We were driving through the pitch-black roads of Dooars with the view of tea gardens on either side of the road. The way before was as foggy, with the rains coming and going our way. The mountains were seen in a distance and we could see only greenery wherever our sight went. The breeze was mild and cool blowing hair all over my face, but I was happy. I was happy to be so close to nature. We were happy to see so much greenery all around us. We do not see them often in cities.
We were driving towards Samsing, a nondescript rural destination in North Bengal. The village is situated amidst lush tea gardens and forests. During the monsoon when most of the tourists avoid the hill stations like Darjeeling and Gangtok, Samsing located in Dooars can be an ideal monsoon getaway.
Located at an altitude of 3000 feet and 17 km from Chalsa, the nearest railway station, Samsing is a place of immense scenic beauty. Located by the banks of River Murti, this quaint village boasts of miles of tea gardens, forested landscapes, beautiful nature trails and immense peace and solitude. This was just the place we were looking for to spend an idle weekend away from the city.
We had reached New Jalpaiguri in the morning. Our friends from Siliguri was waiting for us and together we started our journey towards Samsing. The ride through the roads of Dooars is very charming. The roads are smooth and the greenery on either side of the roads makes for a lovely drive. We reached Lataguri within 2 hours. After having our breakfast, we continued our drive towards Samsing.
After Chalsa, the road passes through the tea gardens. We passed through the Indong, Chalsa and Samsing tea gardens and finally arrived at the Samsing Chowk. We had booked a homestay for our stay. We did not want to rush, so we simply roamed around the village and explored the shops that day. The next day was meant for all the sightseeing and visiting the wonderful places.
Things to do at Samsing
Enjoy the beauty of nature
The little picturesque hamlet is perfect for a nature walk. Surrounded by forests and lush tea gardens, it would be really pleasing to explore the place on foot. Tea gardens are always one of the most beautiful places to visit. The sight of the descending mist on the tea gardens is something that you will remember for a long time to come. Simply relax and lazily walk down various places of the village as you enjoy the beauty and magnificence of nature.
Visit the tea gardens
Samsing is surrounded by beautiful tea gardens. Some of the notable ones are Samsing, Chalsa and Zurantee Tea Estates. Visit the tea gardens, see how the workers pluck trees. If not anything, walking amidst the tea gardens is a wonderful activity.
Go for a day picnic to Lali Guras
Lali Guran is basically a picnic point set in a scenic surrounding. The Murti River flows through a bed of rocks and the mountains tower on the sides of the bank. From the valley you will get a wonderful view of the surroundings. Try to visit the place early in the morning to avoid the crowd.
Visit the banks of River Murti
Murti River is one of the most beautiful rivers in Dooars. The river originated from the mountains of the Neora Valley National Park and goes all the way to meet Jaldhaka River in Gorumara. Barring the monsoon, you will easily be able to cross the Murti River. You can spend some quality time on the banks of the Murti river and enjoy the serene ambience.
Visit Suntalekhola & Rocky Island
Suntalekhola is around 4 km from Samsing Chowk. It is also a quaint village surrounded by lush green forests. There is a large suspension bridge over the River Suntalekhola. You can walk over the hanging bridge and see the river flowing below. Some tourists also opt to stay at Suntalekhola. There is a WBFDC Tourist lodge at Suntalekhola.
Rocky Island is 3 km from Samsing. It is the place where the Murti River meets the plain. The river flows through the rocky terrain. Some of the rocks are so huge that rock climbing can also be done here. Rocky Island is also a great camping site.
There is a small trekking route from this area. You can hike upto the Tree Fern Point from where you will get beautiful views of the Himalayan ranges on one side and the Dooars plains on the other.
Birdwatching
Samsing is located on the fringes of NEora Valley National Park and so naturally, it is a great place to do birdwatching. The place is the home to a number of Himalayan birds like Grey Nightjar, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Maroon Oriole, Greychinned and Short-billed Minivets, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Slaty-backed Forktail, Sultan Tit and many more. If you are fond of bird watching, then you can hike to the forests and indulge in bird watching.
How to reach Samsing
The nearest airport is Bagdogra. From Bagdogra, it is best to hire a car to reach Samsing.
The nearest railway station is New Mal Junction. New Mal is connected by trains from Kolkata and Siliguri. You can also reach New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and then book a car to Samsing. The distance between New Jalpaiguri to Samsing is around 85 km and takes around 3 hours by road.
Best time to visit
You can visit Samsing at any time of the year. During the summer season, the weather is pleasant. The morning will be warm, but the evenings will be pleasant. Winters are also a good time to visit when the climate will be cold, but not so much as in the hills. Monsoon is another good time to visit Samsing. The whole area looks green and fresh during this time.
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