Bagora: Bird watchers' paradise

Bagora is a wonderful small village located at an altitude of 7,150 ft in Kurseong sub division. The quaint village is well known for its variety of birds, forest of oak and pine and of course the rhododendrons. Nestled amidst pine forests and rhododendron trees with majestic views of Mt. Kanchenjungha and the meandering River Teesta, this romantic getaway will not disappoint you. Bagora is also called Zero Point and has a station of the Indian Air Force with a helipad. If you are fond of low altitude jungle treks and bird watching then Bagora can be very interesting for you.

Places to see in Bagora: You can always enjoy a nature walk along the scenic landscape of the region. You can take a short stroll from Bagora to the Air Force base alongside the Tea Gardens. The site offers a spectacular view of the vast stretch of River Teesta and breathtaking views of Mt. Kanchenjungha. You can also visit the Forest Rest House to savor the view of the exotic variety of Himalayan flora. You will truly treasure the sight of the nicely maintained flower garden, adorned with terraced greenhouses. Bagora is renowned for its herbal and medicinal plants. Moreover, in the months of November-December, you will find the trees bearing oranges.

Twisting road to Mahaldiram

Nearby attractions: The little village of Chimni with its surrounding valleys is just a few kilometers away. The dense pine forests surrounding this little village, a viewpoint and a dilapidated British-built chimney in a nearby village are few other things to be discovered here. From the small and rural market area of Bagora, a road goes all the way to Latpanchar and beyond. Another road at the upper level leads to the Indian Air Force station. On this route you will find a small gazebo type view point which offers magnificent view of meandering river Teesta and that of Mt. Kanchenjunga. You can also walk up to the View Point and then up to the Air Station from the Market area in about 25 minutes. Bagora is an ideal place for trekkers and bird watchers. You can take a 12km trek to Mongpu, via Labda busty, or a nice modest day trek (about 6 hours) to Senchal Lake. From near the market area of Bagora, a trail goes through forest of Dhupi and oak, and then through a place called Chaitapani and then all the way to a small hamlet called Chimney.

You can also take your vehicle along this route. View of sunset from a point in Chaitapani is simply awesome. You see the sun setting on the opposite mountain beyond the forests. Along the way at Chaitapani you will also come across a temple of goddess Kali which is well known in this area. The temple is set up in a lush garden setting with many small fluttering prayer flags around. This is where most locals in the area come for worships.

Things to do in Bagora:  There is also a nice trekking trail from Bagora to Zero point. The place is also a heaven for the avid bird watchers, as Bagora is the home to a wide variety of birds. You can also walk down the shadowy forest trail to Tiger Hill, to watch the spectacular sunrise or plan for a trek of 12-km to Mongpu. If you are planning for more than a weekend in Bagora, enjoy a three-day forest trek from Kurseong to Kalijhora via Bagora, Namthing Pokhri and Latpanchar.

Forest Rest House at Bagora

How to reach Bagora: Regular bus and car services are available between Siliguri and Darjeeling via Kurseong and Ghoom. While driving from Kurseong to Darjeeling, take a right turn at Dilaram to reach the village of Bagora by a steep road of only 3 Km. The total distance is about 15 kms from Kurseong.

Best time to visit Bagora: You can visit Bagora any time of the year. In March and April, you would find the Rhododendrons in full bloom in the surrounding forests. This is also the best time for watching birds.

Where to stay: The accommodation options offered in Bagora is limited and exclusive. The State Government operated Forest Rest House is the best place to stay in Bagora. There is only one private homestay in Bagora run by a local family. The home stay has Double Bed rooms and Four-Bedded rooms in their main building and annexe cottage. All the rooms and cottages of the homestay have western bathrooms, comfy beds, running water in bathrooms and views of Mt. Kanchenjungha, surrounding forests and the deep valleys. The home stay can also arrange for local treks, birdwatching tours and campfire in the evenings. The homestay has a lovely terrace where guests can bask in sunny mornings and lush lawn for the children to run around. The food served is home-cooked and essentially Indian cuisine. For booking, contact us at GreenChannel.treks@gmail.com or phone us at +91-8145863495

Nearby Places:
Kurseong - 13 Km
Darjeeling - 21 Km