Thick green forests, rustic roads and serene nature all around, that’s Dooars Tourism for you. Known for its charming tea gardens and lush green wildlife preserves, Dooars is quite an unexplored area in India as a whole. The region spreads across an area of about 880 square kilometres consisting of floodplains, grasslands and foothills. Also, major highlights are its fast-flowing rivers, rolling temperate landscape and an awe-inspiring variety of flora and fauna.

Sunset in Dooars overlooking a river — Credits: Google Images

The convenient way to enter Dooars is via the Bagdogra Airport (IXB) which has frequent connections with all major airports across the country. The climate is temperate being in the Himalayan foothills. A major part of the year sees moderate to heavy rainfall giving this place its lush green forests and tea plantations. Amazingly, this area is spread across states and even countries. Bengal and Assam has the major part bordered by northern Bangladesh and southern Sikkim.

Dooars Tourism – Top Getaways in Dooars

Gorumara Forest
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
Lava and Lolegaon – offbeat Dooars Tourism
Buxa Tiger reserve
Tea Tourism – Alipur Duar and surrounding areas
Coochbehar Palace and city – upcoming Dooars tourism hotspot
Gateway to Bhutan – Jaigaon

1. Gorumara Forest

Entrance of Gorumara national park — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Gorumara National Park or simply known as Gorumara forest is a conservation area in North Bengal known for its natural beauty and rawness. The river Jaldhaka flowing through this forest gives a mix of grassland and tall tree forestation at the same time. There are regular Jeep and Elephant Safari available and operated by national park authorities.

Tips: Ensure to prebook your activities and stay as they are limited.
Where to Stay: Forest bungalow or can be done as a day trip for safari.
When to Visit: Except rainy season. Nov-Apr is good can also visit during Sep or Oct.
Activities: Watch tower visit in Gorumara and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuaries. You get to see Rhino, Elephant, gaur, sloth bear, lemurs, sambhal deers etc.

2. Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

Covering nearly 216 square kilometre area, this conservatory adjacent to Gorumara protects a wide variety of endangered species. The mighty river Torsha flows through this park giving life to one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. You can look forward to staying and also regular wildlife safaris in this park.

Tips: Accommodation is limited, always pre confirm. The facilities available are basic but close to nature
Where to Stay: Forest bungalow or can be done as a day trip for safari.
When to Visit: Except rainy season. Nov-Apr is good can also visit during Sep or Oct.
Activities: Elephant and Jeep Safari, birdwatching.

3. Lava and Lolegaon – offbeat Dooars Tourism

Lava and Lolegaon – Two beautiful postcard mountain villages are upcoming Dooars Tourism favourite destinations. This also gives Dooars a natural bridge to connect to Sikkim through Kalimpong by avoiding the cities and urban roads. Also, both these villages promote sustainable tourism through a lot of Eco-resorts and community benefit programmes. Feel mesmerised by nature as you take a brisk walk through misty canopied forests. Also, you might also choose a day trip from Kalimpong to visiting these hidden gems.

Tips: Choose for an idyllic homestay or Eco-resort experience
Where to Stay: Eco-resorts or homestay
When to Visit: All around the year
Activities: Nature hikes, boating, birdwatching.

4. Buxa Tiger reserve

The cradle of Terai Eco-system, Buxa reserve is home to a range of endangered flora and fauna. A combination of plains and low lying hills with temperate climate makes this a favourite place for wildlife. The park is fringed by contiguous Phipsu sanctuary towards the north in Bhutan. Also towards the east, Manas National park shares the boundary with the tiger reserve. There are lots of trekking options around Buxa and also you can opt for a jungle safari in the core areas. And lastly, do check out the Buxa fort too which has a historical significance and is also a wonderful viewpoint. The fort is itself reachable by a scenic nature trek.

Tips: Prefer staying in Alipur Duar hotels as there are scanty options near the part
Where to Stay: Eco-resorts, hotels in Alipur Duar
When to Visit: All around the year
Activities: Hikes to Lepchakhawa, Roopam valley, Rover’s point for Birdwatching.

5. Tea Tourism – Alipur Duar and surrounding areas

Samsing village View from a tea estate bungalow — Credits: Google Images

Tea is an integral part of livelihood in Dooars area. The quality and nature of tea are quite similar to Assam tea which grows in a temperate climate with heavy rainfall. You can opt to stay overnight in a local tea estate and watch the livelihood and daily life of the plantation workers. Also, some of the tea estates are really scenic like Samsing tea estate. They can be done as a day trip also from major places across the Dooars region.

Tips: Visit Samsing tea estate for a charming village experience
Where to Stay: Eco-resorts, hotels, homestays
When to Visit: All around the year
Activities: Stay overnight in Tea estate, Visit tea making factory, tea tasting seasons.

Also read: Top Tea Gardens in Assam- Guide

6. Coochbehar Palace and city – upcoming Dooars tourism hotspot

Dooars tourism View of majestic Coochbehar Palace — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Coochbehar is an upcoming destination in the Dooars tourism scenario. The place has a rich history and was the capital of the Dooars area for a significant time. The architecture of the place draws inspiration from Buckingham Palace. Also, the graceful interiors and antique exhibits will remind you of a glorious bygone era. Lately, a section of the palace has been converted to a museum with displays ranging from 1500 AD.

Tips: The palace can be quite crowded in the weekends, try visiting during early morning or afternoon
Where to Stay: Coochbehar has decent hotel options
When to Visit: All around the year
Activities: Visit Madan Mohan temple, Sagardihi and also catch the light and sound show in the Palace grounds.

7. Gateway to Bhutan – Jaigaon

The Dooars is of immense geopolitical importance as it forms part of the Chicken’s leg connecting northeast to rest of India. To the north Dooars shares its boundary with Bhutan and Bangladesh to the south.

Jaigaon is the last town in India from which you enter Bhutan by road through Phuentsholing. It gives an option to take a cheaper option than taking the flight directly to Paro in Bhutan. It mostly acts as an overnight city in Dooars area before you start your Bhutan trip.

Dooars can be your next offbeat destination as its relatively unexplored and still very close to nature. Dooars tourism is still in a beginning place and trying to organise itself to give curated experience. This surely makes now a good time if you want to catch the place in its pristine beauty. To plan a trip around Dooars and northeast, do visit Pickyourtrail. Also, you can leave a Whatsapp inquiry to us for more travel options and ideas.In the meantime have a look at some of our International tour packages for a great vacation.

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