Tree-house or Gachbari – Dhupjhora Elephant Camp

Tree-house or Gachbari is an eco-friendly cottage located at a height supported by two sal trees. It one of the best accommodation to stay at Dooars. Along with the tree-house, there are 6 other cottages at Dhupjhora Elephant Camp.

The rooms are cosy from inside with a wooden floor and a private verandah. Rooms are non-ac (weather is comfortable throughout the year) and have a glass panel which gives a wonderful view of the surroundings. Wash-room is attached along with the cottage. Their is a common dining and a cultural zone. Room service is not available.

There is a lush green lawn in front of the cottage. An ideal place for the kids to play around. There is a beautiful tea garden on the backside of the cottage. Adjacent to the tea-garden lies the Gorumara Forest. A narrow path divides the boundary of the forest and the tea-garden.

In the evening the guests are taken to Murti River to watch captive elephants bathed by the “mahout”. It about 15 minutes walk from Gachbari to the bathing point at Murti River. There is a watchtower at the bathing point.

In the evening there is Tribal Dance show, guests can match their steps with the local folks.

All the meals are served. The cuisine is primarily Bengali style served with local Boroli Fish and Country Chicken made in homely style.

We visited Gachbari in the winters of 2019. With sundown, it gets pitch dark at Dhupjhora. As the chill of the night descended, we lit up a fire. The crackling sound of firewood mingled with the sounds of the forest at night. Crickets, nightjars, fireflies and owls had woken up the dark. It was a different world.

In the morning we went for elephant safari. There is no “Houdwa” to sit on the back of the elephant and relax. It basically gunny bags filled with some cushion. I stretched both of my legs on the sides like a mahout. We saw a rhino with a calf and a herd of Indian Gaur. It could not manage to get any shots, as you have to continuously balance yourself on the elephant back.

After we returned and we had a sumptuous breakfast and checked-out.

Note: Booking for the property is on a package basis. Inclusions in the package – Accommodation at Tree-house, All meals including evening snacks, captive elephant bathing, tribal dance, handicrafts and elephant safari(to be booked separately after room booking).

For online booking of Gachbari / Dhupjhora Elephant Camp, the link is below–

• Dhupjhora Gachbari or Tree-House

Cost – Rs 3000/-(for 2 pax), Rs 2600(for 1 pax)

Spotlights

Address – Gorumara Elephnat Camp Dhupjhora, Dakshin Dhupjhora, PO- Batabari, Jalpaiguri – 735206

Mobile no. of Centre in Charge, Elephant Camp Dhupjhora – 6294059870

Railhead – Nearest railhead New Mal/ Jalpaiguri Road. It’s about 1 hr drive from New Mal/Jalpaiguri Road station. Alternatively, it’s about 2 hr drive from Bagdogra Airport.

Things to do/Attractions –

• Enjoy captive elephant bathing at Murti River.
• Birding.
• Match your steps with Tribal Dance.
• Nature walk.
• Elephant Safari.

Near by attractions – Gorumara National Park, Lataguri, Murti and Chapramari.

Things to carry – Govt. ID proof in original, Essential medicine and Binoculars.