower in this eco-park that offers stunning view of the surrounding landscape. At the top of Lamahatta Eco-park there is a sacred lake (Pokhri in local dialect) known as Lamahatta Lake. Lamahatta Lake is a man-made lake specially used to reserve rain water for harvesting purpose. Tourists need to trek 01 km steep uphill to reach this sacred lake of Lamahatta. Tourists need to obtain the ticket to enter Lamahatta Eco- Park.

Triveni: Triveni (also known as Lover’s Meet View Point) is the confluence of two eminent rivers namely Teesta and Rangeet located at a distance of 10 km away from Lamahatta. Triveni offers excellent view of the confluence of these rivers. From Lamahatta tourists in a day excursion one can also opt for a day camping on the river bank.

Teesta Bazaar: The nearest local market to Lamahatta is Teesta Bazaar located at a distance of 13.2 km away from Lamahatta. At Teesta Bazaar tourists can opt to buy some of the local hand made products of Darjeeling region from the local sellers.

Sightseeing excursions to nearby spots: From Lamahatta in a sightseeing excursion tourists can visit to explore some of the nearby offbeat places like Tinchuley (6.8 km), Takdah (10.7 km), Bara Mangwa (10 km), Chotamangwa (20 km). Apart from these tourists can also explore other popular tourist destinations from Lamahatta like Darjeeling (23 km), Mungpoo (34 km), Kalimpong (41 km) and Jorebungalow (15 km).

Trekking: Lamahatta is also known as a short trekking destination as several trekking routes emerged from Lamahatta. Two most eminent trekking routes from Lamahatta is Gari Danda an old fort on the hill top located around 03 km away from Lamahatta and the other is the sacred lake at Lamahatta top. Apart from these two, others trek routes emerged from Lamahatta are jungle trekking or trek to Takdah Orchid Centre.

Tea Garden Visit: From Lamahatta tourists can explore some of the notable tea estates located nearby to Lamahatta to name but a few are Rungli Rungliot Tea Estate (12.4 km), Peshoke Tea Estate (05 km), Glen Burn Tea Estate (3.6 km) which are worth visiting.

Monastery Visit: Nearby Lamahatta one can visit Phunchock Rabten Gayphelling Monastery nestled deep in the wilderness of Lamahatta between Lamahatta and Lopchu road. From Lamahatta a trekking route reaches at the monastery which is quiet adventurous. This is an old yet well maintained monastery.

Village trails: In a leisure day tourists can opt for a village around Lamahatta, meet the local people and get deep insights of their daily activities. Tourists can also opt to lay hands with the local villagers in organic farming activities which are a quiet enjoying activity.

Bird photography: Lamahatta is an excellent spot for bird photographers and watchers. The nearby wilderness of Lamahatta are home to numerous species of birds like Yellow Billed Blue Magpie, Black Bird, Himalayan Bulbul, Rufus Sibia and others which are often spotted at in and around Lamahatta.

Landscape photography: For landscape photographers Lamahatta is also an excellent location with the surrounding scenic landscape with tall Pine and Dhupi trees in abundant along with the mighty snow-capped Himalayan ranges at the backdrop. Apart from that Lamahatta also offers stunning night view of countless stars in the galaxy along with the glittering lights of the distant town.

River rafting and camping: From Lamahatta in a day excursion tourists can indulge in adventurous activity of river rafting in Teesta. Or one can also plan for river side camping in tents during the day time which is worth enjoying.

Night Camping and star gazing: In the evening tourists can indulge in camp fire activity and Bar-B-Cue within the homestay premises at Lamahatta. Or one can lie back in the open and stare at the open sky with countless stars (which is a very rare sight in city areas).

Taste authentic local cuisines: At Lamahatta tourists can opt to taste the authentic local delicacies which are quite tasty and healthy. These local cuisines are prepared from organic produce grown in the farmlands at the backyard of the local houses of Lamahatta.

How to reach:

By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Lamahatta located at a distance of 76 km away via NH 10 and Peshoke Road. Bagdogra Airport is well connected with Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore and Delhi by regular flight services. From Bagdogra Airport tourists will get hired vehicle services to reach Lamahatta.

By Train: New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) is the nearest rail head to Lamahatta located at a distance of 72 km away via NH 10 and Peshoke Road. NJP railway station is well connected by regular train services with major cities of India. From NJP railway station tourists will get hired vehicles to reach Lamahatta.

By Road: Lamahatta is well connected by good motor-able route with Siliguri (72 km) and Bagdogra Airport (76 km) away. Apart from that Lamahatta can also be reached from Darjeeling (23 km) via Jorebungalow. For tourists coming from Siliguri/ Bagdogra need to avail the route of Sevoke via Peshok Road from Teesta Bazaar. From Siliguri it takes about 03 hours to reach Lamahatta by road. Tourists coming to Lamahatta from Kalimpong located around 41 km away need to avail the route of Rishi Road and after that via Teesta Bazaar and Peshok Road one can reach Lamahatta.

Best time to visit Lamahatta:
Though Lamahatta can be visited throughout the year, but it is advisable to avoid the monsoon season due to messy road condition. Winters at Lamahatta are best time to witness the clear view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges spread over the eastern sky along with maximum bird activity. Summers at Lamahatta are best to escape the scorching heat of the plains and the climate also remains very pleasant.

LAMAHATTA LODGE

Lamahatta Lodge is one of the prime accommodations available at this place. Located at a very prime spot, Lamahatta Lodge offers a magnificent view of the village and the surrounding places. Lamahatta word derived from people wearing Bukhus similar to Buddhist Monks as lamas. So place name known as Lamahatta from the British Time. The majestic river Teesta famous for river rafting is just 15 Kms with Sikkim on the background. Scenic Tea garden is at walking distance plus jungle trek for the adventure loving folks. Lamahatta Lodge is very well maintained for the tourists. All rooms of Lamahatta Lodge are all wooden furnished with attach bathrooms (all western type). Geyser for hot water, restaurant. The welcoming nature and the hospitality of Lamahatta Lodge will surely cherish throughout.

Room Tariffs:
Double Bed rooms: Rs.1500/-
Triple Bed rooms: Rs.1800/-
Four Bed rooms: Rs.2000/-
Service charge @ 10% on the room tariff

HOW TO BOOK: Call us at 9831311606 , 9830381306 to get the current availability status or use the query form furnished below with all you travel queries and submit, we will call/ contact you directly.
Or, you may also directly book from our Kolkata office at: 8C Shanti Ghosh Street, Kolkata – 700003. Nearest Landmark: Manindra Chandra College and Shyambazar Metro Railway Station (Gate No: 3)