About the Author
By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj is the founder of Darjeeling-Tourism.com and a full-time travel writer. With decades of firsthand experience in the Himalayas, he has authored hundreds of regional guides on North Bengal and Sikkim, as well as comprehensive Ebooks on Darjeeling and Sikkim.
His travel expertise was featured in a 2017 interview by a joint initiative of 'Incredible India' (Ministry of Tourism) and an Australian Research Firm. Raj regularly visits the hills to ensure his advice remains accurate and helpful to his readers.
Learn more about Raj Bhattacharya
Visitors' Reviews/Comments
Krishnendu Sarkar (June 2018)
Last week my family stayed at Druk Homestay at lamahatta. This is the worst ever I have seen in my life. There was no electricity, no TV, no internet or mobile connection. Virtually we were isolated from the world. Rooms were very dirty, no day to day cleaning, in fact when we checked in no body offers a glass of water. And the service was a nightmare. We reached hotel around 2.30pm. After having lunch I ordered rice for dinner and two ruti/chapati for my 3yrs son, and the guy replied so angrily that my adventure mood in a new place disappeared.
At the time of sight seeing I asked the driver if there was any hotel with better service but I did not imagine it would backfire on me. When back to hotel, the caretaker boy told me he would show what a service could be... I told him no electricity, no TV, then he replied "if you don't like, get out from my room, go to Darjeeling". It was in the evening and I was with my wife and son. I was really scared. I had to beg mercy/pardon for my complain with folded hand. I don't know the name of the caretaker but he is one son of the owner.
I discovered the reason behind their rude behaviour. Actually I booked our pickup and drop from NJP personally instead of booking their cab. Please those who plan for Druk... my advice is don't go or keep police informed about the trip as the boy may kill you if something goes wrong. His behaviour is just like a jungli dog.
Sutanu Dalui (January 2016) : Couple stay at Lamahatta - some afterthoughts
Myself and my wife, stayed for 2 nights (25-27 Jan 2016) at Lamahatta. I am just sharing my reflections after experiencing a short stay here. We stayed at Mr Dhiren Chettri's, Mountain View home stay. From a home stay perspective, I think it was expensive. The room (we stayed in the one displayed on Mr. Raj's site) charge was 1500 per day. Though the bathroom was fitted with a geyser, it was activated only during the morning.
A room heater could be arranged for another Rs 200. The meal plan was 500 per person per day, and included breakfast, lunch and dinner. Somehow, the taste of food was not up-to my expectation. Pls note, I am not talking of the cuisine, rather the taste of the dish. The lunch served hot rice, daal (lentil), shaag (spinach), a cauliflower or cabbage mix, and egg/chicken curry. The dish was very okay with me, but not the taste.
This was my first "home-stay" trip, and somehow it has changed my notion on home stay. Though named a homestay, and indeed the rooms would be apt for that, I thought the charge was like a hotel. I thought home stay was like experiencing a different culture, but to me it felt like staying at a hotel minus the amenities.
A car from Darjeeling to Lamahatta charged Rs 900. A drop to NJP cost us Rs 2500. The lake, on the top of the park seemed very artificial to me. And for sure, it does not require a guide since the way is very clearly demarcated. Unless, you want to wander and explore the pine jungle, there is no need for some one to guide your way. I found the stay at Lamahatta to be overrated, and it would be better to take a day trip from Darjeeling here. And instead of spending the whole time at the park, try to get around the tea estate trails, Gumpha dara view point, Sangam (Teesta Rangeet) view point.
This is totally my personal experience, and it can be argued that I visited during the wrong period of year (since I did not see even a glimpse of Kanchenzhonga, which according to me, should be the USP for Lamahatta)
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