Bindu Travel Guide
If you are trying to plan a tour to a place which consists of natural hills, dancing rivers and forest lands, then Bindu dooars is a perfect place for you to plan a visit.
In addition to the above, Bindu dooars gives you a chance to famous . Bindu 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 guide will provide all the required information that you need to plan your visit to Bindu Dooars.
Ready for that?
For creating a good plan that suits your travel style and personal preferences, you need to understand –
– Bindu overview
– How to reach Bindu
– Bindu weather and temperature
– What to see
– What to do
Overview
A small village at an altitude of 600m or about 2000 feet, on the India-Bhutan border, Bindu Dooars is famous for its natural beauty and cardamom plantation. It is a small hamlet located at an altitude of 700 m, in the Darjeeling district of the state of West Bengal. The last village on the Indian side bordering Bhutan, Bindu is ringed by hills on all sides and encompasses dense forests.
It is situated along the banks of the River Jaldhaka, which is formed by the conjunction of three streams, Bindu Khola, Dudh Pokhri and Jaldhaka, originating from the Kupup Lake. The place is also coming up as a popular offbeat tourist destination of Dooars. Bindu is scenically placed among the high mountains all around with Jaldhaka River flowing through the valley making a natural border with Bhutan and India.
Bindu is the location of Jaldhaka Dam, it is one of the oldest Hydro-electric project between India and Bhutan. Tourists are not allowed to visit the Dam site but can see it from a distance. The dam used to create substantial electricity but due to heavy silting over the years, the project is said to have become sick now. However the site remains a major attraction for tourists.
With the increasing importance of Gorumara as the tourism hub of Dooars, Bindu has also become part of a day tour for visitors to Gorumara. The distance between Gorumara forest and Bindu is 42 km. Since Gorumara safaris are mostly in the early morning or in late afternoon, tourists find it convenient to have a day tour in between. This scenic village offers magnificent views of the Bhutan Himalayas and the snow peak mountains during winters. Located in the foothills of lower Kalimpong.
Bindu also offers opportunities for small treks, starting from Todey to Tangta and extending till Neora Valley National Park. The village is a conglomeration of different aborigines, with most of the tribal people engaged in orange (Suntala) and cardamom (Elaichi) cultivation. The local produce is exported to other places within the country as well as abroad. Terrace cultivation being quite common in this region.
Bindu has become a hot favorite among birdwatchers with the varied bird species found here, such as Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Kingfisher, and Brown Dipper, Slaty-backed Fork tail, Little Fork tail and Laughing Thrush
How To Reach Bindu
Nearest airport for Bindu Dooars is Bagdogra and nearest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri. From Bagdogra, distance of Murti is 113 km and from New Jalpaiguri, it is 107 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 Bindu.
Though there are local buses and share jeeps available till Malbazar, 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 Bindu is via Oodlabari – Malbazar – Chalsa. It takes around 4 hrs including tea breaks to reach Bindu via this route.
Distance Chart
From | Distance (KM) |
|---|---|
Kolkata | 688 |
New Jalpaiguri | 103 |
Siliguri | 107 |
Bagdogra | 113 |
Malbazar | 48 |
New Alipurduar | 140 |
Gorumara National Park | 55 |
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary | 36 |
Lataguri | 60 |
Chalsa | 40 |
Samsing | 30 |
Suntalekhola | 33 |
Jhalong | 10 |
Bindu Dooars Weather
Bindu 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 |
Best Time To Visit Bindu
November – February (Winter)
Winter is the best time to visit Bindu 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 Chapramari. ii) Water level in the Jaldhaka river and Bindu Khola 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) Monsoon is the least favored time for the tourists to visit Bindu and Dooars. The 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 rivers and streams becomes muddy. After the rains, water flows at a high level making it risky to go near the rivers.
What To See In Bindu Dooars
Bindu is not a typical tourist destination with lots of sightseeing options. Here you would probably spend more time soaking the pristine natural beauty and a bath in the cold water of Jaldhaka river. A leisure walk through the nearby villages will give you immense pleasure.
Ideal for the city dwellers, Bindu comes off as a nice pleasant break. If you are coming here, leave your work and personal baggage behind and slip in the lap of the nature. Idyllically, you will have a stop at Gairibus to watch the medicinal plant Diascorrea grow in the best form and take the drive all through the Chapramari Sanctuary. Apart from agricultural plantations, intercropping inside forest is also common. The kingdom of Bhutan is just on the other side of Jaldhaka River. There is no restriction for locals to cross boarder and go there. Villagers from the Bhutanese villages can be seen visiting the local market to buy essentials.
Bindu dam is one of the oldest dams in the area. It is situated near Bindu village on the banks of Jaldhaka River. Located at an elevation of 2000 feet and surrounded by dense forests and mountains, Bindu dam is a favorite picnic spot. The main purpose of the construction of this dam was to control the supply of water to the Jaldhaka Hydel Project at Jhalong. Situated on the Indo-Bhutan border, this dam is a heaven for birdwatchers.
Owing to its serene and peaceful location, the place has become a popular tourist spot in the area. Moreover, the forest bordering the dam is quite famous among adventure seekers as it gives ample opportunities to enjoy activities like trekking and hiking. You can walk over the dam to the adjacent forest area.
Bindu Dooars Travel 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 (Recommended)
Reach Bindu, the last village on Indian side bordering Bhutan. See the Jaldhaka Hydro Electric Project and enjoy the natural beauty of the place. Also visit Jhalong to see the place located at the lap of the Himalayas.
Tour Plans
What To Do In Bindu
- Sit by the hilly terrains and enjoy the gurgling stream
- Rock climbing and day trekking tours can be organized. A trip to nearby Jhalong would also be great.
- Take a stroll in the afternoon and peep into the lives of local people and their culture, forests, river, the Jaldhaka dam nearby. It will prove to be an ideal sojourn for the city dweller.
Where to Eat In Bindu
- Number of restaurants are scanty in Bindu. 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 Bindu Dooars
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 Bindu Dooars
To get around the place and visit other places of interests adjacent to Bindu, 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
What are the best hotels to stay at Bindu Dooars?
There are no fancy hotels at Bundu. All the lodging in the area offer only basic amenities. More popular among tourists are –
Humro Home Paren
Humro Home Paren is arguably the most popular home stay in the area. This little resort is located at a distance of 3 km from Jhalong market and at a distance of 6 km from Bindu dam. The resort has 4 cottages, each one with a standard double bed. They offer only lodging as well as lodging and food option. Double bed room charges are approximately Rs.1500.
Booking for Humro Home Paren can be done online at – https://www.humrohome.com/humro-home-paren.php
Paren Nature Resort
Paren Nature Resort is run by WBTDC. It is also a very popular place with the tourists. It has 4 cottages. Paren nature Resort is located at a distance of 8 km from Bindu. The resort has cottage type rooms scattered around the compound. Rooms are clean and offer basic amenities. They also have a in compound restaurant offering decent quality food.
Booking for Paren Nature Resort can be done online at – https://wbfdc.net
What is the nearest railway station from Bindu Dooars?
New Mal Junction is the nearest station from Bindu. Kanchankanya Express originating from Sealdah stops here. More popular among tourists is New Jalpaiguri Junction at a distance of 103 km from Bindu.
What is the distance of Bindu From Siliguri?
Bindu is at a distance of 103 km from Siliguri town.
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