Neora Valley National Park, established in 1986, this park is one of the richest biological zones in eastern India, and it’s definitely a must-visit for any nature lover or trekking enthusiast.
The park gets its name from the river Neora that flows through it, and with its dense forest cover, many areas in the park are still inaccessible. But that just adds to the sense of adventure, right? Plus, it’s home to the elegant red panda, which is basically the Beyoncé of the animal kingdom.
Neora Valley is situated at the tri-junction of Sikkim, Bhutan, and West Bengal, which is pretty cool if you ask me. And with an elevation that reaches up to 10,600 ft at Rachel Danda, the highest point of the park, you’re in for some seriously breathtaking views.
Speaking of breathtaking, the park’s diverse flora and fauna are sure to take your breath away. From bamboo to oak to ferns to sal, there’s a mixed species of flora that will make you feel like you’re in a magical fairy tale forest. And as for fauna, you can spot everything from the Himalayan Tahr to the Chinese Marmorata Pangolin to the Clouded Leopard to the King Cobra. Just keep your distance, okay?
But let’s talk about the real stars of the show here: the rhododendron vegetation and wild orchids. This place is a botanist’s dream come true! And if you’re a trekking enthusiast, you’ll love the two entry points to the park: Samsing and Lava. The trek route from Lava is about 25 km long and takes you through dense forests and into the valley, while trekking through Samsing is a visual delight with overwhelming variety of flora and fauna.
Now, I know you’re itching to start your trek, but hold your horses. You can’t enter the park without an entry permit, which you can get from the Forest Range Office at Lava or Samsing. And trust me, you don’t want to skip this step – the forest department is serious about protecting the park’s wildlife, and you don’t want to mess with them.
So what are you waiting for? Get your permit, pack your bags, and head to Neora Valley National Park for a wild adventure you won’t forget. And don’t forget to take some selfies with the red pandas – they love the attention.