Kumai – A Hidden Hamlet In Dooars
Kumai is a small village perched on a hilltop at 3000 feet overlooking the vast Jaldhaka River Valley and endless stretches of lush Dooars and Bhutan Hills. Kumai is dotted with viewpoints from where you can get some of the best views of the Western Dooars and the eight rivers crisscrossing the plains.
A day tour starting early from Kumai home stay would take you to Gurdaray View Point, Bhutan View Point, Kumai Peak and the Peacock Point (natural habitat of peacocks). On a clear day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Dooars region, Bhutan, plains of Bengal, 08 rivers, tea gardens and mesmerizing sunrise and sunsets from these viewpoints.
Samsing – Santalkhola – Rocky Island
The trip offers scenic view of tea gardens, orange orchard and rocky river beds. On the way to Meteli from New Mal you can see the green carpet like tea gardens. At an altitude 2500ft you can see the scenic valley at Samsing.
Murti river flows through this silent valley surrounded by Saal , Simul and other forests. Tea gardens, small villages , weekly market, colorful birds and flowers add to the beauty of this place. A trek through the forest trails from Samsing leads to another beautiful place , Mouchuki.
A hilly stream descending down and orange orchards on its banks, Santalekhola derives its name from ‘Santale‘ meaning orange and ‘Khola‘ meaning river in local language. Travelling 5km from Samsing and walking 1km from the checkpost, Santalekhola is surrounded by hills and greenery.
Crossing the hanging iron bridge over the Santalekhola river flowing rapidly below and walking through the rocky path there are 8 cottages. Sound of the river, starry sky and the forest ambience makes the nightstay here more romantic.
Rocky Island is situated 4 km from Samsing. Murti river descends down the hills bring down rocks and pebbles of various types. This makes the river bed rocky which looks like a garden of rocks and thus the place derives its name – Rocky Island.
Suggested Itinerary For You
DAY 1 :- Reach New Mal Junction from Kolkata by train or by road. Then we will head towards a scenic destination of Dooars. With the Himalayas at backdrop, green valleys and Kumai river flowing through a small village makes the landscape more beautiful. Ascending little from this picturesque place we will reach a place nested in between green carpet-like tea gardens – Kumai, a place for the tea lovers. After lunch we will explore the place and enjoy the sunset from Kumai. Dinner and night stay.
DAY 2 :- After breakfast we will visit another place with lush green tea gardens, situated at altitude of 2500 ft – Samsing, decorated with colourful birds, butterflies and natural beauty. After lunch we will visit Santalekhola, a place flocked by orange farmers during winters. Enjoy the nightstay here with the burble of flowing river, calls of animals from distant forest and watching the star-studded sky. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 3:- After breakfast we will start towards another destination , Mouchuki, situated within forest. We will visit the watch tower and have lunch at Rocky Island. Murti river descends down the hills , bringing down rolling stones and pebbles. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 4:- After breakfast we will leave Rocky Island and return towards Kolkata
Things To Do At Kumai
Nature walk, bird watching, low altitude trekking, angling in Jaldhaka River, jeep safari in Gorumara Forest and riverside picnic in Rocky Island are few things you can try while staying at Kumai.
You can take the trails early morning through forests, orange orchards and terraced farmlands to reach the local village church and sacred Buddhist Stupas. You can also visit the lush grassland known as Peacock Point which is the natural habitat of peacocks.
Kumai Sightseeing
Day trips to Samsing (12 kms) and Jaldhaka River can be arranged from Kumai. Samsing is a small picturesque village on the fringes of Neora Valley Forest Reserve. It is famous for its birds, untouched nature and the hanging bridge over the Santalekhola River.
Another interesting sightseeing option from Kumai is the Jhalong village (13 kms) on the banks of Jaldhaka River and India’s first Hydel power project at Bindu (23 kms). Also day trips to Gorumara Forest Reserve (33 kms), Chapramari Forest (18 kms), Murti Riverside (23 kms) and Chalsa can be arranged from Kumai. If you are not inclined for a hectic schedule, then bask in the morning sun soaking the silence of Kumai from the lawn of your home stay.
Homestay Accommodation At kumai
LOCATION: In village
FACILITIES: Garden, Gazebo, Parking, Solar Power, Campfire arrangement, Driver’s accommodation, Attached western bathroom, Geyser, TV, Terrace.
ROOM TYPES: Double Bed rooms, Four Bed room.
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