The Dooars & Siliguri · Value trip

Gorumara, Jaldapara and Chilapata in 5 nights

The Dooars' three best forests in five nights, in government lodges: two nights at Lataguri for Gorumara's watchtowers, two at Madarihat for Jaldapara's rhinos in the grassland, and a last night deep in Chilapata, with the ruins of Nalraja Garh. Trains for the long legs keep it to about ₹19,500 per person. Parks close mid-June to mid-September.

Fare₹19,500 Nights5 Per day₹3,250 Highest150m PaceBalanced

Photo: Pinakpani · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Lataguri · 2N→Jaldapara National Park · 2N→Chilapata · 1N

Gorumara and Jaldapara are the two rhino parks of the Dooars, about 80 km apart along the Dooars line. Gorumara is compact, with watchtowers over salt licks; Jaldapara is four times larger, with open grassland on the Torsa and around 330 rhinos. Chilapata, east of Jaldapara, is dense forest on the elephant corridor towards Buxa, with a brick fort in the trees.

We use government stays throughout: the forest corporation's Lataguri centre, the WBTDC Jaldapara Tourist Lodge at Madarihat and the small Mendabari Jungle Lodge in Chilapata. Trains cover NJP to New Mal and Hasimara back to NJP. Safari jeeps are shared by four. Floods in October 2025 shut Jaldapara for a time; check current status before you travel.

Why this trip

Gorumara watchtowers at dawn and dusk
Medla tower by bullock cart
A dawn jeep safari among Jaldapara's rhinos
Nalraja Garh in Chilapata forest
A night at Mendabari Jungle Lodge

Day by day

NJP railway station or Bagdogra airport to NJP railway station or Bagdogra airport · Mixed

Day01

NJP to Lataguri, afternoon tower

Lataguri≈ 80 km · 2.5–3.5 h by train and autoDinner

Take a morning Dooars line train from NJP or Siliguri Junction to New Mal Junction, then an auto to Lataguri, or a reserved car if the timing does not suit. Check into the forest corporation's Lataguri Eco-Tourism Centre near the safari counters. In the afternoon, take your pre-booked Gorumara slot to Jatraprasad or the Rhino Observation Point, where rhinos and gaur visit the salt lick near sunset.

Spend today: ₹150 train + ₹150 auto + ₹800 safari share

Day02

Medla by bullock cart and Jalpesh

Lataguri≈ 40 km localBreakfast, dinner

Take the early Gorumara slot for Medla, where the last stretch to the watchtower over the Murti grasslands is by bullock cart, about ₹40–100 extra. Back for breakfast and a rest through the heat of the day. In the afternoon, share a car to the Jalpesh Shiva temple near Maynaguri, an old and much-visited shrine, and stop for a fish thali on the way back. Pack for tomorrow's move.

Spend today: ₹800 safari share + ₹100 cart + ₹500 car share + ₹200 thali

Day03

Lataguri to Madarihat

Madarihat≈ 80 km · 2.5–3 h by carBreakfast, dinner

After breakfast, share a car east through Chalsa, Nagrakata and Birpara to Madarihat, past long stretches of tea garden. Check into the WBTDC Jaldapara Tourist Lodge. Confirm tomorrow's safari at the forest office, and ask whether elephant safaris are running this season; they depend on the forest department. In the late afternoon, walk the edge of the tea gardens near town.

Spend today: ₹1,500 car share + ₹200 lunch

Day04

Dawn rhinos in the grassland

MadarihatBreakfast, dinner

Be at the gate for the first jeep slot, around 6 am in winter. The grassland is at its best when mist lies on the Torsa and rhinos graze in the open. Look also for hog deer, peafowl and Bengal florican in the tall grass. Back for breakfast and rest. In the afternoon, take an optional car to Totopara, home of the Toto community, about 22 km away, visiting quietly and asking before photographs.

Spend today: ₹800 safari share + ₹200 lunch

Day05

Into Chilapata forest

Chilapata≈ 25 km · 45 min by carBreakfast, lunch, dinner

Drive to Chilapata, east of Jaldapara, and check into the forest corporation's Mendabari Jungle Lodge. In the afternoon, take a jeep safari through dense forest to Nalraja Garh, the brick ruins of an early frontier fort, and along the elephant corridor towards Buxa. Elephants are often near the tracks. Evening at the lodge, with nothing but forest sounds.

Spend today: ₹500 car share + ₹800 safari share

Day06

Hasimara to NJP by train

≈ 150 km · 4–5 h by trainBreakfast

A last walk around the lodge clearing at dawn, then a car to Hasimara station, about 20 minutes. Take a Dooars line train west through tea gardens and forest edges to Siliguri Junction or NJP. If the timing does not suit, buses run from Hasimara and Madarihat to Siliguri through the day. Keep several hours' buffer before an onward train or flight.

Spend today: ₹300 car share + ₹200 train

Included

Trains NJP–New Mal and Hasimara–NJP, and shared cars between bases
Five nights in forest corporation and WBTDC lodges with meals
Four safaris (two Gorumara, one Jaldapara, one Chilapata) in jeeps shared by four, with fees

Not included

Elephant safari at Jaldapara
Totopara car
Travel to NJP or Bagdogra
Alcohol and personal shopping

Three ways to spend less

Swap the Lataguri centre for a family homestay at about ₹1,200–2,000 per person with meals.
Ask your lodge to pair you with other guests so each safari jeep has four to six people.
Use the Dooars line train for both long legs; a reserved car NJP–Lataguri alone costs ₹3,000–3,500.

Good to know

Parks close from about 16 June to 15 September; check current status before you travel.
Jaldapara was shut for a period after the October 2025 floods; check current status before you travel.
Hollong lodge inside Jaldapara burned in June 2024; do not book anything claiming to be Hollong unless the forest department confirms it has reopened.
Safari slots open online in advance and fill fast in winter.

The route

Where the trip goes

Drawn by Darjeeling Himalayas from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Where you sleep

Stays on this trip

forest bungalowLataguri Lataguri Eco-Tourism Centre (WBFDC) About ₹3,000–4,000 a room (indicative, WBFDC tariff)

government lodgeJaldapara National Park Jaldapara Tourist Lodge (WBTDC) Government mid-range rates; check the current WBTDC tariff (indicative)

forest bungalowChilapata Mendabari Jungle Lodge (WBFDC) About ₹2,500 a room (indicative, WBFDC tariff)

Questions people ask

Questions about this trip

Gorumara or Jaldapara: which is better?

Both, for different reasons. Jaldapara has about 330 rhinos and open grassland, so jeep sightings are more likely. Gorumara has around 60, but its watchtowers over salt licks often give calm, close views. Five nights lets you see both and add Chilapata.

How do we book safaris?

Through the West Bengal forest department, online or at counters in Lataguri and Madarihat. You choose a slot and a route or watchtower; carry the ID used for booking. Jeeps take up to six. Winter weekends sell out, so book as soon as slots open.

Are elephant safaris available at Jaldapara?

Sometimes. They run only when the forest department allows, and have been suspended in some seasons. When running, they cost about ₹800–1,000 per person for Indian nationals, indicative, and seats are limited. Ask at Madarihat; check current status before you travel.

What is Nalraja Garh?

It is the brick ruin of an early frontier fort inside Chilapata forest, reached on the Chilapata jeep safari. Its exact age and builders are debated. Trees grow through the walls, and the setting in dense forest is the reason to go.

Is the WBTDC lodge at Madarihat good?

The Jaldapara Tourist Lodge is a government lodge near the park gate, convenient for dawn safaris. Rooms are plain but adequate. Check the current tariff on the WBTDC site, as rates change. Private hotels on the highway are alternatives.

Is this trip good for children?

Yes. Children usually love the safaris and the bullock cart at Medla. Dawn starts are hard, so plan afternoon rests. Watchtowers have stairs and railings. Pack warm layers for winter mornings and insect repellent for evenings.

What should we wear on safari?

Muted colours: greens, browns and greys. Layers for cold winter dawns, a cap, and closed shoes. Avoid perfume. Keep voices low in the jeep and on watchtowers, and never get out of the vehicle unless the guide says so.

Can we visit Totopara?

Yes, about 22 km from Madarihat by car, roughly ₹1,500–2,000 return. Totopara is home to the Toto community, one of India's smallest tribal groups. Visit respectfully, ask before taking photographs and do not treat it as a show.

When are the parks closed?

Gorumara, Chapramari, Jaldapara and Chilapata close for the monsoon, usually from about 16 June to 15 September. They may also close briefly after floods or for census work. Check current status before you travel.

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