National park · India
Chilapata Forestचिलापाटा वन
Enter Chilapata Forest for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive 30 km (19 mi) from Alipurduar, hike the main trail (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in the cool dry season (Oct–Mar) and stay at nearby homestays.Enter Chilapata Forest for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive 19 mi (30 km) from Alipurduar, hike the main trail (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in the cool dry season (Oct–Mar) and stay at nearby homestays.
- 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
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
2026
Best months
—
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
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Approximate forest extent between Rivers Bania and Torsha (check).
- Established
- 2026
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Chilapata Forest is a dense low‑land forest in West Bengal’s Alipurduar district, acting as a wildlife corridor between Buxa Tiger Reserve and Jaldapara National Park. It hosts elephants, leopards, rare rhinos, bison and over 180 bird species. The main 2 km loop trail is easy and family‑friendly, while longer treks need a guide. The best visiting window is the cool dry season from October to March, when trails are clear and wildlife is active.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2026.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 2026
Approximate forest extent between Rivers Bania and Torsha (check).
Why go
- Dense forest corridor linking Buxa Tiger Reserve and Jaldapara National Park.
- Wildlife includes leopards, elephants, rhinos (rare), bison and over 180 bird species.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarStart of pre‑monsoon, pleasant.
- AprIncreasing rain.
- MayMonsoon onset.
- JunHeavy rain, trails slippery.
- JulHeavy rain.
- AugHeavy rain.
- SepRain tapering.
- OctDry, comfortable.
- NovDry, cool.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant, rhino (rare), leopard, bison, deer, peacockAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Fishing eagle, crested eagle, pied hornbill, Bengal floricanMar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | 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 Alipurduar town
Hire a taxi or local bus to the forest gate, about 30 km (19 mi).Hire a taxi or local bus to the forest gate, about 19 mi (30 km).
45 min–1 h
From Kolkata
Train to Alipurduar (≈ 8 h) then road transfer.
≈ 9–10 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance area | Gate, visitor info, trailhead to the core forest path. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Core forest trail | 2 km (1.2 mi) loop through dense canopy, wildlife spotting points.1.2 mi (2 km) loop through dense canopy, wildlife spotting points. | Open; no guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 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 district centre and known resort 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest entry | INR 100–200 (≈ US$2–3) | person | Official fee at the gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Forest entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required for the short trail but recommended for wildlife spotting.
- Camping
- Only in designated camp (Chilapata Jungle Camp); otherwise not allowed.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bamboo Village Resort
AC and non‑AC rooms, restaurant.
Near the park
Chilapata Homestay
Local rooms, arrange jeep safari.
Safety
Monsoon flooding high
Wild animal encounters medium
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
- Road to gate reachable by car; short walk to trail suitable for most walkers.
Visiting lightly
- Support local homestays; avoid littering; respect wildlife distances.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Chilapata Forest?
The entry fee is around ₹100–₹200 per person at the gate (official rate to be confirmed).
What are the best hikes in Chilapata Forest?
A short 2 km loop from the main gate is the most accessible; longer routes require a guide and are for experienced trekkers.
When is the best time to visit Chilapata Forest?
October to March offers dry, cool conditions; avoid June‑August monsoon.
Can I camp inside Chilapata Forest?
Camping is allowed only at the designated Chilapata Jungle Camp; otherwise stay in nearby resorts or homestays.
Is a guide required?
Not for the short trail, but a guide is recommended for wildlife spotting and for any longer trek.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Chilapata Forest
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