Adventure with Andysam: 2017

Lat Panchar-Darjeeling

Lat Panchar -A Bird Watcher's Paradise.

Latpanchar - Mahananda Wild life bird sancturay..
A Bird Watcher's Paradise

For a very long time ever since I was in Pune placed as Sr. Project Manager in charge of a very large campus development for a giant software IT company.. It was my cherished wish and dream to visit this Bird's paradise Location.And my dream suddenly materialised when I was invited to attend a wedding at Siliguri in March 2017 and I converted this visit into my birding visit.

I was lucky and blessed and very much thankful to Mr.Debapratim Saha who has arranged all my itinarary right from Siliguri to Lat Panchar ..accomodation ..food and sight visits locations and bird shoots and photowalk shoots..amazing unforgettable experience.

And also I was doubly lucky and blessed to have Mr.Dhanu Paran and Mr.Javed veterans in birding..I would not hesitate to call them Wizards in birding and I salute for the immense knowledge they posses in their bird knowledge..though they are just as young as only 18 years of age,,but such a matured knowledge and manners..respect to the forest ..oopps I was totally impressed .

Now my adoration continues to a greater height and level when it comes to mention about my Hero of the hour Mr.Debapratim Saha who is a legend in his own standard an extremely gifted person in birding and we three considered ourselves very fortunate that he has accompanied us through out the entire birding period which extended to 4 days with out a break.

Debapratim Saha

Not many have heard about this place. Because for some strange reason, Latpanchar hasn't had much tourism development. This is despite the fact that it's a beautiful mountain hamlet offering stunning views including that of Kanchenjunga, having wide range of bird and animal life as well as many different types of amazing plantations.

From New Jalpaiguri (NJP), Latpanchar is at a distance of about 44kms and takes about one and half hours by car. You will need to take the Sevoke road. Once you reach the place Kalijhora (after about an hour's drive), there is a narrow winding road that goes uphill on the left. From this point Latpanchar is another 13kms, the last stretch is quite steep. There is hardly any traffic on this narrow road, but often the road is not well maintained and gets full with potholes particularly during monsoon.

Latpanchar actually forms the highest part of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary with an average altitude of about 4,200 ft. Since it's part of the sanctuary, there is good chance that you will come across some wildlife here like deer, barking deer, wild boars, and some times even leopards and elephants while exploring the jungles around.

Latpanchar (also pronounced as Latpanchor)

However since it has not yet been developed as a proper tourist place, there are limited facilities and accommodations for tourists. Most private lodgings are home stays that offer simple rooms with basic amenities, but touching hospitality with care. There is also a Forest Rest House at the jungle (about 4kms below) which has two nice rooms. This used to be the bungalow where the British officers in the early 1900s stayed while looking after the expansive Cinchona plantations around.

Animals & Bird Life in Latpanchar

As I mentioned earlier, Latpanchar is part of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary which is well known for its wide range of animals and birds. There are some 36 types of animals and over 240 species of birds which can be spotted here.

Most common animals include Himalayan black bear, leopards, deer (including barking deer), mountain goats, monkeys, wild boars, and even elephants which often drift to this side. In order to see the most exotic animals, you will need to go to the core area of the sanctuary which is about 6kms walk from the village. You should always take an armed guide with you. The lodge can arrange for the guide. Most tourists visit the stretch of forest area between the Forest Rest House and Raja Rani Hill.

Among plethora of birds, the commonly seen ones include yuhina, scaly thrush, woodpeckers, black bulbuls, ashy backed shrike, spotted eagles, magpie, minivets, minla, drongo, King Fishers, Robins and if you are lucky, Himalayan Pied hornbills.

Black headed Bulbul

White headed Red start

Best Time to visit Latpanchar

October to April is the best time to visit Latpanchar. However winter can be quite cold out here.
More bird sightings
Barn Swallow

Where to stay at Latpanchar

The best option is the homestay run by Padam Gurung and two of his partners. It's known as Hornbill Nest (earlier Cinchonest) which has three triple bedded rooms with attached bathrooms, a nice common balcony with lovely views, and a kitchen dining space serving homemade food. They also have several other homestays and cottage accommodations nearby. Visit Latpanchar Lodging for details about the lodges, service, food and contact information for booking and inquiry.

A view from the balcony of our home stay.

Siliguri night illuminations can be seen at the edge of the mountains.

HORN BILL NEST HOME STAY

Although Latpanchar is a small & sleepy mountain village, you will be surprised to find three English medium schools here for children. While the villagers here mostly live on Cinchona plantation work and other basic farming activities, the children have been receiving good education in the schools.