The Dooars or Duars are the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in North-East India around Bhutan. Duar means 'door' and the region forms the gateway to Bhutan from India. There are 18 passages or gateways through which the Bhutanese people can communicate with the people living in the plains. This region is divided by the Sankosh River into the Eastern and the Western Dooars. The Western Dooars is known as the Bengal Dooars and the Eastern Dooars as the Assam Dooars. Dooars is synonymous with the term Terai used in Nepal and northern India and form the only nitrate rich plain in India.
The Dooars region politically constitutes the plains of Darjeeling Himalayas, the whole of Jalpaiguri district and Alipurduar district. The altitude of Dooars area ranges from 90 to 1,750 m. Innumerable streams and rivers flow through these fertile plains from the mountains of Bhutan. The major river is the Teesta besides many others like the Jaldhaka, Murti, Torsa, Sankosh, Dyna, Karatoya, Raidak, and Kaljani rivers, among others. Monsoon generally starts from the middle of May and continues till the end of September. Winters are cold with foggy mornings and nights. Summer is mild and constitutes a very short period of the year. Dooars is the ideal place in Bengal for monsoon travelling.
The economy of Dooars is based on three "T"s - Tea, Tourism and Timber. The main industry of the Dooars region is the tea industry. Thousands of people are engaged in the tea estates and factories. Several people are also engaged in the cultivation of betel nuts which contributes to the economy. Cultivation of other crops is done mainly for local consumption.
The area is dotted by several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also employer of a number of people. The timber industry, flourishes in this region. A number of saw mills, plywood industries and other allied business also act as an important contributor to the economy.
Dooars act as a doorway to Bhutan; thus, export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The towns of Jaigaon, Siliguri and Phuntsholing are important hubs of the export-import industry.
Arrival and Transfer to Jaldapara / Hollong: You will be received by our official at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) – Drive to Madarihat. The drive is nearly 4 - 4 ½ over a distance of approximately 155 km Via Malbazaar&Chalsa. Lunch on the way in Dhaba or on reaching the Resort at Jaldapara nearJaldapara National Park. It ensures a pleasant climate round the year so it isn't a problem even if you've set your visit any time of the year. (The forest Safari closes on June 15 and reopens on September 15 each year hence Safari / Elephant ride not possible during the period).Totopara, Khayerbari, Chilapata, Phuentsholling are some of the tourist spot nearby. Evening free. Night stay in Hotel / Resort at Jaldapara.
Early morning drive to Hollong for thrilling Elephant Safari (your cost) is organized in the early morning from Hollong. It offers the exquisite beauty of the vast grassland of Jaldapara.One can sight Indian rhinos, bison, deer and Asiatic elephants. Back to resort for breakfast. Drive to Totapara; famous for the Dooars aboriginals Totos;Totoapara is 22 km away. Toto is an isolated tribal group residing only in a small enclave called Totopara which is located at the foot of the Himalayas just to the south of the border of Bhutan on the western bank of Torsa river. Back to resort. Evening stroll at the meadow near the resort or watch tower to spot wildlife. Night stay in Hotel / Resort at Jaldapara.
Early morning one can proceed to Chilapata, nearly 26 km from Jaldapara or Alipurduar. The forest is used by the Elephants as a corridor to migrate. Chilapata Forest Reserve, NalRajarGarh, Barodabari/ Malangi and KodalBosti are the place of interest. Interesting is Ram Guna Tree locally called is knownas the tree that bleed. Back to Resort - Post Lunch one can visit Phuentsholling (Bhutan Border). The frontier town in southern Bhutan nearly. Phuntsholing or Phuentsholing is the administrative seat of the Chukha district; a thriving commercial centre, it is home to a potpourri of ethnic groups intermingling at the point where the countries Bhutan and India meet.Temple called ZangthoPelriLhakhang, Monastery KharbandiGoemba, Crocodile breeding centerand the local market is the places of interest. - Back to resort. Night stay in Hotel / Resort at Jaldapara.
Early morning breakfast - Check out from Jaldapara. Drive to Lataguri; 75 km, 2 hours. Check into the Resort and have lunch or one can have lunch outside rich tropical forests, innumerable hill streams cutting across the green carpet, undulating plains makes this a tourist hotspot. Visit to some offbeat place in the lap of Himalaya with wildlife or afternoon (4 PM - 6 PM), go for jungle Jeep Safari and a few Watch Tower with Buffalo Cart ride (your cost) if tickets are available. In the late evening campfire & tribal dance at the resort can be arranged (Optional). Night stay in Hotel / Resort at Latagturi.
Early morning Breakfast. Visit to Jhalong, Bindu in the lap of Himalaya. The area is known for its diversified flora and fauna.Jhalong is on the bank of the river Jaldhakaon the Indo-Bhutan border in the foothills of the Himalayas, on the way to Bindu. Major attraction are scenic beauty, birds and the Water body.Bindu is the last village of West Bengal before one enters Bhutan on the bank of river Jaladhaka a natural physical boundary separating West Bengal and Bhutan. The place is also known for Ginger & cardamom plantations.Lunch en-route or back to resort by 2 P M and have Lunch. Early evening (04 P M to 06 P M) Jungle Jeep Safari (your cost) subjected to availability of tickets. In the late evening one can stroll around the market area. Guest are advised not to stroll away from the crowd towards the forest. Back to resort. Cultural Show can be arranged at Supplement cost. Nightstay in Hotel / Resort at Lataguri.
(Alternatively): Early morning after breakfast,proceed to visit & see Cooch Behar(Palace /Raj Bari), Murti (River Camp), Jayanti(Buxa Tiger Reserve), Buxaduar & Rajabhatkhawa(Eco Tourism Centre), Jeep Safari (your cost) through diversified flora and fauna of Buxa Tiger reserve and PukhriPahar can be undertaken. Two small one day treks for the adventurous one in Mahakal Cave and Buxaduar (12 km through forest) are optional and can be organized. River Camp in Tents in Murti(with night Stay)can also be arranged if booked early. Back to resort. Night stay in Hotel / Resortat Lataguri.
Early morning Breakfast.Next one has to leave for Excursion. Visit Samsing, Suntaleykhola in the lap of Himalaya. The area is known for its diversified flora and fauna.Samsing is a village at around 3000 feet known for its landscape, tea gardens and the forest. It is also a gateway to Neora Valley National Park. Rolling Tea Estatesare a treat to watch & SuntaleyKhola is named from a stream named Suntaley. One can spot exotic species of birds and butterflies. Visitors can cherish the natural natures beauty of this hamlet.Lunch en-route or back to resort by 2 PM. Night Stay in Hotel / Resort at Lataguri.
Early morning breakfast. Check Out Time 11 AM. Next one has to drive to Siliguri (or any local Railway Station of your choice), on the way to Bagdogra Airport / NJP. It is a approximately 90 km drive and is nearly 2 ½ - 3 hours via Sevoke Coronation Bridge / Sevoke Kali Mandir. One can stop at Coronation Bridge for photography and scenic beauty if time permits. One can also have some refreshment if time permits the traffic will be more hence one has to start early. Reach Bagdogra Airport / NJP.
(Important info – The Elephant Safari in Jaldapara and Gorumara Jeep Safari is booked on the spot and is subject to be availability of elephant by forest department of government of West Bengal and stipulated numbers of entries respectively. Incase Dooars Jungle Safari couldn’t be arranged we will provide alternate safari. The forest remains closed on Thursday. Jungle safaris remains closed from 15th June till 15th September as per Govt. rules.)
Payments:
For the services contracted, 50 % advance payment should be made to hold the booking on a confirmed basis and the balance amount can be paid either before your departure from your city in INDIA but definitely before the commencement of the services. We hold the right to decide upon the amount to be paid as an advance payment, based on the nature of services and the time left for the commencement of the services.
Apart from the above in some cases like special train journeys, hotel or resort bookings during the peak season (Durga Puja, Diwali, X-Mas, New Year and any other festival) full payment is required to be sent in advance.
Mode of Payment:
Booking advance payment can be made through wire transfer to our bank or through Mail Authorization through Master/Visa credit card. Upon arrival in India, the payment can be made through currency notes or travelers cheque or through Master/Visa / American Express credit card. In case of payment through credit card, the bank charges-as applicable-would be levied over and above the total amount.
Policy Regarding Cancellation / No Show / Early Departure:
In case of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reason/s we must be informed in writing. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive letter in writing and cancellation charges would be as follows: -
In case of special train journey and peak season hotel bookings a separate cancellation policy is applicable (which would be advised as and when required).
In case you cancel the trip after commencement refund would be restricted to a limited amount that too would depend on the amount that we would be able to recover from the hoteliers we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation and missed meals etc. we do not bear any responsibility to refund.
Uniworld Trip reserves the right to change/modify or terminate the offer any time at its own discretion and without any prior notice.
In case of unavailability in mentioned hotels, alternate accommodation will be arranged in a similar category hotel.
Refund:
In regard to refund of unused / unutilized services (which are paid for and cancelled in advance) the refund amount would be worked out on the basis of cancellation policy as described above and the money would be accordingly refunded to the person who has made the payment to us. Please note that the refund process may take 2 - 4 weeks due to banking procedures. If the refund is made to the credit card account OR to Bank account, the bank charges would be debited from the refund amount.
Our Liabilities & Limitations:
Please note that after the finalization of the tour/service cost, if there are any hikes in entrance fees of monuments/museums, taxes, fuel cost or guide charges by the Govt of India, the same would be charged as extra.
Uniworld Trip act only in the capacity of agent for the hotels, airlines, transporters, railways & contractors providing other services & all exchange orders, receipts, contracts & tickets issued by us are issued subject to terms & conditions under which these services are provided by them.
All itineraries are sample itineraries, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before the tour or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of the trip participants' safety, comfort & general well-being.
Our rates are based on the prevailing rates as negotiated by us with the hotels, airlines etc. Hotels and Airlines retain the right to modify the rates without notice. In case of such changes the rates quoted before the modification, can be changed by us according to the modifications by hotels or airlines. All hotel bookings are based on usual check in and check out time of the hotels until unless indicated in the itinerary.
We shall not be responsible for any delays & alterations in the programme or expenses incurred - directly or indirectly - due to natural hazards, flight cancellations, accident, breakdown of machinery or equipment’s, breakdown of transport, weather, sickness, landslides, political closures or any untoward incidents.
We shall not be responsible for any loss, injury or damage to person, property, or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or other services, resulting - directly or indirectly - from any act of GOD, dangers, fire, accident, breakdown in machinery or equipment, breakdown of transport, wars, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferages, epidemics, medical or custom department regulations, defaults, or any other causes beyond our control.
We do not have any insurance policy covering the expenses for accident, sickness, loss due to theft, or any other reasons. Visitors are advised to seek such insurance arrangements in their home country. All baggage's & personal property/s at all times are at the client's risk.
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