Lepchajagat is an offbeat destination in West Bengal. Located approximately 20 km from Darjeeling, this small village is a paradise for most nature lovers.
Tranquility surrounds the atmosphere amidst the oak and wild rhododendrons.
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Lepchajagat, as the name suggests, is a small village for the local tribe “Lepchas.” The village is located at an altitude of almost 6900 ft from sea level. It is now a reserved forest area taken over by the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation.
In this article, you will get to know the following details about Lepchajagat,
Let’s see each of these points in detail.
How to reach Lepchjagat
| NJP to Lepchajagat distance | 75 km |
| Darjeeling to Lepchajagat distance | 15 km |
The Lepchajagat is approximately 64 km from Siliguri. It takes almost 2.5 hours to reach Lepchajagat from Siliguri via Matiafgara-Kurseong Road and NH-10. You can take pre-paid taxis from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) or Bagdogra and you can reach Lepchajagat via Hill Cart Road.
NJP to Lepchajagat Car fare: The car fare from NJP to Lepchajaagat can range from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 5000 depending on the season.
What to see in Lepchajagat
The five abodes of snow which mean the five peaks of Kanchenjunga can be seen from Lepchajagat. It is a place that is free from the fuss of the crowd. Just as the morning sun rays break in the hills, a glimpse of the golden glow of the five peaks of the enormous mountain range will surely melt your heart.
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You can certainly experience the magic in nature! In addition to the serenity of the mountains, you can feel the majestic views of nature traversing the oak, pine, and rhododendron forests. The tall trees that surround the jungles of Lepchajagat offer great places for camping, hiking, and walking.
A secluded hamlet is a perfect place for people who are fond of watching fascinating Himalayan birds or mountain animals like hares and leopards. The tall coniferous trees, glazing mountainous valleys, and mist-covered clear and cloudless skies are bliss to the tourists.
History of Lepchajagat
The history of Lepchas or the Lepcha Bustee came to be known in 1800 when twenty Lepcha families started to settle on a road between Sukhiyapokhri and Ghoom. The members of the Lepcha community moved to Darjeeling in search of work when the new tea estates started to flourish around Darjeeling.
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Today if you visit Darjeeling and start a conversation with the laborers of tea estates, there are high chances that you will meet many workers whose ancestry is traced back to the Lepchas. The plantation owners employed the Lepchas at low wages. These workers were also familiar with the highly wooded forests and the dozing mysteries.
The Lepchas mainly built their community close to the tracts of pine, spruce, and fir-sheltered forests. And this place slowly came to be known as Lepchajagat.
Homestay in Lepchajagat
If you visit Lepchajagt you can choose to stay in any one of the homestays like Laxmi Homestay, Humro Homestay, Lepchu Homestay, Sterling Darjeeling, etc. These homestays are luxurious and you can easily book these homestays online or by calling them.
You can also book them through a travel agent.
What to eat in Lepchajagat
Some of the famous restaurants near Lepchajagat are Misty Mountain Restaurant, Kunga Restaurant, Santa Banta Dhaba.
You can order soup, momo, and other lip-smacking dishes in restaurants. You can also find other homestays and restaurants here too.
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Best time to visit Lepchajagat
Lepchajagat becomes an ideal refuge for tourists during the hot months especially from April to June.
To get relief from the summer season in metro cities, you can escape to Lepchajagat to experience cool, soothing, and pleasant weather.
You can also get lost in this enduring nature during the winter when you can experience cold and chilly weather. If you are lucky you can experience snowfall in the nearby places and can enjoy the view of the Himalayas more clearly.
Other attractions near Lepchajagat
| Attractions | Distance from Lepchajagat |
|---|---|
| Ghum Railway Station | 8 km |
| Pine View Spot | 2 km |
| Jorepokhri | 6 km |
| Simana View Point | 9 km |
| Rock Garden | 15 km |
Lepchajagat is a perfect place to visit for a weekend destination if you are a lover of nature and hills. It offers solitude to visitors and is one of the best offbeat destinations near Darjeeling.
It can be also an ideal place for honeymoon couples to experience a romantic ambiance and relish the serenity of nature.
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