Dooars trip -2025 [Khairbari concluding]

 Dooars trip - 2025 [Khairbari concluding]

Our next stop was Khairbari Eco Resort, about 100 km from Chilapata. The road took us through the same dense jungle and then opened up to the changing terrain of the Dooars. The summer heat was intense, but this time, we didn’t take any chances—we booked comfortable Innova-class vehicles for the journey.

The resort sits at the center of a vast meadow, beside the Jaldhaka River and the Gorumara Forest begins just beyond the riverbank.”

The resort is beautifully nestled in lush greenery. The Bhutan Ghat range rises in the distance like a quiet sentry, while vast stretches of grassland meadows unfurl behind. Wild elephants often wander close to the area, so the entire campus is secured with a double-layered fence—an outer ring of strong barbed wire and an inner, discreetly electrified layer to keep wildlife at a safe distance.

[Eco resort - taken from Jaldhaka river front]

We were gently advised not to venture out after dark or during early dawn, as wild animals could appear without warning. With five of the eight rooms booked by us, the resort felt like our own private retreat for the next two days—a peaceful escape wrapped in nature’s quiet watch.

The Jaldhaka River flowed quietly in the distance, its presence both inviting and serene. Though we were eager to reach the riverbank, the scorching afternoon heat proved discouraging. It was only later, as the golden sun began its descent and the temperature eased, that we finally made our way to the water’s edge.

   [ a view of the resort]

The soft murmur of the flowing river created a soothing, almost enchanting ambiance. We dipped our feet into the cold, refreshing water, taking in the calm surroundings. Large boulders lay scattered across the riverbed, enhancing its rugged natural beauty. However, just a short distance away, a few trucks were seen extracting boulders—casting a shadow of uncertainty as to whether such activity was permitted or not.

A spacious resort in the middle of nowhere, ten school friends—mostly retired, with no pressing duties and nowhere urgent to be—spent the next day and a half indulging in pure relaxation and quiet luxury. The long veranda became our adda hub, where endless conversations flowed effortlessly alongside generous helpings of food and liquor.

[jaldhaka river]

In between, Kinsuk shared his knowledge of the local birds and wildlife, adding a touch of nature to our retreat. To the left lay the Jaldhaka River and the Gorumara Forest; in front stood the distant Bhutan Ghat range; behind us stretched a sea of golden grasslands—while above, the scorching sun beat down, making it feel anything but a typical Dooars monsoon.

Yet, in spite of the heat, our time there was filled with laughter, cheer, and memories we’ll carry with us for a long time to come.

The next morning, after breakfast, we left the resort at 9:00 AM for NJP station, about 100 kilometers away. The journey took us nearly four hours, with occasional breaks for tea, coffee, and smoke. Vande Bharat arrived right on time at 3:00 PM, and this time, all of us were seated in the same compartment—ready to keep the fun going all the way home!

S. Bera

[concluded]