Valmiki National Park, Bihar

In the midst of all the glamour and pomp of famous national parks in India, one generally does not find any mention of the only tiger reserve in Bihar. Situated in the West Champaran district of Bihar, neighboring Nepal, you can actually see the majestic Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Machhpuchhare from Indian plains. The virgin forests and the inhabiting wildlife both were given a lease of life by judgment of the honorable Supreme Court of India to stop the functioning of crushers. The infrastructure may not be suitable for mass-scale tourism as yet but for small family getaways with a little adventure in mind, the trip to Valmiki tiger reserve is absolutely perfect.

Can you tell me the kind of accomodations that are available and the price range? Also have you been there?

The accomodation available at Valmiki TR are forest rest houses located in different ranges. The request for accomodation are to be sent to The Project Director, Valmiki TR. The cost for such acoomodation is so low, probably it was fixed in 1960s, that it would seem ridiculous by today's standards. Yes, I have visited the place in Novemver 2008 with my family. A lovely family vacation that was- no hassles!!

Thanks for your post. What sightings you had during your visit ? Request you to post some more details like how to reach the park, animals sighted etc., for the benefits of forum members. Also you can upload some of the pics of the park. Thanks.

Ronak.

The location of the Valmiki TR is in the northwest corner of Bihar, adjacent to UP. If you happen to travel by train, you have to change from either Mujaffarpur or Gorakhpur. You can always hire a car to get there though. There are three ranges in this forest:
Bagaha: for the westernmost sector, and visit to the Valmikinagar dam on river Gandaki, a picturesque place with clear view of high mountains
Gobardhana: nestled within the wilderness, close to the core area and only standing Asokan pillar
Manguraha: close to the sights of Gandhiji's champaran movement and another asokan pillar whose crown is now kept at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

We went to the Gobardhana and Manguraha ranges for two reasons: first to be inside the wilderness away from city crowds and second to see one of the greatest administrative hallmarks of human civilization.
We did not see any big animals but was pretty sure of wild animals lurching close by as could be seen from the attached photos.
Picture 1: Dhaulagiri in the background
Picture 2: The Asokan pillar
Picture 3: the Bear pugmarks
Picture 4: the pugmarks of a tigress with her little cub

As the facilities stand now at the Forest Rest Houses, there are only two well-furnished rooms in every place and hence not ready for big-time tourist activities but of course, we were probably amongst the first few who ventured there. But with more people visiting the place, I am sure things would change for the better.

hope the pictures loaded alright this time

Thanks for the details about the park.

Ronak.

P.S. Pictures are not in order.

Ok this sounds like a good trip. I have seen more intense places but this would be good because I have a new scorpio and want to take it some place besides the hills for the time bieng. Anyhow, can you let me know how to contact them for the bookings.

Here is the contact details:

Field Director, Valmiki Tiger Project, Bettiah, West Champaran, Bihar; PIN: 845438
Phone: 06254-245331; 232909; Mobile: 94318-09401

Thanks trektrek.

@ TREK REK
thnxx sir!
for sharing all the info on Valmiki.can you pl tell me that how do i get there from Kolkata as i'm planning to visit in early 2010 .
can i've your contact no/address as i'm also from Kolkata .
thnx in advance & waiting fr a quick reply
my regrds,
Avijit
avijitwildlife@gmail.com

Thanks for your interest. The best way to get to Valmiki TR is to take the Kolkata Gorakhpur express on a friday, which leaves Kolkata station at 1430 hrs and getting down at Narkatiyaganj, if you want to visit the eastern part or Bagaha, to visit the western part of the sanctuary. If you plan to start on other days of the week, you can first travel to muzaffarpur and then take a connecting train to either of these two places (visit erail.in for all sorts of options. If you want to communicate personally, you can send a personal message via IM.

@ TREK REK,
thnxxxxxxxxx a lot sir fr your help!!!! is it also possible to cross over Gandak tiver & visit Chitwan NP while in Valmiki.one more help -can you pl advice me on how to communicate via IM?
regrds
Avijit

@ TREKTREK!
Sir!
i dont know how to use IM fr communicating !! so can i hv your mail id instead? or can you pl advice on how to use IM?
i hope i'm not bothering you to a gr8 extent sir!
thnx in advance,
my regrds,
Avijit
P.S; HAPPY X-MAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@TREKTREK,
can you pl advice on how to communicate via IM ?