A small village at an altitude of 600m or about 2000 feet, on the India-Bhutan border, Bindu is famous for its cardamom plantation, pristine nature, and river Jaldhaka. The place has come up as a popular offbeat tourist destination of Dooars. Bindu is scenically placed in Kalimpong district among the high mountains all around with Jaldhaka River flowing through the valley making a natural border between Bhutan and India.
Bindu is where the Jaldhaka Dam is located, it is one of the oldest Hydroelectric projects between India and Bhutan. Tourists are not allowed to visit the Dam site but can see it from a distance. Three streams namely Dudh Khola, Bindu Khola, and Jaldhaka have met at the dam site. The dam used to create substantial electricity but due to heavy silting over the years, the project is said to have become sick now. However, the site remains a major attraction for tourists.
With the increasing importance of Gorumara as the tourism hub of Dooars, Bindu has also become part of a day tour for visitors to Gorumara. The distance between the Gorumara forest and Bindu is about 40 to 60 km depending on which part of the forest you are coming from. Since Gorumara safaris are mostly in the early morning or late afternoon, tourists find it convenient to have a day tour in between. Most of our package tours of Gorumara are organized similarly.
Getting There
The 110 km drive from Siliguri / NJP to Bindu winds up through the undulating slopes of Dooars covered with lush green tea gardens and forests. You can also travel to Bindu from Malbazar which has a stoppage of several trains and is about 47 km away.
The nearest Airport is Bagdogra at a distance of about 115 km.
Where to Stay
Accommodation in Bindu is available at a few budget hotels that offer a basic but homely atmosphere. Humro Home Paren is arguably the best place to stay in Bindu – Jhalong – Paren area. The small eco-resort is about 6 km from Bindu Dam and about 3 km from Jhalong market. For more information about this accommodation, you may send us a query by filling out the form below or visiting the Humro Home website linked above.
You may also choose to stay at Paren or Jhalong. There is a WBFDC tourist accommodation at Jhalong where one may stay.
Around Bindu
Bindu is not a typical tourist destination with many sightseeing options. Here you would probably spend more time soaking your leg in the cold water of the Jaldhaka river or walking in the villages or chatting up a local tribesman.
A visit to Todey (1500m) and Paren from Bindu is worth experiencing for the unspoiled natural environment and innocent village people. The Todey Tangta Khasmahal area is the last motorable place in this area close to the Bhutan border. The area used to produce a lot of cardamom in the past but the production has come down in recent years.
About 10 km before Bindu is the location of Jhalong. From here you may visit the Rango forest uphill.
Places Around
Chalsa – 40 km
Nagrakata -40 km
Malbazar – 50 km
Murti – 43 km
Lataguri – 61 km
Jaldapara – 92 km
Jalpaiguri – 90 km
Bagdogra – 115 km
NJP – 110 km
