Planning Dooars

The Dooars valley is famous for its wildlife sanctuaries, the notable ones are the  Gorumara National Park (75 km from Siliguri), Chapramari forests (68 km from Siliguri), Buxa Tiger Reserve (200 km from Siliguri) and the Jaldapara wildlife Santuary (124 km from Siliguri) are the important ones.
Siliguri is the to gateway to the Dooars. As Cooch Behar is the headquarters of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation, the place is well connected by long distance bus routes to Siliguri as well as to Kolkata, Jalpaiguri and other areas of the stateThere is a broad gauge railway service connecting Cooch Behar with Kolkata via New Jalpaiguri (NJP railway station near Siliguri). The meter gauge railway service via Alipurduar can also be avail of. The nearest airport to Siliguri is Bagdogra, connecting Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati.
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Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in Alipurduar Sub-division of Jalpaiguri district  of West Bengal  at aboutt 124 km from Siliguri. This sanctuary was constituted in  1941 for the protection of Wild Life, particularly one-horned Rhinoceros which was threatened with extinction. River Torsa runs through the sanctuary. The forest consists mainly of  tall elephant grasses. The wildlife, in addition to one-horned Rhinos, are Royal Bengal Tigers, wild Elephants, Deer, Sambhar, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer and Hog Deer, wild Pig, Bisons and a number of Birds, Peafowls.

General Information

Area : 114 sq. kms.

altitude : 61 metres (200 ft.)

Best Season : October to May, particularly March & April, when new grass is growing.

Off Season : 15th june to 15th September (Sanctuary closed)

ConductedTours

Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary including Dooars & Phuntsholing (Bhutan) - 2 days.

Rates : Accommodation at Hollong Tourist Lodge/ Jaldapara Tourist Lodge at Rs. 1100 per head for Indian tourists and Rs. 1575 per head for Foreign tourists.

Tour is inclusive of food, accommodation, elephant charges & transportation.

Tour starts from Tourism centre, Govt. of West Bengal, M-4 Building, Pradhan Nagar, Hill Cart Road, Siliguri - 734403 every Saturday at 12 noon and returns to Siliguri on Sunday by 5 p.m.Elephant ride is arranged for viewing of wildlife, preferably at dawn.

Arrangements are available at Hollong Tourist Lodge,

P.O. - Madarihat, Phone - (03563) 262228

Accommodation

Jaldapara Tourist Lodge

P.O. - Madarihat, District - Jalpaiguri

Phone : Madarihat (03563) 262230

Number of rooms :

22 double bedded rooms @ Rs. 1000 including all meals;

13 bedded dormitory @ Rs. 300 per bed including all meals

6 double bedded Hut Rs. 650 per cottage with food.

Reservation Authority

Tourism Centre, Govt. of West Bengal

3/2, B.B.D. Bag (East), Kolkata – 700001

Phone : 22485917 / 22488271

Tourism Centre, Govt. of West Bengal

M-4 Building, Pradhan Nagar, Hill Cart Road,

Siliguri – 734403

Phone : (0353) 2511979, 2511974, 2432561

Tele Fax : 2511979, 2432561

Transport
Road : Jaldapara is connected by road with Darjeeling and Siliguri & other towns of North Bengal. North Bengal State Transport Corporation Buses, Bhutan Govt. Mini Buses and Private Buses are available from Siliguri to Alipurduar via Madarihat.

Route :-

a) Darjeeling - Siliguri - Jalpaiguri (via New Teesta Bridge) - Maynaguri - Dhupguri - Gairkata - Birpara - Madarihat (140 miles or 204 km) or

b) Darjeeling - Siliguri - Sevoke - Bagrakote - Mal - Chalsa - Nagrakata - Binnaguri - Birpara - Madarihat (214 km).

Journey time from Siliguri is about 4 hours

GARUMARA NATIONAL PARK

This park is located in the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district. River Murti, Jaldhaka and Ingdong have passed through this national park. In the year 1949, Garumara Forest was declared as wildlife sanctuary when it was a small forest. Later in the year 1992, it was declared as a National Park, comprising of 89 kms. of diverse forest.

Lataguri is the nearest small Tourist Strip near Garumara National park. Private Resorts / accommodation are available here. Tourist may visit Garumara in day time staying at Lataguri.

Day visit permission to the National Park may be obtained from : Nature Interpretation Centre, Department of Forest 9Govt. of West Bengal), Lataguri

HOLLONG TOURIST LODGE:

P.O.- Madarihat, Dist.- Jalpaiguri

Phone : (03563) 262228

No. of rooms : 7 double-bedded rooms

Rs. 425 + Service Charge Rs. 150 for Indians

Rs. 850 + Service Charge Rs. 300 for foreigners.

Food (dinner, breakfast & bed tea only ) compulsory @ Rs. 110 for Indians and Rs. 160 for foreigners.]

Tourism Centre, Govt. of West Bengal

M-4 Building, Pradhan Nagar,

Hill Cart Road, Siliguri - 734403

Phone : (0353) 2511979, 2511974, 2432561

Tele Fax : 2511979, 2432561

E-mail : maitl@dte.vsnl.net.in

Tourist Bureau, Govt. of West Bengal

1, Nehru road, The Mall,

P.O. – Darjeeling

Phone : 254050

Divisional Forest Officer

P.O. & Dist. - Cooch Behar

Phone : 227185

Must see in Hampi

The must-visits in Hampi are

• Virupaksha Temple, 
• Hampi Bazaar,
•  Monolith Bull,
•  Lakshmi Narasimha temple, 
• Hemakuta Hill temples,
•  Big Shivlinga, 
• Vithala Temple (the famous Stone Chariot is located here), 
• Hazara Rama Temple, 
• Royal Enclosures, Queen's Bath, Zanana Enclosure (which also houses the Lotus Mahal), 
• Elephant Stables, 
• Achyut Raya temple,
•  Statue of Ugra Narsimha, Virupaksha Temple,
•  Mahanavmi Dibba, the Stepped Bath
• The Matanga Hill (from where one can see the most beautiful sun set ever).

 All these places are towards Hampi Bus Stand area and you don't need to cross river.

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Buy a local map and cover most of  the places on your own taking a bike/scooty on rent. Otherwise hire and auto to do local sight seeing. It would cost you around Rs 400-Rs 500.

Tungbhadra dam is 16 km from Hampi towards Hospet. One can see Tungbhadra dam and return from Hospet. It takes around 45 min to 1 hr to see Tungbhadra dam

The old capital called Anegundi, across the river from Hampi also some sites. The Hanuman Temple on Anjenaya Hill (572 steps, is believed to be the birth place of Hanuman) and the Old Palace are  worth a visit.

How to reach HAMPI and travel in Hampi

Best time to visit: October to March
Hampi is in central Karnataka, approximately 350 kilometers  from Bangalore. Your gateway town to Hampi is Hospet In short if you are coming from far places to Hampi ( example Chennai, Mumbai , Bangalore, Delhi , Kolkata etc ), look for a direct ( or even split journey ) train connection from your place to Hospet Jn ( HPT) . Hampi is a short bus ride from Hospet town.

Hubli and Guntakal are some major rail junctions west and east of Hospet ( Hampi) respectively. There are a bit far from Hospet, but still you may get some long distance train connections from these junctions. You can explore the possibility of using these places as the midway transit point to reach Hampi. Please note that the train details given here could be changed. For the current & accurate updates checkup with the Indian Railways website

Garib Nawaz Express (Train No: 6531 / 6532) is a long distance train that links the north, west and south India. This weekly train starts from Ajmer in Rajastan and terminates at Yesvantpur Jn , a suburb of Bangalore in Karnataka.
Amaravati Express (Train No.2847 / 2848 ) is a cross-country train that connects east India to the west. That is, Goa (Vasco-da-Gama) in the west coast with Howrah Junction in the east. That train passes though Hospet Junction, the nearest railway station for Hampi. Those coming from the eastern parts of India to Hampi, this is a suitable train. The train covers its 2155 kilometers (1340 miles) journey in 2 days.
Amaravati Express (Train No.2848) starts from Vasco-da-Gama on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, and passes through Hospet on the same days.

The return train (Train No.2847) from Howrah starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and passes through Hospet on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Hampi Express that connects Bangalore and Hubli is a popular option to reach Hampi from Bangalore. The train passes via Hospet, the nearest railway station for Hampi

Haripriya & Rayalaseema Express (Train No.7416 /Train No.7429 ) are a pair of trains that connects Hampi (Hospet Jn) with Hyderabad , Tirupati and C. Shahu Mharaj Terminus (Kholapur ). The route bifurcates at Guntakal Junction. The coaches heading towards Hyderabad and Tirupati are separated at Guntakal Jn and connected to the trains heading to the respective destinations

Ferry:

Most of the guest houses are on other side of the river (area called Virupapur Gadde). To access them, you need to cross river by Motor boat (Rs. 10 for locals, Rs. 15 for tourists, boat runs until 6:00 pm. on missing the boat, you have to pay auto Rs 500-600 to take you other side via Hospet-Hugili- Hanumanhalli, which is a 40km tour. Beware During moderate/high rains, gates of Tungbhadra dam are opened which increases the water level and water flow in river. In that case, one might get stranded on other side of river (Virupapur Gadde area)

Accomodation in hampi

Staying options in Hampi hotels and guesthouses.

Hampi's Boulders

Hampi's Boulders is the best up stay option in Hampi. This remotely located resort is a private retreat, surrounded by nature. It is located amidst the boulders on the banks of Tungabhadra River, in the Yamini hills which is  a 25 minutes drive from Hampi. The hotel car can pick and drop one off. After a hectic day of sightseeing,it is a welcome escape to the resort.

Rates range from 6,000 rupees ($130) per night for a non air conditioned double, up to 10,000 rupees ($220) per night for an air conditioned executive suite. Breakfast and dinner are included.

Shanthi Guesthouse

Shanti Guesthouse is very popular. It's located across the river in Virupapur Gadde, in lush tranquil surroundings. The cheap, older rooms are a bit shabby. However, the newer cottages are recommended and offer  views of the rice paddies, rocks, and sunset. Guests can also welcome to cook their own food in the restaurant kitchen, which serves a range of cuisine from Israeli to Thai. One of the features that makes this place so restful are the swing beds, suspended out the front of each room.

 300-500 rupees ($6.50-11) per night for a room, and 1,000 rupees ($22) for a cottage.

Mowgli Guesthouse

Popular with backpackers, and located across the river in Virupapur Gadde, is Mowgli Guesthouse. The same family has been running the guesthouse for more than 17 years. It started off with only four rooms, and has grown to offer over 35 different rooms and cottages. Standard double rooms, with shared bathroom, start from 250 rupees ($5.50) per night. Expect to pay 800 rupees ($17) for a cottage overlooking the paddy fields, and 1,200 rupees ($26) per night for an air conditioned room with private balcony. The guesthouse also has pool tables, and an excellent restaurant that serves fresh homemade pizzas, Israeli and Indian food.

Padma Guest House

Padma Guesthouse is a popular choice in a quiet street of chaotic Hampi Bazaar. Consisting of a range of rooms in a private home, the guesthouse is run by a welcoming family and friendly staff. It's very clean, and is suitable for both couples and families. The better quality rooms on the first floor, with a view of the ruins and Virupaksha Temple, are recommended. 600 to 1,000 rupees ($13-22) per night for a double room, depending on the room.

• Directions: From the Hampi bus stand, cross the road and walk into the lane opposite the bus stand. The Padma Guesthouse will be on your left.

• Phone: +91 8394 241331.

 Gopi Guesthouse

A good option for singles and backpackers, the Gopi Guesthouse is also located in a lane of the central Hampi Bazaar area. This guesthouse is another family-run establishment, with an assortment of family members undertaking various roles, including making travel arrangements for guests. The highlight of the guesthouse is its rooftop restaurant, which is renowned for its tasty food and view of the Virupaksha Temple tower. Rates start from 600 rupees ($13) per night, plus tax. All rooms have attached bathrooms.

Directions: Hampi bus stand area, near Virupaksha Temple.

Phone: +91 8394 241695.     / Email: kirangopi2002@yahoo.com

Other accomodation

Hampi Boulders Resort , +91-22-24042211, Email: bouldersresort@nivalink.com

Hotel Mayura Vijayanagar, Thungabadhra Dam Hospet, Tel: +91-8394-48270

Hotel Priyadarshini, Station Road, Hospet, Tel: +91-8394-48838.

Hotel Malligi, 6/143, J. N. Road, Hospet - 583 201. Phone: +91- 839 4228101, Fax : +91-839 4227038, Email : malligihome@hotmail.com

Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneswri, Kamalapur, Hampi. Tel: +91-8394-51374

KSTDC Cottages.Tel: +91-8394-8108

Useful websites:

http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/hampi/

http://www.hampi.in/

http://wikitravel.org/en/Hampi

A nice hotel in calcutta

This is a posting mainly for indian travellers. the hotel i stayed in calcutta this time was near Chandni Chowk metro station:
Hotel Penguin
18, Jadunath Dey Road,
 Kolkata- 700012,
( near Joga jog Bhawan, this is the landmark).
 The hotel is adjacent to St Joseph's School. and funtions as a guest house for State bank of India Officers.
 The double bedroom rates are : Rs 700/ per day  for non Ac and Rs 900/ day for A/c rooms.
 The Triple bedroom rates are : Rs 900/ per day for non Ac and Rs 1000/ day for A/c rooms

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Another place where one can stay is Club inn Rs 1540 (onwards)/- per day but rooms are better. All the benefits of the above hotel remains,

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