West Bengal

Beautifully showcasing India's cultural amalgamation, West Bengal offers a beautiful blend of striking art forms, vibrant festivals, thrilling wildlife and abundance of nature. Though the state still holds its tradition close to its heart, it has managed to make its mark on the world map as a modern metropolis of India.

Below are some of the major attractions of West Bengal

Darjeeling - Adorning West Bengal with emerald vistas, flourishing valleys, fresh ambience and serenity that touch the heart Darjeeling is a delight that one must explore in a lifetime. The city is extremely popular among honeymooners seeking a place to escape the worldly chaos. The climate of Darjeeling remains equally pleasurable all year long, which maintains its popularity forever.

Kolkata - A frame of rich cultures, deeply rooted history and astonishing literature and art Kolkata is a sheer paradise for those willing to take a plunge in India's real colours. This is the place which gave birth to the Nobel Prize winning writer Rabindranath Tagore. This is the place that echoes the colonial glory of Victoria Memorial. And this is the place that houses India's finest golf courses.

Kalimpong - A virgin hill station located in West Bengal, Kalimpong is a serene adobe of Mother Nature. It is home to a string of Buddhists monasteries and churches which add to the beautiful vistas of the hill station. This place is renowned among family vacationers and honeymooners seeking an escape from the swarming city life.

Sunderbans - Sundarbans is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing ecological processes. The area is known for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python.

Siliguri Endowed with natural scenic beauty, SIliguri attracts numerous tourists all year round. The white snow-clad mountain peaks of the great Himalayan Ranges here are something one shouldn't miss. The Kanchenjunga stadium and the Hong Kong market are among the famous tourist attractions here. Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, located nearby, is also a great place to visit for a safari.

Weather Conditions in West Bengal
The best time to visit West Bengal is between October and March. This is an ideal time to avoid the humid climate of the state and to enjoy the festivities of Durga Puja and Teesta Tea and Tourism fest. Those planning to visit Darjeeling and Kalimpong can plan their holiday from mid-September to mid-December. After December month, the hills get covered with thick snow, making trekking and mountaineering next to impossible.

The state experiences extreme hot and humid summers that run from April to June month. This is not the ideal time to relish sightseeing attractions.

How to Reach West Bengal
By Air - The international airport of West Bengal, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, is located in Kolkata. Along with domestic flights, the airport also offers regular flights from Europe and the Orient

By Train - Those planning on visiting the state by train can de-board at the Howrah Railway Station and Sealdah Railway Station in Kolkata.

By Road - Roads of the state are also well planned and thus, road travel to West Bengal also offers great pleasure.