HOME  
E-mail: info@citiusholidays.com  
 
DOOARS

Dooars Wildlife Safari

The world 'Dooars' means gateway to North. The unending stretch of virign forest is criss crossed by Teesta, Jaldhaka, Torsha & Sankosh rivers; with tea gardens in the mid. Lying 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.

 

Dooars General Information

Dooars, where nature has kept her doors wide open
Dooars - pluckers at tea gardenTo the north of West Bengal stands the East Himalayas as a natural backdrop. A vast texture of dense forests teeming with wildlife, unending tea gardens, Babbling rivers,Tea Garden interspersed with sleepy or busy settlements, constitute a fascinating tourist destination-the Dooars . Not so much known to the world, the Dooars valley stretching from River Teesta on the west to River Sankosh on the east, over a span of 130 km by 40 km, forms a major part of Jalpaiguri district.

Derived from the word 'doors' (doors to Bhutan), this region also forms a gateway to the hill stations of North Bengal, Sikkim, Bhutan & the North-Eastern states. The dense natural forests interwoven with lush green tea gardens are cries-crossed by Teesta, Raidak, Torsha, Jaldhaka, Kaljani and other rivers & their innumerable tributaries trotting and rolling down from the hills. The entire region is served with a network of motor-able roads running through the deep forests and tea gardens. A meter gauge railway service connects Siliguri and Cooch Behar via Alipurduar. A journey itself by rail or on road through this region gives immense delight to both the mind and the eyes.
aaa

Wildlife in DooarsThe Dooars valley is specially noted for its wildlife sanctuaries, the most notable of which are the National Park of Gorumara (75 km from Siliguri), Chapramari forests (68 km from Siliguri), the Buxa Tiger Reserve (200 km from Siliguri) and the Jaldapara Santuary (124 km from Siliguri).

These sanctuaries abound in a fascinating diversity of flora and fauna. The vast texture of massive trees sheltering varieties of orchids and resounded with echo of birds and wild animals make it a veritable paradise for lovers of nature and eco-tourism.
a

Other places of attraction in and around the region include Jayanti (30 km from Alipurduar), a beautiful spot encircled by Jayanti River and hills around; Bhutanghat (45 km from Alipurduar), famous for scenic beauty beside River Raidak bordering Bhutan; Buxa Fort (30 km from Alipurduar), famous for the ruins of the Detention Camp used by the British Government for detaining freedom fighters of our country; Rajabhatkhawa (15 km from Alipurduar), attractive for the nature information centre; Murti (72 km from Siliguri) beside Murti River, attractive for the forest resort; 

Dooars

 
Wild Life Safari
A range of international destinations to plan for you holidays. Send your requirement for the following countries to create a customized tour.


Gorumara National Park


Teesta babbling down the hillsJaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Gorumara National Park areTeesta River habitats of the rare one-horned rhinoceros, the mighty bison, leopard, spotted deer, sambar, hog deer, reptiles, huge wild tuskers, wild boars and the rarest variety of animals and birds including plenty of peacocks. Elephant riding through the Jaldapa forest in search of wild animals, particularly the one-horned rhinos, has become a craze among the tourists to this area


Malbazar (52 km from Siliguri), attractive for tea gardens and scenic spots around and as a base of starting package tours to the hills and other places around; Chalsa (61 km from siliguri), famous for scenic beauty and the star category resort; Teesta Barrage (57 km from Siliguri), emerging and being developed as a tourist attraction; Samsing (81 km from Siliguri via Chalsa) beside Jaldhaka River, attractive for scenic beauty, orange plantation and forest resort; Toto Para (22 km from Jaldapara), a small village on the bank of River Torsha near Bhutan border, famous for the Dooars aboriginals - the Totos; Phuntsholling (161 km from Siliguri via Jaldapara), on the Border Dooars - rare one horned rhinocerosof Bhutan, a major gateway to Bhutan.
 

 Place to see in Dooars
a

 

 Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary:

 
 

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is about 124 km from Siliguri. It was constituted in the year of 1941 for the protection of wild life, particularly Great Indian one-horned Rhinos. The forest is mainly savannah covered with tall elephant grass. River Torsa runs through this forest sanctuary. The major floras are Sal, Simul, Khair, Sisoo, Sidha, Gamar, Mallotus, Kawla, Dilenia and Ficus.
In addition to the famous single horned Rhinos, the wildlife also has tigers, leopards, wild elephants, sambar, wild pigs, swamp deer, hog deer, spotted deer, barking deer, gaurs or indian bisons, bengal florican, jungle fowl, peafowl, Quail etc. The Sanctuary is home for some rare and endemic species like the hispid hare, hog badger etc, wild boar and sloth bears. Python, monitor lizards, krates, king cobras, geckos and about 8 species of fresh water turtles enrich the reptilian diversity. Elephant riding facility is available in the sanctuary.

22 kms from Madarihat is Totopara, home to the Toto Tribe, one of the few remaining tribes of its kind in the world. Their customs and culture have invoked great interest amongst anthropologists.
a

 
 
Total Area : 216.51 Sq. Km.
Altitude : 61-140 Meters
Temperature : 6°C (Min); 39°C (Max)
Average rainfall : 3000 mm
Best Season : October to May, particularly March and April, when new grass is growing
Best Time To Visit : Between September and March, especially in winter to catch a view of the migratory birds
Off Season : 15th June to 14th September (Sanctuary closed)
Clothing : Summer- Cottons, Winter- W
 
     
 

How to get at Jaldapara ( Approach & Access ):

 
 

The place is well-connected by National Highways and State Highways to important railway stations like New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. The Delhi-Gauhati and Howrah-Gauhati routes also connect this area.. Major stop at Falakata Railway station. Jaldapara is 19 kms from here. Only passenger trains stop at Madarihat, which is 7 kms from the sanctuary. Flights to Bagdogra, which is approximately 140 km from Madarihat are available from Delhi and Calcutta. You can also hire your car from Siliguri or Jalpaiguri.
a

 
 

Gorumara National Park

 
 

Gorumara Park is the other one to have the Great Indian One horned Rhinoceros. Elephants and bison's are also found here.

Gorumara is situated beside the National Highway 31, which connects Siliguri and Guwahati. The Gorumara forest, declared a sanctuary in 1976, is also one of the recent introductions to the National Parks map of India. Starting with an area of 8.61 sq km, it now covers 79.85 sq. km. It is famous for being one of the last small pockets in eastern India with a natural population of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. According to a recent census, there are 19 one-horned rhinos, more than 50 elephants, 300 bison and 25 leopards in this sanctuary, besides different species of deer and birds. With the Murti and Raidak rivers flowing nearby and the mountain ranges on the horizon, the pleasant natural setting of the Park is an added attraction.

There are forest bungalows amidst beautiful surroundings available for stay at Gorumara ( 2 rooms)and Murti. Murti forest bungalow (4rooms and 2 dormitories) with all modern amenities lies on the banks of river Murti near the beautiful forests of Chapramari, a 45 minutes drive from Lataguri. The nearby small town Lataguri has many private resorts as well as the Gorumara National Park nature Tourism center available for stay.
a

 
  .

Dooars Wildlife Tours

 
 

And you know it’s Dooars. Here, an unending stretch of virgin forests is crisscrossed by the river Teesta and her innumerable tributaries. Beautiful motorable roads cut through deep forests, rich with wildlife. Mauve hills stand at the end of velvet green plains. The forests echo with the melody of birds. In between, there are fabulous wildlife sanctuaries with picture-postcard, log cabin lodges and valleys carpeted with tea gardens

 
  Singhalila National Park:  
 

Singhalila National Park is the highest located National Park(between 2400 m to 3650m A.S.L.)Wildlife in Dooars in West Bengal, and is situated in the extreme north western boundary of Darjeeling District. The park is not only famous for its wildlife but also offers one of the best trekking routes in the eastern Himalayas -from Maneybhanjang near Darjeeling, via Tonglu to Sandakphu (35Km) and Phalut. The view of the Kanchendzonga range of peaks from Sandakphu is a breathtaking and unforgettable one. Viewed from Phalut, the Kanchedzonga looks close enough to touch. There is also a motorable road upto Sandakphu. Rail, road and air routes via New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Bagdogra, connect Darjeeling from Calcutta and Delhi.

 
  Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary:  
 

Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

Wildlife in Dooars, Jungle Safari in Dooars, Sikkim Dooars, Dooars in Sikkim, Sikkim jungleWildlife in Dooars safari, Elephant in DooarsThe Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary constitutes the forests of the lower catchment area of the Mahananda river, and covers an area of 159.86 sq.km. Situated at the western end of the elephant migration route, more than 150 elephants shelter here during the monsoon and winter seasons. Migratory water birds are common in winter. The other animals found are the rare mountain goat (Serow), some tigers and herds of Gaur, leopards, wild pig, arieties of deer and monkeys, jungle cats, porcupines, civets, monitor lizards and snakes. The Sanctuary offers some beautiful trekking routes from Sukna. Golaghat, Deorali and the Latpancher-Mana track are the favorites for trekking and bird watching. Sukna, about 7 km from Siliguri, is the main entry point, and has a Nature Interpretation Centre.
a

Gorumara National Park:

Wildlife in Dooars, Jungle Safari in Dooars, Sikkim Dooars, Dooars in Sikkim, Sikkim jungleWildlife in Dooars safari, Elephant in DooarsThe Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary constitutes the forests of the lower catchment area of the Mahananda river, and covers an area of 159.86 sq.km. Situated at the western end of the elephant migration route, more than 150 elephants shelter here during the monsoon and winter seasons. Migratory water birds are common in winter. The other animals found are the rare mountain goat (Serow), some tigers and herds of Gaur, leopards, wild pig, arieties of deer and monkeys, jungle cats, porcupines, civets, monitor lizards and snakes. The Sanctuary offers some beautiful trekking routes from Sukna. Golaghat, Deorali and the Latpancher-Mana track are the favorites for trekking and bird watching. Sukna, about 7 km from Siliguri, is the main entry point, and has a Nature Interpretation Centre.

Wildlife in Dooars, Jungle Safari in Dooars, Sikkim Dooars, Dooars in Sikkim, Sikkim jungleWildlife in Dooars safari, Elephant in DooarsThe Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary constitutes the forests of the lower catchment area of the Mahananda river, and covers an area of 159.86 sq.km. Situated at the western end of the elephant migration route, more than 150 elephants shelter here during the monsoon and winter seasons. Migratory water birds are common in winter. The other animals found are the rare mountain goat (Serow), some tigers and herds of Gaur, leopards, wild pig, arieties of deer and monkeys, jungle cats, porcupines, civets, monitor lizards and snakes. The Sanctuary offers some beautiful trekking routes from Sukna. Golaghat, Deorali and the Latpancher-Mana track are the favorites for trekking and bird watching. Sukna, about 7 km from Siliguri, is the main entry point, and has a Nature Interpretation Centre.
a

Wildlife in Dooars Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary:

Jaldapara Sanctuary holds the largest expanse of terai grasslands in North Bengal intersected with riverine forests, dry-mixed forests and wet-forests. Tall riparian grasslands lined with bamboo clumps are the favorite homes of the Rhino and the Asiatic elephant. A host of other species like the python, monitor lizard, kraits, cobra and a variety of frogs can be seen here. Hog Deer, a typical animal of short grasslands quite often shoots out of cover in small groups on approach. The cheetal is confined to the edge – areas between treelands and grasslands. The sambar hides in a good shrubby undergrowth. Gaurs - Indian bison – roam over grasslands and forest. A tiger or leopard may be surprised on the sandy banks of a stream. Forest safari in stealthily moving elephants is a most wonderful experience in Jaldapara Sanctuary.
a

Buxa Fort:

Buxa Fort is located at an altitude of about 2600 ft A.S.L. at a two-hour trekking distance from Santrabari. The trek is a very pleasant one with some beautiful scenery en route. Originally established as a cantonment by the British East India company in 1873, it was used by the British as a deportation camp for political prisoners during India's struggle for freedom. The area's general inaccessibility, as well as dense forests, made it ideal for this.Some illustrious freedom fighters who were imprisoned here were - Triloki Sen,, Arun Guha, Surendra Mohan Ghosh, Hemendra Ghosh, Anil Roy, Maj. Satya Gupta, Amalendu Dasgupta, Jagannath Das Gupta, Khitish Chandra Mullick, Bhupati Majumdar and many others. Post-independence, it lost its significance and until today remains rather neglected. In the sixties, Buxa Fort was used as a relief camp for Tibetan refugees. The Tibetan Buddhist monks who also sheltered here, attracted quite a few national and international tourists. During 1970-71, it was again used as a relief camp for Bangladeshi refugees for about six months. The trekking route to the fort both from Mahakal and Santrabari, is set amidst breathtaking scenery and provides trekkers with an opportunity to sample nature in a form unspoiled by modern influences. Details regarding Buxa are available from the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation, Calcutta. This mixed dry deciduous forest land dotted with grasslands, harbors the largest diversity of mega fauna in West Bengal. Two major sanctuaries - Jaldapara Sanctuary and Gorumara National Park are home to the Great Indian one horned rhinoceros. After reaching an all-time low in the mid-seventies, the population has now bounced back and the rhinos are kept under constant surveillance.
a

General Information(Dooars)

Total Area

: 114 Square Kilometer

Latitude

: 25° 58' to 27 ° 45' North 

Longitude

: 89° 08' to 89 ° 59' East

Altitude

: 61 Meters

Temperature

: 2° C Min and 41° Max

Best Season

: October to May, particularly March and April, when new grass is growing

Best Time to Visit

: Between September and March, specially in winter to catch a view of the migratory birds

Off Season

: 15th June to 14th September (Sanctuary closed)

Clothing Summer- Cottons, Winter- Woolens

Language Spoken

: Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, English