Oodlabari is a small town on National Highway 31 that passes through Dooars. The small town is located about 40 km from Siliguri. On the west of the town is river Leesh and on its east is river Chel. The stretch between the two rivers, where Oodlabari town exists, is hardly 2 km wide at its widest. To the south of the town, just 5 km away from the forests of Baikunthapur with its famous Kathambari range that is home to Asiatic elephants. North of Oodlabari, drive for about 4 km to reach the foothills of the Himalayas. The location of Oodlabari makes it one of the most scenic destinations of Dooars. However, the town itself has a very mundane look and may disappoint the uninitiated. One has to look beyond the concrete houses on both sides of the road to get a feel of real Oodlabari.
Getting There
Oodlabari being located on the National Highway can be reached from NJP Rail Station or Bagdogra Airport by an hour’s drive. There is a Rail station here where passenger trains and DMUs stop.
To See
Drive about 12 km north of Oodlabari to reach Patharjhora tea estate. This is the starting point of river Chel as three smaller streams meet here to form the river. This is a common picnic spot famous for its scenic beauty.
You may also drive south of town and soon will reach Oodlabari Tea Estate. Cross the tea estate to enter the Kathambari forests. A few kilometre drive through the forest will take you to the Gajoldoba barrage area on Teesta.
The area is endowed with several Tea gardens which form the backbone of the local economy. You may visit Ranichera, Rungamatee, or Gurjanjhora Tea estate which are all within a 15 to 20-minute drive from here.
The major tourist destination of Dooars, Gorumara National Park, can also be reached within an hour's drive from Oodlabari.
Accommodation
Bamboo Trail Retreat is the only tourist accommodation at Oodlabari that has come up in recent years. Please fill out the attached form and get in touch with nature beyond for booking a package tour of the area.
