| Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary |
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This wildlife abode was constituted in 1943 for conserving the endangered one-horned Indian rhinoceros. This 216 sq km of deciduous forest is a montage of woods, swamps and grasslands and is chequered by the rivers Torsa, Hollong, Malangi, Bhaluka and Chirakhawa. Jaldapara has the largest concentration of the one-horned rhinoceros in India after Kaziranga and on a lucky day you can spot this treasured animal basking in the sun. The other celebrity to watch out for is the Royal Bengal tiger hiding behind the tall elephant grass.
Head to the watchtowers from which you can view the wildlife. A number of elephant safaris are also available. If you don’t trust elephants, go on a Jeep safari, which can be booked at one of the tourist lodges in Madirhat.
The park is also the breeding ground for reptiles like the Indian python, fresh-water turtles, geckos, monitor lizards and kraits. |
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| Gorumara National Park |
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Gorumara is located at a distance of 62 km from Jaldapara on the banks of river Murti. The icon to watch out for is the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The park has a spot called Rhino Point, where rhinos and bisons huddle together to lick salt. Nature lovers can also catch a glimpse of elephants, leopards and barking sambar deers. & if money problem plz tell me feel free, dnt think aisa ki wht she will think, atleast I will help u with sum amount.
Valuable trees like Teak, Simul, Siris, Khair and Sal abound in the forests and give shelter to numerous migratory birds. Reptiles and amphibians like the Indian python and the King cobra give company to the birds.
The best way to watch the wildlife is from atop one of the watchtowers at the park. Invest in powerful binoculars, with night-vision facilities. |
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| Chapramari Wildlife Park |
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Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas at a distance of 20 km. from Gorumara, Chapramari is home to all sorts of fauna. It is famous for its elephant and gaur (Indian bison) population. You can spend your time wandering in the habitats of the spotted cheetah and the majestic sambar. One of the most important areas the barking deer and wild boar, Chapramari is also one of the few places where the pangolin proliferates successfully.
The trees hide some of the most sought-after birds and a chance encounter with the green magpie, scarlet minivet, hill mayna, Indian treepie and white-breasted kingfisher is always a possibility.
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| Lataguri |
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Lataguri is a quiet town, which is located near Gorumara. Besides the quiet and calm surroundings, the main attraction here is the Nature Interpretation Center that gives information about the flora and fauna of the region.
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| Totopara |
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Situated amid a lush green countryside that meets the invigorating waters of the river Torsa, Totopara is a tiny hamlet where the Totos, an aboriginal tribe of Indo-Bhutanese origin, live. The Totos have broad and square cheeks, flat noses, small eyes and thick lips. They are usually endogamous and marry within their own tribe. Their staple food consists of rice, milk, yogurt and different forms of meat. They drink a form of liquor called Eu, which is served warm in Poipa (wooden glasses). Most of the Totos live in elevated bamboo huts. Most of the huts are surrounded by a kitchen garden where the tribal people grow their own vegetables.
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| Chilapata Forest |
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Pay a visit to the Chilapata Forest, which is 20 km away from Alipurduar. One of the lesser-known wildlife abodes in the region, the forest forms an elephant corridor between Jaldapara and Buxa Tiger Reserve. The rain-fed Bania river meanders its way through the forest. The main attraction here is the Nalraja Garh or the fort of the Nal kings. The fort was built in the 5th century during the Gupta period. A stone temple is situated nearby.
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| Buxa Tiger Reserve |
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The crown gem of the Dooars region, the Buxa Tiger Reserve, is a sanctuary set up to preserve the Royal Bengal tiger. The famous Jayanti River flows through the forest which was declared a National Park in January 1992. The two main entry points of the reserve are Buxa and Jayanti. One has to take permission from the Deputy Field Officer at Alipurduar, to enter the reserve.
Located inside the reserve at an altitude of 800 metres is the historic Buxa fort. During British rule, this fort was used as a prison. Freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was also confined inside the fort. A sacred temple called Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also lies inside the reserve.
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| Jayanti-Bhutanghat-Rajabhatkawa |
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At Jayanti, you can stand on the riverbank and stare at the endless acres of scenic beauty. The green hills of Bhutanghat and the dense forest make for a pastoral setting. Take a train to Alipurduar Junction and hire a car to reach Rajabhatkawa. The view from the train will leave you mesmerized. Rajabhatkawa is a beautiful town near the Buxa Tiger Reserve and one of the main centres of eco-tourism. Places of tourist interest at Rajabhatkawa include an orchidarium, an animal rescue centre and a nature interpretation centre.
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| Alipurduar |
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Located in the north bank of the Kaljani river, Alipurduar is the gateway to Bhutan and the north-eastern states of India. Small streams intersect the town and add to its natural beauty. Previously, Alipurduar was an old trading centre that was part of the "Silk Route". Today, the remains of the traditional route are still visible at Santalabari.
The highest peak of Jalpaiguri, the Chota Sinchula is located in Alipurduar. Situated at an altitude of 1733 m about 12 km away from Buxa the peak offers beautiful views of the impermeable forest covers of the Buxa hills and Bhutan valley.
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| South Khairbari Tiger Rescue Centre and Leopard Rehabilitation Centre |
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A construction known as the South Khairbari Tiger Rescue Centre, a unique endeavor that is unmatched in the entire north-east, has recently come up in Alipurduar. It now acts as a permanent shelter for tigers, and the place has been aptly named Bagh Ban, meaning "tiger forest" in Bengali. A maximum of 15 tigers can be accommodated in the forest. A leopard rehabilitation centre is located at Khairbari that offers safaris to visitors.
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| Khukusia Park |
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Those looking for a little bit of adventure should head to Khukusia Park, which is 8-10 km from Falakata town and within easy driving distance of the Khairbari Tiger Rescue Centre. An amusement park including a deer park is located here. |
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| Kunja Nagar |
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Another amusement park where one can spot deers, elephants and even leopards. A boating facility is also available.
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| Samsing |
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With its orange orchards and cardamom plantations, Samsing is an unspoilt mountain destination that is growing in popularity among tourists. Atop Kitap Singh Hill, it is nearly three hours away by bus from the heart of Siliguri.
Once you cross the Teesta river, an emerald-green carpet of tea estates girdles the road.Mongpong, Bagrakot, Udlabari, Dumdim and Malbazar are some of the highlights on the way to the Chalsa junction.
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| Juronti |
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This undiscovered tourist spot on the banks of the Neora is also worth a look at. Juronti is flanked by wonderful tea gardens. Streams and their tributaries criss-cross the picturesque estates and the sylvan forests around them.
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| Rachela Pass |
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Stunning views of the Kanchenjunga can be seen by going up to Rachela Pass, a popular point for adventure-seeking and adrenaline-charged tourists. A panoramic view of the Chola Range is available from here.
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| Rocky Island Adventure Camp |
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The Rocky Island Adventure Camp is another spectacularly located tourist destination where there are thousands of boulders with interesting names that are meant to signify their resemblance to certain mythological characters (Bhimsen) and mountains (Pathar Kailas).
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| Suntalekhola |
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Girdled by a gurgling brook and surrounded on all sides Suntalekhola exudes the unsullied charm of a new tourist destination. The orange trees laden with fruit, the rumble of flowing water, the rustle of conifer leaves underfoot and the slanting rays of the sun will catch your eye as you move around. Seat yourself on the rocky riverbed, lend a ear to the soothing melodies of the water. Walk through remote villages and terraced paddy and maize fields eventually lead to Mouchuki, the entry point to Neora National Park. You can view the overpowering hills of Bhutan and the Jelepla Pass that forms the connecting link between Tibet and India from here.
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| Lava-Lolaygaon |
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Lava is a forest village with a popular Buddhist monastery that is known as Lava Monastery. The monastery is set amid a sea of evergreen forests at an elevation of 2100 m. Surrounded by very large tracts of protected forests at an elevation of 1600-2400 m, Lava includes the remote and uninhabited Neora National Park, and is a bird watcher's delight. Some of the most sought after and least known birds of India can be spotted here. You can also visit Lava Bazaar (which offers some great finds).
Lolaygaon is higher up than Lava. A popular place for movie shoots, it is also a spot frequented by those who want to go off the beaten track. From Jhandi Dara (wooded hilltop), one can enjoy a brilliant view of the sunrise.
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| Neora Valley National Park |
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Spread over an expanse of 88 sq km, Neora National Park is located in a woody forest area near Lava. Dense bamboo groves and abundant species of orchids crowd the park. The rain and cloud cover lend toNeora Valley's mixed forest and giant towering trees to an more exotic character. Wild animals like red panda, Himalayan black bear and wild dog call the Neora National Park their home. The park is also a popular picnic spot because of its the serene, secluded and pollution-free environment. Adventure seekers can trek to Rechela Danda, the highest peak in the park, which is located at an altitude of 10,600 feet. However, the monsoon makes trekking in these parts difficult by populating the walk with bloodsucking leeches. Tiffin Dara provides a matchless view of the rising sun.
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| Rishap |
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Rishap, another upcoming tourist destination is a short drive away from Lava. A recent addition on the tourism map of West Bengal, this sleepy hamlet is full of coniferous forests.
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| Murti |
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A lesser-trodden off-beat wonder of the Dooars region, this stretch of green offers some eco-friendly accommodation where you can spend a peaceful evening by the river, listening to the music of the woods and water as the sun goes down.
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| Bindu |
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Bindu, a small village on the India-Bhutan border, provides the perfect escape for city dwellers. The journey to Bindu via Chalsa-Khunia-Jhalong is a fascinating one as the road passes through the beautiful tea gardens, forests, river valleys and small, quiet villages. The babbling Jaldhaka stream cuts across the town.
Bindu is home to a conglomeration of different aborigines. The peace-loving people of Bindu are engaged either in Elaichi (Cardamom) or Suntala (Orange) cultivation. Places to visit around Bindu include: Bindu Dam, Jaldhaka Hydel Project, Cardamom Curing Centre and Godak Village.
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| Jhalong |
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Jhalong is a small town by the Kumai river on the way up to Jaldhaka. There are many trekking routes that go through the spice gardens and fruit plantations here. It is a good idea to ask the locals for directions before setting off on your own.
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| Jaldhaka |
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A hill travellers' idyll, Jaldhaka is one of those special places where you can wake in the morning without the hum and hoot of traffic. Apart from ambling around, there is nothing much to do here. Take a walk to Dalagaon View Point. You will be able to see the lush green hills of Bhutan stretching across the horizon.
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| Phuntsholing |
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A scenic drive through terraced fields that offer gorgeous vistas will bring you to Phuntsholing, with an en-route stop at the hilltop Kharbandi Gompa, a monastery built in 1967 by Bhutan's Queen Mother. Phuntsholing is the gateway to Bhutan from India. It is located on the south-west corner of Bhutan on the Indian border (along the Torsa river).
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| Gahunbari |
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Simple, quiet and apparently one of the least-visited destinations' Gahunbari nestles in the Dooars region, which is close to the Sikkim and Bhutan border. A stunning sea of green tea gardens flanks the serpentine road to Gahunbari. The hamlet is packed with tropical forests. One can also catch a glimpse of the majestic Kanchenjunga from here.
Uphill from Gahunbari is a spot called View Point, which offers a spectacular view of the Dooars region along with the China and Bhutan border.
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| Kalijhora |
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It is a small area of forest on the northern edge of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary at an altitude of 300 m. It is an hour's drive from Bagdogra. A good place to see several lowland forest species, the place is noted for its campgrounds, which provide enough open space to organize activities.
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| Paren Compound |
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The villages of Lower Paren, Upper Paren and Paren Compound constitute Paren, which is at a height of about 2,500 ft. Undiscovered by even the most seasoned Bengali tourist, Paren is another good place to walk around, unwind and soak in nature's glory.
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| Birpara |
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A small commercial town in the centre of the Dooars region of the Jalpaiguri district, Birpara is a transportation and trade hub for the tea garden region of the area. It is 118 km away from Siliguri. Two toll-free parks in the region witness heavy crowds during occasions like Christmas and New Year. The town also has a very popular sweet parlour and restaurant called "Lovely Sweets". Punjabi food lovers are not disappointed either by the "Punjabi Dhaba" near Power Grid that also serves liquor.
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| Gazoldoba (Teesta Barrage) |
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Gazoldoba is an hour's drive from Siliguri. It is a large barrage on the river Teesta. It has an excellent winter population of ducks. It is also a good place to see migrating and wintering raptors, and grebes. You'll particularly love the secluded "sit-outs" perfect for sitting with a drink and indulging in endless conversation.
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| Shikarpur Bhawani Pathak's Temple |
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Take for a soothing break by visiting this temple which is situated near Belakoba and the forest of Baikunthapur forest. It is dedicated to Bhawani Pathak, a famous dacoit during Devi Chaudhurani's time. It is constructed by the villagers for Bhawani Pathak, as he was very helpful to them.
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| Bodaganj Bhramri Devi Temple |
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Away from the haphazardly burgeoning town center, this temple is situated beside the Teesta river, near the forest of Baikunthapur. It is popular, as the villagers claimed that Devi Sati's tongue fell on this spot.
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| Jatileswar Temple |
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Situated near Mainagiri, it is famous for its idol of Lord Shiva. After offering prayers, find yourself a nice corner and settle down with some books while listening to bird singing.
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