Chalsa

Chalsa is a small hamlet a few kilometres from Malbazar on the way to Dooars from Siliguri. The national highway connecting the North-East with West Bengal passes through Chalsa. It is a major junction of the road. From here the road to the left leads to Samsing which is about 15 km away. The road to the right goes to Lataguri (20 km) via Gorumara National Park. 

Getting There

Chalsa is about 60 km from NJP rail station and takes a little over an hour to reach. You can reach here either via National Highway 31 which passes through Sevak, Oodlabari, and Malbazar. Alternatively, you can also travel through Gajoldoba cannel and Apalchand forests to connect at NH 31 at Oodlabari.

To See

Till recently the small village was mostly known for the weekly market at Mangalbari Hat and as a stopover for buses plying to different parts of Dooars. In the last few years, Chalsa has gained prominence as a tourist destination due to its proximity to the Gorumara National Park and Chapramari forests. There are private accommodations available near Chalsa from where you can visit the Gorumara National Park. Murti River, a popular tourist destination near Gorumara is just 8 km away. Another forest near Chalsa is the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Khunia crossing, the major junction at Chapramari is just 8 km from Chalsa. 

Chalsa can be your base for visits to other tourist destinations such as the Bindu – Jhalong - Paren - Jaldhaka area on the banks of river Jaldhaka can be reached in less than an hour's drive as the distance is about 32 km from here.

The place is also famous for the many tea gardens surrounding it. Apart from the Chalsa Tea Garden, you can also take a stroll in the beautiful Aibheel Tea Garden and Sathkaya Tea Garden.

Accommodation

Chalsa on its own does not have major hotels or resorts in the village, but the surrounding area has some good accommodations for tourists. The Sinclair's retreat, arguably one of the better resorts of Dooars, is located on a hillock close to Chalsa just 2 km from the main crossing. There are dozens of Resorts within a driving distance of 15 to 20 minutes from Chalsa.