Host Info
Padam Gurung
Latpanchar
Padam Gurung is a local from Latpanchar who has pioneered tourism activity in the area is our partner for Humro Home Latpanchar.
Padam is a popular name in the local tourism circuit and he developed this accommodation in 2012 in collaboration with Humro Home. Since Padam lives at Latpanchar about 3 km away, the service at this eco-resort is provided by local people employed by him.
Even More...Activity
The most of the Darjeeling hills was once inhabited by the Lepcha people. The name Latpanchar is also a Lepcha word meaning land where Cane grows. Even today a good number of Lepcha people live in Latpanchar as well as its surrounding area such as Shittong. The village is situated at an altitude of about 4500 feet. Ahal Dara has an altitude of about 5000 feet.
Ahal Dara This is not only the location of Humro Home tourist accommodation but also common sightseeing point for the locals and tourists alike. Before we build our eco-resort here, the place was considered to be the Sunrise point. Often visitors compare the view from here to that of the more famous Tiger Hill sunrise point. Even if you are not staying at Ahal, a visit to this hilltop is a must for tourists. Latkothi About 3 km from Latpanchar village is the location of Latkothi. It is a forest bungalow located at the Northern fringe of Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary. It is one of the favorite haunts for bird watchers and photographers. From your vantage location, you can see the entire plains of North Bengal in front of you including Siliguri town, Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary, Teesta River and parts of Dooars. Namthing Pokhri This is a lake about 4 km from Latpanchar and about 500 meters from Ahal. The lake remains dry for about 6 months in a year and is famous as the home of Himalayan Salamander, a rare and highly endangered species. The lake is about 5 minutes walk from our Ahal Eco-resort. Shittong Orange Orchards About a kilometer from Ahal resort and about 4 km from Latpanchar is the Shittong village. The village has a number of orange orchards and the view of the gardens during the orange season is enticing. Please note that you may only take pictures of the oranges and do not pluck them from the tree directly without the permission of the orchard owner.
Even More...Things to See
Birding Latpanchar and its surrounding area is a bird watchers paradise. Sultan Tit is a beautiful bird that draws people from all over the country to this village. Other common birds seen in the area include Red-headed Trogan, Oriental Hornbill, Rufous Hornbill, Long-tailed Hornbill, Chestnut-bellied thrush, Black-throated Sunbird, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Common green magpie, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Oriental cuckoo.
Trip Advisor Review
Your Neighbourhoods
Weather
April – June - The weather is pleasant and you do not need woolens during the day. Evenings can be...
April – June - The weather is pleasant and you do not need woolens during the day. Evenings can be cold and warmer clothing may be required. If it rains, the temperature may drop sharply so be prepared while packing your bag. Average Temperature between 15-25 degree Centigrade.
July – September – It rains heavily at Latpanchar. Raincoats and umbrellas are a must. During the rainy season, temperatures vary between 12 to 22.
October – Early December – This is the advent of the winter months. The rain has stopped and the sky is clear. You have the best chance of seeing the Kanchenjunga in its full galore. Temperatures may vary between 10 to 20 degrees.
Late December to March – It is the winter here. The temperature may go down to 5 degrees or below. Normally during day time it remains in the range of 10 to 15 and goes down during night time. Towards March the weather again starts getting warmer.
The above information suggestive in nature and based on personal experience of our members who visit and stay at Latpanchar on a regular basis. For the latest weather update talk to our guest service executives.
Orientation
Our Humro Home Ahal is located on the Ahal Dara view point 3 kms from Latpanchar village at a secluded hill top. On a clear day, the view from our home at Ahaldara will mesmerise you. The location offers 360 degree panoramic view of Dooars and Terai plains on one hand, and Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim mountains on the other. Culminating in a grand display of the Kanchenjunga massif. Humro Home Latpanchar is located just 3 kms from Latpanchar village in Kurseong division of Darjeeling district. It is about 50 kms from NJP rail station and takes 1.5 hours to reach.
The Property
About the Home Lodge at Ahaldara
Humro Home at Ahal, Latpanchar is a small resort and not a hotel. We pride ourselves in the unique location of our resorts and the excellent opportunity to walk amongst nature and mix with uninhibited local people. Like all our home lodges, you can expect clean and decent rooms and basic but sumptuous meals here.
Humro Home Ahal presently has three cottages. Each cottage has its own veranda for you to seat and enjoy the surrounding. The rooms are large and airy with two double beds. Ceiling and walls are wooden. Each cottage has its own attached toilet with running hot and cold water.
Being on top of a hill, water is scarce here. You will be provided with sufficient water in Drums during the non-rainy season. We do not offer television in the rooms as it disturbs the serenity of the natural surroundings.
There are a small kitchen and dining hall close to the cottages that can accommodate 12 to 15 people. As this is a home lodge, we do not offer room service.
The exterior/interior
Location
How to reach Latpanchar, Ahal, and Sittong
Latpanchar, Ahal, and Sittong are neighboring villages close to Siliguri town. The places can easily be accessed from all major destinations of Darjeeling and Sikkim. Humro Home is located at Ahal Dara that is 3 km from Latpanchar and about a km above Sittong village.
Following is a list of different places and distance from Latpanchar
Darjeeling 85 km 3.5 Hrs Through Peshok road, Teesta Bazar, Kalijhora
Darjeeling 65 km 2.5 Hrs Through Bagora and Mamring
Kalimpong 55 Km 2 Hrs Through NH31A and Kalijhora
Siliguri 48 Km 1.5 Hour Through Sevok and Kalijhora
Siliguri 55 km 2 Hours Through Sukna and Rongtong
Gangtok 115 Kms 4.5 Hours Through NH31A and Kalijhora
From NJP / Bagdogra / Siliguri To Ahal / Latpanchar
From New Jalpaiguri rail station / Bagdogra Airport / Siliguri, you may travel to Latpanchar / Ahal through two different routes. The main road and the shorter route passes through National Highway 31A via Sevok and Kalijhora. This is the main road connecting Sikkim with Bengal. About 30 km from Siliguri and 40 km from Bagdogra / NJP, you reach Kalijhora. Here you take a left turn and climb uphill through forests of Sal trees. About 17 km uphill drive will take you to Latpanchar. If you intend to go to Sittong or Ahal, you have to continue for another 3 km.
The alternative route is through Sukna. This is State Highway 55 connecting Siliguri with Darjeeling. About 20 km from Siliguri and about 30 km from Bagdogra / NJP, you reach Rongtong. Take the right turn and drive through Sepoydhura and Norbung Tea garden for about 8 km to reach Shiv Khola. Move on to Simring village on the same route. Keep an eye on the right and you will soon see the source of river Mahananda few km ahead. A few km ahead you will reach Simring where you will reach the main road connecting Bagora with Latpanchar. Take a right turn and drive for about 8 km to reach Ahal / Latpanchar. About a km before Ahal top, on your right side you will find the Namthing Pokhri, the lake famous for Himalayan Salamandar.
The first route is the main road and takes less time. The second route is less traveled and will have much less traffic. Please consult our travel experts about the latest road condition before taking either of the routes.
From Darjeeling to Ahal / Latpanchar / Sittong
From Darjeeling, you can either travel through Peshok road or through Bagora. The Peshok road is the main road and is normally in better condition. But the distance through this route is about 85 km and takes about 3.5 hours. This route travels from Darjeeling to Ghoom and then to Teesta Bazar through Peshok road. Continue downhill till Kalijhora and then take a right turn and travel uphill for about 18 km to reach Ahal / Latpanchar / Sittong area.
The Bagora route is mostly used by the locals. Here you have to drive from Darjeeling till Dilaram on the Darjeeling Kurseong highway. From Dilaram take a left turn and drive about 2 km to reach Bagora. This is a small village on the old cart road. A number of roads have met at Bagora. Unless you are sure which road to take, ask a local as roads here can be confusing. From Bagora you have to travel through Turuk and reach Ahal / Sittong / Latpanchar area. This route is about 65 km and should take about 2.5 hours drive. Confirm with our executives about the road condition before starting.
From Gangtok to Ahal / Latpanchar / Sittong
From Gangtok, you have to follow the National Highway 31A connecting Sikkim with Bengal. After entering Bengal about 30 km before you reach Siliguri, you will be at Kalijhora, take a right turn and follow the uphill road for about 17 km to reach Latpanchar. Ahal and Sittong are about 3 km ahead on the same road. The total distance through this route is about 115 km and takes about 4.5 hours drive.
From Kalimpong to Ahal / Latpanchar / Sittong
From Kalimpong, you basically follow the same route as from Gangtok. You join NH 31A near Teesta and your travel distance would be about 50 km and should take about 2 hours to reach.
Video
Guest Testimonials
Write ReviewI stayed at Ahal recently with my family. Frankly I was a little worried, what I will get in such a secluded place. But the view from the place really got the better of me. The place is really amazing. The bad road,...
More ReviewsThe resort gets 10 out of five for its location. The cottages are also very beautiful. But the maintenance and service is average. The food is fine, the owner is friendly but he lives quite far from the resort....
More ReviewsRoom Images
About Rooms
- There are 3 cottages that can accommodate a maximum of 4 guests each. There is an additional dining hall cum kitchen for the guests.
Rules
- Change in pre-booked services
- In case the guest requiring any changes in the pre-booked service, such changes would be considered as a new service. The cost of the new service is payable separately and adjustment with the cost of the original service is not admissible. Such extension or alteration of the original service is subject to both naturebeyond and the guests agreeing on the same. In case of any disagreement naturebeyond commitment is limited to the service already booked.
- Child Policy
- * Infant Below 5 yrs complimentary
- * Children aged between 5 -10 years can be accommodated with accompanying adults. This will entail additional cost referred to as 'Child Without Bed' or CNB in tariff plan (CNB = Child no Bed)
- * Person above 10 years can be accommodated in a hotel with an extra cot. This will entail additional cost referred to as 'Child With Bed' or CWB in tariff plan. (CWB = Child With Bed)
- The rooms in most places of eastern Himalaya are small in size. So in a double sharing room, there can be maximum of 2 adults + 1 infant + 1 CWB or CNB.
- In case of availing the complimentary Infant facility or CNB facility, it is the responsibility of the accompanying guardian to carry proof of age of the child. The hotel may ask for such proof at any point and in case of non-production may charge the guest an additional amount.