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Our USP:Strategically Located Inside the Forest

Hornbill View Cottages is strategically positioned within the Mahananda forest landscape of Latpanchar, not outside it. This means guests stay inside the wilderness, surrounded by towering trees, bird calls, and misty trails rather than roads and buildings. Our location places you directly within one of Eastern India’s most biodiverse forest corridors.

Close to Natural Hornbill Trees

Our cottages are built near natural hornbill nesting and feeding trees, where these magnificent birds return year after year. Guests often see hornbills flying across the canopy, feeding in fruiting trees, or calling from the forest—an experience rarely possible in regular hill accommodations.

A Bird Watching Paradise – 300+ Species

Latpanchar is known internationally as a birding hotspot, with over 300 recorded species. From Rufous-necked Hornbills to trogons, broadbills, frogmouths, flycatchers, and Himalayan forest birds, every walk around the cottages offers new sightings. Whether you are a serious birder or a curious nature lover, this is one of the richest bird habitats in Eastern India.

Home of Rare and Special Species

This forest supports a wide range of special and rare species that depend on undisturbed habitat. The unique mix of Himalayan, subtropical, and tropical forest zones allows many birds and animals to thrive here, making Latpanchar a living conservation area.

Scenic Beauty That Changes Every Hour

Surrounded by sal, teak, cinchona, and broadleaf forests, the landscape of Latpanchar offers misty mornings, sunlit valleys, and dramatic forest sunsets. From nearby viewpoints, guests can enjoy panoramic mountain and valley views, creating a peaceful and inspiring natural environment.

Forest Cottages, Not Just a Homestay

Hornbill View Cottages are true forest cottages, not village homestays. Unlike homestays located among houses and shops, our cottages are set inside nature, offering privacy, silence, and direct access to wildlife and birding trails. Here, you don’t visit the forest — you live in it.

About Us

Your Gateway to Seamless Travel Experiences

The Hornbill View Cottages, nestled in the emerald embrace of Latpanchar, within the lush embrace of the MAHANANDA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, where mist-laden forests sing with the calls of hornbills, butterflies glimmer like jewels, and the rhythm of nature writes poetry in every leaf.
Run and designed by Prof.Riddhi Manna—an accomplished Design Educator graphic and communication designer, a keen wildlife and birder, nature enthusiast, and storyteller—The Hornbill View Cottages are more than a retreat; they are a personal mission to conserve, protect, and celebrate the fragile ecosystems of this East Himalayan paradise. Drawing upon her deep experience in design, sustainability, and community-based projects, Riddhi has meticulously crafted these cottages using locally sourced, sustainable materials and the skilled hands of indigenous artisans, blending comfort with ecological responsibility.

Our ethos flows through every facet of your stay: from cottages shaped in harmony with the landscape, to organically grown produce harvested from our own farm, offering guests the authentic taste of the mountains. The warmth of our hospitality is matched only by the genuine smiles of our dedicated team—members of the indigenous Gurkha Lama community—who share their knowledge, culture, and heartfelt care with every visitor.
At The Hornbill View Cottages, we are committed to ethical wildlife tourism, fostering awareness of the region’s vibrant avian life, and the vital roles of insects, reptiles, and forest flora in natural regeneration. Guests are invited to explore these wonders with the guidance of expert birding companions, or to seek quiet reflection in our cozy library, where stories of nature, conservation, and culture await.
Here, sustainability is not merely a practice—it is a way of life. Join us, and become part of a living narrative where each stay helps preserve the forests, creatures, and cultures that make Latpanchar a place of true wild beauty.

Latpanchar: A Biodiverse Birding Paradise in Mahananda Sanctuary

Latpanchar, perched at an altitude of around 4,500 ft (≈1,400 m) in the Kurseong hills of North Bengal, forms the highest and most pristine zone of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. Located close to Siliguri and Kurseong, this peaceful mountain hamlet is a true offbeat destination far from the crowded tourist hubs.

Natural Beauty & Wildlife:

Latpanchar’s scenic charm includes winding forest roads lined with cinchona, pine, sal, teak and vibrant understory foliage. From viewpoints like Ahaldara and Sarsari Dara, visitors can behold majestic views of Mt Kangchenjunga, the Teesta River valley, and panoramic hill vistas

The region supports diverse wildlife, including barking deer, wild boar, Malayan giant squirrels, elephants, and occasional leopard sightings near the sanctuary’s fringe Wild Voyager

Birdlife:

The Feathered Treasures of Mahananda

Home to over 240–300 bird species, Latpanchar is a premier destination for birdwatching in the Eastern Himalayas 

Its position at the intersection of multiple forest biomes enables sightings of biome-restricted and migratory birds alike.

Notable Species:

Rufous‑necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis): The iconic resident and resident breeding species, around which local conservation efforts radiate 

Red‑headed Trogon, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Sultan Tit, Long-tailed Broadbill, Black-baza, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, and various barbets, minivets, bulbuls, and laughing thrushes enrich the avifauna 

Other rarities include Boobook, Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Black-breasted Parrotbill, and occasional Himalayan Griffon Vultures and Ibis bill 

Sustainable Living: The Hornbill View Cottages

For those seeking a mindful, nature-first stay, The Hornbill View Cottages—established and run by Prof. Riddhi Manna—offer an immersive yet conservation-focused experience:

Location: At the 6th mile, adjacent to the Trogon Trail in the Forest Busti area—providing premier access to forest birding zones.

Conservation Ethos: Built with minimal environmental impact, the cottages emphasize native flora and sustainable design.

Local Expertise: Guided walks by resident naturalists lead to sightings of hornbills, trogons, and other canopy birds.

Key Attractions:

Rare Birding Experiences :
Latpanchar is a sanctuary for serious birders, offering close encounters with iconic species such as the Rufous-necked Hornbill, Red-headed Trogon, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Broadbills, and Himalayan forest birds that thrive in its untouched canopy.
Living Wilderness Around You
The forests around Hornbill View Cottages are alive with barking deer, wild boar, giant squirrels, butterflies, and rich birdlife, with the thrilling possibility of elephant and leopard movement adding to the true wilderness atmosphere.
Work From the Nature

With reliable Wi-Fi, peaceful cottages, and inspiring forest views, Hornbill View Cottages offers a rare chance to work remotely while surrounded by nature—perfect for writers, designers, researchers, and digital nomads seeking calm, creativity, and connectivity.

Eco-Friendly Lodge:

Hornbill View Cottages stand out as an ethical lodging option championing local biodiversity.