Kokrajhar is the headquarters of Kokrajhar district and of the Bodoland Territorial Region, in far western Assam. It is a working town of about 34,000 people at roughly 38 m above sea level, on the main railway line between New Jalpaiguri and Guwahati. Most visitors pass through by train; a smaller number stop to see what lies beyond it.
What lies beyond is forest. Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, about 20 km away, was set up in 1994 to protect the golden langur, a primate found only in this corner of Assam and neighbouring Bhutan. Further north, Raimona National Park, declared in 2021, joins an unbroken forest belt that runs into Bhutan. Between them lie two wetlands, Dheer Beel and Diplai Beel, and Baukhungri hill, climbed by thousands each April for the Bodo new year.
Culture here is Bodo culture. Bodo is an official language alongside Assamese and English, though Bengali is the most commonly spoken language in the town. The local tourism office points to Bodo markets, traditional dances, handicrafts and the Bodo harvest festival, and food built around rice, pork, fish and bamboo shoot.
This is not an easy destination. Facilities in the forests are minimal, fees and permits are often unpublished, and distances are long. It suits patient nature lovers and cultural travellers who are willing to arrange a car and guide through Bodoland Tourism. Go between November and March, keep expectations modest, and use Kokrajhar as a base for slow days in the forest rather than a long list of sights.
Before you plan
Kokrajhar at a glance
- Best months
- November to March: dryNovember to March: dry, clear and comfortable. April and May are warm with pre-monsoon rain; June to August is heavy monsoon.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 to 3 days to cover the sanctuary2 to 3 days to cover the sanctuary, a wetland, the forest road to Raimona and one cultural stop
- Airport
- Rupsi AirportRupsi Airport (RUP), about 17 km north of Dhubri, serves Kokrajhar with limited flights to Guwahati and Kolkata; Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati (GAU) is the main gateway, a long road or rail journey away
- Railway station
- KokrajharKokrajhar (KOJ) on the New Jalpaiguri–New Bongaigaon section, served by long-distance trains including Rajdhani and Vande Bharat services
- Getting around
- Hire a car with a driver for the…Hire a car with a driver for the sanctuary, wetlands and Raimona; town travel is by auto and taxi. Public transport to the forest areas is limited.
- Daily budget
- Costs are modest locallyCosts are modest locally; the main expense is car hire. Rates are not fixed, so agree the price before you set out.
- Senior comfort
- Fair in townFair in town, limited in the forests: tracks are rough, facilities are basic and distances are long, so short, car-based outings suit older travellers
- Language
- Bengali, Bodo, Assamese and HindiBengali, Bodo, Assamese and Hindi; English works at hotels and the tourism office
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Kokrajhar: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Kokrajhar itinerary
One good day
1 day in Kokrajhar
Start early with Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, about 20 km from town, for a short walk and a look for golden langurs with a guide arranged through Bodoland Tourism. Continue to Dheer Beel, about 30 km from town, for an hour by the water. Lunch in town, rest, and try Bodo dishes at a local eatery in the evening.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Kokrajhar
Spend the morning at Chakrashila and, if fit, the Baukhungri hill walk. Drive on to Dheer Beel for the afternoon light and birds. Return to Kokrajhar for dinner.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Kokrajhar
Take the sanctuary and hill walk with a guide, and rest in the afternoon.
Day-by-day plan →
