Alipurduar is one of the prominent districts in West Bengal housing so many staggering places, villages, and towns. It is situated on the north bank of the Kaljani River and serves as a gateway between Bhutan and India’s northeastern provinces.
With its absolutely remarkable nature, it bewilders everyone visiting the place. The lavish thriving greenery, series of hills, plain land, rivers, mountain streams, forest cover, and so much character, everything defines the district in a lovely way.
Everywhere you go, there is tranquillity and real rejuvenation. Each place is all about exploration, relaxation, chilling, and having fun.
In this article, you will get to know about the following places to visit in Alipurduar district,
- Buxa Fort
- Jaldapara National Park
- Madarihat
- Jayanti River & Forest
- Buxa Tiger Reserve
- Chilapata Forest
- Jaigaon
- Kunjanagar Eco Park
Let’s see each of these places in detail.
1. Buxa Fort
You can reach Buxa Fort by trekking through the Buxa Tiger Reserve. This fort is one of the earliest forts in Eastern India.
The Bhutanese King built the fort to secure the Silk Trade route between Bhutan and India.
Previously the fort was a bamboo wood structure. It was later reconstructed as a stone structure with high-security prisons.
Many national revolutionaries, block leaders, and poets were imprisoned here. The Britishers used this fort as a detention camp. It is surrounded by greenery and thick brick walls.
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Buxa Fort is also rich in wildlife. If you are lucky, you can spot black-striped tigers roaming in the thick undergrowth of the fort. Here you can also spot elephants, deer, leopards, buffaloes, and Himalayan birds.
Do not forget to take pictures of this historical landmark and the diverse wildlife.
2. Jaldapara National Park
Jaldapara National Park is located in the eastern Himalayan foothills and is home to a wide range of wildlife and lush foliage. The Malangi River flowing here is also one of the popular attractions.
The only means to travel through this forest are on elephant backs and jeep safaris. Most of the woodland is savannah and is covered in tall elephant grass.
The Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros is the sanctuary’s main draw. Tigers, elephants, sambhar, barking deers, spotted deers, hog deers, wild pigs, and bisons are among the other animals found here.
Jaldapara is also a haven for avian enthusiasts. It is one of the few locations in India where one can see the Bengal florican, commonly known as the Bengal Bustard, along with the lesser pied hornbill, jungle fowl, peafowl, partridge, and crested eagle.
Early in the morning, you can plan an exciting elephant safari to view the vivid flora and fauna of the sanctuary.
3. Madarihat
Madarihat is a small town on the outskirts of Jaldapara National Park. This is located in the Eastern Himalayan foothills along the Torsa River.
This place will probably be your base and shelter if you want to explore the Jaldapara National Park. The park is famous for its rhinoceros. The forest office to report to for safari rides at the park is in Madarihat.
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Travelers visit this town to explore the wilderness and its picturesque scenery, surrounded by lush green tea gardens, deciduous forests, and hilly terrain.
You can also visit Chilapata, an elephant corridor between the Jaldapara and Buxa forests, and Phuentsholing, where you can see crocodiles.
Traveling through the dense forest and spotting wild animals, or simply enjoying the beauty of the lush tea garden with a drop-back view of the Jaldapara and lofty mountain, is sure to rejuvenate your mind with its beauty and diverse culture.
Here nature and society coexist peacefully.
4. Jayanti River & Forest
Another sublime destination in the Alipurduar district is Jayanti. It is roughly 15 kilometers from Rajabhatkhawa, the forest gate, and 25 km from Alipurduar Junction.
This village in the Dooars region is known as the ‘Queen of Dooars’ due to its astounding beauty. It is a magical place magnetizing tourists towards itself.
The quint Jayant is a treat for the mind and soul. It is surrounded and dotted with immense beauty and is mostly dominated by peace. The hamlet is adorned with lofty trees, the Jayanti River accompanied by rocky land, and the incredible sloping Jayanti Hills. The river remains dry most of the year, but monsoon fills it up. You can take amazing photos of the forest landscape and its stunning natural beauty from the river bank.
The place is near the Buxa forest, therefore wilderness continues to flourish here flawlessly. Teak, sal, Akashmoni, and Sirish are the trees of the dense forests. There are many different birds and animals to witness here, including elephants, tigers, wild dogs, and barking deer.
The interior of the dense forest is also known to have one of the Adi Shakti Peethas. Jeeps are available that will take you to the temple.
5. Buxa Tiger Reserve
Buxa Tiger Reserve is a significant destination set up between 1982 and 1983 for the protection of tigers. The Tiger Reserve was declared a National Park in 1992.
The panoramic hilly landscape of the reserve covers an area of 759 sq km with eight distinct forest types, numerous rivers, and their tributaries running along it.
The Tiger Reserve serves as an international doorway for the migration of elephants from Bhutan and India.
The National Park is rich in medicinal plants and orchids.
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Numerous species are unique to the area, including the Chinese Pangolin, the Regal Python, and the Clouded Leopard.
The animal variety includes over 230 recognized species, 67 mammal species, and 36 reptile species, including indigenous and migratory species.
The Black-necked Crane is one of India’s rarest birds and is spotted in this reserve during the early winter.
More than 300 tree species, 250 shrub species, 400 plant species, about 09 cane species, and a few bamboo species are found here.
6. Chilapata Forest
Chilapata Forest is a dense forest in the Dooars region of West Bengal. It is located near Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary.
This place is close to Hasimara town and about 22 kilometers away from Alipurduar.
Elephants use this forest as a passageway in their annual migration from Jaldapara to the Buxa Tiger Reserve and ultimately to Bhutan.
The local environment is teeming with different species of Flora and Fauna.
The forest also offers you opportunities like angling, birding, and safari. Jeep Safaris can be an excellent option for exploring the wilderness of the jungle. You can also spot many rhinoceros in the forest.
The safaris can be taken from the Madarihat Jaldapara Tourist Lodge and Kodalbasti Point.
The forest looks more vibrant during the monsoons.
Many wildlife photographers and adventure seekers enjoy trekking through the interiors of the forest.
7. Jaigaon
Jaigaon is a lovely town situated on the border between India and Bhutan. It is a splendid place to be and to witness the two nations. The place is frequently visited by tourists who are on their way to Bhutan.
The majestic Bhutan gate, which brings you an incredible example of Bhutanese architecture, is located near the border. The gateway is adorned with beautiful dragon illustrations and authentic Bhutanese artwork.
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The topographic diversity is immense there. The place is ruled by woodlands, streams, rivers, and hilly terrain. It is a little picturesque valley close to the eastern Himalayan mountains. There is an abundance of nature everywhere the eyes fall on. The town’s outskirts are carpeted with lush tea gardens and as the river Torsa flows through the location, this puts out the camera-perfect setting.
There are many small and large hotels near Jaigaon where you can spend the night before heading to Phuentsholing, on the other side of the gate. The variation of food will take over the heart and soul. So, the local food is a must-try. There are also many street food stalls selling momos and chow mein near the border.
This location also houses the one-of-a-kind Dalsinghpara Buddist church, with a beautiful blend of Buddhist engineering and Christian spirit. Garuchira, Raimatang, and Bhutan Gate are some other attractions in Jaigaon.
8. Kunjanagar Eco Park
Kunjanagar Eco Park is an ideal place for an outing in Alipurduar. It is a popular place for a picnic and is frequently used for educational excursions.
There is an amusement park here that can provide you with day-long refreshments. Tourists can also see elephants, deer, and leopards here. The park also has boating facilities.
Kunjanagar also has a suspension bridge, a center for wild animal rescue operations, and a watchtower. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is said to have sought refuge in Kunjanagar, where he stayed at the Soulmari Ashram.
The dense jungles and cornfields around it also provide an excellent opportunity for exploring wildlife. You can also opt for a jungle safari in the Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve from here, where you can spot several wildlife and take photographs of them.
These are some of the best places to visit in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal.
So if you want to escape the hassles of city life, you can visit these places to spend a splendid holiday amidst nature.
Other places to visit in West Bengal
- Ramdhura (Kalimpong) – 5 Points You Must Know About
- Daragaon, Burmaik (Kalimpong) – 5 Points You Must Know About
- Ghurni – Exploring Krishnanagar’s Hidden Gem And Its Clay Dolls
- Mim Tea Garden (Darjeeling) – 5 Points You Must Know About
- Bandel Church (Hooghly) | The Basilica of the Holy Rosary
- Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary (West Bengal) – 5 Things To Know
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