CAPITAL
KOLKATA
BEST TIME TO VISIT
November to FebruaryThis eastern state along the Bay of Bengal is famous for its rich literary, musical, artistic and cinematic heritage, and has been home to towering personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, Amartya Sen, Swami Vivekanand, among others. Besides its beautiful colonial architecture, it’s also renowned for its ancient temples, delectable cuisine and religious festivities during Durga Puja. The state harbours some of most spectacular natural landmarks like the mangrove forests in the Sundarbans, scenic hill stations, lush tea gardens, and several beautiful rivers.
HOW TO REACH FROM DELHI
The fastest way to reach Kolkata from Delhi is by air and it takes around two hours. The one-way air fare starts from Rs.4,744 on Skyscanner, for a February booking. The cheapest option is the train, which can take 17-28 hours depending on the train. The sleeper class fares start from Rs.635, while the class 2A fares start from Rs.2,385 on Ixigo.
Cost by air
Rs.4,744
(Delhi-Kolkata, 2 hrs 5 mts)
Cost by train
Rs.2,385 onwards
(Class 2A, 17-28 hrs)
*One way, per person. Flight cost on Skyscanner. Train cost on Ixigo.
WHERE TO STAY
While high-end, star hotels and resorts are available in bigger cities, in smaller towns, 3-star properties can be had for as low as Rs.1,500 per night. For budget stay, check government guest houses, homestays and hotels (https://wbtdcl.wbtourismgov. in/home) that will cost Rs.2,000-4,000, or the Panchayat Tourism options (https://prdtourism.wb.gov.in/frontend/booking/property) starting at Rs.250-500 a night.
COST:Rs.27,000 for 9 nights
WHAT TO EAT
Bengali cuisine imbibes Mughal, Persian and Arabic influences. Rice is a staple, fish is the most loved protein, but chicken and mutton are popular, while desserts are renowned nationwide. Top delicacies include macher jhol (fish curry), kosha mangsho (mutton curry), mochar ghonto (banana flower, coconut, potato dish), chollar dal (lentil), shorshe ilish (fish dish), shukto (vegetable stew). Desserts include rasgulla (paneer balls in sugar syrup), sandesh (curdled milk sweet), ras malai (paneer balls in milk), and mishti doi (sweetened yoghurt).
COST: Rs.1,000-2,000 per person, per day
WHAT TO DO
NATIONAL PARKS
Sundarbans (South 24 Parganas); Buxa Tiger Reserve (Alipurduar); Gorumara (Jalpaiguri); Neora Valley (Kalimpong); Singalila (Darjeeling); Jaldapara (Alipurduar). There are 16 wildlife and bird sanctuaries as well.
MONUMENTS & SITES
Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Fort William, Mother House, Indian Museum, Clive House (Kolkata); Dakhil Darwaza (Malda); Pandua Minar (Hooghly), Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Darjeeling).
PALACES
Cooch Behar palace (Cooch Behar); Hazarduari, Kathgola, Cossimbazar rajbari (Murshidabad); Jhargram rajbari (Jhargram); Itachuna rajbari (Hooghly); Mahishadal rajbari (Purba Medinipur).
TEMPLES
Dakshineswar Kali temple (North 24 Parganas); Belur Math (Howrah); Darjeeling Peace Pagoda (Darjeeling); Taraknath temple (Hooghly); Nandikeshwari temple (Birbhum); Birla temple (Kolkata), among many others.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
DAY 1-2: KOLKATA
The must-visit sites here are the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Fort William, Mother House and Clive House. Also check out the various palaces in the city, savour the traditional Bengali food and take a relaxing cruise down the Hooghly river.
DAY 3-4: SUNDARBANS
You can take a car, train or bus from Kolkata to reach any of the entry points for the mangrove forests, from where you will have to take a boat. Though one-day tours are available, it’s best to keep 2-3 days for a fuller, richer trip.
DAY 5: MURSHIDABAD
Drive down in 5-6 hours. Visit the Hazarduari palace, Kathgola palace and gardens, Cossimbazar Rajbari, Katra Masjid and Kosh Bagh. Also visit the many temples dotting the city along the Bhagirathi river.
DAY 6: SHANTINIKETAN
Arrive in three hours. Visit the Vishwa Bharati University, Rabindra Bhavan, Kala Bhavan, Shantiniketan Griha,Uttarayan complex, Upasana Griha and Chhatimtala.
DAY 7-9: DARJEELINGMIRIK-KALIMPONG
You could take a cab or train+taxi to Darjeeling. Ride the toy train, visit monasteries and tea estates, stroll down the Darjeeling Mall road and watch the sunrise from Tiger Hill. Take day trips to Mirik (visit the lake) and the beautiful Kalimpong. Check out the Haat Bazaar, Lepcha Museum and enjoy the local cuisine.
DAY 10: FLY/ DRIVE BACK TO KOLKATA, THEN DELHI
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