Jalpaiguri Experience: The destination I am writing about are the forests in the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district. During the pre-monsoon the forests of Chapramari and Gorumara, not to speak of Jaldapara turn into a lush green haven. The forests are teeming with bisons, rhinos, elephants wild boars and a variety of deers. Barking deer is quite common. The forests are a bird watchers'heaven. In the night elephant herds come visiting the Murti river from the northern bank while you sit safely on the other side at the Murti environment observation centre.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: You can visit Phuntsholing in Bhutan and on the way from Siliguri there are a lot of picturesque places. Shopping for exported items are possible in Bhutan.

Activities & things to do: Nothing much if you count out the long walks along winding forest paths

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: Arriving at Bagdogra airport or New Jalpaiguri station hire a SUV and move on. The car rentals are quite steep. In the monsoons be prepared to face leeches; they drop down from overhanging branches