Lepchajagat, is a picturesque Lepcha village located just 19km away from Darjeeling!
At an altitude of 6956ft, Lepchajagat offers a rich diversity of nature, with rhododendron and oak forests covering the hill slope.
Its name comes from “Lepcha,” the indigenous inhabitants of the region, and “Jagat,” meaning “world” or “domain.”
The beautiful surrounding, along with the cool weather, makes Lepchajagat a perfect place to venture if you’re looking for a break from the maddening city life. The most awaited moment for visitors is during dawn when the sun slowly starts to rise above the horizon, glazing the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayan range with an enchanting hue of golden and orange. The green luscious valley combined with the clear sky and tranquil ambiance creates a phenomenal event that will surely enthrall your mind.
Apart from offering a spine-chilling sunrise over the Mt Kanchenjunga, you can also go for a short trek through the beautiful pine, oak, and rhododendron forests that thrive in Lepchajagat. You might even spot some wild animals carelessly wandering in the woods! Lepchajagat is also a birding paradise, housing some exotic Himalayan birds like the Fire-Tailed Sunbird and the Rufous Sibia. Every season has its charm in Lepchajagat, which can be relished by its visitors throughout the year.
Now, let’s move on to the places to visit near Lepcha Jagat. You may visit the Yiga Choeling Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the region, located in Ghum, which is around 10 km away from the village. The railway station in Ghum is one of the highest in the world.
Another spot to see near LepchaJagat is Manebhanjan, a small tourist-friendly neighborhood frequently used as a base camp by trekkers heading to Sandakphu. Manebhanjan and Lepchajagat are around 11 kilometers apart, and it would take just around half an hour to cover the road distance.
If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Lepchajagat, look no further than the Government Lodge run by the West Bengal Forest Department Corporation (WBFDC). The Lodge is a British Bungalow constructed in the year 1800, now transformed into a Lodge for tourists by the Government. Staying here will be quite comfortable, with spacious rooms that have fireplaces, wooden panels, large cupboards, etc. The accommodation is a 2-storey building with 6 rooms, and the pictorial view of the splendid Kanchenjunga and the tranquil ambiance has made this one of the most preferred accommodations in the village.
Finally, how to reach Lepchajagat? The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) at a distance of around 75 km, and the nearest airport is located at Bagdogra, approximately 72 km away. Renting a car in NJP, Bagdogra, or Siliguri will get you to Lepchajagat quite comfortably. You can also take a shared jeep from Siliguri or NJP to Ghoom, where the sumos traveling to Darjeeling will drop you.