Gorumara National Park

About: Among other places Gorumara National Park is one of the must visit destination of Dooars as well as North Bengal. The national park is spread around 79.9 square kilometer area at the foothills of Eastern Himalaya. This park is located on the fringe of National Highway 717. Gorumara wildlife sanctuary became national park in the year 1994 and awarded best national park of India in the year 2009 (among 180 national parks). This forest lies at the floodplains of three rivers. River Jaldhaka is flowing towards east and river Neora at its west. Murti River flows through the national park.  

Flora: Diverse flora of this forest makes it unique in many ways. This park is mixture of savannas, subtropical grasses, bushes, tropical and subtropical broadleaf trees and moist deciduous trees. Among them Sal, Segun (Teak), Shirish (Albizia Saman), Shimul (Silk Cotton Tree) and Bamboo groves are the most common species. One can find several species of orchids here in Gorumara national park.        

Fauna: Gorumara is the home for variety of faunas. About 50 different species of mammals, over 20 species of reptiles, 7 species of turtles, near about 200 species of birds and more than 25 species of fishes are the inhabitants of Gorumara national park. Among herbivores the larger ones are one horn rhino, Asiatic elephant, Indian gaur, sambar and chital. Barking deer, hog deer and wild boar are the smaller herbivores of this national park. Leopard is the largest carnivores here while among the smaller carnivores one can spot civets, small cats and mongooses. Giant squirrel can be spotted easily on the trees. Among endangered fauna Pygmy Hog and Hispid Hare has been reported by the park authority. A large number of venomous (King Cobra) and non-venomous (Indian Python) snakes is inhabitant of this park. This park is also birders paradise. Great Indian Hornbill, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Scarlet Minivet, Sunbird, various Woodpeckers and Pheasants can be easily spotted in this park. Migratory birds including Brahminy ducks gives occasional halts at the water bodies within the park during winter.           

Activities: Gorumara national park has five watch towers within its vicinity. These watch towers are Jatraprasad watch tower, Chukchuki watch tower (especially for birders), Chandrachur watch tower, Rhino observation point and Medla watch tower. Entry permit can be obtained from Gorumara Nature Interpreter Centre located at Lataguri for first four watch towers. Permit for Medla watch tower has to be collected at the entry gate booking counter of Medla watch tower. Enjoy the bullock cart ride from the entry gate of Medla to the watch tower.  Usually there are four different safari time. Times are subject to change so do not forget to check before your trip. Tickets are being issued half an hour before safaris and at least one member from the traveler’s side must be present with proper ID card to obtain ticket. Charge for videography is extra. Elephant safari at Dhupjhora is another interesting activity during your stay at Gorumara. You can also enjoy cultural programs during evening time performed by different local ethnic communities.

Apart from forest related activities there are few day trips that can be done during your stay at Gorumara. Some of the day trips that you can avail are visiting Samsing, Sunthalekhola, Rocky Island, Paren, Jhalong and Bindu (see below). Nearby Chapramari wildlife sanctuary also can be accessed from Gorumara.  

Getting there: Gorumara national park can be reached from Bagdogra International Airport (IXB), Siliguri and NJP directly either by hiring a car or by shared vehicles (subject to availability).

Since the main point of this national park is Lataguri all the following road distances are calculated up to Lataguri.

Bagdogra airport- 71 kilometers via Siliguri, Ambari and 88 kilometers via NH 10, NH 17 and NH 717.

Siliguri- 67 kilometers via Ambari

NJP- 59 kilometers via Ambari

New Mal Junction- 30 kilometers

Mal Bazar- 28 kilometers

Mynaguri- 21 kilometers

Jalpaiguri- 30 kilometers

Accommodations: There are several options to stay in or around Gorumara national park. The Park Forest bungalow is located within the park and can be booked directly from the office of West Bengal Forest Departments. Plenty of accommodation facilities are available at Lataguri. Various private resorts hotels and home-stays are available. One can stay at Murti area adjacent to the national park. Distance from Lataguri is around 18 kilometers. Those are coming by trains and getting down at New Mal Junction can directly reach Murti without going to Lataguri. The distance is 17 kilometers. Bothe Government and private accommodations are available here. Three other alternative staying options are Panjhora, Dhupjhora and Kalikapur eco village. These are all government accommodations but can be booked by us as well.    

To book accommodations and ride you may feel free to contact us anytime.        

Climate: Average maximum summer (May to September) temperature 27 to 37 degree Celsius. Winter (November to February) temperature ranges between 10 to 21 degrees. March and April sees comparatively comfortable temperature and that varies between 24 to 28 degrees. June to October receives heavy rainfall. Average annual rainfall of this place is around 380 mm. 

Day & Half day trips: Apart from Jungle Safaris and visiting watch tower there are plenty to do during your stay at Gorumara national park. Following are some of them that can be enjoyed.

• Dhupjhora Elephant Safari: If you are staying at Dhupjhora Elephant Camp then you will naturally get access to the indigenous cultures of Dooars as well as access to the pet elephant’s camp. But if you are staying other than Dhupjhora you still can be a part of these activities. You can take an elephant safari. It will take you in the core of the forest crossing the Murti River. If you are lucky enough you can witness the bathing of pet elephants in Murti River. You can spend some time at the camp to enjoy the nature. The distance from Lataguri to Dhupjhora Elephant camp is only 13 kilometers.
• Enjoying Murti and Chapramari WLS: After taking early morning forest safari the rest of the day is yours. Here is a suggestion that you may enjoy. After having breakfast take a car and visit Mahakal temple on NH 717 amidst forest. The temple is a open one. People worship here to please wild elephants. The ambience is superb. Spend some time here. The distance from Lataguri is around 6 kilometers. Then proceed for Murti. Spend your time by the river enjoy the scenic beauty. Take a stroll and explore the place. Then cross the Murti river bridge by your car and ask your driver to take you to Khunia more and also ask him to drive slowly. Driving through this forest road is really exciting. If you are lucky you can spot some wildlife. Then get back to your hotel have lunch and take some rest. Second half is for Chapramari Wild Life Sanctuary. This forest is covers only around 10 square kilometer area. Asiatic elephant and Indian gaur can be spotted here. The ambience of the forest is excellent. Among birds you may spot kingfishers, parakeets, hornbills, green pigeons etc. The distance from Lataguri is around 26 kilometers.      

• Sunthalekhola, Samsing & Rocky Island: At the lap of the Himalayas there is a quaint village in Dooars named Samsing. Three side of the village is surrounded by forest. Lush green rolling tea gardens and orange orchards are two major attractions apart from the serene and tranquil nature. The distance from Lataguri to Samsing is around 28 kilometers via Chalsa and Matiali. But our suggestion is that ask your driver to take the route via Dalingkot, Meanglass and lower Fagu tea gardens to enjoy the breathtaking beauties of Dooars. Just 4 kilometers ahead of Samsing there is another beautiful little village surrounded by forest and located on the lap of the hills known as Sunthalekhola. Rocky Island too is located very near to Samsing (3 kilometers only). You will enjoy the calmness of the nature here with constant musicals from River Murti that is coming down from hills at this place. The big rocks in and around the river actually painted the picturesque canvas perfectly.     
• Jhalong, Bindu & Paren: Jhalong and Bindu are two gems of Dooars you might not want to miss. On the way to Jhalong (commonly referred as Jaldhaka also) you will find a view point. The scene of River Jaldhaka below with the backdrop of Bhutan is really spectacular. Jhalong is a small settlement around the meeting point of Jhalong River (locally known as Jhalong Khola) and Jaldhaka River. Furthermore down the road is Bindu. Especially famous for a dam over Jaldhaka River. This dam is known as Bindu Dam or Jaldhaka dam. Other side of the river is Bhutan. From Lataguri Jhalong is around 48 kilometers and Bindu is around 8 kilometers from Jhalong. Another nice place to explore is Paren. This place is located around 5 kilometers upwards from Jhalong. This place is surrounded by hills covered with green forest. The view of Bhutan across the Jaldhaka River is truly breathtaking. The calm and serene nature will not fail to win your heart.

10 important Tips that might help you while you visit Gorumara National Park:

As a responsible tour guide and operator here are few tips from our side to help while you visit Gorumara National Park.

1. On Thursdays entry in the national park remained closed, check while you plan your trip
2. Entry tickets for Chapramari WLS can be obtained from NIC, Lataguri
3. Issuing tickets starts 30 minutes before the time of safari but be there much earlier because number of entries per watch tower is restricted
4. Please do not wear florescent color outfits during your jungle safaris
5. Avoid using perfumes or any hard fragrance while taking safaris
6. Keep your medical kit updated
7. From 16th of June to 15th September all the forests of North Bengal remained closed for tourists so plan accordingly
8. Do not throw plastics here and there use your hotel’s garbage bin 
9. Avoid plucking flowers
10. Last but not the least please be a responsible tourist

Feel free to contact us to design a tailor made tour package for Gorumara National Park and other places of Dooars, North Bengal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal

Saha Tourism is always there to make your travel experience beautiful.