If you’re a working parent, you know what a long weekend really means: a shot at sanity.
This Independence Day weekend, we finally took that much-needed break… ditched our office chairs, paused our deadlines, and packed our bags for Dooars, the magical green belt at the foothills of the Himalayas in North Bengal.
We went as a trio: two adults running on caffeine, and our toddler princess, Little A, running on pure curiosity.
Here’s the story of how we spent 3 rainy, wild, wonderful days in Dooars… chasing rivers, tea gardens, misty hills, and toddler giggles.
Our 3-Day Dooars Itinerary
- Day 1: Pickup → Jungle temple detour → Murti → Chawafelli → Baradighi Tea Garden → Gajbari
- Day 2: Chalsa View Point → Samsing Tea Garden → Laliguras → Rocky Island → Jhalong → Jaldhaka → Bindu → Chapramari Forest
- Day 3: Checkout → Damdim Monastery → Loop Bridge → Coronation Bridge, Sevok → Airport drop
If you need some help, head over to our blog: 7 Best Tips to Plan a Kid-Friendly Itinerary, it truly is a survival guide for new parents!
Day 1: Jungle Detours, Murti Magic & Tea Trails
We arrived in North Bengal on a rainy day, with mild sun — but somehow, it just made everything look greener. On our way to Murti, our driver asked casually, “Would you like to see a jungle mandir?” Honestly, that question alone was enough to make us say yes. He took a turn off the main road, and soon we were driving through a narrow trail under a thick green canopy. The forest here had that post-rain perfume… damp, alive, full of secrets.
The Hidden Temple in the Jungle
After a short walk, we reached a small clearing with a solitary temple standing quietly amidst the trees. No signboards, no crowds. But what truly took our breath away was the life-sized baby elephant statue guarding the entrance; carved in stone, weather-worn, and strangely lifelike. Its eyes, half-lidded under moss, seemed to be watching us.
Little A whispered, “Is it sleeping?” And for a moment, we wondered too.
We didn’t learn the temple’s name. Maybe it didn’t have one. Or maybe it didn’t need one.
That moment; the mist, the silence, the stone elephant; stayed with us for the rest of the trip.
Chawafelli View Point – Misty Horizons
We proceeded to the Chawafelli View Point, a quiet road with sweeping views of forest and hills. No loud tourists, just the wind and a wide open sky. The kind of place where you instinctively take a deep breath and slow down.
Arrival at Murti
By the time we reached Murti, the rain had softened to a drizzle. Our lodge, WBTDC Murti Tourism Property, sat nestled beside the river, surrounded by whispering trees and chirping crickets. It already felt like the right choice.
Post-lunch Adventure
Baradighi Tea Garden – A Walk Through Green
After lunch, we took a trip through the Baradighi Tea Garden, where the landscape rolled like green waves under the rain. Little A wanted to run through the bushes and “find tea,” so we explained how tea leaves are picked — and no, you can’t eat them straight from the plant. (“Why not? It smells nice!”). Perhaps tired, perhaps disappointed, she resorted to Daddy’s Lap, and as she quickly drifted off to a nap, we took a rather peaceful stroll that only had whispers of our chitchats and the soft mountain breeze.
Travel Nugget: Dooars tea is stronger and bolder than Darjeeling’s, and is often used in blends for its color and body.
Gajbari Watchtower – Just the Forest & Us
We ended the day at Gajbari, an elephant watchtower tucked at the forest’s edge. The rain had driven most visitors away, so it felt like we had the forest to ourselves.
We waited about an hour for elephant sightings, and finally they listened to our silent prayers, and came back magestically from their daily stroll amidst the open forest. It felt surreal… plus the view over the soaked canopy as the sun dipped below the hills? Worth every squishy step in our muddy shoes.
Dinner that night was simple and satisfying, some paneer pakodas to start with, some steaming rice, homey dal, some french fries, and spicy chicken curry. Little A was out like a light by 9 PM… a rare and glorious win.ike a light by 9 PM… a rare and glorious win.
Day 2: A 7-Point Scenic Journey Through the Hills
16th August started early — with raincoats, snack packs, and a toddler determined to jump in every puddle between Murti and Bhutan (almost literally).
We were off on the famous 7-point sightseeing loop, a road trip through tea estates, hill villages, and riverside spots, all the way to the Indo-Bhutan border.
Our driver, Raju Da, was a local legend — part guide, part stand-up comic, full-time lover of the land. “Today,” he said, “you’ll see seven shades of green.”
He was right.
1. Chalsa View Point – Floating in the Clouds
First stop: Chalsa View Point. The view stretched for miles, veiled in clouds and kissed by the morning mist. It felt like we were inside a painting. Little A kept asking, “Are we on the clouds now?”
We told her yes. We weren’t sure ourselves.
2. Samsing Tea Garden – Picture-Perfect
If tea gardens could win beauty contests, Samsing would take the crown. Mist swirled between neatly combed rows of tea bushes, and the silence was thick and delicious.
We took a short walk, met a few tea pickers, and tried not to slip in the red mud.
3. Laliguras – Momos in the Mist
Though rhododendrons weren’t blooming, Laliguras was a cheerful stop. We grabbed plates of hot momos from a small wooden shack, dipping them in fiery red chutney while watching the fog dance across the road.
Momo Break: Somehow, food just tastes better in the hills. Especially when it’s raining.
4. Rocky Island – Little Adventurer’s Paradise
Rocky Island is exactly what it sounds like, a riverside with big rocks, rushing water, and loads of space to climb, jump, splash, and pretend you’re on an epic quest.
Little A absolutely loved it. We stayed longer than we planned, and got just as soaked as she did.
Parent Tip: Always pack dry clothes when traveling in Dooars. And double socks.
5. Jhalong – By the River
Jhalong brought a change of pace — calm riverbanks, Bhutanese-style market stalls, and the gentle rhythm of local life. We lingered here, sipping hot tea, watching locals fish under the overcast sky.
6. Jaldhaka – Roaring Waters & Misty Roads
At Jaldhaka, we saw the hydroelectric dam, its water roaring down in white froth. Little A called it “the big bathtub.”
We took photos, waved at passing bikes, and let the wind ruffle our hair.
7. Bindu – Where Three Rivers Meet
Our final stop was Bindu, a village right at the Indo-Bhutan border, where the Bindu Khola, Dudh Pokhri, and Jaldhaka rivers meet. Prayer flags fluttered. The water sparkled. We just stood there for a while, quietly grateful. We shopped like crazy here – the knicknacks were SO beautiful!
As we drove back via Chapramari Forest, the trees felt even taller and the sky even wider.
We returned home tired, wet, and completely smitten.
Day 3: Monasteries, Bridges & Goodbyes
17th August. We checked out of our lodge with heavy hearts and heavier luggage (hello, tea packets and forest honey). But Dooars had one more day of beauty to offer.
Damdim Monastery – A Quiet Farewell
Nestled in a quiet corner of the hills, the Damdim Monastery was serene and radiant. We stepped inside, and for a moment, the world stood still. The monks chanted, prayer flags flapped, and peace hung thick in the air.
Even Little A fell silent.
Loop Bridge – Round We Go
The quirky Loop Bridge, a circular railway curve built to manage the elevation, was a quick stop — and a fun one. We imagined a train winding through the loop while explaining to Little A how “bridges can bend like this.”
Coronation Bridge – The Last View
Finally, we stopped at Coronation Bridge, arching over the Teesta River, grand and timeless. Built in the 1930s, still majestic today — a perfect goodbye.
Trip Budget Breakdown – Dooars on a Real Family Budget
| Item | Cost (INR) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Stay (2 nights) | ₹6,200 | ₹3,100 per night × 2 nights |
| Car Package (3 days) | ₹12,000 | Wagon R – includes driver, fuel, tolls, driver refreshments |
| Food & Snacks | ₹2,500 (approx) | Homely meals, roadside stalls, momos & tea |
| Entry Fees (Viewpoints, forest areas) | ₹500 (approx) | Minor entry charges where applicable |
| Misc. (Souvenirs, Tea, Tips) | ₹800 (approx) | Local tea, honey, small tips |
| Total | ₹22,000 | For a full family of 3, door-to-door |
Final Thoughts: Dooars Gave Us More Than a Getaway
This trip wasn’t just a break from work or city noise, it was a reminder that sometimes, the best memories are made on rainy roads, in tea gardens with no mobile signal, and in quiet corners of the forest where time slows down.
Dooars gave us:
- A break without the pressure to “tick off” big sights
- Forests that breathed calm into our tired minds
- Rainy roads that felt like stories waiting to be told
- And a curious toddler’s wide-eyed joy at everything… rocks, rivers, raindrops, and elephants carved in stone
As working parents, we often forget what it feels like to be truly present. This trip nudged us gently back to that space, one puddle jump and momo bite at a time.
If you’re craving stillness, nature, and a slow adventure that doesn’t need fancy itineraries or perfect weather, Dooars is waiting. Just pack light, carry your sense of wonder, and leave space for the unexpected.
We went looking for a short break.
We came back with full hearts.
And muddy shoes. Always the muddy shoes.
Happy Travels!
