Try "Sandakphu", "toy train", "homestay", "Gangtok in April"
Route · Kalimpong
From Kalimpong east through Algarah to Lava, then down a forest road to the Lepcha village of Lolegaon. About 55 km and 2.5–3 hours, with the Lava monastery and a tea stop at the halfway point.
| From | To | How | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KALIMPONG | LOLEGAON | Reserved car | 2.5–3 h | ₹3,000–4,000 A C |
| KALIMPONG | LOLEGAON | Shared jeep | 3.5–4.5 h with a change | ₹200–350 IN TWO |
| KALIMPONG | LOLEGAON | Reserved car via Lava (round trip) | full day | ₹4,000–5,000 A C |
From our route pages. Fares change with fuel prices, season and demand: check current status before you travel.
Most travellers hire a car from Kalimpong, which lets you stop at Algarah, Lava's Kagyu Thekchen Ling monastery and the viewpoints on the way. If you are going on to Charkhole or back via Lava, a two-day car package works out cheaper per day. Agree the stops and waiting time before you leave.
Take a shared jeep from Kalimpong's Motor Stand to Lava (₹120–180, mostly mornings), then a shared or reserved vehicle from Lava to Lolegaon. Shared jeeps on the Lava–Lolegaon stretch are few and irregular; be ready to pay ₹1,800–2,500 for a car if nothing is going. This option suits backpackers with a flexible day.
If you only want to see the canopy walk and Jhandi Dara, a full-day round trip from Kalimpong is possible but long. We prefer at least one night at Lolegaon, which gives you a dawn at Jhandi Dara and a quiet morning in the heritage forest.
Local tip: Stop at Lava for lunch going out, because Lolegaon has few places to eat outside the homestays and the forest lodge.
Questions people ask
Lolegaon is about 55 km from Kalimpong, via Algarah and Lava, and takes 2.5–3 hours by car. Lava is roughly halfway, about 30 km from Kalimpong and 24 km from Lolegaon. A reserved car costs ₹3,000–4,000 one way; shared jeeps run to Lava, but are rare beyond it.
Partly. Shared jeeps run from Kalimpong to Lava, mostly in the morning. From Lava to Lolegaon there are only occasional shared vehicles, so you may need to hire a car for ₹1,800–2,500. Ask at Lava's jeep stand and leave Kalimpong early to keep your options open.
It is a narrow hill road through forest, mostly paved, with some rough patches and landslide-prone stretches in the monsoon. Small cars manage in the dry season. After heavy rain, expect delays and occasional blocks. Check current status before you travel, especially from July to September.
From Kalimpong it makes sense to go to Lava first, since it is on the way, then continue to Lolegaon. Many travellers then return to Siliguri directly from Lolegaon through Gorubathan or via Kalimpong, depending on the roads. Check current status before you travel, as NH10 closures change the best way down.
Plan with a local
Where you want to go, how many of you, and roughly what you want to spend a day. A planner who lives in these hills replies within one working day with a route and every rupee written down.