WELCOME TO WEST BENGAL
DARJEELING (6,950 ft.)
Summer months from April to June are great for Darjeeling tourism as the climate is at its best during these months and there are so many outdoor activities to explore. The temperature is mild during the summer season. It is usually around 25°C. 5 to 7 days are sufficient to have leisure time in Darjeeling and around Gangtok.
Arrival / Departure to - from Darjeeling
A: NJP Rly Station / IXB Airport (75 km / 3 hrs)
Meet & Greet on arrival Railway Station / Airport & transfer to Darjeeling. For departure, transfer to Railway Stn/airport for your onward journey.
B: Gangtok (100 km / 5 hrs)
The drive is typically about 4 - 5 hours long, and quite scenic.
Darjeeling Sightseeing early morning (4 :00 AM)
Visit Tiger Hill (Subject to Availability of Permit).
Start at 8.30 AM for Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, P.N. Zoological Park (Thursday closed), Tenzing Rock, Ropeway, Tibetan Refugee self-help, Japanese Temple, Ghoom Monastery, Batasia loop
Mirik Excursion (49 KMs / 2 hrs One Way)
After breakfast, full day excursion trip to Mirik Lake (4,902 ft.) via Indo-Nepal Border (extra vehicle charges will apply for Nepal Border to Pasupati Market).
Mirik is famous for its man-made Sumendu Lake, Cardamom plantations and Tea Estates. (Boating in lake available).
KALIMPONG
There is a myriad of exciting things you can do, like paragliding in Kalimpong and climbing Deolo Hill to take in the scenic views of the mountains. In Autumn or Spring, watch the beautiful flowering wild poinsettia and bougainvillea along the way to the hills.
Arrival / Departure to - from Kalimpong
A: NJP Rly Station / IXB Airport (76 kms / 3 hrs)
Meet & Greet on arrival Railway Station / Airport & transfer to Kalimpong. For departure, transfer to Railway Stn / airport for your onward journey.
B: Darjeeling (55 kms/3 hrs)/Gangtok (75 kms/3 hrs)
The drive is typically about 2.5 - 3 hours long, and quite scenic.
Kalimpong Sightseeing
Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center; Tharpa Choling Monastery; Thongsa (Bhutan) Monastery; Dharmodaya Vihar; Parnami Mandir and Mangal Dham; Deolo ViewPoint: Kalimpong famous flower nurseries.
Durpin Danda from where the mountain ranges of Sikkim, including Jelepla, Tiger Hill, and the confluence of the Relli, Riang, and Tista rivers can be views Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery at Durpin Danda
KOLKATA (THE CITY WITH A SOUL)
Kolkata is known as the “cultural capital of India” for the city’s historical and architectural significance. The best time to visit Kolkata is from November to February, after the monsoon season when the weather is the coolest and temperatures range from around 25-12 degrees Celsius.
Kolkata Sightseeing
Kolkata city tour covering Mother House, Victoria Memorial Hall, Birla Temple, Kalighat Temple, Netaji Bhavan, Indian Museum, Musical Fountain show in Mohorkunjo, River Cruise on Ganges.
Other important sightseeing in & around city include touring to Belur Math, Dakhineshwar Temple, Bandel Church, French Colony in Chandanagore, Imambara Hooghly, Bansberia, Tarapith, Shantiniketan, Bishnupur etc.
Full day excursion to Gangasagar – An island in the confluence of River Ganga & Bay of Bengal & famous for Kapil Muni Ashram which is considered to be a great religious significance
ISKCON Mayapur
Mayapur is a city located on the banks of the Ganga river, at the point of its confluence with the Jalangi, near Nabadwip, West Bengal, India, 130 km north of Kolkata.
Visit to temple of Srila Prabhupada Samadhi Mandir and museum, Sri Radha Madhava, Panchatattva and Narsimha Deva, Chaitanya Leela exhibition, Goshala, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Janmasthana, and 24 hours Bhajan Kutir etc.
An exotic boat ride in the Ganges river, to witness beautiful sunsets over the river.
SUNDARBAN WILDELIFE – LAND OF ROYAL BENGAL TIGER
Reaching Godkhali through the rural villages of Bengal; departing by Boat to Sajnekhali - one of the entry points of Sundarban National Park. Afternoon cruise through Jatirampur Bird Sactuary to enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Visit Sajnekhali watch tower. Enjoy a thrilling boat cruise inside Bonobibi Bharani (narrow creek) and dense mangrove forest through numerous rivers while visiting Do-banki Watch Tower where the canopy walk inside the forest sends chill down your body (experience the life in which caged animals live in, while getting an all around view of the forest).
Also visit the Spotted Deer Rehabilitation Centre. Cruise through Matla Sea Face (the point from where Bay of Bengal can be seen) cruising back through the 5 river junction - to Pitchkhali.
Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower and cruise through rivers and Narrow creeks of Pitchkhali- Sarakkhali - Sudhanyokhali and enjoy a panoramic view from Watch Tower. Later cruise around the Islands of the Sunderban Tiger Project Area.
COASTAL BENGAL
Digha & New Digha
Digha is the flat hard beach, which stretches for miles. It is one of the widest beaches in the world. The scenic beauty of Digha is charming and alluring. Arguably known for providing the best sunset view in the entire Bengal. Casuarina plantations along the coastline have not only added to its grace but also help to reduce the erosion of the dunes.
Visit Science Centre established by the National Council of Science Museums, Marine Aquarium and a small park with lake called Amaravati.
Mandarmani
Mandarmani is the spectacular beach named after the thousands of red crabs that crawl on the sands resembling the “Mandar” flower. Walk around the beaches to enjoy the view of the sunset. It is argued to be the longest driveable (drive in) beach in India. The sea beach is very clear due to high and low tide everyday.
Evening shopping at Sea-side for unique ornaments & showpieces made out of Shell.
Bakkhali
Bakkhali is located on one of the many deltaic islands. The south facing crescent shaped beach of Bakkhali is one of the rare ones in the world that offer great views of both sunrise and sunset.
It is a hard beach suitable for cycling or even driving. Tourist attractions in Bakkhali are Bakkhali Watch Tower, Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project in Sundarbans, Sagar Island, Jambu Dwip, Fraserganj. Bakkhali can be visited in summer, monsoon or winter.
HISTORICAL TOUR OF BENGAL
Malda
Malda (nestled at the confluence of the Mahananda and Kalindi rivers) is famous for mango cultivation. Visit famous ancient Temple Johura Kalibari, established by Raja Bollal Sen. Visit Adina Mosque (probably the 3rd largest in the world), Pandua, Eklakhi Mosque.
Gaur has immense archeological value. Visit Bara (or Boro or Baro) Sona Mosque, Dakhil (or Salami) Darwaja, Qadam Rasul Mosque Ramkeli, Firoz Minnar, Kadam Rasul, Chika Masjid, Malda Museum and Subhankar Park.
Murshidabad -Berhampur
Situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi and a city of splendors & famous for its silk. Watch silk being extracted from silkworm cocoons and spun into fine thread for weaving.
Also a center for shola pith (Indian cork) carving – used by Artisans to create beautiful decorative objects and bridal headwear.
Visit The Hazarduari Palace, Nasipur Palace, Nizamat Imambara, Jahankosha Cannon, Khosh Bagh, Jafarganj Cemetery and Katra Masjid.