Chalsa is a small town in the Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal, which is one of the most well-liked tourist attractions in Dooars. Tourists often consider exploring this place to experience the rich wildlife and natural beauty. Another special feature of this place is its proximity to the nearby sightseeing attractions. While staying at the best resort in Chalsa, you can easily rent a car and start exploring the unique charm and ecosystem of various wildlife sanctuaries.
Chalsa can be the best base for your wildlife exploration tour. Starting from safari and discovering the nature trails, there are various wildlife experiences that you can enjoy here. Not only wildlife sightings, Chalsa is also popular for its scenic drivers where the route taking you to the sanctuaries is packed with scenic stopovers, lush green tea gardens, and roads covered with vibrant trees on both sides. Plan your Chalsa trip now to satisfy your naturalist soul!
Wildlife Sanctuaries You Must Add In Your Chalsa Itinerary
1. Chapramari
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in Dooars which is just 30 km away from Chalsa. This reserved forest area was declared a sanctuary in 1998, which is known for its amazing location, adventure activities, and natural habitat of various exotic wild species.
This forest area is comparatively smaller than other sanctuaries and parks but it is blessed with an enthralling ecology and diverse flora and fauna. Starting from the meandering rivers to lush green landscapes, everything about this place is unique. While visiting a trip to this place, you must always check the entry timings and fees as they tend to change as per the season.
Fauna: While exploring Chapramari, you can spot various wild animals including 4 species of deer, Indian bison, elephants, wild boars, and one-horned rhinoceros. If you’re visiting this place during the winter season then you can also be lucky to spot vibrant bird species such as magpies, minivets, mynas, and kingfishers.
Activities To Do: Chapramari is mainly popular for its watchtower visits and jungle safari. Herein, you can consider hiring a jeep to visit the Chapramari Watchtower and spot the wildlife. The shimmering river streams here also enable you to try boating and angling.
2. Jaldapara
Jaldapara is a ravishing tourist attraction on the foothills of Eastern Himalayas. This forest area initially was recognized as a wildlife sanctuary in 1941 and later in 2012, it was declared a national park. During your trip to Chalsa, you must plan a day trip to this amazing wildlife location for an unforgettable experience.
The dense jungle here creates a perfect setting for various endangered species to live in peace and harmony. You must note that this place is not only special for its fauna but also for the flora and unique forest types. Starting from Sissoo and Sal Savanahh to orchids and unique grass species, every spot here is packed with endangered species.
Fauna: Some of the main attractions of Jaldapara are the Royal Bengal Tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, civets, leopard cats, pangolin, hog badger, and common otters.
Activities To Do: The top activities that will surely make your Jaldapara trip complete are elephant safari, birdwatching, and jeep safari. You can also indulge in a sightseeing trip from here to the nearby attractions such as Totopara, Chilapata, and Buxa.
3. Gorumara
If you have booked a room in the best resort in Chalsa for the family then you must not miss exploring the mesmerizing landscapes of Gorumara. This natural splendor in the foothills of the Himalayas is perfect to spend some amazing time amidst exciting wildlife and blooming flora.
In 1949, Gorumara was declared a wildlife sanctuary and then in 1992, it received the name of National Park. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast then this place is a must-visit where you can enjoy a memorable wildlife experience. It is recommended that you plan the trip here from November to March and avoid traveling during the monsoon season.
Fauna: Gorumara is especially known for its large population of one-horned rhinoceros. Other than this, you can also spot leopards, Indian wolves, Asian elephants, sloth bears, and almost 300 avifauna species here.
Activities To Do: You can enjoy many things while discovering the beauty of Gorumara. Some such activities include birdwatching, sightseeing tours, jungle safari, campfires, and tribal dance performances. The worth-visiting watchtowers in Gorumara are Medla, Chandrachur, and Jatraprasad Watchtower.
4. Pakhibitan
Pakhibitan bird and wildlife sanctuary is another feather added to the cap that makes Dooars an amazing destination for both wildlife lovers and birdwatchers. This place is just 43 km from Chalsa which may take you around 1 hr. to reach with a rented car. You must note that this sanctuary was established in 2011 and spans around the Gajoldoba waterbody and shore near the Teesta Barrage.
Visiting this place during the winter season can be a remarkable experience since at this time, Pakhibitan becomes a hotspot for various exotic migratory birds. The main aim of creating this reserved area was to conserve the natural habitat of various aquatic bird species. Don’t forget to bring binoculars and cameras with you while visiting this place.
Fauna: Stunning avifauna species that can be spotted in Pakhibitan are common coot, yellow bitterns, purple heron, black-breasted weavers, and Asian openbill stork.
Activities To Do: Bird photography is the most loved activity while exploring the wetlands of Pakhibitan. You can also consider taking a thrilling boat ride to explore the nearby water bodies to spot exotic bird species.
5. Buxa
Buxa is another densely forested area you can visit from Chalsa. This national park and tiger reserve is located in the northeastern edge of Dooars which is also close to the Indo-Bhutan border. Once this forest area was popular for Dolomite mining and in 1983, Buxa reserved the name of being a tiger reserve.
By hiring a car from Chalsa, you can reach Buxa within 2 and a half hours through dense forests and captivating viewpoints. Apart from diverse flora and fauna, Buxa is also popular for its surrounding nature trails where the green landscapes will surely soothe your soul.
Fauna: Buxa is blessed with rich fauna, where you can spot Chinese pangolin, Asian elephants, regal python, sambar, tiger, wild boar, leopard cat, and sambar deer. This national park is also popular for being home to different tortoises, pythons, monitor lizards, and squirrels.
Activities To Do: Buxa is well-known among adventure enthusiasts where jungle safari is the most popular activity to do. You can indulge in this safari from Rajabhatkhawa and Jayanti for an amazing experience. Apart from this, don’t forget to try trekking to the Buxa fort and birdwatching during the trip.
Book a spacious room at a renowned resort in Chalsa to make your trip comfortable and hassle-free. While planning your wildlife vacation, always remember to avoid the monsoon months since most of the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Dooars remain closed during that time.