With mountains in the north and beaches in the south, the state offers several destinations that are perfect for a vacation, West Bengal is a topographically varied state. The capital city, Kolkata, is also a surprise for travellers. Rich with culture and heritage, this city will take you on a roller coaster ride of art, architecture and culinary brilliance.
A five-day travel plan in West Bengal is just not enough, but still, we have figured out a way to help you explore the best of this state in this limited time. Here is a five-days itinerary of West Bengal that will help you explore the picturesque landscapes of Bengal.
Getting Around
Getting around anywhere in West Bengal is not very difficult. The well-connected roadway and railway of the state make remote locations in the hills easily accessible for all the wanderlusts as well as the locals.
If you are travelling from another state, then you can take a flight to the Bagdogra or hop on a train to Siliguri Railway Station.
What to See and Do
North Bengal is a beautiful place to be and has some scenic locations that will re-energise you and make you work-ready after the vacation.
It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by road to reach Mirik from Siliguri Railway station. Mirik, a quaint little hilltown, lies right on the route to Darjeeling and provides an excellent location for some scenic beauty and pleasant weather. In comparison to other spots in the area, the hilltown's temperature is much milder (15 degrees to 30 degrees). One day is enough to explore this small town.
Morning
9:00 am - 10:00 am: Start your day with breakfast at the Park Restaurant, parked right next to the famous Mirik Lake. The place is a small cosy eating joint which serves both Indian and English breakfast. Don't forget to grab a window seat for a meal with a view!
10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Mirik Lake is the most popular spot for travellers here. The 1.25km long lake is also known as the Sumendu Lake. Surrounded by forest trails on one side, the lake is just the place to be on a sunny morning with friends, family or alone.
Afternoon
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: The monastery lies at a distance of only 3km away from the lake and is the highest (5600ft) point of the hilltown. Bokar Ngedon Chokhor Ling monastery provides a panoramic view of the lake and its nearby forested area. The interiors of the monastery are also equally pleasing.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: A little on the outskirts of the town, lies the Tingling View Point which has gained its name from a nearby tea garden with the same name. The viewpoint is an 8km drive away from the monastery and is a must visit for anyone who loves tea gardens. This viewpoint has the best view of the lush green tea garden of the district with misty clouds floating above them.
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Leave for Darjeeling. On your way grab some food at the Tashi Takey Restaurant located 26km away from the Tingling Viewpoint.
Evening
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Explore the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center built for Tibetian refugees. Get to know about their culture through the handicrafts at a display for visitors to buy.
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Get dinner at Penang Restaurant which serves Nepali, Thai and Tibetian cuisine. Visit this place to enjoy some authentic dishes from the region. Leave for Kurseong.
Kurseong is a beautiful hill station in West Bengal. Adorned with white orchids, tea gardens and hill slopes, this little town though crowded in some parts, are immensely pretty and perfect for a long vacation.
Morning
9:00 am - 10:00 am: Start your day with some delicious local breakfast at Kurseong's Circuit House.
10:00 am - 11:00 am: Ambootia Tea Garden is one of the many tea gardens in the region settled 10km from the Kurseong's Circuit House. It is famous for its production of black, white and green tea.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm: The Eagle's Crag is a hilltop viewpoint is 7.1km from the circuit and provides a stunning view of the tea estates and other plantations.
Afternoon
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: 2.4km away from Eagle's Crag is The Cochrane Place. Enjoy your lunch at this beautiful vintage property.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: The Giddhe Pahar View Point is 7.4km from the lunch place. It is open only during the day and is free of cost. Enjoy an amazing view of the valley from this viewpoint.
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Dow Hills forms a large part of Kurseong. Covered with lush green forests, this place has several historic educational centres, parks and museums to check out. The place is 9.6km away from the Giddhe Pahar View Point and has some beautiful imperial architectures to look.
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: St.Mary's Hill Church is another popular tourist spot in the area which is 6.6km from the Giddhe Pahar View Point.
Evening
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Taste some local tea at Margaret's Deck Tea Lounge which is 6km from the church. Along with good quality food, the restaurant is placed on a hillside which provides some stunning views of the landscape.
7:00 pm: Leave for Darjeeling which 22km from Kurseong
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm: End your day with a sumptuous dinner at the Glenary's Restaurant which is a multi-cuisine restaurant. This upscale restaurant is 100 years old and a must try.
Spread over 3000 sq km, Darjeeling is a scenic hilltown. With toy trains whistling through the woods and extensive tea gardens supplementing the beauty of Himalayan foothills, this destination is a popular tourist destination and attracts visitors in huge numbers during peak seasons.
Morning
9:00 am - 10:00 am: Begin your second day in the state with a sumptuous breakfast at the Magnolia, Mayfair. The place offers multiple cuisines in its delicious breakfast spread.
10:00 am - 11:00 am: If backpacking and climbing interest you, then the first place to begin your journey in Darjeeling must be this institute. The institute is 1km from the breakfast place. It has a museum with mountaineering artefacts, a boarding school, a food joint and a souvenir shop.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm: When in Darjeeling, a ropeway tour is a must try. The Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car service is only 3km from HMI. Enjoy a stunning bird's eye view of this beautiful hill station. The ropeway is open from 10 am to 4 pm. The ticket costs Rs200 per person.
Afternoon
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: The Peace Padoga is 1km from the Ropeway and provides a magnificent view from the top.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Batasia Loop is an excellent destination for photographers looking to capture the famous toy trains of Darjeeling. It is a loop of railway tracts consisting of a sharp bend. The viewpoint provides a location for beautiful landscapes adorned with mountains, waterfalls, tea gardens and streams.
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: 2km from Batasia Loop, Ghoom monastery is another interesting spot for travellers. Immerse yourself in the mystic surroundings of this monastery.
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Bite on some delicious food at Gatty's Cafe which is 6km away from Ghoom Monastery. The cafe is warm and cosy which makes it perfect for an afternoon meal.
Evening
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Also known as Chowrasta(where four roads meet), this place brings life to this peaceful town. Lined with several shops and eateries, Chowrasta is perfect to hang around and get to know the locals here. Fiesta Restaurant located in the mall area is a good option for dinner. End your day with some finger licking local cuisines here.
Morning
4:00 am - 8:00 am: Tiger Hill is located 11km away from the Darjeeling Town. The summit gives you a stunning view of the majestic Himalayas. Sunrise is the best time of the day to visit this place. As the sky changes its colour with sunrise, the snow-covered peaks get more surreal. Experience this early morning bliss only at Tiger Hills.
8:00 am - 9:00 am: After enjoying a majestic sunrise, make sure to grab some breakfast sold by local vendors at the Hills itself, a treat for any traveller.
9:00 am - 11:00 am: After breakfast leave for Kalimpong which is 50 km away from Darjeeling and will take about 2 hours to reach this another gem of a destination in the state.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Set on Durpin Dara hills, Durpin Monastery is one of the popular tourist destinations in Kalimpong and also holds religious.importance for many. From the top, the monastery also provides a bird's eye view of this quaint hill town.
Afternoon
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Deolo Hill is a parkland in Kalimpong and 5km away from the monastery. Set at 5000 ft above the sea level, this place has multiple viewpoints.
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Less than 2km away is the Soods Garden Retreat, where you can eat your heart out and get ready for a stroll in the Bazar.
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Walk through the lanes of the Haat Bazar and get to know the locals here. One could also buy souvenirs from this place.
Evening
4:00 pm: Leave for Lolegaon
Lolegaon, a small village in the Kalimpong district with picturesque landscapes. The village is 28km from the main town of Kalimpong. Untouched with commercialisation, this place is just perfect for a getaway.
Morning
9:00 am -10:00 am: Get your breakfast at the Tree-Fern Resort located in the village Lolegaon in the midst of rural wilderness.
10:00 am -11:00 am: Visit the Canopy Walk Kafer in Bokhim Khasmahal and is at a walking distance (750m ) from the resort. Cross this hanging bridge in the middle of woodlands.
11:00 am -1:00 pm: Leave for Lava which is 50km from Lolegaon
Afternoon
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Visit the Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery for a peaceful excursion. This monastery is also a retreat centre for many who are looking for a long stay.
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Nathula Forest Canteen, 850m ahead is a great place to grab some lunch and move forward towards the next destination.
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Neora Valley National Park is just 1.6km from the canteen and is home to exotic plants and animals. One can go for a safari in the national park.
Evening
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: After an exquisite wildlife adventure in the national park, head to Changey Waterfall which only 6.1km from the park for a brilliant view of a waterfall gushing down with high ranges of Kanchenjunga on all sides.
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm: Return for Darjeeling (80km)
9:30 pm - 10:30 pm: Have your last meal of the five days trip at Glenary's Bakery Restaurant & Pub, Near Clock Tower.
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