Murti Travel Guide
Are you a traveler who always wanted to see the pristine natural beauty of hills, valley and river at the same place? If the answer is yes, then this Murti tour plan is a perfect help for you to plan a visit to Murti.
In addition to the above, Murti dooars gives you a chance to enjoy the thrill of jungle safari and see wild lives in their natural habitat. Murti being a off-beat place located in Dooars West Bengal, you will need to plan well and in advance in order to make the visit a memorable one.
This Murti Tour Plan guide will provide all the required information that you need to plan your visit to Murti Dooars.
Ready for that?
For creating a good plan that suits your travel style and personal preferences, you need to understand –
– Murti overview
– How to reach Murti
– Murti weather and temperature
– What to see
– What to do
Overview
Murti Dooars has got its name from the river of same name which flows through the place. Murti river originates from the Neora Valley National Park in the lower Bhutan Himalayas. After flowing for 80 kilometers, Murti river meets Jaldhaka river.
Village Murti is located just beside the river. The place is surrounded by two famous forests. They are Gorumara National Park on the right and Chilapata Wildlife Sanctuary on the left. This strategic location along with the natural beauty attracts tourists to Murti. During their stay, tourists can very easily go for a jungle safari at Gorumara and Chilapata.
Murti is located in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. By road, Murti is at a distance of 80 km from Siliguri. During winter, Murti becomes a favorite picnic spot for the locals.
Spending a couple of relaxing days beside the knee deep snaking Murti River is a perfect holiday especially for those who are looking for some serenity and peace. It is a paradise for nature lovers and bird watchers. The hilly river Murti makes the place an awesome one with greenery on its banks. The river has got good current in rainy season. For rest of the year, a bath in the knee deep crystal clear water is a must for the tourists.
Tourists can engage themselves doing fishing whenever they like. Camping is another popular activity in Murti along with hiking. Gorumara National Park, which is home to Indian Rhinos, Wild Elephants and various bird species is just a stone’s throw from Murti.
The region experience mild climate for a major part of the year. Three main seasons that can be experienced here are summer, monsoon and winter. Summers can be slightly warm during the peak period; however this is a good time to engage in open-air activities. Winter is during the months of November to February. The barometer can drop to a low of around 4 degrees Celsius and reach high of around 17 degrees Celsius during this season.
How To Reach Murti
Nearest airport for Murti Dooars is Bagdogra and nearest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri. From Bagdogra, distance of Murti is 88 km and from New Jalpaiguri, it is 72 km by road.
Bagdogra and New Jalpaiguri is well connected via air and rail from most of the major cities of India. Once you reach either of these two transport hubs, you will proceed further towards Murti.
Though there are local buses available till Chalsa, having a car for this route will be most convenient for the tourists. Depending on no of people in the group, one may hire a car that will comfortably accommodate all the people. A SUV type car or a jeep is preferred in this route. If you are planning on a limited budget, look for point to point share jeeps.
From Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri, most common route for Murti is via Gajaldoba – Lataguri – Batabari. It takes around 3 hrs including tea breaks to reach Murti via this route.
Murti Tour Plan - Distance Chart
From | Distance (KM) |
|---|---|
Kolkata | 625 |
Siliguri | 71 |
New Alipurduar | 113 |
Gorumara National Park | 12 |
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary | 9 |
Lataguri | 18 |
Chalsa | 8 |
Samsing | 25 |
Suntalekhola | 29 |
Rocky Island | 27 |
Jhalong | 32 |
Bindu | 40 |
Murti Weather
Murti Temperature
Max temperature (C) | Min Temperature (c) | Average Rainfall (mM) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Jan | 22.0 | 9.2 | 23 |
Feb | 24.0 | 11.1 | 24 |
Mar | 28.5 | 15.6 | 34 |
Apr | 32.8 | 18.3 | 76 |
May | 35.9 | 22.1 | 249 |
Jun | 29.5 | 24.0 | 628 |
Jul | 29.1 | 24.6 | 843 |
Aug | 29.6 | 24.6 | 589 |
Sep | 29.2 | 23.2 | 403 |
Oct | 28.5 | 18.7 | 121 |
Nov | 26.3 | 14.2 | 10 |
Dec | 23.4 | 10.3 | 11 |
Murti Tur Plan - Best Time To Visit
November – February (Winter)
Winter is the best time to visit Murti and other areas of Dooars. This is because – i) Very less chances of shower and the sky remains clear. It is easy to go for Jungle Safari at Gorumara and Chilapata. ii) Water level in the Murti river remains on the lower side making it possible for the tourists to take a bath in the crystal clear water. iii) Temperature is perfect for exploring the surrounding places.
March – May (Summer)
During summer months, the region experiences high temperature going up to mid thirties. High humidity level adds up to the discomfort factor. People gets exhausted very easily. Summer is a low season for tourism.
June – October (Monsoon) Murti tour plan during monsoon is the least favored option. Rain starts in June and continues till September, sometimes till mid of October. Heavy and regular rainfall makes movement very difficult. Jungle Safari remains suspended during this period. Water in the Murti river becomes muddy. After the rains, water flows at a high level making it risky to go near the river.
What To See In Murti
Murti is a quaint tourist spot and a great place for nature lovers. It is the nature and the scenic beauty that keeps one enthralled during the stay here. There are a few nearby places that can be visited for short day trips.
But overall, it is not a place where daily sightseeing trips would keep the tourist engaged. Murti is a place for enjoying greenery, fresh pollution-free air and a peaceful atmosphere. The view and the location of the forest rest house are incomparable as the river Murti is just by the doorstep. Just on the other side of river Murti is Gorumara forest. So sitting in your veranda you can enjoy the nature with a hot cup of tea.
The Panijhora river also close to Murti. Both the rivers attract many tourists and are a common spot for picnickers. There are amphibians like Gharials found in the river. Since the tourist homes and resorts are in close vicinity to the forest, elephants, gaur (Indian bison) and deer are frequently seen outside the bungalows.
There are a few offbeat places worth visiting from Murti. Totopara is one of them. It is a small village which is the only habitation of the Totos, one of the oldest aboriginal tribes of northern Bengal. Amidst the growing urban influence, the Totos have still retained many tribal customs and cultures and a peep into their daily lives will leave you astonished.
Rocky Island
On the banks of river Murti, Rocky Island has now become a demanding destination. Rocky Island is an eco – tourism destination. The Murti River and rocks on its bank is an ideal place for adventure activities like rock climbing, river crossing etc.
Orange orchards add an extra beauty to it. Here one can also avail tented accommodation. The cool refreshing breeze soothes the body while the sight of dense forests, riverside caves and the sun dipping slowly in the western horizon, charm the eyes and the mind.
Lush green forests of the Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts comprise mostly of what everybody knows as the Dooars. Lataguri is a part of this area and there are a diverse range of flora and fauna.
It is a terrific experience to see the morning dew hanging from the green leaves- the bright orange red palash blooming- the chilly winter breeze blowing through the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, yes the whispering call of the spring had started and hence the fervor of the wilderness had started its charm beckoning.
Permits for Gorumara and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary are given from Lataguri. The town also contains a “Nature Interpretation Centre”, which gives information about the flora and fauna of the area.
Forests in the fringes of Gorumara National Park enthralls the tourists with wild life like rhinoceros, wild elephants, deer, peacock, bison on a jungle trail. They generally behave peacefully and warmly welcome tourists!
Jatra Prasad watch tower amidst the forest is an awesome place to enjoy the tranquility and catch a glimpse of wild animals. Fragrance of the woods, the chirps of countless birds, the vastness of the forest, the shades of green and the bliss of slumber truly makes Lataguri forests magical. The azure sky, the green and subtle tea gardens, the blue hills of the Terai, the serpentine rivers and abundant wildlife is what Lataguri is all about.
Murti Tour Plan - Itinerary
From a short visit to a lengthy leisure one – plan your travel that suits you best. Explore various options provided below to chose the best one for you !
These are some of the most popular itineraries suggested by IndiaTravelPage. Chose our recommended plan to explore, or make your own way with a custom travel plan
Explore In 1 Day
Day1:
Reach Murti and check in to the most beautifully located tourist lodge maintained by west Bengal Forest Department. Spend rest of the day watching the beautiful Murti river with cryastal clear water passing through the jungle.
Next morning, proceed straight to Bindu. Bindu is the last village on Indian side bordering Bhutan. Also visit Jhalong to see the jungle at the lap of the Himalayas. From Jhalong, we suggest you to reach Suntanekhola for night stay.
Explore In 2 Day (Recommended)
Day1:
Reach Murti and check in to the most beautifully located tourist lodge maintained by west Bengal Forest Department. Spend rest of the day watching the beautiful Murti river with cryastal clear water passing through the jungle.
Day 2:
Proceed straight to Bindu. Bindu is the last village on Indian side bordering Bhutan. Also visit Jhalong to see the jungle at the laap of the Himalayas. Come back to Murti for night stay.
Next morning, check out from the hotel and proceed to visit Suntanekhola and Samsing
Murti Tour Plan
What To Do In Murti
- A dip in the crystal clear water of the hilly river Murti would leave you rejuvenated for the next phase of urban drudgery. Camping, angling and bird watching opportunities are also great.
- Strolling around the place and clicking some fantastic snaps can keep you occupied in the afternoon.
- Camp fire can be arranged at night with dinner at the resort. Slideshow of wild animals and forest are also arranged by the resort.
- You can ask your driver to take you out at night in the street through the forest and experience the thrill of night life in such a dense forest. For this you need to take permission from your resort manager because they usually don’t allow guests to step out at night.
Where to Eat In Murti
- Number of restaurants are scanty in Murti. However, the hotels generally have adjacent restaurants which are more or less clean, hygienic and well equipped. They serve Bengali cuisine like Chicken Curry, Egg Curry, Rice, Dal, Finger Chips etc. In the mornings, the nearby villages put up weekly markets where you can get fresh vegetables. If you wish to buy, the hotel cook can prepare curries according to your choices and tastes.
- Delicious Tibetan food like Momos and Thukpas are available in roadside eateries.
What To Buy In Murti
It is a remote place surrounded by the river and two forests. Naturally, the place is not for the shopaholics and there is nothing special that you can buy from here.
How To Get Around Murti
An important part of Murti tour plan is to select a good vehicle. To get around the place and visit other places of interests adjacent to Murti, the only option for tourists is a vehicle on rental. You can ask the resort manager to arrange a vehicle for a drop to another place. For a day trip and sightseeing you may hire a vehicle on a full day basis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the Best Resorts to Stay at Murti?
Any Murti Tour Plan will involve a suitable place to spend the nights. Two comfortable and popular resorts are run by West Bengal Government agencies, West Bengal Forest Development Corporation (WBFDC) and West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC).
Banani
‘Banani’ meaning Evergreen Forest is run by WBFDC. Banani is located just beside the river and the most popular place to stay. Demand for Banani remains very high during season and rooms are booked months in advance. The resort has a two storied building and few cottages within its compound. Though rooms are not luxurious, they are spacious and clean. Rooms have all required amenities like Air Conditioning, TV, Intercom etc.
Banani has a cute little park to entertain the children. They also have a nice garden with flower beds. There is also a decent quality restaurant within the campus. They offer primarily Bengali cuisine in the menu. Tourists staying at Banani gets preference during Jungle Safari booking. This is very helpful specially during the high season.
Booking for Banani Eco Tourism Center can be done online at – www.wbfdc.net/booking/index
Tourist Lodge
Murti Tourist Lodge is run by WBTDC. It is also a very popular place with the tourists and located very near to the Banani Eco Tourism Center. The Tourist Lodge has cottage type rooms scattered around the compound. Rooms are large and clean and very well maintained. All required amenities like Air Conditioner, TV, Room Service are available. They also have a in compound restaurant offering decent quality food.
Booking for Murti Tourist Lodge can be done online at – www.wbtdcl.wbtourismg
What is the Nearest Railway Station From Murti?
Chalsa is the nearest railway station of Murti. Due to very few trains stopping at Chalsa, it is not very convenient for the tourists. New Mal Junction is 18 km from Murti. Kanchankanya Express originating from Sealdah stops here. Most popular among tourists is New Jalpaiguri Junction at a distance of 75 km from Murti.
How to Do Online Booking of Resorts?
Banani Eco Tourism Center run by WBTDC can be booked here – www.wbfdc.net/booking/index
Murti Tourist Lodge run by WBTDC can be booked here – www.wbtdcl.wbtourismgov.in/home
Where Is Murti River?
Murti river originates in the lower Bhutan hills. Murti river gets the water from rainfall in the hills. After originating from the Bhutan hills, it flows 80 km through the Neora Valley National Park and passes through places like Murti and Gorumara National Park before meeting Jaldhaka river.
Is Murti a Good Base for Dooars Travel?
Making Murti the base for Dooars travel is a very wise and prudent decision. In addition to the fact that Murti itself is very beautiful and located just beside a beautiful river, it is located within a close proximity of many tourist spots of Dooars area. Tourists staying in Murti can very easily visit places like – Gorumara (18 km), Chapramari (9 km), Samsing (25 km), Suntalekhola (29 km), Jhalong (32 km), Bindu (40 km) etc in a car.
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