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Latpanchor Birding Trip at Latpanchar Mahananda WLS Sittong Forest Sabir subba Latpanchor homestay

3,529 views · Published 6 January 2017 · 1:27 · Indexed 2 October 2026

Channel: SPD RAILFAN · 2017 · Travel & Events

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Birding Trip to Latpanchor Latpanchar Mahananda WLS Sittong Forest Green. with Sabir subba  Latpanchor homestay . 

Latpanchar - A Bird Watcher's Paradise

Not many have heard about this place. Because for some strange reason, Latpanchar hasn't had much tourism development. This is despite the fact that it's a beautiful mountain hamlet offering stunning views including that of Kanchenjunga, having wide range of bird & animal life as well as many different types of amazing plantations. 

Latpanchar actually forms the highest part of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary with an average altitude of about 4,200 ft. Since it's part of the sanctuary, there is good chance that you will come across some wildlife here like deer, barking deer, wild boars, and some times even leopards and elephants while exploring the jungles around. 

From New Jalpaiguri (NJP), Latpanchar is at a distance of about 44kms and takes about one and half hours by car. You will need to take the Sevoke road. Once you reach the place Kalijhora (after about an hour's drive), there is a narrow winding road that goes uphill on the left. From this point Latpanchar is another 13kms, the last stretch is quite steep. There is hardly any traffic on this narrow road, but often the road is not well maintained and gets full with potholes particularly during monsoon. 

Even during peak tourist season in Darjeeling, you will hardly find any tourists here, giving you all the peace and tranquility that you are looking for along with bounty full of nature. If you plan to explore the forest, you should take a guide from the village. A narrow boulder road winds down to the sanctuary (about 5kms away). You can choose to walk (most do so) or take a jeep. Once in the sanctuary, it will take about 2 hours of walk to explore. Many come here to relax and experience the rich bird life along with the scenic beauty in and around the hamlet. Birding guides are also available. Sabir Subba & Padam Gurung are the famous bird guides here.

since it has not yet been developed as a proper tourist place, there are limited facilities and accommodations for tourists. Most private lodgings are home stays that offer simple rooms with basic amenities, but touching hospitality with care. There is also a Forest Rest House at the jungle (about 4kms below) which has two nice rooms. This used to be the bungalow where the British officers in the early 1900s stayed while looking after the expansive Cinchona plantations around.

 Animals & Bird Life in Latpanchar 

As I mentioned earlier, Latpanchar is part of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary which is well known for its wide range of animals and birds. There are some 36 types of animals and over 240 species of birds which can be spotted here. 

 Most common animals include Himalayan black bear, leopards, deer (including barking deer), mountain goats, monkeys, wild boars, and even elephants which often drift to this side. In order to see the most exotic animals, you will need to go to the core area of the sanctuary which is about 6kms walk from the village. You should always take an armed guide with you. The lodge can arrange for the guide. Most tourists visit the stretch of forest area between the Forest Rest House and Raja Rani Hill. 

Among plethora of birds, the commonly seen ones include yuhina, scaly thrush, woodpeckers, black bulbuls, ashy backed shrike, spotted eagles, magpie, minivets, minla, drongo, King Fishers, Robins and if you are lucky, Himalayan Pied hornbills.

Namthing Lake through Cinchona and pine trees. One side of the lake is surrounded by dense pine trees. Other than many different types of birds, this lake area is well known for the rare Himalayan Salamander (small lizard like creatures).

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