Alipurduar: The steady inflow of Indian tourists to Bhutan through Jaigaon-Phuentsholing route during the current summer has also led to increase in number of tourists in the Dooars, and particularly in eastern Dooars that is close to the India-Bhutan border.

"This is because in the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), the immigration office in Bhutan remains close. A number of tourists do not have any inkling of it and there are some who have planned their itinerary to get into the neighbouring country on the weekend. These people are staying in the Dooars for one or two days before getting into Bhutan," said a tour operator.

Savita Suresh Shinde, along with her two friends from Maharashtra, reached Bagdogra on Friday. "As we contacted our operator, he mentioned that the immigration office in Bhutan remained closed for the weekend. We planned to stay in the Dooars and visit a couple of places. On Monday, we will head for Phuentsholing," said Savita.

Like them, several other Bhutan-bound tourists are enjoying trips to Buxa Tiger Reserve, Chilapata Forest and even visiting national parks like Gorumara and Jaldapara.

"It was like a bonus for us. Our initial plan was to visit Bhutan but now we availed ourselves of car safari in the forests, saw some wild animals and also went to the tea estates," said Rakesh Arya, a tourist from Gujarat who reached here on Friday.