The exact plan we give friends who ask ‘what would you do with two nights in Chilapata?’ — with per-day costs you can actually budget with.
Before you start
This plan assumes you arrive by train at Hasimara (we pick you up) and stay two nights in a double-bed cottage for two people. All costs are per couple, indicative for 2026–27 — message us for a tailored quote.
Day 1 — arrive, riverside, bonfire
Reach Hasimara by late morning; our pickup gets you to the hut in 20 minutes through tea gardens. Check in, lunch at the hut, and an hour of nothing — the veranda insists.
At 4 pm, walk or cycle to the Bania river (15 minutes) for tea and sunset on the banks. Back for dinner and a bonfire if the sky is clear. Sleep early — tomorrow starts at 5:45.
- Pickup from Hasimara: ₹600 one way
- Full day of meals (per person): ₹650 — breakfast, lunch, snacks & dinner
- Bonfire with snacks: ₹800 per evening
Day 2 — Chilapata safari & village life
The jeep collects you at the gate for the 6:30 am Chilapata safari — sal forest, elephant country, the Nal Rajar Garh ruins. You are back by 9 for a big breakfast.
Late morning, take the guided village walk: paddy fields, a Rava basti, the weekly haat if your day matches. Afternoon is for hammocks. Optional second safari at Jaldapara’s Madarihat gate if rhinos are non-negotiable (add ~30 minutes’ drive each way).
- Chilapata jeep safari (6 seats): ₹2,800–3,500 per jeep
- Permits & fees: ~₹150–250 per person
- Village walk with our guide: ₹300 (goes to the village fund)
Day 3 — Bhutan Gate or Jayanti, then home
Choose your half-day trip: the Bhutan Gate at Jaigaon (45 minutes) for a cross-border lunch in Phuentsholing, or Jayanti (1 hr 20 min) for the rocky river and Mahakal cave under the Buxa hills. Either way, you are back by 3 pm for a late lunch and the drive to Hasimara.
- Car for half-day sightseeing: ₹1,800–2,500
- Check current Bhutan border entry rules the night before if choosing Jaigaon
The total bill, roughly
Adding it up for a couple: 2 nights’ room (₹1,600 × 2 = ₹3,200) + meals (~₹3,900 for two over the trip) + safari with permits (~₹3,300) + bonfire (₹800) + pickup both ways (₹1,200) + half-day car (~₹2,000). Call it ₹13,000–15,000 for two people, everything included — comparable stays in the area quote similar amounts with far less transparency.
- Per person for two people travelling: ₹6,500–7,500
- Per person if you are four (shared jeep, family cottage): ₹5,000–6,000
Stay at the source
Everything in this guide is walking distance from our gate
Chilapata Eco Hut — four huts, home-cooked meals and safaris arranged by people who live here. Check dates on WhatsApp and we will hold the room while you pack.
Common questions
Is this itinerary doable with kids?
Yes — swap the day-3 trip for the tea gardens and riverside, and keep safaris to the morning slot. The family hut sleeps four comfortably.
Can we fit Jaldapara in as well?
On a 2-night trip, do Jaldapara’s morning safari on day 2 instead of the afternoon Chilapata slot, and keep Chilapata for day 1 evening light. Three nights lets you do both properly.
