5D Adventurous Jaldapara Forests

Meet & Greet at NJP Rly Stn - Move towards the most adventurous destination in Dooars - The Jaldapara Forest - This Forest has its own thrilling natural and geographical background which makes the the destination more attractive for the people who really loves National Parks and adventure of Wildlife sighting. Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas in Alipurduar Sub-Division of Jalpaiguri District in West Bengal. The river Torsha flows through this rain forest sanctuary and have an area of 141 Sq.km and altitude of 61 m. Jaldapara, the vast grassland with patches of riverine forests was declared a sanctuary in 1941 for protection of the great variety flora and fauna, particularly the one-horned rhinoceros, an animal threatened with extinction. The Jaldapara Sanctuary covers 216 sq km, is a mosaic of woods, grasslands, perennial streams, sandy river banks and extensive belts of tall grass. It contains a great diversity of flora and fauna of mixed deciduous forest, grasslands and river banks. The Malangi River also flows nearby from east to west. Drained by rivers Torsa, Malangi, Hollong, Chirakhawa, Kalijhora, Sissamara, Bhaluka and Buri Torsa, the Sanctuary provides extensive grassland which is last refuge to a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds. Jaldapara is known for its Rhino population. There are only a few areas where this exlusive beauty can be found. Apart from Kaziranga and Pobitara in Assam, Jaldapara in West Bengal is being the safe home for this wonderful species since long. The grass wetland, ideal for Rhino's provides them natural habitat for their strong survival. The forest is mainly savannah covered with tall elephant grasses. The main attraction of the sanctuary is Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros. The sanctuary holds the maximum number of rhinos population in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam. The other animals consists of Royal Bengal Tigers, elephants, deers, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer and hog deer, wild pig, bisons. The wild life, in addition to the famous Great Indian One Horned rhinos, consists of Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephants, deers, swamp deers, hog deers, wild pigs, bisons. Some rare species like the hispid hare and the hog-badger are also found here. Besides wildlife viewing, there is scope for unusual holiday activities like elephant riding and leisurely strolls through the towering grass. Jaldapara is a paradise for bird watchers. It is one of the very few places in India, where the Bengal Florican is sighted. The other birds to be found here are the Crested Eagle, Pallas's Fishing Eagle and shikra, besides Jungle fowl, peafowl, patridges, Bengal Florican and lesser Pied Hornbill. Python, monitor lizards, kraits, cobras, geckos and about 8 species of fresh water turtles have also found sanctuary here. Many of the animals are endangered like - the Asiatic one-horned rhino and elephants in Jaldapara sanctuary. A thrilling elephant safari is organized in the early morning from Hollong to offer the exquisite beauty of the vast grassland of Jaldapara. The elephant ride is the best possible way to explore the sanctuary with the rare sight of Indian rhinos and Asiatic elephants. The jeep safari inside the sanctuary is another main attraction.

After breakfast visit Totopara Village - This village is home to the unique Toto tribe that is one of a kind in the world. TOTOPARA is the only settlement for the Totos, and one of the most endangered ethnic communities in the world. Toto's were nearly becoming extinct in the 1950s, but recent measures to safeguard their areas from being swamped with outsiders have helped preserved their unique heritage and also helped the population grow. In the 2001 census, they numbered about 1184 - all living in TOTOPARA. TOTOPARA is a major attraction for those interested in ethnic tourism. The village TOTOPARA is is bounded and butted by the foothills of Bhutan to the north, while Torsa River to the east, Titi River and the Titi Reserve Forest on the south-west separated by the Hauri River. The small enclave called TOTOPARA is the only spot of the globe where the 'a primitive Indo-Bhutanese tribe ' called Toto resides. As TOTOPARA lies 22 km from MADARIHAT. So, it can safely assume that the Totos live near the northern edges of this forest. Anthropologists agree that the Toto culture and language is totally unique to the tribe, and is clearly distinguished from the neighbouring tribal's Rajbongshis, Koch or the Bhutanese Sharchop tribes. While you move on through Jaldapara National Park to Totopara through the bank of the River Torsha, you shall feel the thrill of natural forest and the relation between the Wildlife and the Waterbodies. You will observe the wild animals moving from forets to the rivers and vice versa.

After breakfast visit Jaldapara & Khairabari forest. Forest Safari (Optional) to Jaldapara & Khairbari National Park - The Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the foothill of Eastern Himalayas on the bank of river Torsa in West Bengal. The vast grassland with patches of riverine forests, was declared a sanctuary in 1943 for protection of the great variety of flora and fauna. Principle among them is the Asiatic one horned Rhino. The sanctuary is a mixture of a mosaic of woods, grassland, swamps and streams. The Sanctuary covers an area of 216.51 sq km. Drained by rivers Torsa, Malangi, Hollong, Chirakhawa, Kalijhora, Sissamara, Bhaluka and Buri Torsa, the Sanctuary provides extensive grassland which is refuge to a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds. Madarihat town is the main town near the forest. Location of Jaldapara The Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the foothill of Eastern Himalayas on the bank of river Torsa in West Bengal. The vast grassland with patches of riverine forests, was declared a sanctuary in 1943 for protection of the great variety of flora and fauna. Principle among them is the Asiatic one horned Rhino. The sanctuary is a mixture of a mosaic of woods, grassland, swamps and streams. The Sanctuary covers an area of 216.51 sq km. Drained by rivers Torsa, Malangi, Hollong, Chirakhawa, Kalijhora, Sissamara, Bhaluka and Buri Torsa, the Sanctuary provides extensive grassland which is refuge to a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds. Madarihat town is the main town near the forest. Forest Visit An adventurous elephant ride in the morning will take you deep inside the grassland for the real excitement. The sights of rhino in a muddy pond, the herd of elephant or the running deer are the thrilling experiences in Jaldapara. Please note the elephant rides are booked on the spot and cannot be reserved in advance. For most part of the year, the few elephants available are unable to serve the large number tourists who flock the Sanctuary. Jeep safari inside the forest is the other option of visiting inside the forest.

After Breakfast Visit Buxa & Jayanti - Once famous for dolomite mining, Buxa was declared a tiger reserve in 1983 and got the status of National park in 1992. Located in the Assam-Bhutan border, Buxa has an area of 745 sq km, the largest forest in North Bengal and has the second highest tiger population in West Bengal after Sunderbans. The park holds maximum number of elephant, Indian bison, leopard, many species of deer and many smaller mammals, innumerable species of birds and reptiles. Buxa is rich with bio-diversity and has a great collection of rare orchids and medicinal plants. Because of inaccessible terrain, some parts of Buxa hills in the Sinchula range are still unexplored. Jayanti is a small forest village within Buxa Tiger Reserve in Alipurduar district of West Bengal, India. It is located along the Jayanti River, forming a natural border with the Bhutan hills. It is popular with hikers for its beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and wild fountains. The 13 km trek from Buxaduar to Jayanti is especially popular, passing through the dense forest of the Buxa Tiger Reserve. Jayanti also features a stalactite cave known as the Mahakal cave.

The day is free to relax and pack up. Transfer to NJP Rly Stn. The tour ends here with a sweet memory and a promise to join in EHI once again to for more Thrill & Adventure.