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Dooars, deriving its name from the English word ‘door’ is considered to be the gateway into the North-Eastern part of India, stretching into Bhutan itself. Famously called the ‘Gateway to Bhutan’, Dooars is a nature's paradise. Dooars are the floodplains of West Bengal and Eastern Assam. Blessed with an extremely rich biodiversity in its flora and fauna, Dooars is also home to thick, lush forests and green covers. Tightly protected by several national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries, etc. Dooars will leave you massively impressed with its natural beauty. It is not a surprise that these national parks, sanctuaries, etc. are the major tourist spots in Dooars. Surrounded by Rivers Teesta and Sankoshi on different sides, visit Dooars to enjoy adventurous trekking, river rafting and other Dooars tourist spots.
7 best tourist spots in Dooars
1. Buxa Tiger Reserve
The Buxa Tiger Reserve was established to offer the much-needed protection to the endangered Royal Bengal Tigers in 1983, gaining the status of a national park in 1992. The Reserve, with its vast lands, protects the natural habitat of many other wildlife species along with tigers. Boasting lush biodiversity, it is a treat for adventure enthusiasts as well as nature lovers. Reptiles such as pythons, clouded leopards, sambar deer, elephants, black panthers, gaurs, tigers, and birds like red stars, great pied hornbills and many more species can be witnessed in this national park, making for an exciting trip.
Best time to visit: October-April (closed June-September)
Timings: 6 am-11 am and 2 pm-6 pm
Entry fee: Free
2. Alipurduar
Alipurduar is the first hamlet while travelling towards North-East India. In some senses, this little village is the actual gateway to the Northeast. A charming, picturesque village, visit Alipurduar for its stunning views and rich history. Alipurduar, in the olden times, formed the famous Silk Route, along with Bhutan and Tibet. The village is now considered one of the most ethnically important places in the district.
Best time to visit: Pleasant all around the year, with the peak best time being September-May
3. Neora Valley National Park
A still largely unexplored lush area, the Neora Valley National Park was established back in 1986. The national park gets its name from the river Neora, which runs through its vast lands. It is considered one of the most important biodiversity zones in the area, as well as one of the richest. With beautiful trekking trails, adventure and nature lovers will also love to visit. The national park is famed for being such a lush forest cover that in some areas, even sunlight finds it impossible to reach the land. Therefore, understandably unexplored and inaccessible in quite a major part, this almost virgin forest land is home to many species of flora and fauna. Most famously, it is known as the home of the Red Panda, one of the most endangered species in the world. An extensive bamboo plantation along with many other species of flora also makes the national park famous. Find some enthralling wildlife species here too, such as leopards, tigers, bears, wild boars, king cobras, Indian cobras, brown wood owls, sunbirds and so many more species.
Best time to visit: All year round (July-September closed)
Timings: 8 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm, Thursday closed
Entry fee: Rs 100
4. Lava-Lolegaon
Lava-Lolegaon is a group of small, quaint villages that have views that will leave you speechless. Incredible views of the Himalayan mountains, extraordinary natural beauty and an enthralling sense of calm and peace are some of the best ways to describe the beauty of these villages. Places like Rishyap (also known as Rishop), Changey Waterfalls la, Lava Monastery, and Canopy Walk lo are just some of the extremely alluring spots that are must-visits for nature lovers.
Best time to visit: September-June
5. Gorumara National Park
Situated on the banks of the rivers Murti and Jaldhaka, Gorumara National Park is situated on the foothills of the magnificent Himalayas. Surrounded by rivers and mountains, the national park is a glorious view in itself. Famous as the home to King Cobra and the Indian one-horned Rhino, Gorumara is another extraordinary national park in the Dooars area. The park consists of forest areas and grassland areas to house the vast variety of the flora and fauna it supports. Gorumara is also known as one of the best protected and maintained national parks in India. You will find several wildlife species such as cobras, pythons, leopards, elephants, rhinos, bison, and several others along with a variety of birds as well. This makes Gorumara a birdwatcher’s haven.
Best time to visit: November-March
Timings: 6 am-5 pm, Thursday closed
Entry fee: Free
6. Samsing
A small but extremely mesmerising little hill town, Samsing is situated at the foot of the Himalayas. The small town is very famous for its orange orchards. Considered to be one of the most beautiful places in Dooars, this town is resplendent in its natural beauty. Bound to transport you to another world altogether, its winding rivers, pristine, green rolling hills, sweeping grasslands and exquisite tea gardens will leave you spellbound. The best part about this little paradise is that it is still uncorrupted by over-commercialization.
Best time to visit: October-February
7. Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
Another equally impressive and beautiful national park, Jaldapara is known for the largest concentration of the one-horned rhinos after Kaziranga in India. The pristine and magnificent lands are home to many wildlife species as well as various flora species as well. Tourists will be able to spot tigers, elephants, pythons, bison and many more in Jaldapara. Stunning views, enthralling flora and fauna all make for a memorable visit for all nature lovers. You can also opt for jeep safaris to explore the blissful oasis of this national park in all its glory.
Best time to visit: September-May (closed during the monsoon)
Timings: 5:30 am-6 pm (Summer months) and 6 am-5 pm (Winter months)
Entry fee: Rs 100 (Indian nationals) and Rs 200 (Foreign nationals) (Rs 300 for the car fee and Rs 250 for a guide)
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