[RIKUPIKU]

Dooars had been the highlighter in my “drive to” list since I visited first time by train during the last week of pre-pandemic era.
In the end of September ’21 we initiated the plan for the trip and a total of ten members (8 adults and 2 kids) agreed. Accordingly I booked 5 nights’ accommodation in WBFDC Banani Murti (Night 1), Mohanchura Homestay Jayanti (Night 2-3), WBFDC Mouchuki Camp (Night 4) and WBFDC Jhalong River Camp (Night 5).
Among many hidden gems of Dooars, Mouchuki is one of the most beautiful serene spot. In fact it can be considered as the showstopper. When I planned to visit Mouchaki, I contacted cottage manager to enquire about the road condition and he affirmed that Venue can be taken to the cottage while Tiago has to be kept at Suntalekhola Taxi stand. Even then I was quiet skeptical about taking my Venue to the top and I contacted a known local fellow. He also confirmed that Venue can be driven up to the top.

Enjoy the teaser images of the trip!

Murti


Jayanti


Mouchuki


Jhalong

Earlier we planned to start in the evening by 6-6.30 however, 3 days before the trip the elderly people of the team wanted to halt a night at Raiganj. Consequently, WBTDCL Raiganj tourist lodge was booked and we had to start the trip in the morning at about 10.00 hours from our residence in Bardhhaman. Despite knowing the condition of the SH7, we had to opt for that to pick up few team members.


That truss bridge before Chander More toll plaza along Badshahi Road


Crossing Farakka barrage
We reached to Raiganj tourist lodge by 7.15 PM, had dinner by 9 PM and called it a day.

Day 1
We started at 4.30AM and decided to take Dalkhola route. To our surprise, we crossed Dalkhola level crossing without any issues. Since it was early in the morning the road was vacant with a small queue of trucks at the level crossing.


Sunrise at Surjapur


Crossing Kishanganj rail station


Bio-break at HP fuel station just before Islampur, Both the silver beauties taking rest!


At Ghoshpukur


Fulbari-Ghoshpukur Bypass



Scenic and evergreen Sevoke Road



The coronation Bridge: A civil engineering marvel


The mighty Teesta


We two

Although, gmap as usual suggested right turn from Chalsa, we ignored and drove up to Khunia More amidst Chapramari Jungle and took right turn to reach Banani, Murti.


Experiencing wildness at Uttar Dhopjhora Road


Walking through the Murti River bed


WBFDC BANANI


We both from the balcony


Silver couple enjoying River View



River Murti with Himalayn back drop

Day 2
After having breakfast we started for Jayanti. The road from Nagrakata to Buxa more was butter smooth with wonderful view of Himalaya. Most joyful driving we had in this stretch. The forest pass counter at Buxa was empty so did not take much time to enter Buxa Tiger Reserve.


Road towards Jayanti through BTR


The jayanti riverbed: one of the most beautiful tourist spots of Bengal


That sumptuous lunch



At Chotomahakal

[RIKUPIKU]

Night view of Mohanchura Homestay

Day 3



We opted for morning core jungle safari and sighted a mother elephant and its calf



Gadadhar river bed


After having breakfast, we drove up to Santalabari Market and bought some local food and snacks items


While returning at Jayanti River Bridge


Piers of collapsed rail bridge


Venue amidst jungle

Day 4




Sunrise at Jayanti riverbed


Couple enjoying sunrise and river view


Sun kissed silver beauties






parting snapshots at Jayanti


View of Torsha river bed from NH317

We bought Darjeeling tea from Missionhill outlet at Malbazar BP station. In search of a decent eatery to have lunch we came to know about “Bapir Hotel” opposite to the Malbazar bus stand. Had lip-smacking mutton curry and country chicken with local fish dishes. Food was so testy that I forgot to take a photo.
Post lunch we proceeded towards Samsing and Suntalekhola.



At Samsing tea garden





View from Laliguras: shooting spot for few of the Bengali movies

On the way to Suntalekhola, we had very memorable drive through Samsing forest. Upon reaching Suntalekhola taxi stand we parked our car and walked up to WBFDC Suntalekhola cottage.


Scenic trail towards WBFDC Suntalekhola


Cable suspension bridge before the cottage


WBFDC Suntalekhola

After returning back to Taxi stand I searched the road to Mouchuki camp in gmap and it suggested a different route than what the local taxi driver said. So we decided to take the way suggested by the locals. The drivers insisted us to rent their bolero since our car “can’t go up to the top due to low ground clearance”. I rented a bolero and decided to drive the Venue leaving Tiago in the parking lot for that night. Knowing that they insisted to take a driver at least so that “he can take our vehicle safely to the top”. Finally we started that 4 kilometers journey up to the camp. It was a rocky trail with occasional potholes. For me it was very adventurous and I was enjoying that drive. Eventually reached to the top after 1st gear crawling for 35 minutes and encountered heavenly Dooars at approximately 12000 feet altitude.


Unpaved road towards Mouchuki camp

[RIKUPIKU]

Sunset from the camp




View of camp in the evening


Dooars at Dusk


Bonfire with barbeque chicken

Day 5














Sunrise from the Camp, most beautiful sunrise I have ever experienced


View of sunrise from the balcony of the camp

[RIKUPIKU]

Magnificent Mouchuki in the Morning



Parting shots at Mouchuki

All of us started missing Mouchuki, what a hidden beauty is it!
We started our journey towards Jhalong.


Team at Rocky Island


Road through Matelli tea garden


Crossing Murti River through Kumai Bridge



Dalgaon view point


Yours truly


The entire team at Dalgaon

After visiting Dalgaon view point, we checked in WBFDC Jhalong and left for Bindu.





Jhalong river cottage

While going to Bindu we planned to have lunch at Apple Stone Restaurant.


View of Apple Stone from the restaurant


Every one enjoying the meal amidst lap of mountains


Bindu Barrage


Silver couple enjoying the view of Bhutan Hills


Photo-shoot and Bindu

The quality of road surface towards Bindu has deteriorated horribly in last 18-20 months. Local said that the road has been taken up by Indian Army and they would maintain the same. Though we could see some army 4X4 truck however no tress of initiating maintenance work.

[RIKUPIKU]

Parents at Bindu Barrage

By the way we came to Jhalong river camp back in the late afternoon and enjoyed the evening hearing the babble of Jhalong Khola.




Evening at Jhalong River Camp


Musical Evening: Bengali folk songs sung by our favorite Susen Da.

Day 6




Morning at Jhalong river camp.

We started our return journey at 7.45 AM from Jhalong, took the Dhantola-Botolbari B2B road and then took Berhampur-Krishnanagar- Dhatrigram route to return to Bardhaman. It was 1.30AM when we parked our car in the residence.


A memorable experience of 1555.1 kilometers comes to an end.

Signing off till the next tour!

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[fawad0222]

Beautiful Snaps!! All the guesthouses look well maintained. Bridge over Teesta reminded me of my posting at Binnagudi , around 20 yrs back, when I crossed this bridge many times while going to Siliguri and further. Teesta looked magnificent and water pure and inviting from the bridge. I found Dooars to be a very beautiful and still unexploited region tourism wise then. I even had most memorable train trip from Binnagudi to Jalpaiguri then where me and few other youngsters requested the locomotive driver to which he very kindly agreed, to board the engine and travel. What a view !! Unbelievable. As travelling in the engine, afforded us a 360 degree view of the passing scenery. The drivers also let change the gears of the behemoth as they explained the working of the engine. Insurmountable beauty and exhilarating adventure!

[RIKUPIKU]

Originally Posted by fawad0222

Beautiful Snaps!! All the guesthouses look well maintained. Bridge over Teesta reminded me of my posting at Binnagudi , around 20 yrs back, when I crossed this bridge many times while going to Siliguri and further. Teesta looked magnificent and water pure and inviting from the bridge. I found Dooars to be a very beautiful and still unexploited region tourism wise then.

Many thanks. It is true that the guest houses are maintained well till date. Nonetheless, agency's indifference in maintaining Mouchuki is evident.
Indeed beauty of Dooars is really indescribable and it can only be experienced and felt once one is present in person amidst greenery of Dooars. The best part is that most of the Bengal Dooars is still unexplored.

[swiftvxi06]

Nice travelogue with some mesmerizing pictures.
Look forward to more such travelogues and also meeting you in future Team-BHP meets. Wish you loads of happy miles with your Venue.

[ABHI_1512]

Wonderful travel RIKUPIKU, Mouchuki Camp seems to be quaint little piece of paradise. Lovely looking snaps of sunrise and sunset overlooking the meadows. North Bengal as a destination never fails and going by the pictures, I am sure you all had very good time exploring the places. Keep travelling, thanks for sharing.

Regards.

[RIKUPIKU]

Originally Posted by swiftvxi06

Nice travelogue with some mesmerizing pictures.
Look forward to more such travelogues and also meeting you in future Team-BHP meets. Wish you loads of happy miles with your Venue.

Thanks a lot! I also look forward to join future TBHP meets.

[RIKUPIKU]

Originally Posted by ABHI_1512

Wonderful travel RIKUPIKU, Mouchuki Camp seems to be quaint little piece of paradise. Lovely looking snaps of sunrise and sunset overlooking the meadows. North Bengal as a destination never fails and going by the pictures, I am sure you all had very good time exploring the places. Keep travelling, thanks for sharing.

Regards.

Many thanks ABHI_1512. Indeed it is all time favorite tourist destination for us.

[sukhbirST]

Very thoughtful of you to visit the Dooars and bring out the real beauty. Outside of this not many are aware or even heard about the natural beauty. The write up and the trip was very nicely brought out in some enchanting photographs. Thanks for sharing and adding to my must visit list.

[Neversaygbye]

You visited a part of Bengal that I really love and can never get tired of, and one I have visited thrice in the last few years. Here's a pic of my red beast at Aranya Jungle Resort in Lataguri.



I have been to many of the places but this was the first time I heard of Mouchuki. Quite a find, if the pictures are anything to go by. Also appreciate your ability to capture the sunrise multiple times - somehow I always miss the sunrise as I never manage to wake up on time!

Trips with the family are great fun and wish you many more such trips with the Venue and the Tiago. Hope to meet you in one of our TBHP meets, soon!

[RIKUPIKU]

Originally Posted by sukhbirST

. The write up and the trip was very nicely brought out in some enchanting photographs. Thanks for sharing and adding to my must visit list.

Thanks a lot. In fact, I am one them who believes Dooars is the crown of Bengal. There are numerous places which are yet to be explored in Dooars.