National park · India
Buxa Tiger Reserve
Enter Buxa Tiger Reserve for a half‑day hike to Jayanti Hill (≈2 km (1.2 mi), easy) or a full‑day trek to Buxa Fort (≈5 km (3.1 mi), moderate) in the dry season; budget INR 50 – 100 for entry, and stay in Rajabhatkhawa guest houses.Enter Buxa Tiger Reserve for a half‑day hike to Jayanti Hill (≈1.2 mi (2 km), easy) or a full‑day trek to Buxa Fort (≈3.1 mi (5 km), moderate) in the dry season; budget INR 50 – 100 for entry, and stay in Rajabhatkhawa guest houses.
- 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
140 km² (54 sq mi)54 sq mi (140 km²)
approximate
Established
1988
Best months
Oct–Nov
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
- 140 km² (54 sq mi)54 sq mi (140 km²)
- Approximately 140 km² (check).
- Established
- 1988
- Best months
- Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Buxa Tiger Reserve protects Dooars forest, home to tigers, elephants and a range of wildlife, with historic Buxa Fort and scenic viewpoints like Jayanti Hill offering short and longer trekking options.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1988.
Size and age
140 km² (54 sq mi)54 sq mi (140 km²) · national park since 1988
Approximately 140 km² (check).
Why go
- Spot tigers, elephants and diverse wildlife in the Dooars forest.
- Visit historic Buxa Fort with panoramic views of the Bhutan border.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger, elephant, leopard, clouded leopard, bear, gaur, pangolin, pythonAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (e.g., hornbills, pheasants)Mar–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
SH 16 to Rajabhatkhawa (bus or car).
30 min
From Kolkata
Train to Rajabhatkhawa (via New Jalpaiguri) then local transport.
6–7 h
From Dhubri Airport (RUP)
Taxi or bus to Alipurduar, then SH 16.
2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rajabhatkhawa | Visitor centre, interpretation centre, trailheads. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Buxa Fort area | Historic fort and surrounding forest trails. | Guided or self‑guided; steep sections. |
| Jayanti Hill | Picnic spot with Bhutan view. | Open, easy walk from Rajabhatkhawa. |
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 based on listed lat/long for main sites; approximate for trailheads.
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 | INR 50–100 (≈ US$1–2) | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for Buxa Fort trek and any off‑trail activity.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the reserve; stay in designated guest houses.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins at visitor centre.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the reserve.
Where to stay
Near the park
Forest Rest House
Basic rooms, shared facilities, close to trailheads.
Near the park
Eco Development Guest House
16‑bed dormitory, run by local committee.
Near the park
Leo House
Small guest house with six beds.
Safety
Wild animal encounters medium
Monsoon flooding high
Lost on remote trails high
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
- Visitor centre reachable by car; short, level paths to interpretation centre.
- Trails have steep sections; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guest houses; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Stay on marked trails to protect forest floor.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Buxa Tiger Reserve?
Entry is INR 50 – 100 per person at the Rajabhatkhawa gate; exact fee varies by season (check).
What are the best hikes in Buxa Tiger Reserve?
Jayanti Hill (easy, 2 km) and Buxa Fort trek (moderate, 5 km) are the most popular routes; both start from Rajabhatkhawa.
When is the best time to visit Buxa Tiger Reserve?
October to November offers dry weather and good wildlife visibility; March–April is also acceptable.
Can I camp inside the reserve?
Camping is not allowed; stay in nearby guest houses or the Forest Rest House.
Do I need a guide for the Buxa Fort trek?
Yes, a licensed guide is required for the Fort trek and any off‑trail activity.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Buxa Tiger Reserve
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