Village walk in Kodalbasti
The Rabha are one of the older communities of the Dooars and Assam, with their own language and traditions. Kodalbasti, on the edge of Chilapata, has been involved in eco-tourism for some years, and young people from the village work as guides.
A walk takes you along village paths past paddy fields, betel-nut and bamboo groves, a school and houses. Your guide will explain how families live with elephants that raid crops, and how they have worked with the forest department. Ask before entering any compound or taking photos, and pay the guide directly.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Who are the Rabha?
The Rabha are a Tibeto-Burman community living in parts of Assam, Meghalaya and North Bengal, including forest villages of the Dooars. Many keep their own language and traditional faith alongside Hinduism or Christianity. In the Dooars many families live on the forest edge and work in farming, forestry and tourism.
How do I arrange a Kodalbasti walk?
Ask your lodge or the eco-tourism guides at Kodalbasti, who can arrange a village guide. Agree the fee first and pay the guide directly, so the money stays in the village. There is no fixed timetable, so go with the season and the light.
What should I bring on the village walk?
Comfortable shoes, water, a hat, insect repellent and some cash for snacks or crafts. Leave sweets and gifts for children at home; if you want to help, ask the guide whether the school or a village group accepts contributions.
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