Kalimpong to Lava
Your options
Ways to make the journey
1.5 h
Shared jeeps for Lava leave Kalimpong's main motor stand several times each morning, filling ten or so seats before they go. Ask the day before for the first departure and be there early, especially on weekends. Return jeeps leave Lava early in the morning, so plan your way back accordingly. Large bags go on the roof under a tarpaulin.
1.5 h
Book through your hotel or at the Kalimpong stand. A reserved small car or SUV lets you stop for tea in Algarah, see Damsang Fort, and pause in the forest for birds or views. For four people with luggage it costs little more than four seats plus roof charges, and it drops you at your lodge or homestay door.
4–4.5 h from Siliguri
If you are coming straight from Siliguri and NH10 is closed, drivers go via Sevoke, Malbazar, Gorubathan and up to Lava, skipping Kalimpong altogether. It is a longer but often more reliable road in the monsoon. Check current status before you travel. The road climbs through tea gardens and forest above Gorubathan, and it suits travellers who want to start in Lava and end in Kalimpong.
Worth a stop
- Algarah bazaar for tea
- Damsang Fort near Algarah
- Forest stretches above Algarah for birds
- Valley views toward Sikkim
Questions people ask
Good to know
How far is Lava from Kalimpong
Lava is about 32 km east of Kalimpong by road via Algarah, a drive of about 1.5 hours. The road climbs from around 1,250 m to 2,200 m through Algarah, so expect a noticeable drop in temperature. Shared jeeps cost about ₹100–150 a seat, and a reserved car about ₹2,000–3,000 one way, indicative for 2026.
What time do shared jeeps leave Kalimpong for Lava
Shared jeeps for Lava leave Kalimpong's motor stand mainly in the morning, often from about 7 am, and depart when full. There may be one or two later jeeps, but afternoon departures are not reliable. Ask at the stand or your hotel the day before for that season's timings, which change.
Is the Kalimpong–Lava road open in winter
Yes, the road usually stays open all winter. On cold mornings after frost or a rare snowfall, the upper stretch near Lava can be icy, so drivers wait until the sun is up. In the monsoon, landslides can block it for hours. Check current status before you travel.
Can I visit Lava as a day trip from Kalimpong
Yes. Leave Kalimpong early, visit Lava's Kagyu monastery and the forest, and perhaps Changey Falls or Rishyap, then return by evening. A reserved car for the day costs about ₹3,000–4,000, indicative for 2026. Neora Valley needs a permit from the Lava range office and an early start, so it is better done with a night in Lava.