West Bengal

Bengal has a long history that dates back, before the Aryan invasions of India. Known as 'Gauda' or 'Vanga' in ancient Sanskrit literature, Bengal had a well settled civilization and culture. This fascinating land of the Hooghly, has a lot to offer to travelers. West Bengal’s terrain is varied: some of the highest mountains are found in the upper reaches of Darjeeling and the swampiest mangroves in the Sunderbans. If you are here, then do savor the Mishti Doi!

Main Attractions

Darjeeling
The word Darjeeling is a combination of two words 'dorje' meaning 'thunderbolt' and 'ling' meaning 'place' hence it means 'the Land of Thunderbolt'. Moving around in the town, one will find a large spread of tea gardens which add a lush beauty to the city. If you are in Darjeeling, the one thing which takes your breath away is the view of Kanchenjunga. Some of the chief attractions are Ghoom Monastery, Senchal Lake, Bengal Natural History Museum, Happy Valley Tea Gardens and the UNESCO world heritage Himalayan Railway.

Mirik
Mirik is a splendid hill resort. It is surrounded by tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations. The most prominent of tourist spots in Mirik is the Sumendu Lake. You can enjoy boat riding and fishing in the lake. Rameetay Dara and Deosi Dara are two hill-tops near the lake worth watching. You can also tour the place with a Horse ride. Apart from this,  you could visit Singha Devi temple and Dudhi.

Kolkata
Capital of West Bengal, Kolkata is known as the city of joy. With a history of 300 years, Kolkata is the oldest major port. The city brings forth the holy memory of Mother Teresa whose noble and benevolent services gave a new life to many. This city would be remembered evermore as the birth place of some of the memorable Indians such as Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray. The prominent places to look out for are Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, Kalighat temple, Eden gardens, Belur Math shrine, Fort William and many more.

Kurseong
A scenic hill station, Kurseong is affectionately called the Land of the White Orchid, Kurseong is redolent with the fragrance of this delicate blossom. Get to ride on the famous Toy Train as it chuffs valiantly along its route from Darjeeling to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. There are several short walks and long trails along the hill side. Visit Tiger Hill, the Balason river, Chimney, Shiv Mandir, Deer Park and Forest Museum.

Hotels in West Bengal

• ITC Hotel Sonar
• The Park Kolkata
• Sunflower Hotel
• Shangri La Hotel
• Landmark Hotel
• Walson Inn

Connectivity
Air: Kolkata has an international airport
Rail: Howrah on the west of Hooghly River and Sealdah to the east of the river are the two rail stations in Kolkata.
Road: National Highways (NH) - 2, 6, 31A, 31C, 31D, 32, 35, 41, 55, 60, 80, 81
State Highways (SH) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 10A, 11, 12, 12A.