Nestled amidst the lush greenery of the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, lies a picturesque village that’s nothing short of a hidden treasure – Chatakpur. At an altitude of 7,887 feet, this quaint hilltop eco-friendly village offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, promising a rejuvenating retreat for the soul.
Join me on a rollercoaster journey as my namesake friend Subhajit and I embark on a trip to this enchanting destination. It was a 3-day weekend with May Day falling on Monday, and our adventurous spirits couldn’t resist the temptation of exploring Chatakpur. With train tickets out of the equation due to our last-minute planning, we boarded a bus from Esplanade on the night of the 28th April 2023, bound for Siliguri Tenzing Norgay bus stand.
Arriving in Siliguri right on schedule, our next challenge awaited us – reaching Chatakpur. Opting for a shared cab, we made our way to Sonada station, a narrow gauge railway station nestled in the Darjeeling Himalayan railways. Little did we know, our plans were about to take an unexpected turn.
With rain pouring down relentlessly on the morning of our journey, securing a ride to Chatakpur was no easy feat. The steep and rugged terrain of the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary posed a challenge for most drivers, who demanded exorbitant fares to drop us there.
Unfazed by challenges, we decided to trek to our destination—a bold choice that turned out to be tough yet fulfilling. The journey from Sonada to Chatakpur was about 7 kilometers long, with rough terrain and steep slopes at every step. The path, more like a trail made by locals through dense jungle, was quite tough, especially with the rain pouring down relentlessly.
But with determination driving us, we kept going, despite the hurdles. Though the bad weather slowed us down, it also allowed us to appreciate the beauty around us, reminding us of nature’s power and peace.
Our journey took a favorable turn when, after walking for 45 minutes and covering just 1 kilometer, we came across a truck carrying bricks along the jungle path. Seeing an opportunity, we asked the driver for a ride. Despite the adverse conditions, the driver kindly suggested we sit on the bricks for a lift to Lower Chatakpur. Excitedly, we accepted.
After paying a small fee of Rs. 240 for entry passes to the sanctuary, we began a journey filled with breathtaking beauty. Surrounded by greenery and mist, we felt pure joy as the truck moved through the jungle, our laughter blending with the rain’s rhythm. In our heart, we thanked all the people who declined to drop us to Chatakpur earlier that day.
An hour and a half later, we arrived at Lower Chatakpur, thankful to our generous driver, Jiban, who refused any payment for his kindness. We insisted on giving him Rs. 500 as a token of our gratitude, though it felt inadequate.
From Lower Chatakpur, a short 200-meter walk led us to Pooja Homestay, a cozy place offering stunning views of the valley and Kanchenjunga, though it was hidden by mist when we arrived. After a delicious Bengali lunch prepared by our hostess, we happily rested.
As the evening came, we enjoyed piping hot momos served in our cozy room. The darkness outside made our retreat even cozier. With the night all dark, we spent time chatting, with the delicious smell of Roti, Chicken, and Alu Bhaja filling the air at dinner time. It was a feast that made us drift off to sleep happily after a day full of adventures.
As the first light of the sun appeared the next day, we felt a bit down because thick fog hid the grand shape of Kanchenjunga. Despite trying hard, we couldn’t see her as she was behaving like my sensitive girlfriend and being very shy about showing her snow-capped peaks to us.
But we didn’t let nature’s mood swings get us down. We filled ourselves up with a good breakfast of Maggi noodles before starting a short trek to the famous Kalipokhri—a special pond full of stories and myths. The path, winding through a lush pine forest, felt like something out of a storybook, each step filled with amazement. Among tall trees and green leaves, we found peace in nature’s quiet, capturing every beautiful moment with our cameras.
When heavy rain joined us again on our way back, we sought comfort in a local coffee shop adjoined with another homestay. Its cozy atmosphere was a welcome relief from the bad weather. With our spirits lifted by coffee and Parle-G biscuits, we headed back to our homestay. The rest of the day passed in a happy blur of taking photos, enjoying delicious food, and chatting with other travelers staying in our homestay.
The next morning became a special memory because of the happiness it brought. I woke up to see the Kanchenjunga mountain glowing in the morning light. It filled me with so much joy that I woke up my friend immediately from his profound sleep. Despite the cold weather, we got out of bed and wrapped ourselves in blankets to go outside. Amidst temperatures hovering around 2 degrees Celsius, we stood transfixed, our hearts filled with gratitude for this unexpected gift of nature. Our camera lenses were pretty tired when we got back to our room after inhaling as much Kanchenjunga as possible.
Venturing to the watchtower behind our homestay later that morning, we bore witness to the breathtaking vista that unfolded before us — a view of green valleys and blue skies that seemed to go on forever. Breathing in the fresh mountain air, we felt calm and grateful for the beauty around us. Each breath reminded us of how special this moment was. With hearts full and spirits renewed, we bid adieu to Chatakpur, carrying with us the echoes of its enchanting beauty. As we journeyed back to reality, one thing remained certain – our adventure in Chatakpur would forever hold a special place in our hearts, a testament to the magic of spontaneity and the enduring allure of nature’s embrace.
