Sep 20, 2003 03:11 PM
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(Updated Sep 20, 2003 03:11 PM)
Lava, Lolegaon in North Bengal: If you want to escape the din of the city and move to a quiet refuge where nothing of this concrete jungle exists, then this is where you should find yourself. Your destination will have a 180 degree view of the Eastern Himalayas of peaks like Mt. Kanchendzonga, Mt. Siniolchu, Mt. Jopuna, Mt. Shimbho, Mt Pandim and many more. Your abode will be Log cabins situated amidst forests with trees towering to 100 feet and clouds would frequently visit you in your room. Only two buses throughout the day, will connect you to your destination yet you will get the basic facilities like good food, electricity, telephone etc. Lava is a typical Himalayan village characterised by warm hospitality and a mixed population of Lepchas, Bhutias and local Tribals. Tourists heading for Darjeeling can definitely spend a couple of days here.
I stayed in the Log Cabins of West Bengal Forest Development Corporation and would definitely recommend because it has the best view of the mighty Himalayas. Visiting a local Buddhist monastery with exquisite wall paintings and the chanting of prayers by the Lamas transferred me to a far away mystic land for the moment. Well! if you still have a few droplets of ''Adventure Crazy'' blood left in your veins, then go for the ''Changer Waterfalls'' (14 kms from Lava), the last few kms. needs to be trekked through dense forests. After, a sudden turn, one will notice a distant white string of water cascading through the forest. Slowly, as you approach, it starts to reveal all its beauty. When I finally reached, I was amazed by the sheer strength of the rushing water and the glimpse of a rainbow at the foot of the waterfall. The sound of the rushing water echoed amidst this million-year-old forest like the harmony of African Drummers. I could not reach the foot of the waterfall where all the wtaer accumulated and formed a green puddle. One needs to carry ''rock climbing'' equipments for reaching the foot. Then, it was time for us to return to our Log Cabin.
The next day we started off for Lolegaon at an altitude of 5500 ft and 24 kms. from Lava, locals refer this palce as Kafer. I stayed at the Dafey Munal Rest House maintained by Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. Loleygaon is a small village and most of the tourists do not stay back here. That is a fatal mistake they make for which they can repent lifetime. Loleygaon has one of the best views of the entire range of Eastern Himalayas. I witnessed the unforgettable site of the Himalayas from my room. This is a place where time stands still and you are left to understand the insignificance of human beings compared to the vastness of Mother Nature. Traversing the ''Hanging Bridge'' and jaywalking in the forest the whole day is an experience of a lifetime.
HOW TO REACH LAVA:
3 buses daily leave for Lava from P.C. Mittal Bus Terminus, Siliguri at exactly 14:00 hrs.You can even get a Maruti Omni or Tata Sumo or Mahindra Commander on hire from Siliguri or Kalimpong or Darjeeling. Bus Fare from Siliguri is Rs.50.00 and from Kalimpong is Rs.25.00. A whole day condusted trip in a Mahindra Commander to Lava, Loleygaon from Siliguri would cost you somewhere between Rs.1200.00 t Rs.1300.00. Siliguri is connected by most of the Trains travelling towards North East India. Nearest Airport: Bagdogra Airport.
WHERE TO STAY IN LAVA:
West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Rest House: Booking counter: 6A, Raja Subodh Mullick Square (7th Floor) Kolkata - 700013. Ph.: +91 33 22370060 / 22370061. Website: https://wbfdc.com
Tariff: Rs. 600.00 to Rs.1200.00
Unique Lodge: Ph.: +91 3552 252228, Tariff: Rs.400.00 -Rs.600.00
Yankee resort: Ph.: +91 3552 252234, Tariff: Rs.350.00 - Rs.1000.00
There are a number of Hotels keeping in tune to your pocket.
HOW TO REACH LOLEYGAON:
128 kms. from Siliguri and 56 kms from Kalimpong. Two buses run regularly from Kalimpong and Lava. Bus Fare from Kalimpong: Rs. 40.00 and from Lava: Rs.25.00. You can even get a Maruti Omni or Tata Sumo or Mahindra Commander on hire from Lava or Kalimpong.
WHERE TO STAY IN LOLEYGAON:
Dafey MunalTourist Lodge: Booking counter: DGHC, 4 Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata - 700071. Ph.: +91 33 2825813 / 2827731.
Tariff: Rs. 450.00 to Rs.600.00. Dormitories: Rs.50.00 per bed
West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Rest House: Booking counter: 6A, Raja Subodh Mullick Square (7th Floor) Kolkata - 700013. Ph.: +91 33 22370060 / 22370061. Website: https://wbfdc.com
Tariff: Rs. 600.00 to Rs.1200.00
Hotel Kanchendzonga: Ph.: +91 3552 255364
