Latpanchar Homestay

Our homestay is on the route that runs between Kalijhora, Birik, and Shelphu. It is a three-storey structure. To get to the property, you must go up a short flight of stairs from the main road. This is a huge hotel that can accommodate a high number of visitors at once.

Food is prepared by the hosts as an amenity themselves. In the kitchen, there is no professional chef. Only local cuisine is served, such as rice, chapatti, vegetables, poultry, and other foods are readily accessible. 

National route 10, which connects Sikkim to the rest of the country, passes through the highlands along the Tista River. You can begin your journey to Latpanchar either in Kalijhora, about 28 kilometres from Siliguri, or at Birik, 5 kilometres farther on. To go to Latpanchar, take a left at Kalijhora and travel upwards for about 15 kilometres; to get to Latpanchar from Birik, drive about 18 kilometres.

If you enjoy wildlife and are an avid birdwatcher, Latpanchar, a tiny haven along with the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in Bengal, is a must-see. Latpanchar, a charming forest community 40 kilometres from Siliguri noted for its Cinchona plantation, is located in the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and has been gifted with the great riches of the pristine environment due to its unique location. This off-the-beaten-path tourist attraction is great for visitors who want to escape crowds and enjoy themselves peacefully.

Latpanchar is a small village in the Kurseong sub-division of Darjeeling district, West Bengal, located in the lower Darjeeling hills at 4200 feet. It has a diverse range of flora and wildlife, with 36 mammal species and 240 bird species. Aside from bird-watching, jungle trekking is a popular pastime in this region, where you may see a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Birding at Latpanchar

Bird watching is one of the main attractions for visitors to Latpanchar. More than 240 bird species have been spotted in the area, including the Rufous Necked Hornbill, which breeds in the area during its four-month breeding season. Hornbill nesting is an experience that may be seen throughout the Sitong – Selphu – Latpanchar area.

 Blue Whistling Thrush, Minivet, Sunbirds, Minivet, Woodpeckers, Bulbul, Drongo, Kingfisher, Falcon, Eagle, and other birds are regularly seen. It is essential to travel in the area with a birding guide who is familiar with the location as well as the species. Birds are widespread across the area, particularly in Jholi Busty, 6th Mile village, Sitong, and the Shelphu area, and are not concentrated in Latpanchar village. We have local birding guides who will show you around the area and show you the birds. This off-the-beaten-path tourist destination is ideal for those looking to get away from the crowds and enjoy some peace.

With 36 mammal species and 240 bird species, Latpanchar features a rich mix of vegetation and wildlife. Jungle trekking, in addition to bird-watching, is a favourite sport in this region, where you may witness a vast range of flora and fauna.

• • Ahal Dara – From this vantage point, you can see the sunrise over the Himalayas. The location is roughly 100 metres from Namthing Lake and requires a short stroll.
  • Kurseong, Chatakpur, Namchi, Dooars, and Siliguri can all be seen from the Ahal hilltop. The Tista River, the Kalimpong hill area, Algara, Lava, Lolegaon, Bagora, Tinchule, Takdah, and Mangpo can all be seen from here.
  • Namthing Lake – Located at an elevation of 5000 feet above sea level, Namthing Lake provides a natural habitat for a variety of uncommon species. Namthing Lake is noted for its wild sightings of Himalayan Salamanders, albeit the lake is currently mostly dry, making sightings of the Salamander extremely rare.
  • Latkothi is a little village about 4 kilometres from Latpanchar. The mountain road leads here, passing past Cinchona, Sal, Teak, and Pine trees, revealing the beauty of nature. You can spend a day here or, with special authorization from the forest department, go on to the Kuhi area. The region will greet you with colourful butterflies and birds.

• Sitong Orange Orchards – A 20-minute journey will bring you to the Sitong district, which is known for its orange orchards. The location is also a lesser-known birding paradise, with nearly all of the birds observed at Latpanchar also present.