Photos

Rishap is dream destination. This small village at an altitude of about 8500 ft, is set against the backdrop of the mighty Mt. Kanchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world. Only 10 kms. away from Lava, an hour's jeep drive from Kalimpong or 4 hrs by road from New Jalpaiguri/ Bagdogra, Rishap is a destination far from the sights and sounds of city life.
The view of the mountains is one of the most expansive with several other peeks looking down on the valley. The mountains have retained the moist green cover with very old trees. Here nature is in her unspoilt beauty.

Rishap, in the lepcha languagemeans the "lofty cliff" (Ri) with the "forest of ancient trees" (shyap). One can view the vaste expanse of the Neora Valley National Park.

Rishap is a birwatchers paradise, and while there one can only hear the beautiful birdsongs and the interesting conversations. Moist forest is ideal for different types of indigenous and beautiful orchids. The forest offers exciting excursions for nature lovers. One may also follow the popular routes through the forest, used by the villagers to communicate to Lava and other nearby places.

This photo was taken along one such nature trail, on my way down to Lava. Climbing down this very steep trail was a little problem for me, a guy from the plains, but was really very difficult to climb up, given the fact that I did'nt have trekking shoes on and the fact that I was trekking alone.

The last 4 kms. of approach road to Rishap is difficult to travel, and special mountain jeeps are necessary to encounter the steep stony road. Electricity has just arrived in Rishap in October 2004. Now it will be possible to develop new resorts furnished with some of the modern necessities. But, this will no doubt, affect the isolated and untouched beauty of this paradise.