From the mighty Himalayas to the greenery of Gangetic planes, from serene beaches to mangrove estuaries – West Bengal is a land of many natural splendours. Adding to its charm and appeal are the magnificent heritage architecture, colourful folk festivals, beautiful arts and crafts, traditional and contemporary music, theatre and films and delicious ethnic specialities that make West Bengal truly a brilliant experience offering unique diversities.

October to mid April is the best time to visit West Bengal, with February, March and November particularly lovely in Darjeeling. Remember that the temperature differences between coastal Kolkata and the Himalayas can be huge. In Kolkata, late April to late September is monsoon, with as many as 18 days of rain in July and August and temps in the mid 30°Cs. Expect high 20°Cs the rest of the year. In Darjeeling, though, it rarely tops 26°C, making it possible to visit in May, June and September. Monsoon, in July and August, is the only time to avoid. December and January are cold, from 5°C to 8°C.

Bengalis are well-known for their love for mach-bhat (fish and rice) and bhat-ghum (sleeping at noon). Nevertheless, there are lots of famous foods in West Bengal that can make your mouth water. This classic delicacy Mutton Kosha is a famous food in West Bengal. Mach (fish) is no doubt the favorite food of Bengal. There are several popular fish recipes. However, Macher Jhol holds a special significance in the Bengali hearts. The vegetarian delicacy Shukto is a traditional dish of Bengal. It is a side dish to have with rice. Roshogolla is one of the well-known deserts of Bengal. The softballs made of cottage cheese are mouth-watering. Mishti Doi (sweet yogurt) is a widespread sweet of Bengal and all over India. Sandesh is another well favored dessert of Bengal.

West Bengal is famous for its arts and crafts, its unique and beautiful ethnic wears, its delicious sweets and snacks as well as its premium quality tea. Once you are in West Bengal, you would not have to wander much for shopping.

When in West Bengal, make sure to buy the wonderful handicrafts and paintings of this state. Items of clay, conch, shoal, conch-shell, jute, cane and bamboo, brought from here, will prove to be something that you can cherish for a lifetime. Goods like carpets, mats, dhokra and metal cast items should also be a part of your shopping in West Bengal. If you love beverages, do not miss buying the premium quality organic tea of Darjeeling.

Bengali, the main language of the state, is spoken by much of the population. Other languages include Hindi, Santali, Urdu (primarily the language of Muslims), and Nepali (spoken largely in the area of Darjeeling).

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES – (AS OF JANUARY 2023)

• Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
• Sundarbans National Park

1. KOLKATA

Famously known as the City of Joy, Kolkata is, in every sense, the artistic, cultural and intellectual capital of the country. The most popular tourist spots in Kolkata include Victoria Memorial, a huge white-marble structure and the most enduring of remains of the British Raj in India. Indian Museum, built in 1874 is the oldest archaeological museum in India. Eden Garden is a small and pleasantly laid-out garden. The place also houses the renowned cricket ground by the same name. Birla Planetarium is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The tourist places in Kolkata are Fort William, Kali Mandir and Howrah Bridge.

Places to visit in Kolkata: Victoria Memorial, Fort William, Belur Math, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kali Mandir, Howrah Bridge

2. GANGA SAGAR (SAGARDWIP)

Sagardwip is a small island, a part of the Sunderbans group of islands. Sagardwip is at the confluence of the holy river Ganga (Ganges) and the Bay of Bengal, making it one of the most popular religious havens of the country. And the point where Ganga meets the sea is considered holy by Hindus.

Places to visit in Sagardwip: Sagar Beach, Saint Kapil Muni Temple, The Sagar Lighthouse, Bharat Seva Ashram, Onkarnath Temple, Ganga Sagar Mela

3. SUNDARBANS

Known for hosting the biggest mangrove forests in the world, Sundarbans National Park is located around 110 Km south of Kolkata in West Bengal, India. It is also a Tiger Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve famous for being the home of the Royal Bengal tigers, among others, including roaring rivers and beautiful estuaries. Sundarbans National Park is a part of the Sundarban delta, which extends into Bangladesh. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a large variety of birds and animal species, including reptiles such as salt-water crocodiles.

Shared between India and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest, was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1984.

Things to do in Sundarbans: Boat Tour of the Mangrove Forest, River Boat Cruise, Sightsee from the Watch Towers, Watch Turtles at Kanak Island

4. DARJEELING

The previous summer capital of India under the British Raj, Darjeeling has come off age as one of the most sought after hill stations in India. Located in West Bengal, this scenic hill station is the perfect getaway for a romantic honeymoon. Nestled amidst acres of tea plantations, Darjeeling stands at the height of 2,050 meters above sea level, thus boasting a cool climate all year round.

The toy train established back in 1881 is conferred the title of World Heritage Status by UNESCO. The train begins its journey from the plains and rises to over 2000 metres above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the mountains as it chugs along.

Places to visit in Darjeeling: Tiger Hill, Batasia loop, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Tea Plantations, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Ghoom Monastery, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling Ropeway

5. KALIMPONG

Kalimpong is a virgin hill station in West Bengal renowned for its panoramic valley views, Buddhists monasteries and churches and Tibetan handicrafts etc. 50 minutes east of Darjeeling, Kalimpong is a hill station on the foothills of Shivalik ranges at an altitude of 1250 m overlooking the Teesta Valley.

Places to visit in Kalimpong: Morgan House, Durpin Dara Hill, Deolo Hills, Cactus Nursery, Durpin Monastery

6. CHARKHOLE

Charkhole is one of the newest destinations on the Eastern Himalayas just 30 kms from Kalimpong. Situated 5200ft amidst the deep, moist woods of towering pine, cypress, oak and rhododendrons, this sleepy valley of Charkol is also a bird watcher’s delight. With the widest possible view of the snow capped view of mighty Kanchenjunga, Charkhol offers an mysterious warmth with honest hospitality, deep moist forest of huge Pine, Cypress, Oak, Shal and Rhododendrons.

Places to visit near Charkhole: Lolegaon, Lava, Neora Valley Forest, Kolakham & Changey Falls, Rishyap

7. DOOARS

The Dooars or Duars are the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in North-East India around Bhutan. Duar means door and the region forms the gateway to Bhutan from India. Dooars comprises of several towns and districts in this region including Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Siliguri, etc. Geographically, Dooars is blessed with such brilliance in its relief, imagine, the mighty range of mountains of the Eastern Himalayas in the backdrop, a band of thick forests, rich in species of Flora and Fauna, continued with tea gardens, and cut here and there by water body.

Places to visit in Dooars: Mahanada Wildlife Sanctuary, Sumsing and Suntalekhola, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

8. LATAGURI

Lataguri is a quaint settlement located just outside Gorumara National Park on National Highway No. 31. This small village affords you the splendor of Gorumara and Champramari National Park and also allows access to the famed Buxa Tiger Reserve which is a mere 2 hours away. This place is imprinted with beauty and charm.

Places to visit in Lataguri: Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Jayanti Mahakal Caves, Buxa Tiger reserve and Fort, Jaldhaka, Jalbong and Bindu

9. SANTINIKETAN

Known to few, mainly as Rabindranath Tagore’s home and now a university, Santiniketan is a small town located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. The town comprises mainly of Visva Bharati University.

The University was set up by Rabindranath Tagore’s father and later popularized by him to radically change the concept of education in India. Today, this beautifully laid out university and small sleepy town has acquired the status of a unique tourist haven, where lines of knowledge and aesthetic brilliance merge.

Places to visit in Santiniketan: Tagore’s Aashram, Amar Kutir, Rabindra Bhaban Museum, Chattimtala, Kala Bhavan

10. JALDAPARA NATIONAL PARK

Situated in the Eastern foothills of the Himalayas, the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary along with Gorumara National Park is famous for one horned rhinoceros, elephants and Bengal Tigers, spotted deers, barking deers, sambhar deers, bison, wild pig, hog deer and bison. You can also visit the Gorumara National Park nearby and the ruins of an old fort situated inside the Chilapata Forest. Since Jaldapara is famous for its innumerable elephants, you can take an elephant ride through the park. Alternately, you can also take the Safaris available on hire.

11. GORUMARA NATIONAL PARK

The Gorumara National Park is a site that you cannot miss to afford on your next trip. Spread over an area of 80 sq.km. It sits prettily at the foothills of Great Himalayan Mountains and has a large variety of flora and fauna. Full of riverine grasslands and moist deciduous forests, the place is especially famous for its Asiatic one-horned rhino, and also houses many other mammals, reptiles, insects and birds, including the majestic Asian elephants, the royal Bengal tigers and the Great Indian Hornbill.

Browse West Bengal Tour Packages