Pubung

A little-known place in North Bengal, Pubung is a picturesque hamlet surrounded by lush tea gardens and blissful mountains. Nestled in the lap of nature, the village of Pubung houses a range of organic farms. You can enjoy a leisurely walk past the various organic farms where fruits and vegetables like orange, tomato, potato, cauliflower, squash, and elaichi are cultivated. 2 km from Pubung lies a 100-year old bridge which connects Rongli Rongliot and Pubung. A 1 hour downhill trek from Pubung will take you to the source of Kalijhora River. As you walk on the trail, you will hear the twittering of birds, smell the scent of flowers and be amazed by the fascinating vistas that unveil in front of your eyes. At the end of the trail, you will be awestruck by the beautiful waterfall coming down the hill. This waterfall is actually the origin of the Kali river.

How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah, Kolkata and Howrah to New Jalpaiguri. Pubung is 90 km from New Jalpaiguri. You can hire a car from New Jalpaiguri to reach Pubung. The journey takes around 3-4 hours.

Accommodation

Pubung Homestay
Tariff: ₹1350/- per person with breakfast, lunch and dinner
Tel: 9932317299, 9434072552

Taptapani

Taptapani a beautiful tourist destination situated on the slopes of the Eastern Ghats. Taptapani is primarily known for its hotspring which is said to have healing abilities. Perched at an altitude of 1700 ft above sea level, the place is surrounded by cluster of hills and thick forests. The serenity of nature at Taptapani is accompanied by the wonderful sights of sunrise and sunset, tribal dance and music, chirping of birds and sight of wild animals.

Sightseeing and Activities

The hot Sulphur water spring is undoubtedly the main attraction of the place. Embraced by dense woods, this perennial hot water spring is considered to have medicinal properties and is capable of curing aches, pains and skin ailments. You can take a dip in the water and rejuvenate yourself. Other tourist spots in Taptapani include the Deer Park, Nilkantheswar Temple and Kandimata Mandir. At a distance of 35 km from Taptapani lies the town of Chandragiri. If you come to Chandragiri, you will feel as if you have landed at mini Tibet. Chandragiri is a Tibetan refugee settlement and most people who live here had arrived from Tibet in the year 1959 following China’s Aggression in Tibet. There is a Buddhist Monastery with colourful prayer flags. The main attraction for tourists is the lifestyle of the people in this hilly village. Apart from traditional foods like momo and thuppa, Tibetan handicrafts are also available here. You can visit Chandragiri from Taptapani by hired car and come back before night.

Best Time to Visit

Taptapani can be visited all throughout the year. However, the best time to enjoy a dip in the hot spring is October to March.

How to Reach

Trains are running from Howrah to Brahmapur. Taptapani is 52 km from Brahmapur. Cars and buses are available from Brahmapur to reach Taptapani.

Accommodation

OTDC Panthanivas Taptapani

Tariff: ₹1350-3600/- per room with breakfast

Tel: 06816-255031

Gajaldoba

Gajoldoba is a tiny village on the western side of Teesta River, 30 km from the town of Siliguri. The village is situated in Oodlabari area of Jalpaiguri district. Located in close vicinity to the Baikunthapur forest, Gajoldoba is known for the Teesta River Barrage that was built for irrigation of agricultural land in the surrounding areas. The dam has resulted in the creation of a large water body upstream which has become a hotspot for migratory birds during the winter.

Sightseeing and Activities

Every year during the month of November, thousands of migratory birds from Ladakh and parts of Central Asia flock to this place. The endless chirping and melancholy of the birds continue until March. During this time, Gajaldoba becomes every bird watcher's dream come true. The awe inspiring natural beauty of the place with its view of the forest, river and splendid backdrop of mighty mountains will leave you mesmerized.

A boat ride in the Teesta River at Gajaldoba is an unforgettable experience. You can easily spend a couple of hours with a binocular spotting various species of birds like common shelduck, ruddy shelduck, little egret, great egret, brown-headed gull, great cormorant, red-crested pochard, bar-headed goose, Pacific golden plover and northern lapwing. Still an unexplored tourist destination, Gajaldoba offers you a chance to enjoy the serenity, experience the fresh air, witness the beauty of nature and have a rendezvous with some cheerful migratory birds.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Gajaldoba is November to March. However, if you are keen on seeing the maximum number of migratory birds, then you should plan your trip around end of November and early December.

How to Reach

Trains are running from Sealdah, Kolkata and Howrah to New Jalpaiguri. Toto rickshaws are available from New Jalpaiguri station to Gorar More. From there, you can get a Trekker or Magic van to reach Gajaldoba Teesta Barrage.

Accommodation

Bhorer Alo
Tariff: ₹1100-2500/- per room with breakfast
Tel: 7029435557
Online Booking: www.wbtdcl.com