Dhotrey is a small, enchanting forest village in the Darjeeling hills, nestled within the buffer zone of the Singalila National Park. Known for its warm and welcoming hill people and its serene forest setting, Dhotrey is one of those rare places that offers a genuine escape from the world — a destination for nature lovers, trekkers, and anyone seeking the authentic simplicity of Himalayan village life.
About Dhotrey Village
With 68 small huts spread across the forest buffer zone, Dhotrey is a modest but beautifully situated settlement. The village was originally established during the period when the Forest Department used a 5 km long ropeway to collect logs from the area. When the ropeway was demolished in the mid-1980s, the village economy was severely affected.
In the mid-1990s, dedicated efforts were made to develop village tourism in Dhotrey. It took five years of determined work by one individual to motivate the villagers and build the foundations of a tourism economy. A devastating fire on 9th February 2008 destroyed 33 huts — nearly half the village — but with the help of the Forest Department, well-wishers, and neighbouring villages around Darjeeling, Dhotrey was rebuilt.
