Dooars -In the foothills of Himalayas

A journey through the rolling hill slopes, mesmerizing lush green tea gardens separated by meandering silvery mountain streams, high Sal forests, quiet ethnic villages, vast meadows with a blue outline of the great Himalayan ranges in the horizon, endless sky… it is Dooars for you!

Laying in the Himalayan foothills in North Bengal, 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 all make it one of the most picturesque destinations. A drive through the Dooars plains, the gateway to Bhutan and the whole of North east india, can be the experience of lifetime.

The Dooars valley (also called Duars), stretching from the river Teesta on the west to the river Sankosh on the east, an area covering roughly 130 km by 40 km, forms a major part of the Jalpaiguri district.
The name Dooars is derived from “doors” as the region is the gateway to the whole of North-east India and Bhutan, Dooars is also the gateway to the hill stations of the Darjeeling-Sikkim region Dooars is famous for its rich biodivercity and forests, the most notable of which are Gorumara National Park, Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary and Buxa Tiger Reserve.

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Gorumara Nationa Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary are habita of the rare one-horned rhinoceros, the migh bison, leopard, spotted deer, sambar, hog det reptiles, huge wild tuskers, wild boars, and th rarest variety of animals and birds, includin peacocks. Elephant-riding through the Jaldapar forest in search of wild animals, particularly th one-horned rhinos, is specially popular amon tourists. Other places of attraction in and around the region include Jayanti (30 km from Alipurduar is a beautiful spot encircled by the Jayanti river and the hills and the hills around. The Leopard Rehabilitation Centre and Nature Park at Khayrabati is 11 kms from Madarihat.

Bhutanghat (45 km from Alipurduar), famous for scenic beauty, is close to the river Raidak that borders Bhutan. Buxa Fort (30 km from Alipurdrar) famous for the ruins of the Detention Camp used by the British Government for detaining freedom fighters of our country.

Malbazar (52 kms from Siliguri) has tea gardens and scenic spots around. Chalsa (61 kms from Siliguri) is famous for scenic beauty.

Gajoldoba Eco Tourism Hub (57 kms. from Teesta Barrage) is being develop adjacent to Teesta Barrage and will soon become one of the major tourist destinations of the State.
Phuntsholling (161 km from Siliguri via Jaldapara), on the border of Bhutan, is a major gateway to Bhutan

How TO Reach

By Road: Siliguri is the gateway to the Dooars. Cooch Behar, being the headquarters of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation, is well-connected by long distance bus routes to Siliguri as well as to Kolkata, Jalpaiguri etc.

By Rail: NJP, the disembarking point for entry to Dooars, is well connected with Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati. One can also avail the railway service upto Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.

By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra, connecting Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati.

Accommodation:
Well-equipped tourist lodges run by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. and WB Forest Development Corporation at Jalpaiguri, Malbazar (03562-255183), Hollong, Madarihat (03563-262230), Murti, Samsing and Jayanti. Besides, there are quite a good number of hotels, resorts, guest houses etc. at Malbazar, Jalpiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.