Things to Do in West Bengal
The home of mouth-watering sweets, endangered wildlife, and awe-inspiring sights, West Bengal is a traveller’s delight. The quality and quantity of things to do in West Bengal often take travellers by surprise- so underrated is the adventure that the state is bursting with. There are a startling number of varieties that tourists can engage in, from adventure sports to treks that reveal some of the mightiest sights in the world, to cultural adventures that delight the eyes and palate. There are so many wonderful things to do in West Bengal that there will never be a boring moment during your trip.
The hustle and bustle that you find in the busy cities of West Bengal has a characteristically Bengali vibe to it- a vibe made up of the colourful displays of sweets in the shops, and the tantalizing smells of fish being cooked in the midst of the chaos caused by people rushing to get to their destinations and shops spilling their wares everywhere. It is a characteristic image, and a very beloved one. The bustling cities give West Bengal its tangy flavour, and add to its uniqueness. Spending some days exploring the various major cities and towns like Kolkata, Siliguri, Durgapur, or Asansol is a good way to spend time in West Bengal. City expeditions give you a great insight into how the cultures and traditions of the people have been preserved through the changing centuries and still burn strong today.
West Bengal is also a major pilgrimage destination, and many important shrines are located around the towns and cities. These shrines are hundreds of years old and have very powerful legends and enduring myths attached to them. Visits to these locations is an enriching experience and one of the best things to do in West Bengal.
With so much of adventure to enjoy and so many lovely foods to partake of, your visit to West Bengal is bound to be a landmark in your life.
Highlight of the place: The calm Sumendu Lake for its 80-ft. long bridge, boating, pony rides, and its charming promenade. Its lush orange orchards and tea plantations are a must-visit along with the Pashupati market for its Nepalese handicrafts & clothes. Other great attractions include the Bokar Monastery, Rameetay Dhara for its views of the Kanchenjunga, and the Mirik Church.
Best time to visit: Summer season of March-June. People who love snowfall and winter sports can visit in the winter months of November-February.
Dooars, tucked away in the Eastern Himalayan foothills, entices you with its verdant vistas, varied fauna, and intricate cultural heritage. Here, In the midst of the lush vegetation, you can discover peaceful towns, old temples, and historical landmarks. You can also go on exhilarating safaris in Gorumara and Jaldapara National Parks, or take in the tranquil beauty of Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Mandarmani is still not commercialised. Few number of tourists have left the place untouched, clean, and intriguing. The place is known for its luxury boutique resorts that make one’s stay even more memorable.
Highlight of the place: The Mandarmani beach is the main and the best highlight here known for being the longest motor-able beach in the country, its scenic beauty, red crab population, and watersports. The resorts here offer fun activities like beach biking, volleyball, etc. The shops here are known for beautiful Bengali handicrafts, seashells, authentic Bengali food.
Best time to visit: Winter months (November-February) are the best to visit due to cool weather and low humidity as against the uncomfortable heat of the summers & monsoons.
Highlight of the place: Visit the Gorumara National Park to explore the forests & grasslands and wildlife like Indian rhino, Bengal tigers, sloth bear, spangled drongo, brahminy duck, etc. Visit the Nature Interpretation Centre to know about the flora & fauna of the National Park and enjoy jungle safaris. Head over to the nearby Jayanti Mahakal Caves to explore their ancient ruins. Visit the riverside of Murti River to enjoy night camping and trekking along its banks.
Best time to visit: Winter months (November-February) due to cool weather and low humidity.
Highlight of the place: This park houses the second-highest number of Indian one-horned rhinos. Other wildlife species here include leopards, Royal Bengal tiger, spotted deer, wild boars, cobras, geckos, crested eagle, lesser-pied hornbill, etc.
Best time to visit: The winter months of September-March to enjoy the outdoors without the heat & humidity of summers. It remains closed each year from 15th June-14th September.
Sandakphu, located in West Bengal, India, is a breathtaking destination renowned for its panoramic views of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu. Situated at an altitude of 3,636 meters, it offers unparalleled trekking experiences amidst lush forests, meadows, and rhododendron blooms, attracting adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.
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West Bengal Things To Do FAQs
What are the best adventure activities to do in West Bengal?
West Bengal is an amazing adventure hub suited to all types of adventure enthusiast. There is no dearth of activities that one can indulge in here, from water sports and rock sports to aerial activities, West Bengal has it all. Some of the adventure activities that West Bengal is famous for include:
· Trekking
· Mountain Biking
· Rock Climbing
· River Rafting
· Paragliding
· Para-Sailing
· Water Zorbing
· Water Skiing
· Snorkelling
Where can I enjoy paragliding in West Bengal?
West Bengal has recently begun to gain popularity as a good paragliding destination in India. The mountainous region of the state allows visitors to indulge in adventurous paragliding while enjoying the beauty of the mountains. The thrill of flying over treetops and tea gardens and into the mists is a great experience, and should be tried when in West Bengal. Darjeeling and Kalimpong are especially well-known paragliding destinations in West Bengal though it also takes place on a smaller scale in other regions.
Which are the best places to do water sports in West Bengal?
There are many amazing water sports that people can enjoy in West Bengal, from sea-based water sports to river water sports. The beaches of West Bengal are good places to enjoy activities like parasailing, water skiing, and snorkelling while the rivers have unbelievably grand rapids for river rafting. Some places in West Bengal for water sports are:
· Sagardwip beach
· Digha
· Mandarmani
· Tajpur
Which are the best destinations for wildlife safari in West Bengal?
The forests of West Bengal are rich in natural beauty and house a majestic range of flora and fauna. These forests fall under conserved land and have been designated as wildlife sanctuaries, thereby providing a safe haven for many endangered species. Tourists can enjoy wildlife safaris in these sanctuaries and gain an interesting as well as educational experience. Some places to enjoy wildlife safaris in West Bengal are:
· Sundarban National Park
· Jaldapara National Park
· Gorumara National Park
· Neora Valley National Park
· Singalila National Park
· Buxa Tiger Reserve
· Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary
· Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary
Which are the most adventurous trekking routes in West Bengal?
Trekking in West Bengal is one of the most rewarding activities you can partake of in the state. Many of the popular routes afford trekkers a glimpse of the grand mountain peaks of the Himalayas, especially Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga. Most of the pine covered trek routes are easy to trek, but the views they reveal are among the most spellbinding in the world. Some treks in West bengal which will leave you with cherished memories include:
· Neythan Holy Cave Trek
· Sandakphu Trek
· Singalila Ridge Trek
· Bamon Pokhari Jungle Trek
· Phalut Trek
· Sabarka to Bijanbari trek
Which are the pilgrimage sites that are a must visit in West Bengal?
West Bengal is an important pilgrimage destination for many communities in India, and therefore there are many grandiose sites that can be visited in the state. The pilgrimage destinations in West Bengal are rich in mythological relevance, and have many deep rooted and awe-inspiring stories attached to them. A visit to the pilgrimage destinations in West Bengal allows tourists a glimpse into the rich cultural history of India, and especially West Bengal.
· Kolkata
· Bardhaman
· Bahula
· Ujaan
· Tarakeshwar
· Mayapur
· Dakshineswar Temple
· Kalighat Kali Temple
Which are the famous tea plantations in West Bengal?
West Bengal is extremely popular for its extensive tea plantations. The spice-scented plantations enrich the landscape with their vibrant green colours overhung with light mists. A tour of these plantations is a fairytale experience that allow you to immerse yourselves in the romantic beauty of the tea gardens while also gaining an understanding of the workings of tea plantations. Most of the tea plantations offer guided tours for the public and also have tea stores from where you can buy various varieties of fresh teas. Some great tea plantations you should visit in West Bengal include:
- Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling
- Happy Valley Tea Estate, Darjeeling
- The Cooch Behar Tea Estate, Darjeeling Foothills
- Nya Sylee Tea Estate, Nagrakata
- Castleton Tea Factory, Kurseong
- Ambootia, Kurseong
- Margaret's Hope Tea Garden, Darjeeling
How is nightlife in West Bengal? What are the things I can do at night in West Bengal?
West Bengal boasts of a vibrant nightlife with many kinds of interesting activities. The cities have an active culture of fun and frolic and tourists can find many places dedicated to good nightlife enjoyment in them. Kolkata is an especially popular nightlife destination in West Bengal, being one of the most important cities in the state with a strong partying culture. If you are in Kolkata, you can enjoy nightlife activities in clubs, bars and pubs like Roxy, Tantra, The Myx, UG Reincarcerated, Club Boudoir and more. There is fun to be had in the other towns and cities of West Bengal too. If you are not in the major cities but want to enjoy some nocturnal activities in West Bengal, you can enjoy night experiences like camping and stargazing too.
Which are some best road trip places in West Bengal?
The best way to enjoy West Bengal in a comprehensive way is to take a road trip there. A road trip in West Bengal allows you to enjoy the best of West Bengal’s countryside as you zoom across the wide roads through typical towns and quaint villages. Road trips in West Bengal may be enjoyed with cars as well as bikes. Some of the best routes to take road trips in West Bengal include:
· Kolkata to Mukutmanipur, Bankura
· Kolkata to Digha, Midnapur
· Kolkata to Mayapur, Nabadwip
· Kolkata to Shantiniketan, Birbhum
· Kolkata to Mandarmani, Midnapore
· Kolkata to Raichak, South 24 Pargana
· Kolkata to Jamshedpur
· Kolkata to Raichak
· Siliguri to Kurseong, Darjeeling
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