West Bengal Wonders
West Bengal, located in eastern India, is a state known for its rich history, diverse culture, and intellectual heritage. Kolkata, the capital city, serves as the cultural and commercial hub of the state. West Bengal is renowned for its literary figures such as Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, as well as its vibrant arts scene, with traditional music, dance, and theater being integral parts of its cultural identity. The state celebrates festivals like Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and Saraswati Puja with great pomp and grandeur, reflecting its religious diversity and fervor. West Bengal's cuisine is famous for its mouthwatering dishes, including fish preparations like maacher jhol and paturi, as well as sweets like rasgulla, sandesh, and mishti doi. The state is also known for its intellectual and educational institutions, with Kolkata being home to prestigious universities, libraries, and museums. West Bengal's natural beauty is evident in its lush greenery, scenic hill stations like Darjeeling and Kalimpong, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Sundarbans, home to the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. The state has a strong tradition of craftsmanship, with artisans producing exquisite textiles, terracotta sculptures, and intricate kantha embroidery. Despite facing challenges such as poverty and political unrest, West Bengal has made significant progress in areas like education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. Overall, West Bengal offers a harmonious blend of tradition, culture, and natural beauty, making it a captivating destination for travelers and culture enthusiasts alike.
Travel Plan
7 Days
Day 1: Arrival in Kolkata
- Pick up from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport or Howrah Junction Railway Station
- Check into a hotel in Kolkata
- Visit Victoria Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Indian Museum
- Dinner at a local restaurant serving Bengali cuisine
Day 2: Kolkata Sightseeing
- Explore Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Belur Math
- Visit Marble Palace and Mother House (Missionaries of Charity)
- Dinner at a traditional Bengali restaurant like 6 Ballygunge Place
Day 3: Sundarbans Day Trip
- Drive to Sundarbans National Park
- Enjoy a boat safari through the mangrove forests
- Spot wildlife like Royal Bengal tigers, crocodiles, and various bird species
- Dinner at a local restaurant near Sundarbans
Day 4: Darjeeling Arrival
- Fly or take a train to Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station
- Transfer to Darjeeling
- Check into a hotel and rest
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Darjeeling
Day 5: Darjeeling Exploration
- Early morning visit to Tiger Hill for sunrise view over the Himalayas
- Visit Batasia Loop, Ghoom Monastery, and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
- Explore Darjeeling Mall and enjoy a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train)
- Dinner at a local restaurant serving Tibetan cuisine
Day 6: Kalimpong Day Trip
- Drive to Kalimpong
- Visit Durpin Monastery, Deolo Hill, and Hanuman Tok
- Explore local markets for handicrafts and souvenirs
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Kalimpong
Day 7: Departure from West Bengal
- Check out from the hotel
- Transfer to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport or Howrah Junction Railway Station for departure
14 Days
Day 1-3: Kolkata Exploration
- Day 1: Arrival in Kolkata
- Pick up from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport or Howrah Junction Railway Station
- Check into a hotel in Kolkata
- Visit Victoria Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Indian Museum
- Dinner at a local restaurant serving Bengali cuisine
- Day 2: Kolkata Sightseeing
- Explore Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Belur Math
- Visit Marble Palace and Mother House (Missionaries of Charity)
- Dinner at a traditional Bengali restaurant like 6 Ballygunge Place
- Day 3: Sunderbans Day Trip
- Drive to Sunderbans National Park
- Enjoy a boat safari through the mangrove forests
- Spot wildlife like Royal Bengal tigers, crocodiles, and various bird species
- Dinner at a local restaurant near Sunderbans
Day 4-7: Darjeeling and Kalimpong
- Day 4: Darjeeling Arrival
- Fly or take a train to Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station
- Transfer to Darjeeling
- Check into a hotel and rest
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Darjeeling
- Day 5: Darjeeling Exploration
- Early morning visit to Tiger Hill for sunrise view over the Himalayas
- Visit Batasia Loop, Ghoom Monastery, and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
- Explore Darjeeling Mall and enjoy a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train)
- Dinner at a local restaurant serving Tibetan cuisine
- Day 6: Kalimpong Day Trip
- Drive to Kalimpong
- Visit Durpin Monastery, Deolo Hill, and Hanuman Tok
- Explore local markets for handicrafts and souvenirs
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Kalimpong
- Day 7: Darjeeling to Mirik Excursion
- Visit Mirik and enjoy boating on Sumendu Lake
- Explore Bokar Monastery and Mirik Church
- Visit tea gardens and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding hills
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Mirik
Day 8-10: Gangtok and Tsomgo Lake
- Day 8: Gangtok Arrival
- Drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim
- Check into a hotel and rest
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Gangtok
- Day 9: Tsomgo Lake Excursion
- Visit Tsomgo Lake and enjoy yak rides (subject to availability)
- Explore Baba Mandir and Nathula Pass (if permitted)
- Return to Gangtok and explore MG Marg for shopping and dining
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Gangtok
- Day 10: Gangtok Exploration
- Visit Rumtek Monastery and Enchey Monastery
- Explore Hanuman Tok and Ganesh Tok for panoramic views of the city
- Visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and Do Drul Chorten
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Gangtok
Day 11-14: Kolkata and Departure
- Day 11: Gangtok to Kolkata
- Fly back to Kolkata
- Check into a hotel and rest
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Kolkata
- Day 12: Kolkata Cultural Exploration
- Visit Kalighat Temple and Dakshineswar Kali Temple
- Explore Kumartuli, the potters' colony
- Enjoy a river cruise on the Hooghly River
- Dinner at a local restaurant serving Bengali cuisine
- Day 13: Kolkata Historical Sites
- Visit Fort William and Howrah Bridge
- Explore Marble Palace and Indian Museum
- Enjoy a tram ride through the city
- Dinner at a traditional Bengali restaurant like Oh! Calcutta
- Day 14: Departure from West Bengal
- Check out from the hotel
- Transfer to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport or Howrah Junction Railway Station for departure
21 Days
Day 1-3: Kolkata Exploration
- Day 1: Arrival in Kolkata
- Pick up from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport or Howrah Junction Railway Station
- Check into a hotel in Kolkata
- Visit Victoria Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Indian Museum
- Dinner at a local restaurant serving Bengali cuisine
- Day 2: Kolkata Sightseeing
- Explore Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Belur Math
- Visit Marble Palace and Mother House (Missionaries of Charity)
- Dinner at a traditional Bengali restaurant like 6 Ballygunge Place
- Day 3: Sunderbans Day Trip
- Drive to Sunderbans National Park
- Enjoy a boat safari through the mangrove forests
- Spot wildlife like Royal Bengal tigers, crocodiles, and various bird species
- Dinner at a local restaurant near Sunderbans
Day 4-7: Darjeeling and Kalimpong
- Day 4: Darjeeling Arrival
- Fly or take a train to Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station
- Transfer to Darjeeling
- Check into a hotel and rest
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Darjeeling
- Day 5: Darjeeling Exploration
- Early morning visit to Tiger Hill for sunrise view over the Himalayas
- Visit Batasia Loop, Ghoom Monastery, and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
- Explore Darjeeling Mall and enjoy a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train)
- Dinner at a local restaurant serving Tibetan cuisine
- Day 6: Kalimpong Day Trip
- Drive to Kalimpong
- Visit Durpin Monastery, Deolo Hill, and Hanuman Tok
- Explore local markets for handicrafts and souvenirs
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Kalimpong
- Day 7: Darjeeling to Mirik Excursion
- Visit Mirik and enjoy boating on Sumendu Lake
- Explore Bokar Monastery and Mirik Church
- Visit tea gardens and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding hills
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Mirik
Day 8-11: Gangtok and Tsomgo Lake
- Day 8: Gangtok Arrival
- Drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim
- Check into a hotel and rest
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Gangtok
- Day 9: Tsomgo Lake Excursion
- Visit Tsomgo Lake and enjoy yak rides (subject to availability)
- Explore Baba Mandir and Nathula Pass (if permitted)
- Return to Gangtok and explore MG Marg for shopping and dining
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Gangtok
- Day 10: Gangtok Exploration
- Visit Rumtek Monastery and Enchey Monastery
- Explore Hanuman Tok and Ganesh Tok for panoramic views of the city
- Visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and Do Drul Chorten
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Gangtok
- Day 11: Gangtok to Pelling
- Drive to Pelling
- Visit Pemayangtse Monastery and Rabdentse Ruins
- Enjoy the scenic beauty of Kanchenjunga Falls and Rimbi Waterfalls
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Pelling
Day 12-14: Pelling and Ravangla
- Day 12: Pelling Sightseeing
- Visit Sangacholing Monastery and Khecheopalri Lake
- Explore Singshore Bridge, the highest bridge in Sikkim
- Visit Changey Waterfall and Sewaro Rock Garden
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Pelling
- Day 13: Pelling to Ravangla
- Drive to Ravangla
- Visit Buddha Park and Ralong Monastery
- Enjoy panoramic views of the Himalayas from Tathagata Tsal
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Ravangla
- Day 14: Ravangla Exploration
- Visit Temi Tea Garden and enjoy a tea tasting session
- Explore the Ravangla Market and buy souvenirs
- Visit Bonn Monastery and enjoy the peaceful surroundings
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Ravangla
Day 15-17: Kalimpong and Siliguri
- Day 15: Ravangla to Kalimpong
- Drive to Kalimpong
- Visit Durpin Monastery and Deolo Hill
- Explore local markets for handicrafts and souvenirs
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Kalimpong
- Day 16: Kalimpong to Siliguri
- Drive to Siliguri
- Visit Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and enjoy nature walks
- Explore local markets like Hong Kong Market and Cosmos Mall
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Siliguri
- Day 17: Siliguri Exploration
- Visit Salugara Monastery and ISKCON Temple
- Explore Surya Sen Park and Coronation Bridge
- Enjoy shopping for tea and handicrafts
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Siliguri
Day 18-21: Kolkata and Departure