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If you have 4 to 5 days in hand and can plan beforehand, then nothing like North Bengal. We all are aware of many places in North, where it is best to spend the weekends or holidays but very few have heard of the place Chatakpur. This is a remote village in one of the extreme of North Bengal. The population is hardly about 90 people. If you are seeking peace and tranquility, the best choice is Chatakpur. One can visit the place at any time of the year but to cherish the nature’s beauty at its best, winter is highly recommended. As it is located at a height of 7887 feet, it gives an outstanding view of Kanchenjunga Mountains pretty easily.
How to reach: You can board any train from Howrah/Sealdah that reaches Njp (New Jalpaiguri) and from there you need to hire a car to reach Chatakpur as it is almost 80 kms from there. Most people are still uninformed of the place. You need to figure out the best option of the lot. The journey to Chatakpur can be a bit tiresome through narrow lanes between the forests but it is highly enjoyable till you reach at the top of the mountain. The distance is almost same from Bagdogra Airport.
Where to stay: Though Chatakpur is not that famous a tourist destination, yet you will get government bunglows which costs around Rs. 3000 per night including meals. There are homestays available if you prefer pocket friendly stays. This costs around 1200-1500 per night with meals. Foods are beautifully healthy and fresh as they provide homemade foods for the visitors with proper care. Both veg and non-veg foods are available in Chatakpur. No nearby market place is accessible.
Attractions: Not much places are there to see in Chatakpur, other than forest tour, a pond inside and watch tower. Snakes can be seen during summers. View of the forest at night gives a wonderful feeling altogether especially if it is full moon night. The gift is you can get a clear view of Kanchenjunga lying on your bed even in the morning, if it is not that cloudy in Chatakpur. On the way back, you can take a tour to Kurseong and tea estates.
Best for: Chatakpur is a place to visit with family but for honeymooners this is next to awesomeness. Preferred time to visit is December to February, though it can be a bit crowd during rest of the year. The temperature goes below 0 degree in winters sometime. Precautions are highly recommended for kids and old people visiting Chatakpur.
