Chatakpur: An eco-friendly village nestled within Senchal

We left Sitong in the morning after breakfast and reached the Senchal Sanctuary Checkpoint via Mungpoo and 3rd Mile, where we collected the sanctuary entry pass and were then allowed to enter the sanctuary. We started a new journey through the forest. In the silence of the forest, we could hear nothing but the chirping of birds and the sound of our car on the bumpy road. The forest road was wet as the forest had a light snow cover that was melting in the sunlight. Thus, we reached Chatakpur, an unknown village in the Himalayas and a treasure of North Bengal.

An eco-friendly, tranquil, offbeat destination nestled within the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary. This village is about 180 years old, and different ethnic groups live together there. Chatakpur is located next to the famous Tiger Hill at almost the same height. This forest village is surrounded by the majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga range in the north and the river gorge Relly Khola in the south.
So, the mesmerizing sunrise view of the Mt. Kanchenjunga range that can be seen from here is almost like that of Tiger Hill. The pine-forested village is home to about 19 families and has a total population of less than 100 people. In 2017, India’s first mountain bike park opened in Chatakpur, just 20 km from Darjeeling city.

Where is Chatakpur Located?

Altitude & Location: At around 7887 ft above the sea level. This Eco village is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal,India.

Chatakpur is divided into two parts. One is Lower Chatakpur, and the other is Upper Chatakpur. The view of Kanchenjunga can be seen from the upper part, while the lower part is surrounded by dense pine forest, and the entry gate of Chatakpur is located in the lower part.

Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary

It is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in India, having been established in 1915. The sanctuary is spread over an area of about 38.88 square kilometers and lies at an altitude of about 4900 feet to 8500 feet. 40% of this Sanctuary is natural and the rest is man-made. The Senchal WLS is an old forest rich in flora and fauna.
This sanctuary is the source of water supply for the city of Darjeeling. Senchal Lake is the main reservoir for this supply. The reservoir is actually a twin lake, and one is the North Senchal Lake, which was created in 1910 and the other is the South Senchal Lake, which was created in 1932.

Floral Diversity
There are more than 350 types of species of trees and plantation. Pine, Birch, Oak, various species of Rhododendron, Michelia, Orchid, Kapasi, Katus, Champ, Hemlock, different types of Ferns, Bamboo, Pipli, and so on.

Faunal Diversity
It is home to a variety of high-altitude animals, and the sanctuary is a habitat for a variety of birds.

Mammals: Asiatic black bear, Himalayan Crestless Porcupine, Common Leopard, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Jungle Cat, Asamese Macaque, Himalayan Flying Squirrel, Indian Civet, and so on.

Birds: Yellow-throated woodpeckers, Imperial Pigeons, The Asian Emerald Cuckoos, Black-Backed Pheasant, Red Junglefowl, Hornbill, Babblers, Sunbirds, etc.

Forests and Homestays are closed from June 15 to September 15 every year.

Entry fees for Senchal WLS: The below entry fees might change, so it’s better to know the latest fees before traveling.

• INR 120/Per Person per day For Indian Nationals
• INR 500/Per Person per day for Foreigners
• INR 400/Per Vehicle

Essential Information of Chatakpur

Nearest Airport:
International: Bagdogra Airport (IXB), WB

Nearest Town:
Darjeeling Town (The Queen of the Hills)

Nearest Main Railway Stations:

• New Jalpaiguri (NJP)
• Sonada Railway Station (SAD): Elevation: 6568 feet above sea level

• Ghum Railway Station: This station of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is the highest railway station in India and is situated at an altitude of 7,407 feet. The famous Batasia Loop (a famous bend of the DHR) is located between Ghum and Darjeeling railway stations, which is the most scenic spot and attracts a lot of tourists.
  The railway station has a museum that portrays the history of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

Distance of Chatakpur (Approx. Measurement)

Local Education Facilities

Chatakpur Forest Primary School, Chatakpur’s only primary school, is located in Upper Chatakpur. This school was established in 1958. However, this school is only up to class 4. For high school or college, usually local students take admission in Sonada or Darjeeling.

Local Medical Facilities

The nearest medical facility is Sonada Primary Health Centre (PHC) and the nearest hospital is Darjeeling District Hospital. As there are no medical shops in Chatakpur, be sure to carry some medicines for common high-altitude sickness and other common problems before the trip.

How to Reach

Bus services are easily available from Siliguri to Darjeeling by road. So on the way to Darjeeling from Sonada railway station you can go to Chatakpur by hired car and this route is shortest.
Shared cars are available to go from Siliguri to Sonada, Ghum, or Darjeeling, and then reach Chatakpur by rental car. Also, you can ask the homestay owner in advance for pickup.
From Sitong, via Mungpoo, towards 3rd Mile, you can reach Chatakpur through the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary checkpoint.
Tourists can hire a car for Chatakpur directly from NJP Railway Station, Siliguri, or Bagdogra Airport. Rental cars are easily available, or if you want, you can hire cars online. The car reaches Chatakpur via Hill Cart Road or Rohini Road to Kurseong, then Sonada.

Advise: The road conditions in Chatakpur are bad and very bumpy. So, it is always better to take bigger cars like the Sumo, Bolero, etc. because of their better ground clearance and avoid smaller cars like the Alto or Wagon R.

People of Chatakpur & their language

The locals mainly belong to the Rai or Sherpa communities. They generally speak Hindi and their own community languages like Nepali, Rai, etc. If required, they can interact with travelers in English also.
For more information about both communities, please click the links below where I have already mentioned them.

Rolep – A Hidden Gem of East Sikkim

Lungchok – A Picturesque Village in East Sikkim

Livelihood

Locals mainly depend on agriculture, which is one of the main sources of income.
They generally practice terrace farming or step farming using organic farming methods. Local green houses have been constructed for cultivation in some places.
The majority of houses in Chatakpur have arable land on which locals grow potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, beans, garlic, ginger, radish, carrot, and other vegetables.
Honey production is also an important source of income. Besides, the locals are dependent on animal husbandry. Major livestock products include meat, eggs, and milk, which are important economic sources. Also, this forest area is full of medicinal plants, so the locals earn money by collecting them.
After all, most of the locals have been dependent on tourism for the past few years. A lot of tourists come here every year, so many have converted their houses into homestays, and others are working as guides or drivers.

Local Delicacy

Local food is healthy and delicious. Rice is their staple food. Below are the local delicacies, which are very popular among tourists.

• Tibetan-style chicken and pork steamed momos with Dalle chutney.
• A variety of curries from locally grown green vegetables.
• Daal (Lentil Soup)
• Gundruk Soup (fermented spinach soup)

Local Beverages

• Wine made from rhododendron flowers (locally known as Lali Guras).
  
• Chang: Made from fermenting millet, barley, or rice. It is a favorite drink among the Sherpa community.
• Rakshi (Roxy): A strong drink, made from fermented Kodo millet or rice.

I have already described some popular ethnic dishes in my previous blog posts, so please review those blog posts. Click on Gastronomy

Local Festivals

Chatakpur is home to various ethnic communities, so various festivals are celebrated almost throughout the year. Tourism-based festivals are celebrated here along with some main festivals like Losar, Holi, Dashain (Durga Puja), Diwali (Festival of Lights).

Losar

I have already described some popular festival details in my previous blog posts, so please review those blog posts. Click on Festivals

What to do & Nearest Attractions

• Nature & Village Walk and Activities: This is best option to feel the surrounding beauties and know the local. The locals are very hospitable and friendly. As you walk through this remote village, you see many villagers working in the farmland. If you go and talk to them, they don’t show that much annoyance, but they will be very happy and talk to you.
  To get to know an unknown place, you have to love and befriend the people there; otherwise, many things about the offbeat place will remain unknown to you. There are still some people who love to share their culture and traditional values with tourists.

• Chatakpur Viewpoint (Watch Tower): The main viewpoint of Chatakpur is the watch tower, located at the top of the village. At the upper part of Chatakpur you will find a narrow rocky path with bamboo railings on both sides to reach the viewpoint and after that you have to climb stairs to reach the observation area of the viewpoint which will give you a short trekking experience. 

  

  The view of Kanchenjunga and the sunrise from here can be memorable for anyone. If the weather is clear, tourists can see not only Sandakphu (a favorite trekking destination in West Bengal) but also some parts of the plains and Sikkim. 

• Kalipokhori in Chatakpur: In the local language, the words KALI and POKHRI mean DARK and POND, respectively. From the Eco-Village Cottage in Lower Chatakpur, a trail leads through the dense pine forest. A 15-minute walk along the trail leads to a small pond locally known as Kalipokhri. But there is a large boulder in the pond, which makes it all the more magical. Locals consider this pond sacred and offer regular worship here. According to them, even though the sacred pond is surrounded by dense forest, not a single leaf falls and the water in this pond never dries up. Apart from the Himalayan salamander, one can find pink frogs and a variety of birds. Wild animals come to drink water at this sacred pond at night.

20 KM Mountain Bike Trail in Chatakpur
In 2017, India’s First Mountain Bike Park was opened in Chatakpur, in Darjeeling district.

Entry Point: Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary (Main Gate Near Jorebungalow).
Entry Criteria: Get a permit for at the entrance of Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary’s gate. Before journey check the latest entry fees.
End Point: West Bengal Forest Department Bungalows at Chatakpur.
Route: Below is the route map.

Duration: from Sunrise to Sunset.
Adventure Type: Moderate
Elevation: 7000 ft. to 8,000 ft.
Covered Trail Distance: 20 KM
Rule: No food or drink other than drinking water is allowed to be carried on this adventure. But in Chatakpur, where the trail ends, you will get warm tea and some snacks.
Entry fees: A cycling permit costs 50 INR.
Organizer: Darjeeling-based treks and adventure operators can arrange this popular mountain biking adventure including the below facilities.

• Mountain Bike Rental on a Daily Basis
• Helmet with other equipment
• A knowledgeable guide
• Tea & Snacks and Meals (Breakfast and Lunch)
• Entry Fees for the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary
• Accommodation:
• Although this is a one-day activity, if someone wants to stay in Chatakpur,  they arrange a Forest bungalow or homestays in Chatakpur.

 Attractions of Trail:

• Bird Watching like verditer yellow-necked woodpecker, Imperial Pigeons, Hornbills, hornbills and etc.
• Dense Green Forest, where Himalayan black bear, civet, barking deer, wild boar
• Wild Animals
• Biking through the lush green forest, village, Darjeeling town
• Panoramic Mountain View
• Senchal Lake
• Monastery Visit
• Chatakpur ECO village

Trekking Routes:

One of the attractions of Chatakpur is trekking. As this offbeat destination is located in the Senchal Sanctuary, there are many trek routes through the jungle trails. Many adventure-loving travelers come here for trekking every year. Homestay owner and trekking organized companies can arrange trekking to nearest offbeat destinations.

• Chatakpur – Tiger Hill Trek: This is a moderate type of trekking and takes 3–4 hours to reach the famous hilltop. You can do night camping or return to Chatakpur in the same day.
• Chatakpur – Sonada: This is an easy type of trekking that takes approximately 1 hour and is good for beginners.
• Chatakpur – Labda Khasmahal village (Rangli Rangliot subdivision of Darjiling district): Short Trek
• Chatakpur – Mungpoo: This trek route is approximately 10 km, and it takes less than 4 hours to complete.

NOTE: Any trek should be accompanied by an expert guide.

Where to Stay

There are many homestays in here now, so tourists don’t have to worry too much about accommodation & food. All of homestays are run by locals. The homestays can arrange transportation if it is required. Also, they can arrange nearby short treks as well. The Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary remains closed in the monsoon (from June 15 to September 15 every year), and tourists are not allowed to stay at Chatakpur. So, ECO-Huts and other private homestays continue to close during the monsoon season.
If you are interested, they can arrange traditional cultural program in the evening time or any special local food dishes obviously you have to pay more. As Chatakpur lies in the middle of Senchal WLS, wild bears and leopards roam after dark. In that case, it’s best not to go out after dark, although wild bears rarely attack villagers.
Below are the contact details for some homestays & Government run cottages for the latest tariffs and other valid information.

• Akriti Homestay, Upper Chatakpur
  Owner: Barsha Rai / Bikas Rai
  Phone(s): +91 8207221164, 7029626697,9933104230

We stayed at this homestay in the last week of December- 2019. The best thing about this homestay is that the rooms are open towards the Kanchenjunga range, so from the room, you can see a picture-perfect view of the entire Kanchenjunga range. If you go a little further down from the homestay, you can see the pine forest of Lower Chatakpur. Again, if you climb a little from this homestay, you will reach the Chatakpur Watch Tower. So, the location of the homestay will attract you.
The Rai couple owns the homestay. The homestay was named after their daughter’s name. Every member of their family was caring towards their guests. They served home-cooked food, which the locals usually consume every day, and the food was delicious and healthy. Their hospitality was very sincere, and the atmosphere of the homestay was homely.

• Eco-village cottages, Lower Chatakpur
  Owned by WBFDC (West Bengal Forest Department Corporation)
  Website: https://wbfdc.net/

If you want to book these cottages, then you can do so from other online sites as well.

• Sunrise Homestay, Upper Chatakpur
  Contact: Mr Angchu Sherpa
  Phone(s): +91 8116969563,7047800613
• Kulung homestay
  Upper Chatakpur
  Phone(s): +91 89003 12451
• Norbu Homestay
  Upper Chatakpur
  Phone(s): +91 9609722353
• Dhanmaya Niwas Homestay, Lower Chatakpur
  Owner: Ex-Army Personnel
  Phone(s): +91 7076097524(WhatsApp), 8967936721,9593062288
  Website: https://www.dhanmayaniwas.com/

I have only shared with you my memorable experiences with homestay owners, drivers, or tour guides while traveling, but your experience may not be the same as mine. Hence, I have no responsibility in that case. I am just sharing information only.

Weather & Best time to Visit

The amount of rainfall here is high because it rains at other times besides the monsoon. The Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary and all homestays are closed from June 15 to September 15 every year. Snowfall occurs between late December and January. Although snowfall is not very common here, temperatures remain below zero during the winter months. If you are planning to travel to Chatakpur during the winter season, then you need to carry adequate winter clothing. This time the sky remains clear, and travelers can enjoy the spectacular view of snow-capped Mt. Kanchenjunga.

You can see some selected stunning photos & videos by clicking on the blog’s Instagram, Facebook and X(Twitter). Also, click the Gallery Section of this blog for only photos. I hope you will like those.

Chatakpur in North Bengal is truly an offbeat destination. I might not have seen the beauty of this hidden forest village if I hadn’t visited here. But one thing I can say for sure is that its popularity will increase day by day. Again, I have a fear that, due to more tourists, the original form of Chatakpur should not change. So we should keep this in mind while traveling to Chatakpur. We shouldn’t do anything that damages the beauty of Chatakpur.

• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) declared on April 20, 2022, that the Satyr Tragopan (also known as the Crimson Horned Pheasant), which is one of India’s rarest and most beautiful birds, was spotted again after a span of 170 years in the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary.