Lamahatta Eco Park & Lake: A Complete Visitor’s Guide

By The Oak Hospitality team

Lamahatta Eco Park is a roadside forest garden in Lamahatta village, about 23 km from Darjeeling at roughly 5,700 ft, developed under an eco-tourism initiative that began in late 2012, according to the official blog of West Bengal’s Department of Tourism. To visit, drive to the park entrance on the main road through the village, walk through the garden to the wooden watchtower, then take the forest trail uphill to the small sacred lake (the Pokhri) at the top.

Our property, Lamahatta – The Oak Retreat, sits directly opposite the Eco Park on 9th Mile Road, so this guide draws on the route our guests take every day, along with published sources for every figure.

What is Lamahatta Eco Park?

Lamahatta is a small village in Darjeeling district, West Bengal. West Bengal Tourism describes it as an example of community eco-tourism, where local people run the tourism businesses so the benefits stay in the village. The Eco Park, which the department’s blog also calls the “Roadside Garden”, is the centre of that effort. It has gazebos, flower beds, prayer flags and a wooden watchtower (WB Tourism).

The park is set on a hill slope covered in conifers. Two trees dominate the forest:

• Pine, which lines the trail up to the lake.
• Dhupi, the Nepali name for Cryptomeria japonica, a conifer native to Japan (ICIMOD). It has been grown in plantations across the Darjeeling hills for a long time, and a 1997 paper in the Indian Forester reviews that history.

As for the name, Outlook Traveller notes that the place was once an abode of Buddhist monks, or lamas.

Lamahatta Eco Park: quick facts

What you can see in the park

The watchtower and Kanchenjunga views

The wooden watchtower is the main viewpoint in the garden. According to West Bengal Tourism, on a clear day you can see Kanchenjunga, Tiger Hill and the Rangeet river from the top. Kanchenjunga rises to 8,586 m (28,169 ft) on the border between Sikkim and Nepal. It is the third-highest mountain in the world (Wikipedia).

Mountain views depend completely on the weather. On cloudy or misty days the peaks can stay hidden all day, so plan some flexibility into your visit.

Gardens and prayer flags

The lower part of the park is laid out as a garden, with flower beds, sheltered gazebos and strings of prayer flags. It is an easy, mostly level area, which makes it a good stop for families and older travellers who may not want the climb to the lake.

The forest trail

Above the garden, trails lead into the pine forest. eSamskriti describes the short hike as feeling like trekking through dense forest, and the writer found it quiet apart from birdsong. Few visitors go all the way to the top.

Lamahatta Lake (the Pokhri)

Pokhri means lake or pond in Nepali, and locally the word refers to the small body of water at the top of the hill above the Eco Park. Villagers consider it sacred (WB Tourism). Outlook Traveller describes two holy lakes at the end of a brisk uphill walk through the pines, with the upper lake home to many frogs. eSamskriti mentions a few benches overlooking the pond.

Lamahatta lake height

We could not find an official, published elevation for the lake itself. The figure that is published is for the village, about 5,700 ft (WB Tourism). The lake sits above the park, about 1 km up the trail (eSamskriti), so it is somewhat higher than the road. Be cautious of any exact lake altitude you see quoted online without a source.

How to walk to the lake

1. Start at the park entrance on the main road through Lamahatta. Our guests simply cross the road from the property.
2. Check the entry fee at the counter. Published figures vary between guides, so pay whatever is currently charged and keep your ticket.
3. Walk up through the garden, past the flower beds and prayer flags. Climb the watchtower first if the sky is clear, because views can close in later.
4. Join the forest trail uphill. It climbs through pine and dhupi. West Bengal Tourism notes the trail is not well marked in places and recommends a local guide.
5. Continue for roughly 1 km until you reach the pond at the top (eSamskriti). Rest on the benches and respect the site. It is sacred to the village, so do not throw anything into the water.
6. Return the same way, well before dusk. The forest gets dark early under the trees.

Wear shoes with grip, because the trail can be slippery after rain. Carry water and take any rubbish back down with you.

Lamahatta sightseeing: what else to see nearby

The Eco Park and the lake take a morning. If you are staying longer, these places are within easy reach:

• Lamahatta Monastery, about 1.5 km from the Eco Park (WB Tourism).
• Tinchuley, about 6 km away (WB Tourism).
• Teesta–Rangeet confluence, where the two rivers meet, about 10 km away (WB Tourism).
• Peshok tea gardens, a few kilometres further along the road (eSamskriti).
• Takdah, about 28 km from Darjeeling. It was a British military cantonment in the early 1900s, and its bungalows date from 1905–1915 (Outlook Traveller). Its Orchid Centre is run by the West Bengal forest department (Village Square). A trail through pine and cryptomeria links Lamahatta to the Orchid Centre, but it is unmarked, so go with a local guide (Outlook Traveller).
• Darjeeling and Kalimpong, both comfortable day trips by road.

For more ideas, including the guided village walk that goes down from our property to a viewpoint, see our things to do in Lamahatta page and our post on things to do during your stay at a hilltop retreat.

How to reach Lamahatta Eco Park

The main gateways to the Darjeeling hills are Bagdogra Airport and the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and Siliguri railway stations. The Darjeeling district administration lists Bagdogra as about 90 km from Darjeeling, and Siliguri as about 77 km by road. Prepaid taxis are available at NJP station and Bagdogra airport.

For Lamahatta itself, West Bengal Tourism gives the distance from Siliguri as about 72 km, roughly 3.5 hours by road. From Darjeeling town it is about 23 km, a little over an hour by car. Hill roads are narrow and travel times change with weather and traffic, so leave a buffer, especially in the monsoon.

Lamahatta photos: tips for good shots

• Go early. eSamskriti calls the park an excellent spot for photography, best in the quieter mornings.
• Use the watchtower for wide shots of the mountains and valley when the sky is clear.
• Look for frames in the forest. Light falling through the pines and the prayer flags against dark trees both work well.
• Be respectful at the lake. It is a sacred site for the village. Keep voices low and leave the site as you found it.

You can see pictures of our rooms and surroundings in our gallery.

Staying opposite the Eco Park

Lamahatta – The Oak Retreat is a three-room boutique hotel at about 5,700 ft, directly opposite the Eco Park. Because the park entrance is just across the road, guests can be on the trail at first light, before day visitors arrive.

• Juniper and Pine (first floor) look out over the Kanchenjunga range and the pine forest.
• Spruce (ground floor) has a panoramic view of the Himalayan range and Darjeeling town.

Room rates include breakfast and dinner for two adults. Check-in is at 12 noon and check-out at 11 am. You can compare all three on our rooms page.

After the walk, Lamahatta Café on our ground floor is open every day from 10 am to 7:30 pm. It serves freshly cooked Indian, Italian, European, Oriental and Nepali food. If mountain views are your priority, read our guide to the Kanchenjunga views from Lamahatta. For timing your trip, see why winter suits Lamahatta.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Lamahatta Eco Park entry fee?

We could not find an official, current figure. Travel guides quote different amounts, and fees can change. Check at the ticket counter at the park entrance when you arrive.

How long does it take to walk to Lamahatta Lake?

The trail to the lake is roughly 1 km uphill through pine forest, according to eSamskriti. How long it takes depends on your pace and fitness, so allow extra time for rest and photos. The trail is not well marked in places, and West Bengal Tourism recommends a local guide.

What is the height of Lamahatta Lake?

No official elevation for the lake has been published. Lamahatta village is about 5,700 ft, and the lake sits above the Eco Park at the top of the forest trail.

How far is Lamahatta Eco Park from Darjeeling?

About 22–23 km, which is a little over an hour by car, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Can you see Kanchenjunga from Lamahatta Eco Park?

Yes, on clear days. West Bengal Tourism lists Kanchenjunga, Tiger Hill and the Rangeet river among the views from the park’s watchtower. Clouds can hide the peaks, so early mornings give you the best chance.

Is Lamahatta Eco Park suitable for children and older visitors?

The lower garden, with its gazebos and flower beds, is an easy walk. The trail to the lake is an uphill forest path, so it suits visitors who are comfortable walking on uneven ground.

Sources

• Department of Tourism, Govt. of West Bengal (official blog): Lamahatta – encouraging eco-tourism since 2012
• Darjeeling District Administration: How to Reach
• Outlook Traveller: A road trip through three lesser-known Himalayan hamlets near Darjeeling
• Outlook Traveller: All about Takdah
• eSamskriti: Lamahatta near Darjeeling is a must visit
• Village Square: Takdah, a hidden gem in Darjeeling
• Indian Forester (1997): Silvicultural Management of Cryptomeria japonica in Darjeeling Hills
• ICIMOD: Cryptomeria japonica (Dhupi)
• Wikipedia: Kangchenjunga