Nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in West Bengal region, Dooars is India’s most enchanting, yet unexplored tourist destination, famous for wildlife, dense forest, trekking paths, and Jeep/ Elephant safari. The origin of the name “Dooars” comes from the Bengali word “Duar” which means “door” or “gateway.” Thus this region acts as a gateway to the hill stations of North Bengal and Bhutan and therefore is a favourite among the adventure freaks and other nature lovers. Therefore, lying across the border of the Eastern Himalayas, Dooars offers unique attractions of virgin countryside including the tea gardens, verdant landscapes, evergreen forests, and River Teesta.
The best season to travel Dooars is between October and April because this time the climate remains more pleasant, making the tourism ideal for sight-seeing, wildlife, and other adventure related activities. So if you are a nature lover or wildlife freak or adventure lover, then this place has a lot to offer.
So, curious to know more about Dooars? Let us read the blog and find out what makes this place a worth visiting tourist spot.
Explore The Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks
Dooars is mostly popular for its wildlife, with several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that are home to a wide range of species. These protected areas are also ideal places through which all forest lovers may view wildlife and take photographs of nature.
JALDAPARA NATIONAL PARK :
During your Dooars tour, Jaldapara National Park should be the must visit place as it is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Dooars. The National Park is the abode to various endangered animals and trees. Here you will find one-horned rhinoceroses, tigers, elephants, leopards, and more. Enjoy the core of the full National Park, by doing jungle safari or a jeep safari or an elephant safari.
GORUMARA NATIONAL PARK :
Gorumara National Park is located between the two rivers, Murti and Jaldhaka. This place is also famous for rhinoceros, Elephants, leopards, rock python, Malayan giant squirrel, deer and many more. To travel to Gorumara National Park, you must stay either in Lataguri, Murti or in Batabari. There are so many Dooars Hotels and resorts in and around Lataguri, Murti and Batabari area.
CHAPRAMARI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY :
Located just beside Gorumara National Park and divided by Murti River, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the oldest reserve areas owing to its rich flora and fauna. Take a Jeep Safari here and come face-to-face with animals such as tigers, one horned rhinos, leopards, and deer. You can ride to the watchtower to immerse yourself in the deep woods filled with several of the world’s richest flora and fauna. Be thrilled to witness unusual birds like the parakeets, kingfishers, green pigeons, and numerous birds in the sky.
BUXA TIGER RESERVE :
It is ideal for those travellers who are enthusiastic about tigers and forest tracks. The reserve is located near the Bhutan border and is spread over approximately 768 Km of forests and hills. Apart from Tigers it is endowed with leopards, tiger, elephants and several species of deer and others. Out of many attractions sites in the area Buxa Fort is one, having historical significance and situated in the middle of the reserve. The exploration of this Buxa Fort through the thick forest is an exciting part of the trip and can be a boon to those interested in a closeness to nature.
CHILAPATA FOREST :
The Chilapata Forest, lying in between Jaldapara and Buxa, is a virgin forest. Despite of the human interference, this dense forest conserves elephant’s movement corridor and is also habited by many other species. The forest is enchanted, and the park is not so populated as other parks in Dooars. Here you can explore the Nalraja Fort which is in the forest region.
Top things to do here :
- A thrilling jeep safari or an elephant ride through the National Parks.
- Enjoy a Jungle Safari through the dense forest.
Jungle Safari: Overview of Activities
Jeep Safari:
The best way to explore the whole national parks is via Jeep safari. It does allow the visitors to cover more distance and go more profonde inside the jungle than the elephant safari does. Jeep safaris are done in the morning as well as in the afternoon. The jeep safari lasts up to around 1.30 to 2.00hours.
Elephant Safari:
Elephant Safari is restricted to a limited number for tourists. The elephant ride runs only in Jaldapara National Park and Chilapata Forest. There are three slots of the elephant ride, two of these are in the forenoon and one in the late hour. Outings on elephants at these National Parks include an excursion across the dense protected woods outsides the national park’s boundary which stretches across the Jaldhaka River. Two persons with a mahout are the largest size of the group allowed in the elephant safari.
In both the safaris, there are experienced guides and forest guards who help in identifying the different plants and animals one can find in the park. The timings and the availability of the safaris differ from one season to another and to weather changes as well. It is advisable to check with the park authorities before booking your safari.
Tickets for safaris:
Tickets can be booked online in advance or in offline mode- from the forest office on a first-come, first-served basis.
Best Dooars resorts and hotels to Stay:
LTG444- Jungle Facing Resort near Gorumara National Park
LTG447- Poolside Premium Resort, Lataguri
JDP524 Most Premium Resort, Jaldapara
CHM565 Beautiful Retreat Amidst the Mountains
Riverside Retreat of Murti and Jayanti
If you are a Nature lover and wants to start your morning with the beautiful sound of flowing river, then come to Murti and Jayanti. “Murti,” derived from the name of the river ‘Murti’ which flows through this beautiful village. The Marvelous River view with the surrounding green valley will sure mesmerize you. In the winter, the picturesque view of various migrating birds coming to fulfil their hunger and thirst, turns these riverside places a must visit region for travellers.
Top things to do here:
- Simply relax by spending some leisurely time by the riverbanks
- Enjoy migratory bird watching!
- Do some nature photography.
Best Dooars resorts and hotels to Stay:
MRT284 Eco Friendly Resort Huts amidst Forest
MRT281 Premium Mountain View Resort in Murti
MRT285 Hill and Forest View Resort in Murti
Samsing, Bindu, Jhalong
Dooars does not only have jungles, animals, and rivers. There are several other places as well that offer complete peace and quiet, beautiful green valleys, or places to enjoy serenity by the endless tea gardens. Samsing, Bindu and Jhalong are three such offbeat destinations in Dooars.
JHALONG & BINDU :
Jhalong and Bindu both are located on the bank of the river Jaldhaka and provide majestic view of the river and hill. Here, you will be able to see a Dam built on the Jaldhaka River. Bindu is the last village bordering Bhutan, known for the hydroelectric project and the picturesque landscape. Fishing is common on Jaldhaka River especially when it comes to angling, while the surroundings forests range offer a chance to watch beautiful birds. It is best to describe Jhalong and Bindu as free from noise and pollution, which makes it ideal for quiet and scenic holidays.
SAMSING :
Situated at a high altitude, Samsing, a small village which is quite popular for its intimidating hills and lush green tea estates. Its areas are suitable for hiking, bird watching and nature photography. The tea gardens and the orange groves and the hills in the vicinity make this area a perfect place for the Nature lovers.
Top things to do here:
- Visit the picturesque Tea Gardens
- Do nature walks through the lush green surrounding hills.
- Enjoy some trekking trails that lead through forests, hills, and remote villages.
- Get insights into the tea-making process.
Best Dooars resorts and hotels to Stay :
SAMSING404 Standard Homestay, Samsing
SAMSING372 Samsing Deluxe Resort with Mountain View
BEST TIME TO VISIT DOOARS (WEATHER AND TEMPERATURE ACROSS THE YEAR IN DOOARS) :
SUMMER:
Here Summerbegins in March and continues until early June. In these months, the temperature varies from 20 to 35°C. During this time, you will face scorching heat in the noon and early afternoon hours. But morning and evening are very pleasant for the sightseeing.
MONSOON:
Here the monsoon starts at the end of July and lasts up to the month of September. During these months, from 15th June to 14th September all National Parks and Sanctuaries remain closed. The general tourists avoid this time to come here but for the romantic and off-beat travellers the monsoon is the most favourite time to visit this Himalayan foothill.
WINTER:
The best time to visit Dooars is in the winter seasons, as this time the weather becomes very pleasant. The temperature hovers around 5 – 20°C. The weather remains pleasantly cool during the day and cold in the night. Therefore, travellers consider winter to be the best time to explore the sanctuaries and enjoy the jungle safaris.
HOW TO REACH DOOARS:
BY TRAIN 
The biggest and well-connected rail station from Kolkata to Dooars is the New Jalpaiguri Jn. There are several trains available from Howrah to reach NJP railway Station. After reaching NJP, you can hire cars to reach all the major points from here. However, there are other rail stations for specific destinations like New Mal Jn. (For Gorumara, Malbazar, Murti), Hasimara (for Jaldapara) etc.
BY BUS 
If you prefer Bus, then you must board a bus from Esplanade bus depot in Kolkata to reach Siliguri. From Siliguri, you can hire a cab or shared taxi to reach your specific destination. Also, there is a bus service between NJP station and Coochbehar that goes through various locations in Dooars.
BY CAR 
If you want to drive from Kolkata in your own car and want to enjoy the amazing road journey, you must take NH-12 or NH-19 to reach Siliguri. From Siliguri there are three major routes to reach Dooars; the 1st Route is the Gajaldoba forest, the second road is through Sevoke road, the third route passes through Jalpaiguri to Gorumara National Park at Lataguri.
BY AIR 
There is no proper airport in Dooars region. Only Bagdogra is the nearest Airport to choose. There are so many flight options from Kolkata to Bagdogra Airport. After reaching Bagdogra, you must hire a cab to reach your preferred destination.
Let us wrap up!
Therefore, Dooars is a treasure house of natural beauty, wildlife and full of adventure. From adventure safaris, or rejuvenating by riverbanks, to strolls around the lush green tea garden, wherever you go, or whatever you choose, the region allows its travellers to get close and appreciate the exquisite beauty of nature in its purest form. Be it a family trip, a journey of self-discovery, or a romantic honeymoon, Dooars will always be a place of worth revisiting and a destination that you will remember for years to come.
Plan your trip to this hidden gem in West Bengal with Fusion Stays and discover the true essence of unspoiled wilderness and adventure!!