The canopy walk bridge in loleygaon inside the heritage forest

Firs (Abies) are a genus of between 45-55 species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. All are trees, reaching heights of 10-80 m (30-260 ft) tall and trunk diameters of 0.5-4 m (2-12 ft) when mature. Firs can be distinguished from other members of the pine family by their needle-like leaves, attached to the twig by a base that resembles a small suction cup; and by erect, cylindrical cones 5-25 cm (2-10 in) long that disintegrate at maturity to release the winged seeds. Identification of the species is based on the size and arrangement of the leaves, the size and shape of the cones, and whether the bract scales of the cones are long and exserted, or short and hidden inside the cone. They are most closely related to the cedars (Cedrus)
These trees are very commonly found in lava.

Neora Valley, one of the least tracts of virgin wilderness in the country sustains a unique eco-system where tropical, sub-tropical, sub-temperate, and temperate vegetative system still harbours a wealth of flora and fauna. The forests consists of mixed species like rhododendron, bamboo, oak, ferns, sal etc. The Valley also has numerous species of orchids.

Neora Valley National Park (Bengali: নেওরা ভ্যালি জাতীয় উদ্দ্যান)is situated in the Kalimpong subdivision under Darjeeling District, West Bengal spread over an area of 88 km² established in 1986 is one of the richest biological zones in the entire Northeast. The land of elegant Red Panda in the pristine undisturbed natural habitat with rugged inaccessible hilly terrain and rich diverse flora and fauna together make the park an important wilderness zone.

LAVA
The region is still virgin and wild animals such as the Himalayan Black Bear, barking deer are found in profusion in these parts. A Buddhist monastery is present on one of the hills of Lava.
Lava is also near the vicinity of the Jelepla Pass, the ancient trade route to Tibet and the Neora Valley National Park. The small town of Lolegaon is located near Lava.

Lava is a small hamlet situated 34 kilometres (21 mi) east of the town of Kalimpong via Algarah in the state of West Bengal, India. Lava is situated at an altitude of 2,100 metres (6,890 ft). It is one of the few places in West Bengal to receive snow in winter. The route to Lava is scenic with the change in vegetation from tropical deciduous to the wet alpine trees of fir, pine and birch. The idyllic verdant forests are an ideal spot for picnicking, trekking and bird watching and other peripatetic activities. The road is untouched by modern life and one is treated to rustic hamlets whose inhabitants are still living as they have for centuries

The Lepcha kids.Very shy in nature in lava and always running away from the cameras.
The Lepcha (population: 50,000) are the aboriginal inhabitants of present day Sikkim. Many Lepcha are also found in western and southwestern Bhutan, the Ilam District of eastern Nepal and even the hills of West Bengal. They are also known as the Rong, Rongke, or Rongpa.
The origin of the Lepcha is obscure. They speak a Tibeto-Burman language which some classify as Himalayish. Based on this some anthropologists suggest they emigrated directly from Tibet to the north, while others suggest a more complex migration that started in southeast Tibet, migrated to either Thailand or Burma, then navigated the Ayeyarwady River and Chindwin rivers, crossed the mighty Patkoi range coming back west, and finally entered into ancient India. While migrating westward through India they are surmised to have passed through southern Bhutan before reaching their final destination near Kanchenjunga.

A prayer wheel (called mani chos-'khor or Mani wheel by the Tibetans) is a wheel on a spindle made from metal, wood, leather, or even coarse cotton. On the wheel are written or encapsulated prayers or mantras. According to the Tibetan Buddhist belief, spinning such a wheel will have much the same effect as orally reciting the prayers.

This is the prayer room where the lamasoffer their morning prayers.

Thanka painting a tradtioanl painting found only in these monasteries,its very rare to get pics inside any tibetian monastery but Lava Monastery allows its visitors to take snaps!!!!!!!!!

The interior of the monastery shows the rich heritage which it carries,the monastery also provide basic education and health to people residing there

Lava monastery one of the biggest monestery in West bengal showcasing the tradition of buddhism.Located in the foot hills of neora valley national park....just 5 min walk from the main market.

Lava is mainly famous for its floura and fauna,wild orchid and a wild animals in the forest.This used to be a sleeping village and has spread his arms to the tourist just a few year back, to enjoy its natural beauty

While passing Gorubathan you will love to see wide stretch of tea gardens aroung you.............the green tea leaves are ready to plucked.....within two months this area will be a baren land!!!!!!!!!

While crossing NANDI river we saw this field cover with kash ful which can only be seen during autumn

We started our journet to lava from siliguri,a car was rented from NJP station that took us to Lava via Gorubathan, the view around the roads are minblowing.