Lepchajagat is a village and hill station in the northern part of West Bengal, at an altitude of 2123 m.
Understand
A typical hill village in eastern India.
Get in
By plane
The nearest airport is Bagdogra, near Siliguri, 96 km from Darjeeling.
Air India has flights from:
- Delhi - IC 880 (Tu/Th/Sat) and IC 879 (Mon/Fri - via Guwahati)
- Guwahati - IC 879 (Mon/Fri)
- Kolkata - IC 721 (Tu/Th/Sat)
Spice Jet flies from Kolkata and Delhi.
Indigo has Delhi and Guwahati flights.
Connections are available at Delhi and Kolkata.
Siliguri is the nearest town connected to the mainline rail network. Ample transport is available to Lepchajagat from here. The route to Lepchajagat veers away to the left after Ghoom. The most popular modes of transport are taxi (usually shared by three to four passengers.
After arriving by train at New Jalpaiguri, taxis to Lepchajagat can be booked at the counter at the taxi stand in front of the railway station. There is also a prepaid taxi stand in front of the train station.
Lepchajagat is 19 km from Darjeeling and approximately 8 km from Ghoom Railway Station or Ghoom Mirik Road.
By train
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) near Siliguri is the nearest station on the main inter-city line. Direct trains to NJP run from Delhi (approx. 27 hours) several times daily. When traveling from Kolkata (Sealdah Station), the best train is the Darjeeling Mail (circa 12 hours), running nightly at 10:05PM. The Paharia Express departs Howrah Station at 21:55 and arrives New Jalpaiguri at 08:45.
From there, the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), known to all as the 'Toy Train', completes the journey to Darjeeling. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was the first, and is still the most outstanding, example of a hill passenger railway. It is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
This route is popular with tourists as it passes through picturesque mountain scenery and has been the subject of many articles. The line has a series of zigzags and loops to gain height and runs straight up several village main streets! Trains depart New Jalpaiguri at 9 AM and arrive in Darjeeling at 3:30 PM. Now the train is diesel hauled and reasonably reliable and punctual.
The steam 'Joy' train operates from Darjeeling to Ghoom via the famous Batasia Loop, four times a day – enquire at Darjeeling station. It costs ₹00. DHR:
A steam train also operates Siliguri to 'Agony Point' above Tindharia most Saturdays and Sundays. Enquire to Siliguri station.There is also a daily 'School Train' departing Kurseong at 06:15 arriving Darjeeling at 08:45. It leaves Darjeeling at 16:00 arriving at Kurseong at 18:30. This is still hauled by a steam engine and is one of the world's last 'day to day' steam trains. Its schedule is often changed and it often runs hours late.
Get around
Lepchajagat is a typical idyllic hill village with no sight-seeing points to speak of. One can walk around the small village or explore the hills nearby on foot.
See
The scenery around is breathtaking. One can view the distant Himalayan peaks from the rooftop of the solitary forest rest house.
Do
Relax and enjoy the scenery, peace and calm.
Eat
No other options available other than the Forest Rest House.
Drink
Sleep
The WBFDC Forest Rest House. In order to stay at any of these a special permit from West Bengal Forest Department is required. One can book rooms online, however; there are very small number of rooms at the said FRH. So book well in advance.
Stay safe
Go next
- Kalimpong - (50 km away) It is a hill station in Lesser Himalaya and recognized for educational institutions. Most of those were formulated during British colonial period. The town has many religious sightseeing places apart from beautiful views of mountains.
- Kurseong - (35 km away) It is referred as Karshiyang in Bengali and Khār-sỵāng in Nepali. The town is home to most expensive teas in entire world. Some popular tea gardens such as Ambotia, Makaibari and Castleton produce special aromas which are difficult to avail in other places.
- Mirik - (50 km away) Mirik name came from the Lepcha word Mir-Yok implying ‘place burnt by fire’. Nestled in the serene hills of Darjeeling, It is a picturesque location. Mirik has become highly famous tourist place because of its natural beauty, climate and easy accessibility.
- Sikkim - (100 km away) With more than 40% of the area is covered with forest, Sikkim boasts of its natural beauty. It is well known for its Lush green valleys and snow covered hills.
- Siliguri - (80 km away) Located on the banks of Mahananda River, Siliguri is prime educational, transportational, tourism and commercial center in West Bengal. The town also acts as a key transit point for railway, road and air traffic to northeast states of India and other neighboring countries such as Bhutan and Nepal.
| Routes through Lepchajagat |
| END ← | N  S | → Ghoom → Jalpaiguri |