Neora Valley National Park Trek In West
The Neora National Park is named after the river flowing in the Park. The park has numerous torrents and streams. It is a home of a broad band of flora and more than 200 species of birds. It also shelters many endangered species of animals. The park is spread over an area of more than 88 sq. km in Darjeeling (West Bengal). It was established in 1986. Neora Valley National Park trek makes you witness the unique eco-system where a vast variety of vegetation is to be found along with a rich and rare variety of flora and fauna as well.
Ideal season to trek Neora Valley National Park
It is from March to June and from October to December.
Location of Neora Valley National Park
It is located in Darjeeling district, at the tri-junction of Bhutan, West Bengal and Sikkim.
Trekking Neora Valley National Park
- Day 1
- Zero Point- Alubari
On the Lava-Damdim Road a path hugs the slope below the nature Interpretation Centre. An 8 kms drive will bring you to Zero Point. Catch the path where the road ends. You have to walk downhill throughout the day. Neora River is at the distance of approximately 1 kms. Tread till you reach a flat land-Jaree-Butee. From here, Alubari is about 3 kms. The track to it passes through streams and forests. Camp at Alubari near the river.
- Day 2
- Alubari-Rechi La
Leave Alubari Camp and head north. As you walk on enter a dense forest climbing uphill. The trail takes you northwards. The final climb is through rhododendron forest. Before reaching Rechi La move to the Rechi La Bungalow. As you aim at reaching Rechi La Top, it can be reached by walking back and following the path to north. You are at the Top after a short climb. Lights of Gangatok Valley are visible from here.
- Day 3
- Rechi La Lake (Todey-Tangta Route)-Rechi La
Take the path going past the Rechi La Bungalow to the east. It drops to Todey-Tangta villages. While moving on you will come across a lake. Here you can spend some time looking for pugmarks of some wild animals. For the night return to Rechi La.
- Day 4
- Rechi La-Pankhasari
Slope down to Alubari. Before reaching Alubari, take the road bypassing the camp and following the main Pankhasari Ridge uphill. Some kilometers from the Alubari camp is the Pankhasari Top. This place is good for camping.
- Day 5
- Pankhasari-Lava
Move downhill, following the Pankhasari Ridge to reach above the Pankhasari Check-Post on the Lava-Zero Point track. To spend some time in bird watching, move back to Zero Point from the Check Post. You have to slope down mostly. One path goes down in south-west. The trail following this path to Lave is an easy one. You can stay at Lava or return to Kalimpong the same day.
Trekking Options
Two other options can be followed instead of returning to Lava from Rechi La. You can pass through Todey-Tangta to move on to Chalsa, the road head in the Dooars is about 20 kms away. Some trekkers can do Rechi La-Mouchouki-Samsing route. Samsing is at an hour's distance from Chalsa.
Neora Valley National Park trek is a refreshing one which gives you an exclusive experience even if you are a great trekker and have trekked many places. This Park is one of its own kind, nowhere else to be find. This trek is really a naturalist's delight.