🌿 Namthing Pokhri – Rare Himalayan Salamander Lake

🌿 Namthing Pokhri – Rare Himalayan Salamander Lake

🌄 A Lake that Breathes Ancient Secrets

Hidden among the mist-clad forests of North Bengal, above Latpanchar and not far from Sittong, lies a little-known natural marvel—Namthing Pokhri – Rare Himalayan Salamander Lake. This serene, seasonal lake is not only a visual treat but also a sanctuary for a prehistoric and endangered creature—the Himalayan Salamander, locally known as Gora.

My journey to Namthing wasn’t planned—it was whispered into my itinerary by a local homestay owner over a cup of butter tea. “It’s not just a lake,” he said, “it’s the soul of our hills.” That single statement set me on a trail I would never forget.

🚗 Journey to Namthing Pokhri: Through the Winding Greens

🚌 How to Reach:

  • From New Jalpaiguri (NJP): 55 km, around 3.5 hours by car

  • From Bagdogra Airport: 60 km, 4 hours via Kurseong and Latpanchar

  • From Latpanchar: Just 4 km, accessible via forest trail or local vehicle

  • From Sepoy Dhura: 2.5 km scenic trek through bamboo groves

The final stretch was magical—a dirt trail lined with wild orchids and moss-covered rocks, where sunlight filtered through dense canopies and birds sang unseen tunes.

🌊 What Makes Namthing Pokhri So Unique?

Namthing Pokhri isn’t a large water body. It’s a seasonal high-altitude lake located at around 4,800 ft above sea level. But what sets it apart is its role as one of the last known habitats of the Himalayan Salamander (Tylototriton verrucosus), a lizard-like amphibian that traces its lineage back to the Jurassic era.

🦎 Why it matters:

  • Declared an endangered species under the Wildlife Protection Act

  • Known to reappear after monsoon when the lake is full

  • Spotted only in pristine, undisturbed environments

To stand by the lake and watch its still waters reflect the towering trees is to feel time slowing down—and to witness life that’s older than most of us can comprehend.

🛖 Homestay Hospitality Near Namthing Pokhri

There are no hotels here—only homestays run by warm-hearted families in Latpanchar, Sepoy Dhura, and Sittong. I chose a rustic home just 15 minutes from the lake, where I was treated to soul-touching hospitality.

🍲 Traditional Dishes to Try:

  • Sisnoo saag (nettle soup)

  • Kinema with bamboo shoots

  • Fermented soy & potato stew

  • Boiled eggs with fresh jungle herbs

  • Served with steaming red rice and fiery pickles

Evenings were spent sitting around firewood stoves, listening to stories of Gora, village spirits, and the time when Tagore himself visited the nearby Mungpoo hills.

🐾 Things to See and Do Around Namthing Pokhri

🌊 Namthing Pokhri Nature Walk

The lake itself is the centerpiece of this region. Surrounded by a wooden fence to protect the ecosystem, visitors can walk along its perimeter and, if lucky during monsoon or early autumn, spot the Himalayan Salamander in its natural habitat.

🕒 Best time for sighting: July–September

🐦 Birdwatching Trails

The forests around the lake are alive with winged wonders:

  • Long-tailed broadbills

  • Rufous-necked hornbills

  • Blue-throated barbets

  • Great Himalayan barbets

  • Chestnut-headed bee-eaters

Bring your binoculars—this is a birder’s paradise.

📸 Photography Point

There’s a wooden bench overlooking the lake’s northern rim. Mornings are especially magical here, with fog floating across the water, creating the perfect shot for nature lovers and photographers.

🌿 Visit the Orchid Valley

A short 1.5 km trek downhill takes you to a hidden orchid bloom zone, where wild varieties like Vanda, Dendrobium, and Cymbidium bloom in natural harmony. Peak bloom: March–May.

🎭 Folk Culture Experience

Many local homestays organize Lepcha storytelling nights or traditional bamboo music performances on request. The melodies echo through the forest like a forgotten hymn.

🧳 Travel Essentials & Tips

🛏️ Where to Stay

  • Latpanchar Eco Cottages

  • Sepoy Dhura Homestays

  • Sittong Organic Retreats

💡 Price range: ₹1,000 to ₹1,800 per night with meals
📞 Book early via Sonakshi Travels to secure availability.

📦 What to Pack

  • Trekking shoes

  • Torchlight and power bank

  • Warm clothes (especially Oct–Feb)

  • Insect repellent

  • Field notebook (perfect for nature sketching or journaling)

📶 Network & Connectivity

  • Jio and BSNL work best

  • Most homestays offer basic Wi-Fi via hotspot

  • Limited mobile connectivity near the lake

🧭 Safety Tips

  • Respect wildlife—no feeding or noise

  • Avoid visiting during heavy rains

  • Wear full-sleeves to prevent insect bites

  • Travel with a guide if visiting early morning or post-sunset

🗺️ Nearby Places Worth Visiting

🌸 Sittong Orange Valley – 6 km

In winter, the trees burst with golden oranges, creating a visual and sensory feast.

🐦 Latpanchar Birding Ridge – 4 km

The starting point of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary—ideal for bird photographers and nature lovers.

🏡 Sepoy Dhura – 2.5 km

A secluded village on a ridge with unmatched tranquility, folk history, and birding trails.

🏠 Mungpoo – 20 km

Tagore’s summer residence and cinchona plantation legacy site. A cultural gem.

🎉 Events & Festivals

🌿 Salamander Conservation Festival (November)

Held annually by forest officers and local villagers, this event celebrates Namthing’s ecological significance:

  • Awareness rallies

  • Cultural performances

  • Tree plantation drives

  • School plays on amphibian protection

I was lucky enough to attend it last year. The innocence of the school children’s performances, combined with the passion of the elders, brought tears to my eyes. Conservation felt personal. Sacred.

🎉 Maghe Sankranti – January

Local new year celebrated with community feasts, bonfires, and singing near the lake trail. Everyone is invited—traveler or not.

🧘 Emotional Takeaways: More Than Just a Lake

Namthing Pokhri didn’t shout for attention like a hill station does. It whispered.

In the calm reflection of its waters, I saw the patience of nature. In the flicker of a salamander tail, I saw life that has endured eons. In the hush of the forest, I found clarity, a sense of belonging to something older and deeper than myself.

This place is not for Instagrammers—it’s for introspective explorers, for nature lovers who walk slowly, watch deeply, and feel immensely.

📢 Book Your Nature Escape with Sonakshi Travels

Let Sonakshi Travels help you create an immersive experience into the magical world of Namthing Pokhri and beyond.

👉
🐟 Fish, Forest, and Folklore — All Included in Our Sundarban Tour Package!
Dive deep into Bengal’s traditions with every moment of your stay.

👉

🐾 No safari compares to the stealth and suspense of a Sundarban Tour —you feel the tiger before you see it

Our exclusive packages include:

  • NJP/Bagdogra pickup-drop

  • Guided trek to Namthing Pokhri

  • Birdwatching and orchid trail exploration

  • Stay in verified eco-homestays

  • Cultural night and festival participation (seasonal)

📞 Contact for Bookings

Sonakshi Travels
📱 WhatsApp: +91 7980469744
🌐 Trusted travel partner for soulful destinations

💚 Let the Silence of Namthing Speak

Namthing Pokhri – Rare Himalayan Salamander Lake is a treasure—not just because of its biodiversity, but because it teaches you to pause.

To observe.
To listen.
To be present.

So, if you are tired of crowded viewpoints, loud cafes, and commercial chaos, pack your bags and walk into a world where amphibians are sacred, forests still breathe freely, and the water reflects your quietest self.

🌿 Wander slow. Breathe deep. Let Namthing Pokhri show you what it means to belong to the Earth.