DOOARS

Dense natural forests, Wildlife sanctuaries, Unending tea gardens, Babbling Rivers, A paradise on earth. The dooars where nature has kept her doors wide open. A journey through the rolling hills, widespread lush green tea gardens separated by meandering mountain streams, high Sal forests, small ethnic villages, and vast meadows with the Great Himalayan range forming an outline and the endless sky….you are in Dooars!! Lying in the Himalayan foothills, Dooars has a great natural beauty. A drive through the Dooars plain is a lifetime experience.

Buxa Tiger Reserve once famous for dolomite mining, Buxa was declared a tiger reserve in 1983 and a National Park in 1992. Located in the Assam Bhutan border, Buxa has an area of 745 sq km, the largest forest in North Bengal and has second highest population of tigers after Sunderbans. The park also holds maximum number of elephant, Indian bison, leopard, and many species of deer, birds and various reptiles. Buxa is also rich in rare orchids and medicinal plants. 

Rajabhatkhawa is 12 kms from Jayanti. It is ideal place for nature lovers and the watch tower deep inside the forest gives you an opportunity to see the elephant, tiger and the bison at close range. Nature Interpretation Center at Rajabhatkhawa is also a must see.

Gorumara National Park is you cannot afford to miss in your trip to Dooars.  A two hour journey from Bagdogra/NJP through winding roads and tea garden takes you deep inside the National Park. Located on the banks of the River Murti the Gorumara National Park has a large variety of flora and fauna. The grassland of Gorumara is famous for Asiatic one horned Rhino. The watch tower beside the forest rest house gives a panoramic view of the entire park and the Murti Valley. This is the best place to observe the wild animals. If you are lucky you can spot elephants, deer and leopards at the salt reservoir just below the tower. Major bird species seen are pheasants, hornbill’s cuckoo. The Brahminy duck, Ibis, stork and other birds are migratory birds.

A 45 min drive from Siliguri, your first step into the Dooars. As you leave Siliguri and drive through the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary the melody of nature begins. Cross the roaring Teesta over the historical Coronation Bridge and you reach Mongpong, 30 kms from Siliguri. The mighty Teesta caged on both sides by rocks is liberated at Mongpong. Here it divides and flows through the marshy land. Situated on the banks of the Teesta the lofty Mongpong forest house offers panoramic view of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and the Teesta valley. The chorus of cricket and beetles animate the surrounding forests. A leopard roars by as-night falls in Mongpong. It is now time to return to your nest, it is coziest in this region.

At a distance of 82 km and a 3 hour drive from Siliguri, Samsing offers a beautiful landscape. Situated at 3000ft it is a cool shady place. The journey to Samsing is memorable too, as you slowly roll uphill through the Dooars tea garden. Several trek routes originate from here. Most fascinating is the Neora Valley National Park. Stay the night at Santhaley Khola Resort.