Nature Dream Holiday - Dooars Tourism - Places to visit

Places to visit in Dooars

The first thing that springs to mind when you think about the Dooars is fauna. Dooars has built a reputation for its outstanding animal reserves and national parks over the years. In these deep forests, you may witness wild elephants, one-horned rhinos, bison, leopards, various species of deers, snamkes, wild boars, and a variety of other creatures, as well as a variety of birds, including peacocks.

Dooars, on the other hand, is much more than just a wildlife refuge. You may explore spectacular vistas and valleys to enjoy amazing views of Bhutan's hills and Himalayas, lovely mountain streams, large expanses of expansive tea gardens, go on nature hikes, visit charming hamlets in the middle of nowhere, and much more.

These sites are a visual delight, from the flowing rivulets of Jhalong and the gorgeous valleys of Buxa with woods marked by walking routes to the riverbeds of Jaldapara and the lush vegetation of Gorumara National Park. During the monsoon season, however, these parks stay closed. Visitors who visit this beautiful site in November or December can participate in the Raas Mela, an old fair hosted here. According to the Bengali calendar, the fair begins on the day of the full moon (Purnima) in the month of Kartik. So make plans to visit this lesser-known treasure to build memories that will last a lifetime.

1. Jaldapara National Park

Jaldapara National Park, located on the banks of the River Torsa, is a famous tourist destination in the Dooars. Totopara was the name given to the area before 1800, when it was inhabited by Toto and Mech tribes. The sanctuary was founded in 1941 with the goal of protecting Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros, and it was later designated as a national park in 2012.

The park, which covers an area of 216.5 square kilometres, is known for its lush grassland, riverine woodland sections, and tall grass belts. This park, located at an elevation of 61 metres in the Eastern Himalayan foothills, is mostly a savannah woodland and is home to a diverse range of flora and wildlife. Elephant, leopard, Bengal florican, peacock, python, cobra, and roughly eight kinds of fresh water turtles are among the animals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds that live here, along with one-horned rhinoceros.

Elephant safaris are a great way to see the wildness of Jaldapara National Park. A jeep safari is another method to learn about the region's vegetation and animals. Climb any of the park's several watchtowers for a close encounter. Tourists visiting Jaldapara National Park can stay in a variety of tourist hotels and guest homes located around the region.

2.Buxa Fort

Buxa Fort in the Dooars is one of Eastern India's oldest forts. During the Tibetan conquest of North East India in the second part of the seventh century, the Tibetan Emperor Tsong-Sin-Gyampo is reported to have erected Buxa Fort. However, there is another explanation of how Buxa Fort came to be. King Sangkalp, the first monarch of the Kamtapur dynasty, may have erected the fort to stave off a Tibetan army attack. It was long under Koch Kingdom control until the Bhutanese seized it and utilised Buxa Fort as a fortress to guard a section of the historic Silk Road linking India and Tibet. On the request of Koch King, the British forces assaulted the Buxa Fort towards the end of the 18th century and took away the fort.

Buxa Fort is only 5 kilometres from Santarabari and may be reached by a one-and-a-half-hour hike. Buxa Fort is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Buxa Tiger Reserve in the Dooars. The beginner hikers will enjoy the thrill and excitement of Buxa Fort, which is located at a height of 2844 feet above sea level. Alipurduar is 30 kilometres away from the Fort.

3.Gajoldoba

Bhorer Alo in Gajoldoba is an ideal spot for a relaxing stay amidst the lush greenery. Enjoy an evening stroll through the garden's winding cobblestone paths, which are accompanied by a flock of geese. Gajoldoba is known for being a birder's paradise. To soothe your spirit, visit the adjacent forests and hill stations. The Tourism Department is implementing an initiative called 'Bhorer Alo.' More than 200 acres have been set aside for the project, and infrastructure is being built. The region is likely to become one of North Bengal's high-end tourism attractions in the near future.

Even as the first rays of the morning sun flood the snow-capped peak in gold, the majestic Mount Kanchanjungha casts a purple shadow on the Teesta river that flows beneath it. The scenery at dawn in Gazoldoba, about 15 kilometers outside of Siliguri, gives nature lovers and tourists alike the tranquil feeling they seek. The natural beauty is breathtaking.

4.Gorumara National Park

Gorumara National Park is a significant North Bengal national park. It is located in Murti, Raidak, in the foothills of the Eastern Himalaya in the Terai area, on the flood plains. Jaldhaka, a Brahmaputra tributary, runs beside the National Park. Gorumara features a combination of woodland and grassland plants. It is known for having a large population of One Horned Indian Rhinos. Gorumara has been named the best protected place in India for the year 2009 by the Ministry of Environment and Forest. In 1895, Gorumara was designated as a protected forest. It was designated as a wild life refuge in 1949. In 1994, Gorumara was designated as a national park.

Gorumara National Park has an area of around 80 square kilometres. During the last decade, the woodland region has grown in popularity as a tourist attraction. There has been a significant growth in visitor arrivals as well as infrastructure in recent years. In the Dooars, the region around the forest now has the highest concentration of visitor accommodation. Over time, the number of jungle safari alternatives has grown as well.

5.Kalipur Eco Village

Kalipur Eco Village is another one-of-a-kind ecotourism destination in the Dooars. Kalipur Eco Village is surrounded by magnificent wilderness and wild life, and is located in the heart of Gorumara National Park on the higher reaches of the Murti and Jaldhaka rivers' flood basins. Herbivores such as one-horned rhinos, elephants, deer, Indian bisons, and others graze in deep forest such as green wall, riverine grasslands, and Savannah woodland. Leopards are also sighted nearby. In the Dooars, Kalipur is one of the most popular places for nature enthusiasts.

Kalipur Eco Village is also a popular destination for birdwatchers. Peacocks, serpent eagles, rufous treepies, bulbul, drongos, black ibis, larger pied hornbills, and red jungle fowls are among the many birds that can be seen at Kalipur.

6.Khayerbari

Khayerbari, also known as South Khairbari, is a unique Dooars Region natural park located along the banks of the River Torsha. South Khayerbari is a feline rescue and rehabilitation centre located 12 kilometres from Hasimara Railway Station and 18 kilometres from Madarihat. Following the ban on the usage of animals in circuses, forest officials rescued numerous animals from the Olympic Circus, including 11 Royal Bengal Tigers. All 11 Royal Bengal Tigers were later relocated to South Khayerbari. South Khayerbari, also known as the Leopard and Royal Bengal Tiger Rescue Centre, has become a popular destination for wildlife lovers visiting the Dooars Region. South Khayerbari has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Dooars, thanks to its rescued felines and picturesque beauty.

In recent years, both visitor arrivals and infrastructure have increased significantly. The region surrounding the forest presently has the largest concentration of visitor accommodation in the Dooars. The amount of jungle safari options has increased over time.

7.Jayanti River

Jayanti, sometimes known as the "Queen of Dooars," is a captivatingly beautiful woodland hamlet located 30 kilometres from Alipurduar in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri District. It is located alongside the Jayanti River, on the outskirts of the world-famous Buxa Reserve Forest. This is one of the remaining undisturbed pure Dooars places, with views of nature's bounty—the lush green deep forest, the previously uncontrolled river, and distant hills. Despite the fact that the Jayanti River is empty for the majority of the year, the white stone pebbles strewn throughout the riverbed and along its beaches nevertheless serve as a natural barrier between the intimidating Bhutan Hills. The Jayanti Hills are located on the river's eastern bank, whereas Jayanti is located on the western bank.

8.Buxa Tiger Reserve

This Reserve Forest, which covers 759 square kilometres and features a diverse wildlife population as well as a diversity of sceneries, is spread out across an area of 759 square kilometres. This is the largest reserve in the Dooars area, straddling Assam and Bhutan. This forest is traversed by a variety of rivers and their tributaries, providing a welcoming environment for birds and animals. In reality, because the Buxa Hills are part of the Sinchula Range, they are out of reach of the forest authorities and hence have a lot of unknown areas.

The Buxa Reserve is home to 67 distinct animal species, 36 different reptile species, and, most critically, 230 different unidentified bird species. Floral variety is also abundant in the Dooars' biggest Reserve. It encompasses more than eight different forest types. The most important aspect of this Forest Reserve is that it serves as a crossing point for elephants migrating between India and Bhutan, since the Bhutanese Phipsu Wildlife Sanctuary is a continuation of the Buxa Tiger Reserve.

9. Suntalekhola

Suntalekhola or Suntaley Khola is a picturesque town nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas at a height of 2900ft in the western part of Dooars (also Suntaleykhola). Suntalekhola, located on the outskirts of Neora Valley National Park, is a newly discovered jewel in the crown of offbeat Dooars destinations that has ensnared tourists with its breathtaking surreal and ensnared their hearts with the view of river stream spiralling through the lush mountain hill surrounding Suntalekhola. The name Suntalekhola comes from the Nepali word "Suntaley," which means "orange," and "Khola," which means "stream."

Suntalekhola is a nature-endowed spot, located 87 kilometres from the busy metropolis of Siliguri and 5 kilometres from the peaceful hamlet of Samsing. The drive to Suntalekhola, a nature-bound refuge, is packed with scenic landscapes ranging from deep deciduous woodland to valleys covered in beautiful green tea gardens, with the motorable road ending after reaching a little river stream. It is a journey to be remembered for a lifetime.

10. Chilapata Forest

The Chilapata Forest is a thick forest in the Dooars, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India, near Jaldapara National Park. The forest is rich in wildlife and serves as an elephant corridor between Jaldapara National Park and the Buxa Tiger Reserve. New species are being discovered all the time. Rhinoceros used to live in vast numbers in the jungle.

Aside from that, Chilapata Forest is home to a thriving population of wild elephants, leopards, and wild pigs. Alipurduar town is around an hour's drive from Chilapata. This region is largely deep rainforest, with mud-paved pathways that have been overrun with foliage. The dense forest canopy lets very little light through, and even at noon, the environment is black as if it were twilight.

The forest and its fauna are the main attractions of Chilapata. Within the forest, a Jeep safari is provided. Indian Bison (Gaur), Elephant, Rhino, and other varieties of Deer are also typical sightings here. A diversity of avifauna has been observed in the woodlands. Chilapata is historically significant as well. The famed Nal Rajar Garh is a fort from the Gupta era that was built by the Nal Kings. Despite the fact that the fort is mainly in ruins now, it is worth seeing when in Chilapata.

11. Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is a tiny yet historic Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal, lying amid the Dooars plain. The name Chapramari is most likely derived from the words "Chopra" (a sort of fish) and "Mari" (abundant). The Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Jalpaiguri District's Nagrakata Block, in the foothills of the Kalimpong Sub-division and on the banks of the Murti River. In 1939, the Reserve Forest was designated as a Game Sanctuary, which it had been since 1895. It was proclaimed a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1998, with a total size of 9.6031 square kilometres, due to its tremendous diversity of flora and animals.

Flora abounds at the Wildlife Sanctuary. Acampe, Bulbophyllum, Chiloschista, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Eria, Gastrochilus, Luisia, Oberonia, and other Orchid genera are fairly frequent. Throughout the year, they are in full bloom at different times.Green Magpie, Indian Treepie, Thrush, Scarlet Minivet, Hill Mayna, Whitr Breasted Kingfisher, Hornbill, Large Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, Adjutant Stork, and other species love this sanctuary. The large and little cormorant, darter, and egret are the most frequent water birds. The Brahminy and Teals are migratory birds.

12. Murti River Camping

Murti hamlet, on the bank of the Murti River, is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the Dooars area of north Bengal. It is the ideal location for nature lovers and bird watchers. Murti is an ideal place to unwind after a long day of work, especially for individuals who prefer to be in a natural setting surrounded by birds, insects, and other wildlife. The steep river Murti transforms the area into a fantastic spot for fishing, swimming, and picnicking; camping is the most popular pastime in Murti. Murti is a must-see for everyone seeking quiet, tranquillity, an unique setting, and the thrill of the forest. The true beauty of the location may be found in the murti River's knee-deep crystal clear water, lush forest, and wild creatures.

There are a number of tourist attractions in and near Murti that are very fascinating. Gorumara National Park, Chapramari, Chukchukia, Khunia, and Chalsa are some of the destinations you may visit. You may also travel to surrounding hill towns such as Jhalong, Bindu, and Paren. Suntaleykhola, you're samsing.

13. Mahakal Cave trekking

The most well-known tourist attraction in Jayanti is Mahakal Cave. Mahakal's stalactite cave is devoted to Lord Shiva and is one of Hinduism's most renowned pilgrimage places. It is a popular tourist spot in Jayanti and is located close the Bhutan border. To get to Mahakal, one must hike through deep forest and a magnificent hill region known for bird viewing, which takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Three caverns close to each other house idols of various gods and goddesses.

The first has the idols of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara, the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. The second and third houses Lord Shiva's idol, while the Goddess Mahakali lives in the third. The greatest time to visit the Mahakali Cave is during the Shivratri festival, when a fair is held in the town and everyone participates enthusiastically. The hike to Mahakal Cave is not difficult at all, and tourists visiting Jayanti should go there regardless of the weather. Apart from the pilgrimage site, the entire trek to the cave provides an opportunity to see the natural splendour of the surroundings up close. There's also an opportunity to witness a variety of colourful butterflies, unknown bird calling, different tree species, spices and herbs, and much more.

14. Lepchaka Trekking

The town of Lepchakha is located near the Indo-Bhutan border on the Buxa hills. It's a little community, yet it's breathtakingly gorgeous. The lovely town of Lepchakha is reached after a 3-kilometer journey from the Buxa Fort. The Drukpas, who are originally from Bhutan, make up the majority of the village's residents.

The table-top area atop the hill in Lepchakha is the primary attraction. All twelve rivers that pass through the Dooars area may be seen from there. It's a breathtaking sight to behold. And I believe that all of the descriptors used to define Lepchakha are accurate. The Buxa Tiger Reserve, the Bhutan Hills, and the magnificent surrounds can all be seen from the summit. In the settlement, there is also a white Buddhist stupa that stands out among the little village dwellings.

15. Coochbihar

This majestic castle in Coochbihar was erected by the legendary Koch ruler Maharaja Nripendra Narayan in 1887, based on the notion of classical European style of the Italian Renaissance. This double-story brick structure is 4768 square metres in size and is built on a 1.5-meter-deep basement. From north to south, it is 120 metres long and 90 metres long. The frontal façade is made up of a succession of arches supported by an alternate arrangement of thin and broad piers with single and double Corinthian pilasters.

The primary entry to the structure is through the Durbar Hall, which has a porch extended in the middle. The Durbar Hall is dodecagonal in design, sitting on four arches supported by enormous Corinthian pillars and projecting a lantern at the top, evoking St. Peter's Church in Rome. The dome's intrados are relieved in stepped patterns, and the base is flanked by a little exquisite balcony with twelve window apertures. The royal emblems in pietradura are inscribed on the marble floor in the centre of the Durbar Hall. Bedrooms, dressing rooms, billiard room, kitchen, dinning hall, dancing hall, library, toshakhana, and the ladies gallery are among the building's more than fifty rooms/halls of various sizes.