Gorumara and Lataguri
Watchtower safaris on the edge of the Murti and Jaldhaka
Gorumara National Park covers about 80 km² of sal forest, riverine woodland and grassland between the Murti and Jaldhaka rivers in Jalpaiguri district. It was declared a national park in 1992. Small as it is, it holds Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephants, gaur, sambar, barking deer, wild boar and nearly 200 species of birds, including great and wreathed hornbills.
Most visitors stay at Lataguri, a small town on the highway between Malbazar and Mainaguri, about 8 km from the park entrance. Lataguri has the main safari counter and a row of resorts and lodges. Others stay on the Murti river, at Chalsa on the hill above, or in forest corporation camps around Ramsai and Kalipur.
Safaris here are mostly watchtower trips. A jeep takes you through the forest to a tower overlooking a salt lick or water hole, and you wait quietly for animals to come. Each tower has a fixed route and slot. The Jatraprasad watchtower is the most popular; Medla includes a bullock-cart ride and a short Adivasi dance at the end.
Highlights
What Gorumara and Lataguri does best
Named after a forest department elephant, it overlooks a grassland and salt lick where rhinos and gaur often come.
A jeep, then a slow bullock-cart ride to the Medla tower on the Murti, ending with Adivasi dancers at the camp.
Quieter towers and a birding point for hornbills and forest birds.
A wide stony river on the park edge, good for evening walks and birdwatching.
A major Shiva temple near Mainaguri, about 25 km away, with large fairs at Shivaratri and in Shravan.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Gorumara and Lataguri
Take a bus from the Tenzing Norgay bus terminus in Siliguri to Malbazar (₹100–180, about 3 hours), then an auto or toto 10 km to Lataguri.
A reserved car from Siliguri, NJP or Bagdogra takes 2–2.5 hours (80 km) via Sevoke and Malbazar and costs about ₹2,800–3,800.
New Mal Junction on the Dooars line is about 10 km from Lataguri; services are few, so check timings.
Bagdogra airport is about 95 km and 2.5–3 hours away.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
Lataguri has the most choice, from simple lodges at ₹1,200–2,000 a room to resorts at ₹3,000–7,000, all on or near the highway and close to the safari counter. The WBFDC Murti Banani lodge sits on the Murti river about 15 km away, and the forest corporation also runs small camps at Ramsai, Kalipur and Dhupjhora. For comfort, Sinclairs Retreat Dooars is on the Chalsa hilltop, 15 km from Lataguri.
The West Bengal Forest Development Corporation lodge beside the Murti river near Gorumara, with a main building, cottages and tents in a large garden. Guests can …
A large hilltop resort at Chalsa, about 15 km from Lataguri, with cottage-style rooms, a pool and views over the Dooars plains. The most comfortable base …
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Five things to know
- Book watchtower slots online when booking opens, or at the Lataguri counter the evening before.
- Choose Jatraprasad for rhinos and Medla for the bullock-cart ride and dance.
- Do not drive between Lataguri, Chalsa and Murti after dark; elephants cross often.
- Stay in a WBFDC lodge if you want reception to book safaris for you.
- The park closes from 16 June to 15 September. Check current status before you travel.
The local story
Jatraprasad, the elephant with a watchtower
Most watchtowers in Indian parks are named after places. Gorumara's best-known tower is named after an animal. Jatraprasad was an elephant of the forest department, and the tower that bears his name looks out over a grassland and salt lick where rhinos, gaur and elephants come to feed.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Gorumara and Lataguri
How do I book a Gorumara safari?
Gorumara safaris are sold by the West Bengal forest department. When online booking is open, book watchtower slots on the official forest department or WBFDC booking pages. Remaining slots are sold at the counter in Lataguri, usually from the afternoon before, with queues in peak season. Guests in WBFDC lodges such as Murti Banani can often book at reception. Check current status before you travel.
Which Gorumara watchtower is best?
Jatraprasad is the most popular and the best bet for rhinos and gaur at the salt lick. Medla is the most fun for families, with a bullock-cart ride and a short Adivasi dance. Chandrachur is quieter. Chukchuki is a birding point. If you have time for two trips, do Jatraprasad at dawn and Medla in the afternoon.
How far is Gorumara from Siliguri?
Lataguri, the gateway town, is about 80 km from Siliguri, a drive of 2–2.5 hours via Sevoke, Odlabari and Malbazar. It is the closest of the Dooars parks to Siliguri, which makes it a good weekend trip from NJP or Bagdogra.
When is Gorumara closed?
Gorumara closes every year for the monsoon from 16 June to 15 September, along with the other protected forests of North Bengal. It may also close for a day for official counts. Some routes reopen later than 16 September if tracks are damaged. Check current status before you travel.
Can I see rhinos at Gorumara?
Yes, rhinos live in Gorumara and are often seen from the Jatraprasad watchtower and the rhino observation point, though not on every trip. The population is much smaller than at Jaldapara, so if rhinos are your main aim, add a night at Jaldapara. Gaur and elephants are seen more often at Gorumara.
Is Lataguri a good place to stay?
Yes, for convenience. Lataguri has the safari counter, plenty of lodges and resorts at all prices, and simple restaurants along the highway. It can feel busy at weekends. For a quieter stay choose a riverside lodge at Murti or a forest corporation camp; for comfort choose Chalsa.
What is the Medla watchtower trip?
It is a watchtower trip in which a jeep takes you to the Medla camp near the Murti river, from where you ride a bullock cart to the watchtower overlooking the river and grassland. Trips usually end with a short performance by Adivasi dancers from nearby villages. It suits families and first-time visitors.
How many days do I need at Gorumara?
One night allows one afternoon and one dawn watchtower trip. Two nights lets you try two or three towers, walk by the Murti and visit Samsing or the Jalpesh temple. Many travellers spend two nights at Gorumara and two at Jaldapara on a four-night Dooars loop.
Are there wild elephants on the roads near Lataguri?
Yes. Elephant herds cross the highway and tea gardens around Lataguri, Chalsa and Murti, especially at dusk and night. Drive in daylight, never stop to take photos, and follow forest department instructions if traffic is held. Your driver will know the usual crossing points.
Packages
Routes that stop in Gorumara and Lataguri
Nearby
Pair it with
Tea slopes and forest streams where the Dooars meets the hills
Rhino country on the Torsa grasslands
The plains city where every hill journey begins
Mist, monks and the gate to Neora Valley
Shape your own trip Tell us your dates and budget. We draw the route around you. Begin Not sure where to start? We match the valley to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. Begin Talk to a planner A first route and an itemised price within one working day. No payment to start. Begin