Treks and walks · Latpanchar
A guided trail in Mahananda forest
Walk a forest trail in the upper part of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary with a licensed guide. Big trees, ferns, orchids, birds and, with luck, barking deer or langurs. Trails and rules depend on the forest department.
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary runs from the edge of the plains at Sukna up to Latpanchar. The upper forest has big broadleaf trees with ferns, mosses and orchids on their branches, and a dense understorey that holds birds, squirrels, langurs and barking deer. Larger mammals such as gaur and leopard live in the sanctuary but are rarely seen up here.
Walk only with a guide and with whatever permission the forest department requires. Your homestay can arrange it. Most walks follow forest roads and old paths rather than marked trails.
The sanctuary closes in the monsoon, roughly mid-June to mid-September. Even in the open months, wear long trousers, closed shoes and carry water.
Cost: Guide ₹1,000–1,500 · entry fee where charged
Questions people ask
Good to know
Can I trek inside Mahananda sanctuary?
Only on permitted routes, with a guide and the forest department's permission where required. Rules and fees change, and the sanctuary closes in the monsoon. Ask your Latpanchar homestay to arrange a guide, and check current status before you travel.
What animals live in Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary?
The sanctuary was set up mainly for the gaur and the tiger, and also holds elephants, leopards, barking deer, Himalayan serow, black bears and many birds, including hornbills. In the upper Latpanchar forest you are more likely to see birds, squirrels and langurs than large mammals.
When is Mahananda sanctuary closed?
Like other West Bengal forests, it usually closes to visitors for the monsoon, roughly from mid-June to mid-September. Exact dates are announced each year by the forest department, so check current status before you travel.
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