Chilapata
Introduction
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Dooars is the Chilapata Forest, located near Alipurduar. The forest is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Chilapata Forest is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. The forest is rich in Sal, Teak, Khayer and other trees, and is a popular spot for bird watching. Visitors can spot a variety of birds including Hornbills such as the Great Hornbill, the Oriental Pied Hornbill, and the Rufous-necked Hornbill. Other varieties of birds include Fishing-eagle, Shikra, Crested eagle, Fowls, Partridges, Bengal florican, Paradise flycatcher, Racket-tailed drongo and others. The forest is also home to tigers, leopards, elephants, and other wild animals.
One of the main attractions of Chilapata Forest is the elephant safari. Visitors can take a ride on the back of an elephant and explore the forest in a unique and exciting way. The safari is a great way to get a close-up view of the wildlife and to see the forest from a different perspective.
Another popular activity in the forest is trekking. Visitors can explore the forest on foot and discover hidden gems like streams and ponds. Trekking in Chilapata Forest is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with nature. However, entering the forest on your own may be risky and even illegal, so always consult our travel consultants regarding this.
The forest villages also have a rich cultural heritage; visitors can learn about the history and customs of the local tribes such as the Bodo and the Rabha. Visitors can also visit the nearby Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, which is known for its one-horned rhinoceroses.
Jaldapara and Chilapata are continuous forests with the river Torsha dividing the two. The western part of the forest is known as Jaldapara and the eastern part is known as Chilapata. The forests of Chilapata offer similar geographical and wildlife variety as those of Jaldapara. Elephants, rhinos, Deer, and Indian Bison (Gaur) are commonly sighted wildlife in the forest here.
Getting There
Being in a pocket area, there are few shared vehicles such as buses, etc. travelling to Chilapata. So no matter where you alight, you would most likely have to travel to Chilapata in a hired vehicle. All the rail stations and airports mentioned offering a variety of vehicles for your transfer. We also have one of the largest fleets of tourist vehicles in Dooars and can give you vehicle support as and when needed.
By Road: Visitors can take a bus or taxi from Siliguri to reach Chilapata Forest. The journey takes about 4 hours.
By Train: Visitors can take a train to New Jalpaiguri Railway station and then take a bus or taxi to reach Chilapata. The nearest railway station is Hasimara which is about half an hour's drive from Chilapata. You can also come here from Alipurduar junction which is about an hours drive away.
By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport, located about 130 km from Chilapata Forest. From there, visitors can take a taxi or bus to Jalpaiguri and then to Chilapata Forest.
Are you looking for a local tourist taxi for Chilapata? You can contact our cars division humro cars at its website or just call our transport unit at 9733052020 / 9733068080
Visitors should also be aware that the forest is a protected area and there are strict rules to preserve the wildlife and natural habitats in the area.
To See
The forest offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages and interests. So, pack your bags and head to Chilapata Forest for an unforgettable experience!
Chilapata Forest is an excellent destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Some of the things to see and do in the forest include
Wildlife sighting: The forest is home to a variety of wild animals such as leopards, rhinos, elephants, and deer. Visitors can spot these animals on a jungle safari through the forest.
Elephant safari: One of the main attractions of Chilapata Forest is the elephant safari. Visitors can take a ride on the back of an elephant and explore the forest in a unique and exciting way.
Bird watching: The forest is a popular spot for bird watching. Visitors can spot a variety of birds here.
Cultural heritage: Chilapata Forest also has a rich cultural heritage. Visitors can learn about the history and customs of the local tribes such as the Bodo and the Rabha.
One can also try to go to the ‘Nal Rajar Garh’, meaning the fort of the Nal Kings. The fort is in ruins and only some walls remain deep inside the forest.
Nearby Places
Chilapata is very centrally located with many tourist attractions within an hour's drive from here. You can easily visit Jaldapara (35 km) and undertake the forest safari there. The Buxa forest entry point of Rajabhatkhawa is also just 33 km away. You can also visit Phuentsholing, the Bhutan border with a drive of about an hour (50 km). The Coochbehar with its famous Kings palace and the temple of Madan Mohan is just 30 km away.
Best time to visit
The forest remains closed between June 15th and September 15th. So this is the time when there are fewer tourists at Chilapata. But the monsoon months are the best time to visit the forest if you are a nature lover and fond of the different shades of green that the monsoon rains bring to the forest. The summer months of April – June is warmer and the temperature during the day may cross 30 centigrade. October to March is the ideal time to visit the forest as the weather is mild, rain is rare and hence this period is considered the high season in the area.
Weather
The weather in the region is typically warm and humid for most of the year.
In the summer months of April to June, the temperature can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius. The weather is quite hot and humid around this time.
The monsoon season starts in July and lasts until September. The forest receives heavy rainfall during this time, making the trails and paths in the forest muddy and slippery. The forest looks very green and lush during this time, but it is not the ideal time to visit as for safari and visits are closed during this time. However, for the nature lover, the monsoon season is some of the best months to visit the forests here.
The winter months of October to March are the best time to visit Chilapata. The temperature is pleasant and ranges between 10-20 degree Celsius. The forest is dry and the weather is perfect for outdoor activities.
Where to Stay
There is a variety of accommodation options available for tourists staying at Chilapata. Humro Home Chilapata is an ideal place to stay which is managed by a Rava family from the local forest. There are several larger resorts in the area as well. For accommodation, you may contact our executives by filling up the form below.
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