Major city · India
Lava
One night is enough for Lava: arrive by lunch, walk the ridge to Rishop, sleep in a lodge, leave next morning. A day-trip from Kalimpong is tight but doable.
Lava is a quiet hill hamlet in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, at 2,200 m. It has a short ridge walk, a few lodges and a Buddhist monastery. Most travellers use it as a one-night stop between Kalimpong and Rishop or Loleygaon. The appeal is the cool air and the forest, not a list of sights.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, leeches on trails), Dec–Feb (cold, some lodges close)
- Airport
- IXB
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Lava112 ▾
- All services112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lava, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyLava is safe; the risks are leeches on wet trails, cold nights and the lack of phone signal.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIXB Bagdogra Airport (About 3–3.5 h by taxi via Kalimpong; shared jeeps from Siliguri).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealTea and snacks at a roadside stall₹30–80 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Kalimpong–Lava (whole car)check₹1,200–1,500 (≈ US$14–18)
- Budget bedBasic lodge room (attached bath), a night, per room₹1,200 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedBasic lodge room (attached bath), a night, per room₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedBasic lodge room (attached bath), a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IXB Bagdogra Airport (About 3–3.5 h by taxi via Kalimpong; shared jeeps from Siliguri)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jul (22 rain days), driest Nov (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lava: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
3 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
19 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
22 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
20 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
15 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The ridge trail to Rishop (11 km one way, about 3–4 h) is the main activity. For Neora Valley you need a forest permit and a guide; arrange at the forest check-post.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rishop
goDoor to door: Half-day walk or 1 h drive round trip
Walk the ridge trail (11 km (6.8 mi), 3–4 h) or drive (about 30 min)Walk the ridge trail (6.8 mi (11 km), 3–4 h) or drive (about 30 min)
The walk is the point of Lava; Rishop has a few lodges and a wider view.
Loleygaon
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h round trip including stop
Drive, about 1 h via the forest road
Similar ridge-and-lodge experience; skip if you are short on time.
Door to door: About 1.5 h one way
Shared jeep or taxi, about 35 km (22 mi), 1–1.5 hShared jeep or taxi, about 22 mi (35 km), 1–1.5 h
Use Kalimpong as your base for supplies and onward transport.
Jhalong
skipDoor to door: About 3.5 h round trip
Drive, about 1.5 h via Kalimpong
A river-side picnic spot; not worth the drive from Lava unless you are already passing.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main road (the only cluster)
All lodges and the monastery are along or just off the single road through Lava. No other area.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic lodge room (attached bath)1 × 1 night × ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Shared jeep Kalimpong–Lava one way2 × ₹150 · check | ₹300 |
| Taxi Kalimpong–Lava one way1 × ₹1,200 · check | ₹1,200 |
| Forest permit for Neora Valley (per person, per day)2 × ₹200 · check | ₹400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹990 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,450 per person per day, bed included | ₹10,890≈ US$130 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Thali meal at a lodge | ₹200–350 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Tea and snacks at a roadside stall | ₹30–80 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | ₹20–30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Shared jeep Kalimpong–Lavacheck | ₹150–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi Kalimpong–Lava (whole car)check | ₹1,200–1,500 (≈ US$14–18) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM in Lava; carry cash from Kalimpong or Siliguri.
- Mobile reception is patchy (BSNL works best; Jio/Airtel may not).
- Leeches are common on trails after rain; wear gaiters or long socks.
- Lodges may close in winter (Dec–Feb); call ahead.
Emergency numbers
- All services
- 112
Pocket card
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LavaLava
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
मुझे लावा ले चलिएTake me to Lava, please
Emergency
- All services112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared jeep Kalimpong → Lava: about ₹150–200 (≈ US$2–3), 1–1.5 h (check)
- Taxi Kalimpong → Lava: about ₹1,200–1,500 (≈ US$14–18), 1–1.5 h (check)
- Taxi Bagdogra Airport → Lava: about ₹3,000–4,000 (≈ US$35–50), 3–3.5 h (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello / Namaste (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- कितना? — How much? (kitna?)
- लॉज कहाँ है? — Where is the lodge? (lodge kahaan hai?)
- मुझे डॉक्टर चाहिए — I need a doctor (mujhe doctor chahiye)
Hindi is understood; Nepali is the local language in the hills.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lava. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, leeches on trails), Dec–Feb (cold, some lodges close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Lava
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