Lataguri Travel Guide
Lataguri is a small town situated in the Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal. It is located on the outskirts of Gorumara National Park, 66 km away from Siliguri. Dense forests and the vast grassland makes this region home to many species of flora and fauna.
During the visit of Hiuen Tsang to Assam, the major part of the region was under the kingdom of Kamrupa. The kingdom extended up to River Karatoya and also included Dooars, which was earlier part of the kingdoms of Bhutan and Cooch Behar. In 1864 under the command of Hedayet Ali, the British captured the region and divided the Bhutanese kingdom into two parts. In addition to this, after 1869, the region was merged with Jalpaiguri District.
Raj Bangshis are the principal residents of the region while the Mech, the Rava and the Toto also reside in the region from many years. Limbu, Bengali and Lepcha have also migrated to the region by crossing Mechi River. Apart from this, the Uraon, the Nageshia and the Munda were brought from the Chotanagpur Plateau area by the British. These people were brought to work as laborers in the tea gardens and presently constitute a major part of the population of the region.
Featuring a combined culture of numerous tribes, Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Teesta Burir Puja, Manosha Puja along with fairs and stage dramas are the prime attractions of the destination. Chor Chunni and Dham Gaan are the popular folk arts of the region depicting the rise and fall of various mythological characters. Apart from Gorumara National Park, some of the popular attractions of the destination are Rovers Point and Rupam Valley.
How to Reach Lataguri
- By Air — The nearest airport to Lataguri is the Bagdogra Airport. After reaching Bagdogra, you need to hire a car to reach Lataguri.
- By Rail — New Jalpaiguri railway station is the nearest rail-head connecting Lataguri to major Indian cities and towns. After reaching New Jalpaiguri, you need to hire a car to reach Lataguri.
- By Road — Lataguri is connected by road with Siliguri and other places in North Bengal. Various government and private buses and taxis are available from Siliguri to Lataguri.
Distance of Lataguri from Below Places:
| Place | Distance (KM) |
|---|---|
|
Kolkata |
607 |
|
Siliguri |
66 |
|
New Alipurduar |
130 |
|
Gorumara National Park |
7 |
|
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary |
26 |
|
Murti |
18 |
Weather
Lataguri Temperature:
- Summer (Apr to Jun) — Temperatures are high and range between (21°C) to (32°C)
- Monsoon (Jul to Sep) — Regular and heavy rainfall happens. This is not a good season for tourists
- Winter (Oct to Mar) — Temperatures are low and range between (12°C) to (30°C)
- Best Season to Visit — Oct to Mar are the best season for tourism
What to See in Lataguri
The 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. The forests, that is 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! The Jatra Prasad watch tower amidst the forest is an awesome place to enjoy the tranquillity and catch a glimpse of wild animals. The 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.
Other Details
What to Do
- Apart from the jungle safari one can take a small trip to the nearby Murti River and enjoy the sunset sitting by the bed. The misty tea gardens adorned in the morning glow of the sunis a bonus.
- The evenings can be musical if the hotel authorities can arrange for a tribal dance. The mesmerizing dhoon of the dharma (drum)and the beats of ‘madol’ of the dance team leave you enchanted.
Where to Eat
- Number of restaurants are limited in Lataguri. 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.
- Foreign liquor shops are available although very few in number.
What to Buy
The place is not for the shopaholics and there is nothing you can buy from here.
Get Around
Walking is the best way to explore Lataguri. Although it is not safe to walk through the lanes after sundown as there are chances of wild animals coming out. Trips to the forests are generally organized by the Forest Department of West Bengal and they allow vehicles for safari.
Top Destinations - West Bengal
– Bakkhali
– Bindu
– Bishnupur
– Buxa Tiger Reserve
– Chapramari
– Chilapata
– Darjeeling
– Digha
– Jhalong
– Lataguri
– Jairambati
– Jaldapara
– Jayanti
– Kalimpong
– Kamarpukur
– Lava
– Lolegaon
– Mandarmani
– Murti
– Murshidabad
– Rishop
– Samsing-Suntalekhola
– Santiniketan
– Sundarbans
– Tajpur
– Tarapith
Popular Tour Plans - West Bengal
1-3 Days
1. Murshidabad (2N/3D)
2. Digha (2N/3D)
3. Tajpur (2N/3D)
4. Bakkhali (2N/3D)
5. Sundarbans (2N/3D)
6. Kamarpukur-Jairambati-Bishnupur (3N/4D)
4-6 Days
1. Bakreshwar-Tarapith-Santiniketan (4N/5D)
2. Mandarmani-Digha (4N/5D)
3. Jaldapara-Chilapata-Buxa Tiger Reserve-Jayanti (5N/6D)
4. Lava-Lolegaon-Rishop (6N/7D)
5. Darjeeling-Gangtok (6N/7D)
7-10 Days
1. Jaldapara-Lataguri-Murti-Chapramari-Jhalong-Bindu-Suntanekhola (8N/9D)
2. Darjeeling-Kalimpong-Pelling-Gangtok (9N/10D)
3. Darjeeling-Gangtok-Lachen-Lachung (9N/10D)
4. Darjeeling-Pelling-Gangtok (8N/9D)
>10 Days
1. Darjeeling-Gangtok-Lachen-Lachung-Pelling (11N/12D)