National park · India
Gorumara National Park
Visit Gorumara for a morning watchtower bird‑watch (₹200 entry, start before 9 am) or a full‑day jungle safari (₹1500, guide required) in the dry season; skip June‑Sept when the park is closed.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
80 km² (31 sq mi)31 sq mi (80 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Mar–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 80 km² (31 sq mi)31 sq mi (80 km²)
- 80 km² (check); figures vary by source.
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Mar–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Gorumara National Park in the Dooars of West Bengal is known for its Indian rhinoceros, elephants and gaurs in riverine grassland. It has overtaken Jaldapara in footfall and offers watchtower birdwatching and guided safaris. The park is closed June–September for the monsoon.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteDeclared a national park in 1992.
Size and age
80 km² (31 sq mi)31 sq mi (80 km²) · national park since 1992
80 km² (check); figures vary by source.
Why go
- Large populations of Indian rhinoceros, elephants and gaurs in open grassland.
- Birdwatchers can spot hornbills, drongos and the rare Brahminy Duck.
- Watchtowers give close views of wildlife without vehicle disturbance.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool mornings good for wildlife spotting.
- FebDry, comfortable temperatures.
- MarClear skies, wildlife active.
- AprWarm, still dry.
- MayEnd of dry season, occasional showers.
- JunPark closed for monsoon.
- JulPark closed for monsoon.
- AugPark closed for monsoon.
- SepPark closed for monsoon.
- OctRe‑opens, early dry season.
- NovCool, dry.
- DecCool, clear.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian rhinoceros, gaur, Asian elephant, sloth bearOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Hornbills, drongos, Brahminy Duck (migratory)Oct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Leopard, occasional tigerOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From New Mal Junction (railway)
Train to New Mal, then hire a taxi or shared jeep to Lataguri (≈30 km (19 mi)).Train to New Mal, then hire a taxi or shared jeep to Lataguri (≈19 mi (30 km)).
2–3 h total
From Siliguri (airport/bus hub)
Bus or shared taxi on NH‑31 to Lataguri, then park gate.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gorumara Forest Gate | Entrance, ticket office, basic facilities, start of watchtower trails. | Open daily during dry season. |
| Watchtower area | Series of towers for birding and wildlife observation. | Foot access from gate; entry fee required. |
| Elephant camp (Dhupjhora) | Elephant‑back rides and cottages. | Pay‑per‑use; arrange at camp office. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on town centre and known watchtower locations.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (watchtower area) | INR 200 (≈ US$3) | person | Check at gate; covers watchtower access. |
| Full‑day safari with guide | INR 1,500 (≈ US$18) | person | Guide mandatory; includes vehicle and driver. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Safari guide permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹200≈ US$3
- ₹1,500≈ US$18
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Vehicles
- Private vehicles not allowed inside core zones; only park‑provided safari vans.
- Night entry
- Park closed after sunset; no night walks.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission.check
- Camping
- Only in designated camp sites; no wild camping.
- Fire
- Open fires forbidden; use provided stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Aranya Jungle Resort
Resort with rooms, restaurant and safari booking help.
Near the park
Gorumara Forest Rest House
Basic government‑run lodging at the gate.
Near the park
Silver Ridge Resort
Mid‑range resort with AC rooms and conference facilities.
Safety
Elephant encounters medium
Monsoon flooding high
Heat low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area and watchtower paths are flat and reachable by car.
- Safari vehicle routes are rough; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved guides and vehicles to limit disturbance.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; buy food from local stalls.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gorumara National Park?
Entry to the watchtower area is ₹200 per person; a full‑day safari with a guide costs about ₹1500 per person.
What are the best hikes in Gorumara National Park?
The main walk is the watchtower trail (2–3 h, easy). For a longer experience join a guided safari that follows grassland tracks for 6–8 h.
When is the best time to visit Gorumara National Park?
The dry season, November to April, offers clear weather and full wildlife activity. The park is closed June‑September for monsoon.
Do I need a guide for a safari?
Yes. Park regulations require a licensed guide for any vehicle safari inside the core zone.
Are there any restrictions on photography?
Photography is allowed, but drones need special permission and flash may disturb animals.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Gorumara National Park
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