Jhalong a quaint village on the banks of river Jaldhaka is quite popular among both backpackers and families alike for its unique combination of the tranquillity of nature, bird watching, forest trekking, and a dam. Situated on the foothills of Eastern Himalaya, this scenic destination is about 100 km from Siliguri and 650 km from Kolkata. The place is an ideal weekend destination and an oasis of calm. If you want to escape from the regular mundane city life, then a trip to Jhalong is all that you need.
Getting There
Jhalong is well connected by roads. The nearest railway station is the New Jalpaiguri Station (NJP) and the nearest airport is the Bagdogra airport. The most convenient option to reach Jhalong is to take a flight to Bagdogra and hire a taxi from there to the destination. The route is scenic and gives ample opportunities to spot the diverse flora and fauna of the region. The area is also an elephant corridor and chances of spotting the pachyderms in their natural habitat are quite high.
Accommodation
Jhalong does not have many options for accommodation. However, if you want to absorb the solitude of the wilderness then it will be wise to opt for the Jhalong River Camp. The resort has 6 cottages overlooking the river Jaldhaka. The place is so mesmerizing that one is bound to experience solace just by merely sitting beside the water body.
For more information about Jhalong River Camp, please visit the site Jhalong River Camp
Attractions
- For the bird watchers, this place is heaven as many migratory birds find their way up in the mountains surrounding the place. Birds like the Eurasian Wryneck, Hill Myna, Crested Kingfisher, Laughing thrush, Forktail, and many other species frequent the area.
- Forest trekking is the cherry on top, this is where the real adventure begins and so begins the serene beauty of mother nature.
- Jhalong is also famous for the Jaldhaka Hydel Project. It is a major tourist attraction. Because of its proximity to Bhutan, the dam serves as a bridge to the nearby Bhutanese villages. Tourists can get a glimpse of various cultures by visiting the nearby Jaldhaka market. Bhutanese, Nepalese, local villagers, and people from various ethnicities depend on the market and are the prime vendors.
On A Final Note
If you are planning to visit Jhalong then I would recommend an itinerary of at least 2 days to explore the place and experience its bliss. To be true, this place will purify your soul off the grime that accumulates over time in the urban wilderness.
About The Author
Nishita Rakshit is a postgraduate in VLSI Design from the University of Calcutta and currently pursuing Ph.D. She is also working as a coding instructor at WhiteHatJr. To spice things up in her life she loves adventure, traveling to new places, and meeting new people.
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