forest lodge · Lava, Kalimpong
Lava Eco Tourism Centre (WBFDC)
budget
This is the classic budget stay in Lava, run by the state forest development corporation rather than a private hotelier. Cottages, log-style huts and a few tents are spread across a sloping forest compound, so each room has some space around it. Rooms have attached bathrooms and basic furniture; do not expect hotel finish. The canteen serves simple Indian and Bengali meals, and it helps to tell the canteen manager your meal plan when you arrive, since there are few restaurants nearby after dark.
We book it for walkers and birders who want to be up early for Neora Valley, Changey Falls or the trail to Rishyap. Mist rolls through the pines most afternoons and nights are cold for much of the year. Booking opens online on the WBFDC website about three months ahead, and weekends from March to May and in October fill quickly. Tariffs are set by the corporation and may change; check current rates when you book.
Why we like it
- Inside the forest, minutes from the Neora Valley permit office
- Government tariff, among the cheapest clean rooms in Lava
- Canteen meals so you need not go out on cold nights
Watch out for
Some cottages sit up steep steps, which can be hard for seniors and small children; ask for a room near the road.
Questions people ask
Good to know
How do I book the WBFDC lodge at Lava
Book online on the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation website, wbfdc.net, which opens reservations roughly three months in advance. Pay in full when booking and carry an ID that matches the booking name. Weekends in spring and October go first, so book early. If the site shows no rooms, check again a few days later, as cancellations are released.
Does the Lava forest lodge serve food
Yes. A canteen in the compound serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, mostly rice, dal, vegetables, eggs and chicken, with prices charged separately from the room. Tell the canteen manager in the afternoon what you want for dinner and when, because meals are cooked to order and the kitchen closes early. Lava bazaar has a few small eateries for daytime snacks.
Is the Lava forest lodge cold
Yes, for most of the year. Lava is at about 2,200–2,350 m, so nights from November to March are near or below freezing, and even spring nights are chilly. Rooms are not centrally heated. Pack thermals, a warm hat and socks, and ask for an extra blanket at check-in. A heater may be available for a charge; confirm when you book.
Packages
Packages that can use this stay
per person, twin₹20,500
per person, twin₹8,500
per person, twin₹13,500
per person, twin₹15,500 Build your own route Tell us your dates, who is coming and what you want to see. We draw the route and price it three ways. Start Working to a budget? Give us a number per person. We will tell you honestly what it buys, and where to save. Start Ask someone who has been A first plan and price within one working day. No payment to start. Start
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