Chalsa is a small town in the foot of Himalayas. It is surrounded by magnificent natural beauty of hills, forests, tea gardens and rivers. During the British Empire in India, it was also known as the Queen of Duars. Chalsa is quite popular among the enthusiastic travellers and photographers.
Location of Chalsa
Chalsa is located in Duars in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal state of India. It is situated at 26.88 Degree N 88.78 Degree E. The average elevation of Chalsa is about 163 metres.
Attractions of Chalsa
The scenic beauty of Chalsa and its surrounding attracts tourists throughout the year from various corners of the world. Chalsa is enriched with hills, dense forests, wildlife animals, tea gardens and various migrants and Indian birds. To add more beauty to Chalsa, the Kurti River flows down the small hillock and tea gardens. A verity of floras and orchids are also available here.
It is surrounded by two famous forests namely Gorumara National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. Both these forests comprise of various wild animals. They are well-known mainly for housing elephants, one-horned rhinoceros and gaurs (Indian bison).
Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve are also not that far away from Chalsa. The Buxa Tiger Reserve is popular for Royal Bengal Tiger.
Accommodation at Chalsa
Chalsa serves as the headquarters of Matiali community development block which is under Malbazar subdivision of the district. Chalsa is enlisted among the most popular tourist destinations. It hosts a number of resorts and lodges. Two bungalows have also been erected by the Forest Department at Gourmara and Chapramari where prior booking can be made by the tourists. Resorts and cottages are also scattered around Garumara national park, mostly at Lataguri, Dhupjhora and Chalsa.
Connectivity of Chalsa
Chalsa can be visited anytime except the monsoon. Siliguri (nearest city) serves as the starting point for Chalsa which is connected by air to Guwahati, Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi and by railways to Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. The place can be accessed by road as well. Chalsa is 65 kilometres away from Siliguri Bus Stand and the National Highway is in very good condition. So, one can avail taxi or jeep services as well. Gorumara National Park and Chapramari Sanctuary are about one and a half hour away from Siliguri which surround Chalsa.
