How many times have you visited Dooars? Have you ever visited Burikhola? If you love offbeat Dooars, Burikhola is ideal for you.
The combination of tea garden, river, and hills welcome you to explore the unseen beauty of Burikhola.
Dooars is paradise for those who love forest. The jungle safari mainly Chilapata and Buxa Tiger are another attractions in Dooars.
Imagine, you are amid dense jungle and enjoying wildlife around you. This is the major attraction of Dooars.
Burikhola is quite different from traditional Dooars. Thought the major traditional attractions of Dooars are present here.
The most significant is Burikhola’s location. This offbeat Dooars village is beside a river and in the lap of hills. The charming beauty attracts many offbeat lovers.
You may have question where is it, how to go, what to do and where to stay? Don’t worry! I am here to guide you.
Let’s come how to reach there!
Burikhola from Malbazar
The best way to reach New Mal Junction is Kanchankanya express (13149 Up). The train departs from Sealdah at 20.35 and reaches New Mal Junction (NMZ) at 9.10 on next day.
You can find other trains to reach New Mal Junction from NJP station. There are many trains from New Jalpaiguri Station to New Mal Junction.
Now after reaching New Mal Junction, go to the heart of Dooars, Malbazar. The distance between Malbazar to Burikhola is around 10 kms.
The road is from Malbazar to Damdim and then towards Gourbathan (the way to Lava). The whole road from Damdim is splendid.
The beautiful combination of tea garden around you, and blue hills in front you, make your journey memorable.
Before 3 kms from Gorubathan, you need to take the the right turn to Mal forest which is under the Neora range.
Enjoying the whole journey, you’ll reach the ideal Dooars offbeat village, Burikhola.
The solitude of forest with birds’ twittering is an additional gift.
Around 5 kms amid forest you have to reach Burikhola. You will see the Burikhola river flowing through the Neora forest (Mal forest).
Do you know the meaning of khola?
The term khola means river. Probably, Burikhola river is the source of drinking water of the animals here.
If you are lucky, you’ll meet some wildfires, birds etc. You may see peacocks here and there.
After finishing the adventurous journey, you’ll reach your dream weekend destination, offbeat Burikhola.
I request you to take proper permission to cross the Neora forest. The best one is, consult your hotel or homestay about this.
Let’s summarise how to reach.
If you are coming from Malbazar, you have to reach via Sungachi tea estate. The distance is around is 10 kms.
But if you want to reach via Dumdim, the distance is aroind 20 kms via forest.
If you are coming here at afternoon or in the evening, Sungachi is recommended.
Where to Stay
After entering the village, you’ll see the only one school which is surrounded by the room for forest staffs.
The best place to stay in Burikhola is Burikhola Eco Tourism homestay. Before coming here, book this homestay.
The solitude, calm, greenery and the beautiful landscape is an ideal weekend destination for you. Whoever you are, a dendrophile or a nemophilist, the atmosphere of Burikhola admire you.
Why ideal weekend destination?
First of all, the landscape. The river flows near you. The blue hills stand tall amid forest. The dense forest and various wildfires attract you the most.
Isn’t Burikhola your ideal weekend destination?
You’ll witness the elephants herd drink water in the river Burikhola. Winter is ideal to visit this offbeat Dooars destination.Â
Why?
Have you ever heard about Sakam forest, the den of elephants? Sakam forest is just another bank of river Burikhola.
In winter, when there is a scarcity of water in the forest, the herd f elephants come to the Burikhola river.
Is Forest Safari Possible
Yes, your homestay will arrange the forest safary to Sakam forest, the den of elephants. However, the whole safari in Dooars is closed from June to September. So, you’ll enjoy safari apart from the above.
Besides elephants, you’ll see many other wildlives and birds. Sometime you’ll see birds like peacock roam here and there around you.
If you’re lucky, you’ll see elephants anytime. In comparison to Chilapata jungle safari and Buxa tiger safari, the Sakam forest safari may have high chance to see wild animals.
What to Do at Burikhola
Being an offbeat location, you’ll not have many options to do. You can simply enjoy the beauty of nature even from your homestay.
Very few people visit this unknown and newly discovered Dooars destination. As a result, you’ll enjoy the silence.
The pleasant sound of the river, the crystal clear water is also an attraction here at Burikhola.
Just imagine a river flows from hills just a mile away. Both the beautiful hills and river will make your memories fill with unconditional happiness.
In monsoon, the river Burikhola becomes violent when it rains heavily. So I personally suggest you to avoid monsoon.
There is a tea garden near Burikhola. Just crossing the river, you can easily reach the vast tea garden.
Sightseeing at Burikhola
If you want to enjoy Dooars more from here, you can plan sightseeing. You can explore some popular Dooars destinations and return to your homestay.
You can easily visit the popular Dooars tourist spots like Lava, Gorubathan, Chel, Gorumara Forest, Paparkheti, Jhalong, Bindu, Samsing, Gajoldoba, etc.
If you want to stay any of the above, make a plan accordingly.
My Final Thought
Burikhola is a newly discovered Dooars offbeat destination. It is one of the most beautiful offbeat destinations in North Bengal. You can enjoy the silence and solitude of this place. Being newly discovered, you’ll enjoy the natural beauty of river, tea plantations and the blue hills around you. You can explore popular sightseeing spots like Jhalong, Bindu, Lava, Gorubathan Chel and many more from here. What are you waiting for! Explore the newly discovered beautiful weekend destination of offbeat Dooars. It would be an ideal weekend destinations.
Disclaimer: Through my article, I dont encourage and discourage anyone to explore any places.
