Lamahatta - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 30 km from Kalimpong Bus Station, Lamahatta is a calm and picturesque mountain village situated near Kalimpong in the state of West Bengal. Perched at an altitude of 6800 feet, it is one of the serene getaways in West Bengal and among the best places to visit near Kalimpong.

Lamahatta is surrounded on all sides by pine forests and gardens with panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Lama in Lamahatta stands for Buddhist monk and Hatta for hut - a monk's hermitage. It is an ideal holiday destination for tourists who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life and enjoy natural solitude. The main inhabitants here are tribes like Sherpas, Yalmos, Tamangs, Bhutias and Dukpas. They have all come together to join hands with the government to create Lamahatta as an eco-tourism place.

The major attraction is the Roadside Garden. This is an open garden surrounded by pine forests containing many seasonal flowers, as well as several rare and exotic species of orchids. Tourists can simply sit and relax in the wooden gazebos at the Roadside Garden and take in the view of the thick canopy and colorful prayer flags. There is also a wooden watch tower which helps visitors to enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga as well as the Sikkim Hills, the River Teesta and the River Rangeet.

There are several tea estates to be visited in and around Lamahatta. Most famous among them is Runglee-Rungliot Tea Estate, world-famous for its fine blend, and awesome aroma. Takdah, Geil and Teesta Valley are the other popular tea estates at Lamahatta. The Dhupi or Pine Forest of Lamahatta is the best place to take pleasant walks. Visitors may choose to hire guides or go on un-guided hikes through these forests. There is a short nature trail that leads to a small lake on a hill top. The villagers consider this to be a sacred lake. Lamahatta to Takdah (8 km) and Lamahatta to Gari Danda (3 km) are the other nature trekking trails at Lamahatta.

Garden Entry Fee: Rs.10 per person