+91 99320 32214
Dooars · 3 nights, 4 days · TT-DJ-02

Dooars Jungle and Tea

Two national parks, the Jaldhaka up to the Bhutan border, and the tea gardens in between.

RouteMurti · Jhalong · Bindu · JaldaparaBestMid-September to mid-JuneGood forCouples, Families, First-timersTypeJungle
One-horned rhino grazing in tall golden grass
Flat tea garden with shade trees on a foggy morning
Asian elephant walking through thick green forest

The trip in one breath

Two nights by the Murti river for a Gorumara safari and a day up the Jaldhaka valley to Bindu on the Bhutan border. Then east across the tea belt to Jaldapara for a dawn safari in rhino grassland.

Day by day

How the days run

Drive times are counted from Siliguri, NJP or Bagdogra, which sit within about 45 minutes of each other.

  1. Day 01

    Into the Dooars

    We pick you up wherever you are: a station, the airport, your hotel or your home. About 2 to 2.5 hours over the Coronation Bridge and through the Odlabari and Malbazar tea belt to Murti or Lataguri. If slots are open, an afternoon at a Gorumara watchtower or a Chapramari jeep safari. Evening by the river.

    Safari and watchtower slots are booked through the forest department, often the day before or on the day. We help you book where possible. Tickets are paid at actuals unless your plan says otherwise.
  2. Day 02

    Gorumara, then up the Jaldhaka

    Early jeep safari in Gorumara. After breakfast, past Chalsa to Gairibas View Point, then Jhalong and Bindu, the last village before the Bhutan border. Back via Samsing, the Suntalekhola hanging bridge and Rocky Island on the Murti. A full day, about 5 to 6 hours on the road in short stretches.

    Safari subject to availability, as above.
  3. Day 03

    Across the tea belt to Jaldapara

    About 2 hours east through tea estates. Afternoon at South Khairbari, a rescue centre for big cats, or a forest drive in Chilapata. Night near Jaldapara.

    Safari subject to availability, as above.
  4. Day 04

    Grassland at first light

    Morning jeep safari in Jaldapara, looking for the one-horned rhino. Breakfast, then about 3.5 hours. Drop at the point you choose.

    Elephant safaris run in very small daily numbers and are booked online when the forest department opens them. We try, and keep a jeep safari as the backup.

Add-ons: Buxa and the Jayanti river (+1 night). Phuentsholing, the Bhutan border town, as a half day from Jaldapara; valid ID needed and Bhutan's border rules apply on the day. A short 2-night Jhalong and Bindu version on request.

Stays

Where you sleep

Murti or Lataguri2 nights
Jaldapara1 night

Stays are matched to your budget and confirmed in writing before you pay. If a stay is full, we offer one of a similar standard.

What's in the plan

Included, and not

Included

  • Our own vehicle and driver for the whole plan
  • Fuel, tolls, parking, and the driver's stay and meals
  • Stays for every night of the plan, matched to your budget
  • Meals as listed in your final plan
  • Booking help for safaris, permits and toy train seats, wherever they can be booked

Not included

  • Safari, watchtower and park entry tickets
  • Elephant safaris
  • Forest guide and camera fees
  • Bhutan entry fees
  • Flights and trains
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
Want one cost with nothing left to sort? Ask for an All-in plan. We fold the permits, safari and entry tickets and meals into one number. If something can't be promised in advance, like an elephant safari or a Nathula slot, we tell you before you pay.
Before you book

Things to know

Parks close every monsoon,

usually 16 June to 15 September, on dates the forest department sets each year. In those months we plan tea gardens, rivers and Jhalong-Bindu instead.

Weekly closed day.

Gorumara and Jaldapara close on Thursdays. We plan your safari mornings around it.

Early starts.

Morning safaris leave around 6 am. Keep voices low and skip perfume and bright colours.

What to pack:

Layers for cold mornings, a warm jacket from November to February, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket, sunscreen, any personal medicines and a power bank. Carry a printed photo ID and a phone copy. Muted colours for safaris.

This is a sample plan. Routes, timings and stops can change for weather, road conditions, permit rules or forest department rules. Your final plan is shared on WhatsApp before you pay.

Other trips

Other trips you might like

See all trips
A steam train curving past colourful hillside houses, with snow peaks at sunrise
6 nightsJungle and hills
Murti · Lava · Lolegaon · Darjeeling

The First-Timer's Loop

Jungle, river, hill village and the old hill town in one week.

Rates shared on request Get rates
Snow peaks above layered blue forest ridges, with a tall conifer in front
4 nightsOffbeat
Icche Gaon · Ramdhura · Sillery Gaon · Dawaipani

Icche Gaon, Sillery Gaon and Dawaipani

Three hill villages facing Kanchenjunga, with homestays and slow mornings.

Rates shared on request Get rates
Orange trees heavy with fruit, with a snow peak far off through the branches
4 nightsHill villages
Charkhole · Lolegaon · Sittong · Tinchuley

Charkhole, Sittong and Tinchuley

Three quiet hill villages, short forest walks and Kanchenjunga from the viewpoints when the sky is clear.

Rates shared on request Get rates