things to do
Shoolin Woods is located at a stone's throw away from the famed Central Range (Kohora) of the Kaziranga National Park. The park has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. While the region is famous for its One Horned Rhino (it is home to more than 2/3rd of the world's One horned rhino population), the park also boasts of a varied species of animals and birds among its inhabitants, which include elephants, wild boars, bears, tigers among others. A range of migratory birds flock to the park during the months of October to January. The mighty river Brahmaputra flows along the northern and eastern side of the huge 430 sq. km park . Other rives such as Diphlu, Mora Dhansiri and Mora Dhansiri all flow through Kaziranga, Tourists can enjoy the picturesque landscape of the park by entering through one of the 4 demarcated zones, i.e Bagori, Kohora (Central), Agaratoli and Burapahar Range, either through the Jeep or Elephant Safari. The resort front desk arranges the safari for its guests on request. Even more, if you are heading to Kaziranga from Guwahati, as you cross the Burapahar range, keep an eye out to your left. If luck is on your side, you might catch a glimpse of Rhinos grazing the fields right from the National Highway itself.
Apart from the National park, Kaziranga has multiple other attractions for tourists to enjoy. Scroll below to find out more!
Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park
Located at a distance of 2kms from Shoolin Woods is the Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park. It is spread across a sprawling area of 6 acres in Durgapur village and is considered the largest Orchid park in the entire North-east. It houses more than 600 varieties of Orchids, some of which are rare and indigenous only to Assam. Apart from Orchids, the park also houses 132 species of sour fruits and leafy vegetables, 46 species of bamboo, 12 species of cane and many other plants along with various species of local fishes.
And for guests outside the state, different ethnic food stalls are also located within the Orchid park.
Tea gardens
Visiting one of the many Tea Gardens around the Kaziranga is undoubtedly is memorable experience for the young and old alike. For guests at Shoolin Woods, the entry to our resort itself is flanked by tea gardens on both sides which provides for some very Instagram worthy pics! Assam tea is popular all across the globe for the captive taste of its unique tea. While you are on a tour to Kaziranga National Park, visiting one of the few tea gardens located close by is something that must not be missed. Lush green small tea plants fluttering into hill slopes are a panoramic view that everyone should see once in his lifetime. And while on your way back home, don't forget to carry a little bag of Assam tea with you.
And if you have more than a day in hand..
With more than one day at Kaziranga, you can head either to beautiful towns of Tezpur or Jorhat ~ both of which can be explored as day trips from Shoolin Woods. The 3km long Kalia Bhomora bridge over the mighty Brahmaputra that leads to Tezpur town is an attraction in itself and is a wonderful place to spot river dolphins. The town of Tezpur is dotted with many sacred temples, while the Agnigarh Hill, Bamuni Hills, Chitralekha Udyan and Padum Pukhuri lake are all popular with the locals.
Barely 100kms from Shoolin Woods, is the town of Jorhat that is famous for its Dhekiakhowa Barnamghar. Legend has it that the earthen lamp there has been burning continuously for more than 400 years after being first lit by the famous Vaishavite saint, Srimanta Madhabdev.
Hatipathar picnic spot & Kakochang waterfall
Barely 500metres from Shoolin Woods is the locally popular picnic spot called Hatipathar. Since it is walkable from the resort, it is advisable to go there early morning before the crowds arrive and to catch glimpses of the birds chirping around in the Kohora river tributary that flows by.
Another lesser known place is the Kakochang waterfall which is at a distance of 23kms from Shoolin Woods. The best time to visit the waterfalls is after the monsoons when the falls are at its heaviest. However it is advisable to buffer atleast half a day for the falls as reaching the falls involves a trek.
