City: West Bengal
Top Things to do in West Bengal
Top Hotels in West Bengal
- 1. Sinclairs Darjeeling
- 2. Ibis Kolkata Rajarhat
- 3. The Oberoi Grand
- 4. ITC Royal Bengal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kolkata
- 5. Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences
- 6. Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata
- 7. Ramada by Wyndham Darjeeling Gandhi Road
- 8. Sinclairs Retreat Kalimpong
- 9. The Peerless Inn
- 10. Regenta Orko's Kolkata by Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd
Things to do in West Bengal, India: The Best Nature & Parks
West Bengal (/wɛst bɛŋˈɡɔːl/) is an Indian state, located in Eastern India on the Bay of Bengal. With over 91 million inhabitants (as of 2011), it is India's fourth-most populous state. It has an area of 88,752 km (34,267 sq mi). A part of the ethno-linguistic Bengal region, it borders Bangladesh in the east, and Nepal and Bhutan in the north. It also borders the Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and Assam. The state capital is Kolkata (Calcutta), the seventh-largest city in India. As for geography, West Bengal includes the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region, the Ganges delta, the Rarh region, and the coastal Sundarbans. The main ethnic group are the Bengalis, with Bengali Hindus forming the demographic majority.
Restaurants in West Bengal
1. Sandakphu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By EkMusafir - Pune, India
The trekking route to Sandakphu, the highest peak in West Bengal, runs through the Singalila National Park. The southern entry point to the park is at the Forest Check Post at Manebhanjang, 51 km from Darjeeling. We have to pay the entry charges at the check post, which was about ₹100 per head per day in March 2020 when we went. Forest and trek guides can be hired from the town. The 32 km trek route from Manebhajang to Sandakphu (height about 11,930 feet above mean sea level) and Phalut (21 km from Sandakphu) can be done over 2 to 4 days depending on the route, weather and your capacity to trek, and an equal number of days for the return. We decided to do the Jeep Safari, with a bit of trekking. We had to hire a 4 wheel drive Mahindra Jeep or a 1960s vintage British make Land Rover, with an experienced driver from the Manebhanjang Land Rover Association. The Jeep can cover the 32 km uphill climb in 4 or 5 hours with tea stops on the way. Since the ascent is very steep and bumpy, from 7000 feet to almost 12000 feet, we decided to take a couple of night halts to acclimatise ourselves. Keep in mind that the road is very rocky and uneven, and not advisable for the very old and infirm. There are some lodges and trekker’s huts at small villages on the Indo-Nepal border, along the route. We passed the villages of Chitray, Meghma, Gairibas, Tonglu, Tumling, Kalipokhri, Bhikaybanjang and finally reached Sandakphu. The beautiful views of the forests of bamboo, pine and fir trees, with the blooming rhododendron flowers in March and April, and the grand views of the Himalayan peaks of the Kanchenjunga range, Lhotse, Makalu and Everest along the route more than made up for the inconveniences of a bumpy Jeep ride and the cold nights in the mountains. Spotting wild animals like snow leopard, red panda or black bears is a rarity but they do inhabit the Singalila National Park. Sighting birds like Khalij Pheasant, Wood Pigeons, Scarlet Minivets and Babblers was more common.
2. Sundarbans
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
A huge tract of mangrove forest is one of the remaining homes of the endangered Bengal tiger.
Reviewed By inesberna
The tour starts from Khulna early in the morning (around 06:00). Cost 11.000 Tk for Bangladeshi people and 15.000 Tk for foreigners. You can make the payment either in Dhaka or Khulna. Food and drinking water are provided. There was plenty of food, served very often and everything was really tasty. There are sinks, toilets and showers in the boat. We did not used the showers, but the toilets and sinks were very clean. The cabin size was reasonable for 2 people and the beds were very comfortable. You can charge your phones, cameras, tablets, etc. during a few hours in the evening. The program includes several activities, which are adjusted to the weather conditions, participants, etc. We did several walks in the jungle and trips in small boats along the canals, in order to try to spot wildlife. We saw crocodiles, monkeys, deers, wildboars and many types of birds. We did not see any tiger, but found many fresh footprints. We really enjoyed the boat trip. It was very relaxing and the landscape is amazing (flora, fishing boats, small houses, etc.). The guide and his crew were very skilled, friendly and helpful and did a great job organizing the whole trip (activities, meals, cleaning, cruising, etc.).
3. Tinchuley Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By Meharbansingh00 - Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Italiano : Che vista meravigliosa . Questo posto si trova sul strada da gangtok a darjeeling. Questo posto ti offer dalla attezza vedere fiume che passa mezzo le montagne. Stati le per mezzo ora solo guarda la bellessa di natura. Ci sono anche bancarella per mangiare e bere. English:-What a Amazing View Point. This place is located on the road from gangtok to darjeeling. This place offers you from the height to see a river that passes through the mountains. Stay there for half an hour just look at the beautiful nature. There are also food and drink stalls.
4. Kanchenjunga Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,012 reviews
Reviewed By UNCLESAM911 - Muscat, Oman
Seeing the sunrise kissing the peak of the mountain is a must if you can bear the pain of getting up early at 4 AM to be able to reach the tiger point to catch a glimpse of the sunray bursting out over horizon setting the peak literally on fire with all visitors across furiously clicking to capture the savoury moment for posterity . It is one feeling that lingers on in some dingy corner of your brain and your mind will scream for more.
5. Dooars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
Reviewed By Koel_Maj - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
This Durga Puja we thought of spending few days in Dooars(the doorway of the Himalayas).This was a much needed holiday after lockdown. In Dooars we stayed at Tilabari tourist lodge for three nights and in Murti tourist lodge for two nights. Both these resorts are maintained well by West Bengal Tourist Development Corporation. In Dooars we visited Gorumara national park and Chapramari wildlife sanctuary. Gorumara National Park is a medium-sized park with grasslands and forests. It is primarily known for its population of Indian one horned rhinoceros. We went for Jatraprasad watch tower tour and jungle safari inside Gorumara national park which has the highest tourist demand. Chapramari wildlife sanctuary is a small-sized forest primarily known for its population of elephants , wild bison, different types of birds etc. There is a railway track that passes through the chapramari forest. Chapramari forest is situated around 25 kms from Lataguri. We went for Chapramari watch tower tour inside Chapramari jungle which also has a high tourist demand.Although spotting wildlife inside a forest is totally based on luck, we were lucky enough to spot some. Watch tower tours are arranged in four slots, and jungle safari tours are arranged in two slots. You can choose a slot according to your convenience. It is mandatory to carry an ID card and a xerox copy of the ID card while booking these tours.Watch tower tours can be booked both online and offline whereas jungle safari tours as of now can only be booked from the local counters. I have seven videos on my YT Channel TravellersLens about this Dooars series. I have provided all the information in details which may help you plan your travel. So do check them out also.
6. Rabindra Sarovar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 237 reviews
Reviewed By Mitesh5556 - Dhanbad, India
The lake is surrounded by gardens, children's park an auditorium, making it a popular recreational spot perfect for idyllic picnics making it one of the unique places to visit in Kolkata.
7. Eco Tourism Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 936 reviews
Reviewed By anirbanmdr - Bardhaman District, India
It takes a lot of time to visit all the places. We visited replicas of seven wonders, Mask park, rose garden, musical fountain, replica of Ghoom station, Mist garden, tropical gardens, Rain garden, Butterfly fountain, rose garden, formal garden, wild flowers garden and replica of Eiffel Tower. By the time we reached Japanese gardens it was well past 7 and counter was closed. It is so big here that you can easily lose your way, specially in night.
8. Tajpur Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By ArinP34
Unlike the series of beaches starting from mandarmani to gopalpur.....tajpur is much more cleaner, serene and less crowded. There area series of resort adjoining the beach and are almost affordable. The shacks located right in the beach are bingo and gives a goa feeling ???? . While all of them sells beer @200 for tuborg strong(i guess illegally) and allows to booze in their premises provided that you take the snacks from them. A pair of pomfret or crabs @300. Country chicken 1 kg including preparation@400. Prawn pair @150. The fun is that they keep live fishes/crabs/chickens and freshly cooks them as u order, so u get a super fresh food. However offlate the same shack culture has stated in mandarmani also where the rates are cheaper (perhaps introductory offer). Tajpur seems very spinechilling after sunset. Highly recommended for a small visit
9. Ajodhya Hill and Forest Reserve Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By Amit29g - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
Enjoy nature within six hours of driving off Calcutta. Enjoy the vast expanse and fresh ozone laced air.
10. Murguma
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By prasantabiswas
It was a aswame trip...the best location in Murguma...food was extraordinarily testy. We will must visit once again only because of food
