LEPCHAKHA
Lepchakha is small village mainly inhabited by Dukpa tribes. Lepchakha is settled atop Buxa Tiger Reserve on a hill top. Lepchakha is located within Buxa sub division of Alipurduar district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Nestled at an altitude of 3500 feet, Lepchakha is a lesser known tourist destination of the Dooars region, recently gaining popularity in the tourist map of Dooars region. Lepchakha being situated near to Indo – Bhutan border and the aerial distance between Lepchakha and Bhutan is only 03 km away. Lepchakha is a sparsely populated village of Drukpa tribes the original inhabitant of the village those mainly belongs to Bhutanese origin and follow unique cultures which are different from that of the Nepali and Lepcha community. Each house at Lepchakha village has a unique architectural style. The picturesque village of Lepchakha is immensely beautiful for its serene and tranquil natural surroundings and lush greenery all around. Lepchakha is serene hideout for nature loving enthusiasts. On a clear day Lepchakha offers jaw dropping vistas of the meandering flow of 12 rivers of Dooars region namely Sankosh, Raydak, Jayanti, Bala and others. The word Lepchakha is derived from a Tibetan dialect which translates into ‘Hamlet’, but in actual Lepchakha is an open hill top. On a clear day Lepchakha also offers stunning view of Pamse Top. Being located within close proximity to South Bhutan there is a border outpost at Lepchakha for security reasons. Lepchakha is mainly considered as a trekking trail from Buxa Fort. Tourists visiting Lepchakha can opt to make halt in homestays run by the local inhabitants.
Things to do and see around Lepchakha:
Lepchakha being a small hamlet offers tourists with limited things to do and see in and around the village.
- The most important activity to try at Lepchakha is trekking through the dense wilderness. As Lepchakha is reached from Buxa Fort by trekking. Apart from that tourists can opt to explore the short trek routes those emerge from Lepchakha and leads to different directions of the village.
- On a leisure day tourists can opt for a village walk at Lepchakha and meet the local people to get a deep insight of their way of lifestyle, culture, customs and heritage. The heart touching hospitality and the welcoming nature of the local inhabitants of Lepchakha are worth admiring.
- Being close to Buxa Tiger Reserve and surrounded with thick natural vegetation all over, Lepchakha is a safe haven for wide species of birds those inhabit the region. Tourists can take a local guide along with and get to spot these birds deep in the wilderness. Apart from birds Lepchakha is also inhabited by wide species of butterflies.
- The panoramic view of the entire Lepchakha village is worth admiring. There is an open meadow mainly known as Lepchakha Viewpoint at Lepchakha that offers clear view of the meandering flow of the 12 rivers through Dooars region along with the view of entire Buxa Forest and Alipurduar town which is a sight worth admiring.
- From Lepchakha in a day trip tourists can opt to visit the nearby spots namely Buxa Fort (03 km trek), Jayanti River Bed (14.5 km), Mahakal Cave (15 km trek) and others.
- Tourists visiting Lepchakha are cordially welcomed by the local villagers with their culture and customs. Apart from that tourists can also take part in the local dance and singing which are performed in the evening by the local villagers of Lepchakha. There is a Buddhist Tomb at Lepchakha which is also worth visiting.
- On a clear day Lepchakha offers stunning view of the morning sunrise at the backdrop of the Sinchula ranges and as the golden orange hues falls on the mountain valleys it creates an amazing collage. While in the night Lepchakha turns into a different heaven with twinkling stars above the in the sky along with glittering lights of Alipurduar town is a sight worth remembering.
How to Reach:
By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Lepchakha located at a distance of 192 km away. Bagdogra Airport is well connected by regular flight services with Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. From Bagdogra Airport via NH 17 tourists can reach at Lepchakha village.
By Train: Alipurdura Junction is the nearest rail head to Lepchakha located at a distance of 30 km away. Alipurduar is well connected by regular train services with Kolkata, Howrah and few other cities of India. From Alipurduar tourists will get vehicles on hire reach upto Buxa Tiger Reserve and from there one can either opt to trek the remaining distance or can also avail vehicle service. Apart from Alipurduar Junction railway station, Lepchakha can also be reached from New Jalpaiguri railway station (190 km) and New Mal Junction (129 km) away. From these railway stations tourists will get hired vehicle service to reach Lepchakha.
By Road: Lepchakha is well connected by road networks with the nearest towns and villages. But in order to reach Lepchakha village tourists need to cover the distance of 20 km from Alipurduar Junction to Buxa Tiger Reserve and from there one can opt to trek the rest of the route.
Best time to visit:
Though Lepchakha can be visited throughout the year, but the best time is from October to December when the sky remains clear and offers the best of the surrounding view. Winter is also the best time to witness the maximum of bird’s activity. Summers are pleasant and can be easily visited. Monsoon is best avoided to visit Lepchakha as the nearby routes become muddy and hence tourists may find it difficult to trek this route.
HEAVEN OF DOOARS
Heaven of Dooars is situated in the village of Lepchakha and is a 05 km trek through the lush greenery from Santalabari. Heaven of Dooars at Lepchakha is nestled amidst thick natural vegetation and offers clear view of the distant mountain valleys and greenery. Heaven of Dooars at Lepchakha offers tourists both with their home-cooked traditional meals or Indian cuisines as per their choice. All rooms at Heaven of Dooars are simple yet well maintained, neat tidy and clean. Tourists at Heaven of Dooars are welcomed as per the local customs of the Drukpa tribes. On a clear day the balcony of Heaven of Dooars offers clear view of the surrounding region. Being settled in a secluded place and full of serene and tranquil nature the surrounding periphery of Heaven of Dooars is a feast to life. Heaven of Dooars is a perfect spot for those who love to stay close to nature and experience the raw beauty of nature. The staffs in Heaven of Dooars are very co-operative and very much helpful towards the guests. The hosting service of these local Drukpa tribes is sure to appreciate. Before entering Lepchakha tourists are required to obtain the permits and guide from Santalabari in order to reach at Heaven of Dooars at Lepchakha. Heaven of Dooars is a perfect place to be in the lap of nature far away from the madding city crowd.
Amenities available:
All rooms are wooden furnished with attached western toilets.
Beautiful homestay with very heart touching hospitality.
Rooms are equipped with clean linen and adequate warm blankets.
Hot water is available 24 hours for tourists.
There is a balcony that offers excellent view of the surrounding region and the distant mountain valleys.
Meals are served within the homestay premises.
Guides for local treks and bird watching are available on request.
Bon Fire and Bar-B-Cue option is available on request (chargeable).
Tariff:
INR @ 1200/- per day per person (both food and lodging included).
Meals include: Morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea, snacks and dinner.
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)
