3 Nights in North Bengal

Your forest escape kicks off with winding roads through vibrant tea gardens, leading you to Lataguri and the wild heart of Gorumara. After checking into your jungle resort, gear up for your first wildlife safari. As the jeep winds through Sal groves and grasslands, keep an eye out for bison, peacocks, and, if you're lucky, the majestic Indian rhino. Enjoy an authentic dinner while the surrounding jungle fades into twilight stillness.

Travel south-west to Madarihat, where the vast Jaldapara National Park beckons. Famous for its dense population of one-horned rhinos and wild elephants, the park is best seen through an early morning elephant-back trek or an afternoon jeep safari. Ride past riverine grasslands and salt licks where herds congregate.

The day's journey takes you further into the eastern extremities of Dooars — Rajabhatkhawa, the home base for Buxa Tiger Reserve. Start with a nature trek to the ancient Buxa Fort, a colonial fort that was used as a jail. Walk or drive further to the mysterious Mahakal Caves, a holy place nestled deep within the forest, resonating with quiet and devotional incantations.

Begin your day with an early morning ride deep into the untamed trails of Chilapata Forest. While not as visited as some of the other forests, Chilapata has spotted deer, leopards, and even the rare elephant that strays across the landscape. In the afternoon, visit Totopara to learn about the Toto tribe, one of India’s smallest indigenous communities with a distinct culture and language. Listen to stories, try street food, and glimpse lives revolving around the forest. Back to your lodge for a relaxed final evening.

After breakfast, take a final long breath of forest air before driving back to Siliguri. Take back photographs, tales, and perhaps the excitement of a footprint encounter that remains long after the journey is over.