Jungle View Cottage

The front cottage, facing straight into the Chilapata forest. On misty mornings the sal canopy floats outside your window; on clear nights you hear the forest instead of traffic. The thick concrete walls stay cool through the day, so there is no AC — a ceiling fan and the forest air do the job.

Inside you get a comfortable double bed, clean linen, charging points and a spotless attached bathroom with a hot-water geyser. An inverter keeps the lights and fan running through the Dooars’ regular power cuts.