Lolegaon

A Lepcha ridge village with an old forest and a canopy walk

Lolegaon, also spelt Loleygaon, is a Lepcha village at about 1,675 m, 55 km from Kalimpong and 24 km from Lava. Go for the canopy walk in the heritage forest, sunrise at Jhandi Dara and very quiet nights. One night is enough, two if you want to rest.

Photo: Abhijit Kar Gupta from Kolkata, India · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Lolegaon sits at the end of a ridge at about 1,675 m, among old oak, cypress and cryptomeria. It is a Lepcha village by origin, though Nepali-speaking families also live here now. The nearest town is Kalimpong, about 55 km away by the usual road, and Lava is about 24 km by a forest road.

The village is best known for its heritage forest, where a hanging canopy walk lets you walk among the upper branches of tall, moss-covered trees. Early in the morning visitors drive or walk up to Jhandi Dara, a ridge covered in prayer flags, for sunrise over the Kanchenjunga range. Kafer, a short distance away, also has a mountain view.

Lolegaon is very quiet. There is no bazaar to speak of, and evenings are spent in homestays. Most travellers come for one night on a circuit with Lava and Rishop, or with Kalimpong, but it also suits families who want two slow days in the forest.

Highlights

What Lolegaon does best

Heritage forest canopy walkA suspended walkway through the upper branches of old oak and cypress, a short walk from the village.
Jhandi Dara sunriseA ridge covered in prayer flags about 4–5 km away, with a sunrise view of the Kanchenjunga range.
Kafer viewpointAn open spot near the village with a wide view of the snow peaks on clear days.
Lepcha village lifeSmall farms, cardamom plots and family homestays, with almost no traffic.

Experiences

Four hours to plan around

adventure · 1 hour Canopy walk in the Lolegaon heritage forest Lolegaon, Kalimpong

nature · 2–3 hours Sunrise at Jhandi Dara Lolegaon, Kalimpong

nature · 1–1.5 hours Evening at the Kafer viewpoint Lolegaon, Kalimpong

village · 2 hours Village walk with a Lolegaon host Lolegaon, Kalimpong

Getting there

How to reach Lolegaon

Shared jeep

One or two shared jeeps a day run between the Kalimpong motor stand and Lolegaon for about ₹120–180 a seat, usually leaving Kalimpong in the afternoon. Times change, so check a day ahead.

Private car

A reserved car from Kalimpong costs about ₹2,500–3,200 and takes 2–2.5 hours. From Lava it costs about ₹1,500–2,200 for the 24 km. From NJP or Bagdogra, expect about ₹4,500–5,500 and 4–4.5 hours.

Rail

New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the most useful station, about 120 km away. Malbazar is closer on the map but has fewer trains and a longer last stretch by road.

Where to stay

Rooms we book

Lolegaon has family homestays and a few small lodges, mostly along the main village road and close to the forest. Homestays cost about ₹1,400–2,000 a person a night with meals, indicative. A government forest lodge has operated here in the past; check its current status if you want it. All meals are eaten at your stay, since there are no restaurants.

Homestay · Lolegaon Lolegaon village homestays

Simple homestays run by Lepcha and Nepali families around Lolegaon and nearby Kafer. They put you within walking distance of the canopy walk and the Jhandi …

From our planners

Five things to know

Book a car for Jhandi Dara the evening before and leave about 45 minutes before sunrise.
Visit the canopy walk in the morning, when the forest is quiet and dry.
Carry cash for the whole stay; there is no ATM in the village.
Do Lolegaon before Lava and Rishop, so the trip climbs and ends with the highest view.
Ask about the canopy walk's condition, since it is closed from time to time for repairs.

The local story

The Lepchas and their forest

The Lepchas are counted as the oldest inhabitants of the Kalimpong hills and of Sikkim. They call themselves Rongkup, from a longer name meaning the beloved children of the Rong and of God, and the Lepchas of Kalimpong are known as the Damsangmu, after the old kingdom of Damsang. Their language and script are their own.

Read the whole story →

Questions travellers ask

Questions about Lolegaon

Is it Lolegaon or Loleygaon?

Both refer to the same Lepcha village in Kalimpong district. Loleygaon is the spelling on Wikipedia and some official lists; Lolegaon and Lolaygaon are also common on signboards and booking sites. Search all versions when looking for homestays or maps, and give your driver the local pronunciation, roughly lo-lay-gaon.

How far is Lolegaon from Kalimpong?

About 55 km by the usual road via Algarah, taking 2–2.5 hours by car. A shorter road via Relli exists but is narrower and rougher. From Lava, Lolegaon is about 24 km, roughly an hour's drive through forest. From Siliguri the whole journey is about 120–125 km and 4–4.5 hours.

Is the Lolegaon canopy walk safe?

It is a suspended walkway of wood, rope and steel among tall trees, maintained by local authorities. It sways a little underfoot, which can unsettle people who dislike heights. Go slowly, hold the side ropes, follow any limit on the number of people at once, and avoid it in strong wind or heavy rain.

How do I get to Jhandi Dara for sunrise?

Jhandi Dara is about 4–5 km from the village. Most people hire a local car for about ₹600–1,000, indicative, leaving about 45 minutes before sunrise. Fit walkers can walk up in about an hour with a torch. Your homestay host can arrange the car the evening before.

Can I see Kanchenjunga from Lolegaon?

Yes, on clear days, especially from Jhandi Dara at sunrise and from Kafer, a short distance from the village. October to February gives the clearest views. From March to May haze often builds by mid-morning, and from June to September the peaks are usually hidden in cloud.

Is one night in Lolegaon enough?

For most travellers, yes. One night covers the canopy walk, a village stroll and a sunrise at Jhandi Dara. Stay two nights if you want a slow day in the forest, if you are travelling with small children or if you want a second chance at a clear sunrise.

Is Lolegaon good for families?

Yes. The canopy walk, short forest walks and open spaces suit children, and the village is very safe and quiet. Rooms are simple and nights are cool, so pack warm layers. There are no shops for snacks or medicines, so bring what you need from Kalimpong or Siliguri.

What is the best time to visit Lolegaon?

October to May is best. October and November give clear views after the rains; December to February is cold but often clear; March to May brings flowers and birds with some haze. The monsoon months from June to September bring heavy rain, leeches and slippery roads.

Is there mobile signal and electricity in Lolegaon?

There is mains electricity with occasional cuts in bad weather. Mobile signal is patchy: Jio and Airtel often work outdoors but can drop indoors. Some homestays have Wi-Fi that works when the power does. Carry a torch, a power bank and offline maps.