SST -DR-04 Dooars

SST -DR-04 Dooars

Gorumara National Park - Chapramari Forest - Samsing - Sunthalekhola - Murti - Jhalong - Bindu - South Khayerbari - Jaldapara and any one watch tower.

5 Nights

A journey through the rolling hill slopes, widespread lush green tea gardens separated by meandering silvery mountain streams, high Sal forests, small quiet ethnic villages, vast meadows with a blue outline of the great Himalayan ranges in the horizon, endless sky. you are in Dooars! Laying in the Himalayan foothills, Dooars has great natural beauty. The wildlife-rich tropical forests, innumerable hill streams cutting across the green carpet of tea gardens and undulating plains, low hills rising up from the rivers. A drive through the Dooars plains, the gateway of Bhutan and the entire North East of India, can be the experience of a lifetime. The Dooars valley (also called Duars) is the floodplains of Northern Bengal and Eastern Assam. The Western Boundary of Dooars is formed by Teesta River, whereas its Eastern boundary within Assam is not very clearly defined. To the North of Dooars is the Kingdom of Bhutan and to its South is Bangladesh. The Bengal part of Dooars, which stretches from River Teesta on the west to River Sankosh on the east, is an area coving roughly 130 km by 40 km. The area forms major part of the Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Coochbehar district and is one of the most important tourism area. The name 'Dooars' is derived from 'doors' or ‘Dwar’ as the region is the gateway to the north-east India and Bhutan. There are said to be 18 gates or Dwars from Dooars to Bhutan. Many of which are still actively used. All road connections of Bhutan with India are through the Dooars region.

Day – 01 : New Mal Junction to Lataguri

Upon arrival at the New Mal junction railway station/airport, you are received and driven to your hotel/resort at Lataguri. This place is close to the Garumara National Park. We prefer to put up our guests in hotels/resorts which give you a feeling of being either in the forest or in a tea garden. Late in the afternoon, we take you to have a feel of the Forest. Depending upon the availability of tickets/entry passes, we would take you to any one of the following watchtowers at:
1. Jatraprasad  2. Chukchuki, or
3. Gorumara Jungle Safari which includes a visit to the Mahakal water reservoir.
Please note guests have to personally stand in the queue to avail the tickets for the visit to the watchtower. Also the costs associated with the Forest have to be borne directly by the guests. 

Day - 02 : Excursion Excursion to South Khayerbari and Jaldapara

After breakfast, drive straight for an excursion to South Khayerbari animal rescue centre and Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. As on 11th Jan, 2011, there are eight tigers in South Khayerbari rescue centre of which seven had been seized from different circus troupes and one was brought from Alipore Zoo. The South Khayerbari Animal Rescue Centre is also the home of 18 leopards. A leopard safari (Optional), the only one of its kind in India, can also be availed in South Khayerbari Eco Park. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1991, for the protection of the Indian one-horned rhino, Jaldapara is situated in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas. The river Torsha flows through this rain forest sanctuary which is mostly covered with tall grasses. The sanctuary encompasses luxuriant vegetation and a rich variety of wildlife. The Malangi River also flows nearby from east to west. Riding elephants is the only way to move inside this forest and Visiting time is 9A.M. to 4 p.m . The forest is mainly of Savannah Type covered with tall elephant grasses. The main attraction of the sanctuary is Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros. The sanctuary holds the highest rhino population in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam. The other animals found are tigers, elephants, deers, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deer, wild pig and bison. Jaldapara is a paradise for bird watchers. It is one of the very few places in India, where the Bengal Florican is sighted. The other birds to be found here are the crested eagle, Pallas's fishing eagle and shikra, besides jungle fowl, peafowl, patridges, and lesser pied hornbill. Python, monitor lizards, kraits, cobras, geckos and about 8 species of fresh water turtles have also been found in the sanctuary here. A thrilling elephant safari is organized in the early morning from Hollong to offer the exquisite beauty of the vast grassland of Jaldapara. You can also enjoy the jeep safari (Optional) inside the sanctuary which is another main attraction.

Day - 03 : Excursion to Murti, Jhalong, Bindu and transfer to Murti

This morning after breakfast, you would check out from the hotel at Lataguri and take you for an excursion to Murti, Jhalong and Bindu. Murti is a small village by the side of the Murti River. It is an ideal picnic spot where one can enjoy the scenic beauty. Lucky ones can even catch a glimpse of elephants and other animals by the side of Murti River when they come to drink water. Jhalong is situated on the bank of the river Jaldhaka on the Indo-Bhutan border. It lies at the foothills of the Himalayas, on the way to Bindu in Kalimpong sub-division. Jaldhaka Hydro Electricity Project on Jaldhaka River is a major attraction in this area. Bird lovers can enjoy a varied collection of hill birds as well as migratory water fowls here. Bindu is the last village of West Bengal before one enters Bhutan. It is a beautiful valley on the bank of the river Jaladhaka. This river serves as a natural physical boundary separating West Bengal and Bhutan. Bindu is also famous for its cardamom plantations. Visit to this place is an experience worth remembering.

Day – 04 : Excursion to Samsing, Sunthalekhola and Rocky Island

After breakfast, we take you for an excursion to Samsing & Sunthalekhola. Samsing is a tea estate in the Dooars, a small locality of about 100 houses which has grown around the tea gardens. On the top of the hill there is a beautiful Guesthouse. The silence of the place is disturbed only by the noise of the gurgling river Murti, which flows about half a kilometer below. The drive to Samsing is through lush green tea gardens and the descending mist on the tea gardens during the monsoons is a sight to behold. It is a great spot to watch birds. Suntalekhola or Suntaley Khola (also Suntaleykhola) is a small village and a tourist spot in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal. The altitude of the place ranges from 650 to 950 m. It gets its name from a small stream: Suntaley Khola. In Nepali, Suntaley means orange and khola means stream. This place is nearly 5 km from Samsing. The green patch on the left side of the way to Suntalekhola is amazing and holds many rarities of birds and butterflies. Another attractive tourist spot is the `Rocky island nature resort` on the banks of river Murti. This is about 2 km from Samsing. The view of the river and surrounding forests are excellent from Rocky Island. It involves walking a bit to get the best view.

Day – 05 : Chapramari Wild Life Camp

After breakfast, checkout and drive to the Chapramari Wildlife Camp at Panjhora. Spend the day at leisure enjoying the beauty of the place and get the feel of staying inside the forest. In the evening go for a visit to the Chapramari forest and also enjoy an evening of Tribal Dance. Day – 05: Checkout and transfer to NJP/Bagdogra - Checkout after breakfast and drop to airport/railway station for your onward journey. Tour ends with sweet memories.


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