Changhey Retreat Kolakham
Best Budget stay in Kolakham with great view of KunchenjunghaBest Budget Stay in Kolakham with excellent view of Mount Kunchenjungha and a remarkable open lawn area on the hill-top
It is a vacation that all of us crave for now, especially after a tiring period of regular life, stuck in our home or cubicle. A trip in nature is a wonderful medicine that heals and rejuvenates our body and soul. However, in the post-Covid world, we need to plan carefully for a trip keeping our safety in mind. You may wish to avoid high-crowd places, as it can help in successful social distancing. This is where the off-beat destinations come in. If it is a hill destination you prefer, Changhey Retreat the best budget stay in Kolakham is easily one of the best choices right now.
Snow-capped mountain peaks, deep green forests, chilly wind on the skin- Kolakham has everything to offer that comes in your mind when you think of a hilly hamlet. At a height of 5250 feet, the property is set in a pristine nook in nature. You will not get a chance to indulge in a shopping spree here, but the untouched beauty of the valley will mesmerize you. Over the weekend, stay in the balcony when the first ray of sun touches the glittering snowy mountains with the golden glory. There are no high-end restaurants, but here, you will get fresh and tasty dishes, straight from the garden to the kitchen and served hot to you. When you go for a walk, birdsongs and the sound of the nearby waterfalls will accompany you. One thing is for sure, when it is time to return, you will miss this picturesque destination. Its the best budget stay in Kolakham.
Accommodation:
Double bedded rooms- 3 (ground floor)
Duplex rooms, four-bedded- 3 (first floor)
Max Accomodation 18 heads total 6 rooms
Check-in 11:00 Noon
Check out 10:00 A.M.
Outdoor Activity in Kolakham:
Local experience: The property is set in a small village, which you can cover on foot easily. The surrounding Neora Valley forest with the rich Oak, Pine, and Deodar vegetation leaves some gap, through which you can see the mountain ranges. Here, you can be rewarded with a majestic view of Mount Kanchenjungha at a turn of the road. Other peaks include Pandim, Siniolchu, Kabru etc. The stunning landscapes will enchant you.
Stargazing: The place is free of light pollution. You can just sit on the lawn or the balcony and see constellations clearly when there is no cloud. Set up a tripod and you are ready for a star-trail shoot or the Milkyway shot.
Hikes and trek: Based on your physical fitness and experience, you can go to a number of treks from here. The trek to Rishikhola River, Alubari viewpoint & forest of Neora Valley ar easier. You can go for the Rachela Pass trek too. It will take you to one of the highest points of Neora Valley. As the road goes through the Neora Valley forest, you will get a chance to see a rich abundance of flora and fauna. However, with recent tiger sightings, you should opt for proper permission and an experienced guide.
Birdwatching: It is a great place for birdwatching as the Neora Valley is a birding hotspot. You can go out early morning with packed lunch and spend the whole day chasing after the wings. If you are lucky, you can see the red panda in the natural habitat too. Other major animals, besides the Bengal tiger, are Himalayan Black Bear, golden cat, clouded leopards, barking deers, etc.
Nearby Attractions in Kolakham:
Changey Falls: It is located about 2 km away from the property. At a height of about 300 metres, Changey Waterfall is a serene sight. It falls like a white thread as it appears from the green forest and towering hills.
Lava Monastery: Ratnarishi Bihar Buddhist Gumpa or Lava Monastery is a major Buddist religious destination. Visit the place for the beautiful decoration, religious history in a great location.
Kalimpong: A major hub of destinations, which consists of Delo Park, Cactus Garden, farmhouses and museums.
How to Reach:
Rail: The nearest rail station is New Mal Jn. Jalpaiguri Jn. From there it is 76 km away which takes around 2.5 hours to reach by car. Another major station in New Jalpaiguri, around 120 km away.
Air: The nearest major airport is Bagdogra Airport, 128 km away and takes a car 4 hours 10 minutes to reach the place via Kalimpong. If you travel by Pakyong, it takes around 2 hours to cover 49 km.
Road: From Kolkata, the property is approximately 665 km away and it takes around 18 hours to reach by NH 12.
Best Time to Visit:
You can visit Kolakham almost any time of the year. The summer months i.e. March to June offer moderate weather. Monsoon seasons are a bit tricky, as the road condition deteriorates. Still, the verdure forest will enchant you from July to October. November to February- the temperature drops, but the sky is clear often. You can enjoy long stretches of time with an amazing mountain-peak view at these months.
Price of Budget Stay Kolakham:
INR 1650 + 5% GST per day per head including breakfast, lunch and dinner
Car Cost for pick up and drop one side : INR 4000 – INR 4500
Site seeing Cost nearby : INR 2500 – INR 3000
Child Policy:
Complimentary for a child under five years.
Half cost for kids from 5 to 10 years
Full charge for children above 10 years
Other Places in Kolakham Neora Valley Jungle Camp, Skylark Valley View Kolakham
Other interesting places you can visit along with: Rishop Valley Retreat, Tea Estate Lava, Windsongs Kalimpong, Yuru Retreat Delo
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Beautiful location with wonderful property and a good and homely atmosphere with all the amenities.
Simply breathtaking and a beautiful location, with amazing hospitality and specially the Manager-Mr. Ashok Rai is a gem of a person…The rooms on the first floor with a common balcony is just an awesome set up for a perfect adda with all…The barbeque and bonfire setup is also well done.
Lungchu (Changhey) Resort - interesting but not exciting
The location of this resort is great, but the road to reach the place is pathetic. It is about 18 km from Lava and this road is difficult to drive through, even for 4-WD vehicles. While the staff members are attentive to our basic needs (food, water, blanket, etc.), we felt the amenities could have been better. There are no geysers in bathrooms, no covered cupboards to keep your clothes, and power outages are very common. Food is simple local fare. The garden is pretty well done with many varieties of local flowers.