A Wild-Life Sanctuary Crisscrossed by Streams- Chatakpur
Solitude can be infectious. Specially for those people who seldom get the luxury of spending time with themselves. When there is no sound of traffic, no sound of human voices and no more urban polluted ambiance, nature takes over and soothingly reassures its existence.
This exactly what happens in Chatakpur. The name is such nostalgic and sounds like a place from old stories. The moment one reaches there Chatakpur receives him or her with such simplicity that feels very intimate.
The place
The small village is situated in Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary in Darjeeling District. The Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, with an area of 38.88 sq. km has an elevation of 1500-2600 m. Surrounded by high mountains Senchal receives a very heavy amount of precipitation. Also, the Sanctuary is crisscrossed by a number of streams and Jhoras.
Getting there
The quiet hamlet is located at an altitude of 7887 ft 7 km from Sonada and 18 km from Jorebanglow on Siliguri-Darjiling road. NH 55 passes along the Western side of the Sanctuary. You need to go through the Hill Cart Road and enter the jungle trail, in order to reach Chatakpur. The last 12 km.is through the forest and on boulders.
The nearest airport is Bagdogra. It is 80 km away and connects with Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata.
Ghoom is the nearest station connected by Indian Heritage Toy Train with New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri Junction station which are nearest broad gauge railway station and is 87 km away.
About Chatakpur
Spending few days in Chatakpur would surely be extremely memorable.
The place offers breathtaking views of Mt. Kanchenjungha. lush greenery in surround, mystic forest trails make Chatakpur the ultimate destination for those seeking peace and serenity in the Himalayas.
The bird watchers would be ecstatic to find so many species in this magnificently calm lap of nature.
The terrace cultivation of organic crops is another major attraction of Chatakpur. The forest department has also introduced organic farming and tourists can handpick vegetables from the field for cooking.
Weather
Chilly & Cold. In Summer, temperature hovers between 10 to 20 degree Celsius. In winter, the temperature may go down below freezing point.
Where to stay
There are two cottages with four double bedded room and all modern facilities run by the forest department. The Eco resort is furnished with wall to wall carpet, western bathrooms, room heater, Hot water geyser and dining facilities like vegetarian and non-vegetarian Organic Traditional food.
Room -Tariff -Plan
Cottage DBR – Double Occupancy Rs. 3300 -AP
Cottage DBR – Triple Occupancy Rs. 4180- AP
The charge includes Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks & Dinner
For booking Chatakpur Eco-village, please contact: Mr.Binod Rai,Tel No.9609740489
Besides the four cottages, Chatakpur, has home stay facilities in a few houses.
For booking cottages or home stay, call this Siliguri based number: 9932317299.
Things to do
The trek to the tiger hill through the forest would definitely be an experience to cherish for a long time. The forest is the home to the Great Himalayan Black Bear family, Leopards, Barking Deer and Antelopes. Don’t forget to take a local forest guide along.
There are other small treks to Rimbi village, Sixeen village, Labda. Most of the trekking trails run through the wildlife sanctuary.
There is a sunrise view point. Watching the sun rise on the backdrop of Mt. Kanchenjunga would be indescribable.
You can also spend time at the Pokhri (Pond). Bird lovers can spend their time watching birds.