Whispers of the Himalayas: Discovering Kolakham, North Bengal’s Hidden Haven In 2024

Kolakham is a beautiful little hill village in Kalimpong, West Bengal. This place is quite different compared to the other offbeat places in North Bengal. Kolakham is the quiet valley of Kalimgpong, just 8 km away from the Lava, surrounded by big hills, in the middle of a dense pine forest, a few houses, and a few homestays.

Wake up in the morning in this bird paradise village with an unforgettable sunrise to see a beautiful, ethereal form of white maiden Kanchenjunga.

How to Reach Kolakham?

Clouds of Kolakham
Clouds of Kolakham

To reach here first you have to come to Sealdah or Howrah to New Jalpaiguri station or Siliguri station. From there, by booking a car or taking a car sent from the homestay, you will reach the homestay in Kola-kham within 3.5 hours through the beautiful tea gardens of Dooars.

Where to Stay at Kolakham?

Red Panda Eco Huts Kolakham
Red Panda Eco Huts Kolakham

There are many homestays in Kolakham.

Himalayan Odyssey Kola-kham +916302074415.

The rooms here are named after different birds and the rooms also have different pictures and accessories to give importance to the birds.

Some rooms are Kanchenjunga facing and some rooms are Non-Kanchenjunga facing. Kanchenjunga Facing rooms are priced at Rs 2500 and non-view rooms are priced at Rs. 2000. Food and drinks are Rs 600 per person per day

What to See in Kolakham?

Kolakham kalimpong
Kolakham Kalimpong

After arriving at the homestay, enjoy steaming hot rice and delicious curries and head out to explore the village on foot

Why Kolakham is called Silent Valley?

You will see why the village is called Silent Valley. Even if you walk for a long time, you will not find any sound here except nature’s sound. All around various birds are calling and the sound of rattles and there is no human sound.

Return to the homestay before evening. Enjoy the barbecue. From here you can see the mountains as being decorated with small lights in the night. The cities of Sikkim can be seen if the sky is clear.

Rachel Peak View Point

Kolakham view from Rachel Peak
Kolakham view from Rachel Peak

The next morning, get up at 3:30 am, freshen up, and drive out to Rachel Peak. From here we will see the sunrise. This travel from Kolakam to Rachel Peak in the dark of night is thrilling.

This route belongs to Neora Valley National Park. And there will be a check post on the way here. This road is very bad through the forest. The morning light will forget all the hardships of this mountain road. As soon as the light comes, the beautiful form of nature will appear in front of the eyes.

What to See from Rachel Peak View Point?

Neora valley Jungle camp
Neora valley Jungle camp
  • The experience of watching the sunrise from Tiger Hill is the same as the experience of watching the sunrise from Rachel Peak but will be some different. But only if the sky is clear you can witness this experience.
  • This place is somewhat comparable to the road from Dhotrey to Tonglu. Rows of big pine trees all around. From here you can see Kanchenjunga sparkling in the daylight and the entire lava city below.
  • Lava, Darjeeling, Rishop, and Gangtok can be seen from here. Like here, from Rishop, you can see the amazing view of Kanchanjungha.
  • From here you can see an airport towards the back of Rishop Pakhiang Airport, which is an airport in Sikkim.
  • That is, the city that is seen from above is the Lava on the right side is Sikkim, and on the left side is Darjeeling and Kalimpong. After watching the amazing sunrise from Kola Kham, come back to the homestay.
  • Neora Valley Eco Hut
  • Homestays in Kolakham
  • Kanchanjunga
  • Kanchanjunga From Kolakham
  • Kolakham view in Dawn

Activities in Kolakham

Kola Kham is a birdwatcher’s paradise. So those who love to take pictures and love to watch birds can spend a lot of time in this way. You can indulge in trekking activities here

What to see near Kolakham?

Here is a list of some popular tourist places near Kolakham

Chhangey Falls

Chhangey Falls
Chhangey Falls

Close to Kolakham is Chhangey Falls. Lots of people come here from different places. Sange Water Falls is just a 15-minute drive from the homestay. This stream of water is like white milk.

Lava

Lamas at Monastery
Lamas at Monastery

Lava can be visited from here. The distance is 8 km. And here is the famous Lava Monastery. It is the famous old monastery of Kalimpong region and Lava. Dalai Lama came here in 2001

Rishop or Rishyap

This is a small village in North Bengal. It is located 2590 m above sea level. From Rishop one can see the amazing view of Kanchanjankha as well as other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. Rishop is 9 km away from Lava and this village was developed in 1998

Lolegaon

Hanging Bridge at Lolegaon
Hanging Bridge at Lolegaon

Lava and Lolegaon are 25 km apart. This is about 120 km away from New Jalpaiguri Station. There is a hanging bridge in Lolegaon. There is a beautiful viewpoint in Lolegaon.

Neora Valley National Park

Neora Valley National Park is located in Kalimpong. It was established in 1986 and spread over 88 sq km.

This area is rich in biodiversity, in the Eastern Himalayas. The river Neora flows through it. Many areas of the park are still inaccessible. This place is becoming a popular place for trekkers and nature lovers. Neora Valley is well known for Red Pandas

Conclusion

This blog completely covers travel, accommodation, attractions, and activities in and around Kolakham, ensuring a memorable visit to this serene hill village. Let’s plan for your next destination to Kolakham

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Q.1: How to Reach Kolakham?

Ans: To reach Kolakham, travel to Sealdah or Howrah to New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri station. From there, book a car or arrange transport through your homestay, enjoying a scenic 3.5-hour drive through Dooars’ tea gardens.

Q.2: Where to Stay in Kolakham?

Ans: Numerous homestays are available, such as the Himalayan Odyssey Kolakham (+916302074415), offering rooms named after birds. Prices range from Rs 2000 to Rs 2500, with additional food and drink costs of Rs 600 per person per day.

Q.3: What to See in Kolakham?

Ans: Explore the village on foot, experiencing its serene ambiance. Discover why it’s called the Silent Valley, with its tranquil atmosphere and sounds of nature.

Q.4: What’s the Rachel Peak View Point Experience?

Ans: Rise early, head to Rachel Peak at 3:30 am, and witness a breathtaking sunrise. The journey through Neora Valley National Park offers a thrilling but rough road. The view at sunrise is spectacular, showcasing nature’s beauty.

Q.5: Activities in Kolakham?

Ans. Kolakham is a haven for birdwatchers and offers trekking opportunities. Capture picturesque moments and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Q.6: What to See Near Kolakham?

Ans: Nearby attractions include Chhangey Falls, Lava Monastery, Rishop/Rishyap for Himalayan views, Lolegaon with its hanging bridge and viewpoint, and Neora Valley National Park, known for its biodiversity, and Red Pandas.

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North Bengal's offbeat magic is my muse. I find adventure in whispering waterfalls, vibrant village life, and breathtaking Himalayan vistas. Join me as I delve deeper, seeking stories and experiences beyond the mainstream, from Darjeeling's tea havens to the unexplored corners of this incredible region

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