How to Reach Jaldapara Rhino Cottage

A Complete Travel Guide

Jaldapara Rhino Cottage is a beautiful eco-friendly forest retreat nestled beside the Jaldapara National Park in Alipurduar district, West Bengal. Surrounded by over 500 Shimul trees and located just a few meters from the serene Sisamara River, this cottage offers a unique opportunity to stay amidst nature. The property is built using bamboo, wood, and other natural materials, and features unique accommodation like tree houses, log towers, and river-view rooms. With options for jungle safari bookings, bird-watching, and local cuisine, it’s a peaceful getaway for families, couples, and wildlife lovers. The experience here is raw yet comfortable — combining the charm of rustic living with basic modern amenities, away from the crowd and into the wilderness.

✈️ By Air (Nearest Airport – Bagdogra)

The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport (IXB), located around 135 kilometers from the cottage. This airport is well connected to major cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and Chennai. After arriving at Bagdogra, you have two options:

Hire a private taxi directly to Jaldapara Rhino Cottage, which takes about 4 to 4.5 hours through scenic forest roads.
Take a cab to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP), and board a train to one of the nearby stations—Madarihat, Hasimara, or Falakata—followed by a short taxi or auto ride to the cottage.

Bagdogra is the best option for those who want to cut down on travel time and arrive quickly from distant cities.

🚆 By Train (Convenient & Budget-Friendly)

Jaldapara is very well connected by train to most parts of India. You can choose from several stations, depending on the availability of trains:

Madarihat Railway Station (MDT) is the closest, about 10 km from the cottage. However, only a few trains stop here.
Hasimara Railway Station (HSA) is about 12 km away and is better connected.
Falakata Railway Station (FLK) is around 30 km away, often chosen due to more transport availability.
New Alipurduar (NOQ) and New Jalpaiguri (NJP) are major railheads that connect to long-distance express trains.

Some major trains you can consider include the Kanchankanya Express, Teesta-Torsa Express, Kamrup Express, and Saraighat Express. After reaching your destination station, local taxis or pre-arranged transport from the cottage can take you to the property.

🚖 Local Transfers to Jaldapara Rhino Cottage

Auto-rickshaws or Totos (electric rickshaws) at Madarihat and Hasimara
Shared jeeps at Falakata or Alipurduar bus stands
Private taxis that can be arranged by the cottage (recommended for safety and convenience)

The last few kilometers take you through quiet countryside lanes, tall trees, and the natural forest habitat around the national park.