About Lava

Lava

Lava is a small town in Kalimpong district in the lap of North Eastern Himalaya. This small town is the entry point to the Neora Vallley National Park from Kalimpong, as well as the entry point for the trekking in the Neora Valley National Park. The well known ‘Lava Monastery’, the most popular tourist destination of the town, is situated here and always welcome you with its calm environment. The monastery is also known as ‘Kagyu Theckchen Ling Monastery’. From Lava you can visit Rishyap, Lolegaon, Kolakham etc places which are now growing as popular destinations among travelers.

How to reach Lava

By Air: The nearest airport to Lava is Bagdogra Airport (IXB), which is about 105 kilometers away. This airport is well-connected to major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati. Upon landing at Bagdogra, You can hire a cab.

By Train: The nearest major railway station to Lava is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), which is approximately 100 kilometers away. NJP is well-connected to various parts of India. From NJP, You can hire a cab.

By Road: 

From Kalimpong Lava is about 37 kilometers from Kalimpong. You can hire a taxi or take a local bus. The scenic drive will take approximately 1.5 hours, winding through picturesque valleys and quaint villages.

From Siliguri Siliguri, located around 80 kilometers from Lava, is another common transit hub. You can hire a taxi or take a bus, which typically takes around 3 hours.

Weather

Best Season to Visit

Spring (March–April), Summer (May–June), and Autumn (October–November) are the best seasons to visit Lava. These months offer pleasant weather, forest exploration, and clear views of the surrounding mountains.

Month-wise Temperature (Average)

• January: 2°C – 9°C (Cold and foggy)
• February: 4°C – 12°C (Chilly and pleasant)
• March: 6°C – 14°C (Cool with fresh greenery)
• April: 8°C – 16°C (Pleasant and vibrant surroundings)
• May: 10°C – 18°C (Comfortable weather)
• June: 13°C – 20°C (Mild with occasional rain)
• July: 14°C – 19°C (Heavy rainfall and misty)
• August: 14°C – 19°C (Wet and cloudy)
• September: 13°C – 18°C (Rain gradually reduces)
• October: 8°C – 16°C (Clear skies and scenic views)
• November: 5°C – 13°C (Crisp and cool)
• December: 3°C – 11°C (Cold and peaceful)

Weather & Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Lava is from March to June and October to November, when the weather remains pleasant and suitable for sightseeing. Located at the gateway of Neora Valley National Park, Lava is known for its dense forests, misty atmosphere, and monastery surroundings. Visitors can enjoy scenic views of Kanchenjunga on clear days. Spring brings fresh greenery, while autumn offers the clearest skies. Monsoon enhances the forest beauty but comes with frequent rainfall and fog.