West Bengal, a land of diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, offers a unique travel experience. From the bustling streets of Kolkata to the tranquil beauty of the Sunderbans, this 11-day West Bengal itinerary will take you through the essence of West Bengal. Prepare to be enchanted by its colonial heritage, lush tea gardens, serene mountains, and unique wildlife.
Where Does Our Itinerary Begin?
I started my 9-day travel in West Bengal from the capital city Kolkata. So, if you are from any part of India or the world, make sure to reach Kolkata on the first day of your 11-day West Bengal itinerary.
How To Reach Kolkata?
Kolkata is the home of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. So, you can book flight tickets to reach Kolkata from major cities in India. As this is an international airport, you can also reach Kolkata directly from foreign countries.
Do check out my posts on 8-Day Goa itinerary and 8-day Rajasthan itinerary.
In case, you are travelling from other parts of India, you can travel by train. Kolkata houses 4 important railway stations. So, you can book trains via the IRCTC website or app to reach one of the following Railway Stations in the city:
- Howrah Railway Station
- Shalimar Railway Station
- Kolkata Railway Station
- Sealdah Railway Station
Even, buses operate from major Indian cities to Kolkata. So, if you are travelling from nearby cities or towns, you can also choose a bus trip to reach Kolkata. Otherwise, you can drive your vehicle as well to reach Kolkata. Many private taxi operators also help passengers reach Kolkata by hiring a taxi.
Read my post on the 10-day Andhra Pradesh itinerary.
Now, you know how to reach Kolkata by different modes. You should know where to stay in Kolkata to ensure your comfort.
Where to Stay in Kolkata?
Kolkata offers different accommodation options to suit your budget and style.
- For luxury, consider The Oberoi Grand or ITC Royal Bengal, boasting opulent settings and impeccable service.
- Experience heritage charm at The Peerless Hotel or The Lalit Great Eastern.
- Mid-range options like Zone by the Park or Hyatt Regency Kolkata provide comfort and convenience.
- Budget travellers can explore Astor Hotel or Holiday Inn Express for a comfortable stay.
Remember, Kolkata’s heartthrobs are near Maidan, so staying central allows easy access to sights. So, plan and book your accommodation accordingly. If you plan to come back to Kolkata, my post on the 5-day Kolkata itinerary can help you.
My 11-day West Bengal itinerary
Now, let us consider that you are reaching or already reached Kolkata before our itinerary begins. So, our day 1 exploration begins at Kolkata.
Day 1 & 2: Reaching and Exploring Kolkata
Day 1: Reach Kolkata and visit Victoria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral
You might be reaching Kolkata on the first day morning. Check in to your accommodation and freshen up. Complete your breakfast if your accommodation offers a complimentary breakfast. Otherwise, finish your breakfast near your accommodation.
Morning: Victoria Memorial
After finishing your breakfast, visit the Victoria Memorial. This is an iconic symbol of the British Raj in India. Explore the museum inside, which houses a rich collection of artefacts.
When you visit this place, you will spend around 4 to 5 hours there. After exploring, finish your lunch near the attraction. After lunch, you can return to your accommodation to rest for a few hours.
Evening: St. Paul’s Cathedral
In the evening, go to St. Paul’s Cathedral. This is a magnificent Anglican cathedral known for its Gothic architecture.
After spending a few hours in the cathedral, finish your dinner near the attraction. Must-try dishes include fish curry, rice, and mishti doi (sweet yoghurt).
Check out my post on 7-day Andaman & Nicobar Islands itinerary.
Day 2: Indian Museum and Hooghly River
On the second day of your 11-day West Bengal itinerary, you can finish your breakfast and head to the Indian Museum.
Morning: Indian Museum
Visit the Indian Museum, the largest and oldest museum in India, housing an extensive collection of antiques, fossils, and artefacts.
After you leave the museum, explore the bustling New Market, a shopper’s paradise with various goods ranging from clothes to handicrafts.
Lunch
After shopping, it will almost be lunchtime. To finish your lunch, get to the Coffee House. This is an iconic eatery and a meeting place for intellectuals and students. After lunch, you can reach your accommodation to take a rest for a few hours.
Read my post on the 10-day Maharashtra itinerary.
Evening: Hooghly River
- Take a stroll along the Hooghly River and enjoy a boat ride to witness the mesmerising sunset.
- Visit the Howrah Bridge, a bustling landmark of Kolkata, beautifully lit up in the evening.
For dinner, head to one of the best restaurants in Kolkata. After dinner, reach your accommodation to conclude the most fulfilling day. Also, my post on 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary may help you.
Day 3 & 4: Kali Temple, Rabindra Sadan and Travel to Sundarbans
Day 3: Kali Temple and Rabindra Sadan
Morning: Visit the Kali Temple
Your Kolkata exploration cannot be completed without a visit to the famous Kali Temple. This temple dedicated to the goddess Kali is popular not only across India but also across the world. Based on the rush, it might take a few hours to finish your darshan. A visit to this temple is one of the best things to do in Kolkata.
After darshan, finish your lunch near the temple. You can find many vegetarian restaurants near the temple. After lunch, you can reach your accommodation for a few hours of rest. To reach your hotel, you can hire the Yellow Cabs in Kolkata.
Evening: Cultural Show at Rabindra Sadan
Yet another thing that you should not miss out on in Kolkata is to watch a cultural show at Rabindra Sadan also called Nandan. By participating, you can learn about the rich cultural heritage of the state.
After spending a few hours, finish your dinner before heading to your accommodation. This is how your third day on the 11-day West Bengal itinerary ends.
Day 4: Travel to Sundarbans
Sundarbans is located around 110 km away from Kolkata. So, before you start from Kolkata on the fourth day, finish your breakfast near or in your accommodation. It is indeed one of the best places to visit near Kolkata.
My post on 11-Day Madhya Pradesh Itinerary might help you.
Morning: Travel to Sundarbans
Start from your accommodation after finishing your breakfast. It will take around 2 to 3 hours. If you plan to finish your breakfast en route, it will take even 4 hours to reach Sundarbans from Kolkata.
Where to Stay in Sundarbans?
Choosing the right accommodation in the Sundarbans depends on the experience you seek. Here are a few options:
Luxury Experience: For a luxurious stay amidst nature, consider Hotel Sonar Bangla Sundarbans. This eco-friendly property offers plush amenities and a focus on sustainable practices.
Rustic Charm: Opt for Sunderban Tiger Camp or Royal Sundarban Wild Resort for a more rustic experience. These resorts provide comfortable accommodation amidst the wilderness, often with included meals and boat safaris.
Budget-friendly Stays: For a more affordable option, consider government-run tourist lodges like WBTDC Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge or explore ecotourism resorts like Ecotourism Sunderban Tiger View Point Resort.
These options offer basic amenities but allow you to experience the beauty of the Sundarbans without breaking the bank. You also have the option to Check into your eco-resort or houseboat in the Sundarbans.
You will reach Sundarbans in the afternoon or evening based on when do you start from Kolkata. If you arrive by the afternoon, you can take rest for a few hours of rest before you leave your accommodation for dinner.
Dinner
Enjoy a traditional dinner at your resort. You can relax in the natural beauty and tranquillity of Sundarbans.
Day 5 & 6: Sundarbans Exploration and Shantiniketan Trip
Day 5: Exploring Sundarbans
Morning
Finish your breakfast on the fifth day of your 11-day West Bengal itinerary before starting your Sundarbans Exploration. Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest mangrove forest in the world. The journey includes a combination of road and boat travel.
Afternoon
After your lunch, you can take a boat safari to explore deeper into the Sundarbans. Then, visit the Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower for a chance to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
Evening
Visit a local village to experience the lifestyle and culture of the people living in the Sundarbans.
After this exploration, finish your dinner and with this, the 5th day of your 11-day West Bengal itinerary comes to an end.
Read my post on 9-day Punjab Itinerary.
Day 6: Travel to Shantiniketan
Your 11-day West Bengal itinerary will not become wholesome unless you visit Shantiniketan. However, the distance from Sundarbans to Shantiniketan is around 240 km. So, you will have to travel by road, it will take around 5-6 hours to reach Shantiniketan. So, you will be spending almost the entire day travelling.
If you start early from Sundarbans, you can finish your breakfast en route. However, make sure that you start your journey after having a cup of tea or coffee. In turn, you will feel refreshed through your journey. After covering a few kilometres, you can finish your breakfast in a good restaurant.
Where to Stay in Shantiniketan?
Shantiniketan offers a unique blend of heritage stays and nature retreats. Here’s a glimpse:
- Heritage Homestays: Immerse yourself in local culture with a stay at a heritage homestay. Options like Aayna Homestay or Ananda Raj Heritage Homestay provide a glimpse into Bengali hospitality and are located near Tagore’s Ashram.
- Nature Resorts: Embrace tranquillity at resorts like The Mud House or Mayas. These properties offer comfortable accommodation amidst greenery, often with on-site spas and yoga facilities.
- Budget-friendly Guest Houses: For a pocket-friendly stay, explore guest houses like Nibhriti Guest House or Panthashala. These offer basic amenities but are strategically located near key attractions.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your preference for heritage charm, nature immersion, or budget. Check in to one of these accommodations when you reach Shantiniketan on the 6th day of our 11-day West Bengal itinerary. After finishing your lunch, take a rest for one or two hours to refresh yourself for the evening exploration.
Evening
- Visit the Tagore Ashram and the Rabindra Bhavan Museum to learn about Tagore’s life and works.
- Explore the Amar Kutir handicraft centre to see traditional crafts and arts.
It will almost be around 9 pm when you finish your exploration at the places mentioned above. So, you can finish your dinner before heading to your accommodation for a restful sleep.
Day 7 & 8: Shantiniketan Exploration and Travel to Darjeeling
Day 7: Shantiniketan Exploration
You can start the day 7 of this 11-day West Bengal itinerary without much urgency. You can get up late and finish your breakfast either in or near your accommodation. After breakfast visit the Kopali River.
Morning: Visit the Kopali River
This river is inspired by many great works of Tagore. You can spend some quality time in a relaxed manner in this place.
After this, you can try a traditional Bengali meal for lunch at one of the nearby restaurants.
After lunch, travel back to your accommodation. You can rest for a few hours to attend a cultural program in the evening.
Evening
Attend a cultural program or baul performance (traditional folk music) in the evening. You can spend a few hours strolling around so that it will almost be the time for dinner.
After the dinner, you can return to your accommodation for a restful sleep.
You might find my post on the 10-day Tamil Nadu itinerary helpful.
Day 8: Travel to Darjeeling
Again, one of the best places in West Bengal that you should not miss out on exploring is Darjeeling. We will dedicate the entire 8th day of our 11-day West Bengal itinerary travelling from Shantiniketan to Darjeeling. The reason is that the distance between these two places is around 500 km. So, the best thing you can do is to plan a train trip from Shantiniketan to Darjeeling.
How to Travel from Shantiniketan to Darjeeling?
As the distance between these two places is around 500 km, you can book a train ticket. The nearest railway station to Shantiniketan which connects these two cities. Bolpur Shantiniketan railway station is a major railway station. This railway station is located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. However, there are no direct trains from Shantiniketan to Darjeeling. You can book trains that take you to New Jalpaiguri. From New Jalpaiguri, you can take another train to reach Darjeeling.
If you wish to travel by flight, you will have to reach Kolkata from Shantiniketan. Also, there is no airport in Darjeeling. You will have to reach Bagdogra, which is the nearest airport. From Bagdogra, you will have to travel for around two and a half hours by road to reach Darjeeling.
So, comparing these two options, a train journey will be easy compared to a flight trip even though the number of hours of travelling is more. Otherwise, if you could hire a taxi or ride your vehicle, you can do so. But, remember that the distance is 500 km. So, if you self-drive, you will have to take a rest in the middle.
So, if you start in the morning, you will reach only at night to Darjeeling on the 8th day of this 11-day West Bengal itinerary.
Where to Stay in Darjeeling?
Darjeeling’s stay options range from colonial grandeur to cozy homestays. Here’s a quick guide:
- Luxury Panorama: Mayfair Hill Resort and The Elgin, Darjeeling offer opulent stays with stunning mountain views, perfect for those seeking indulgence.
- Central Comfort: For a central location near The Mall, explore Sinclairs Darjeeling or The Windamere Hotel. These hotels provide easy access to shops and restaurants.
- Heritage Charm: Immerse yourself in history at heritage properties like Cedar Inn or The Darjeeling Club. These hotels boast colonial architecture and a unique atmosphere.
- Budget-friendly Homestays: Experience local hospitality at homestays like Rambler’s Nesting or Hideout Homestay. These offer comfortable stays at a pocket-friendly price, often with breathtaking views.
So, check in to one of these accommodations. Make sure to finish your dinner en route before checking in for the night’s stay.
Also, read my post on the 9-day Telangana Itinerary.
Day 9 & 10: Darjeeling Exploration
Day 9: Darjeeling Exploration
As you travelled entirely the previous day, you cannot start early on the 9th day of this 11-day West Bengal itinerary. So, let your day start late. Do not miss out on your breakfast. Finish your breakfast and rest for a few hours.
Afternoon: Lunch
Head out of your accommodation or finish your lunch if a restaurant is attached to your accommodation. After lunch, you can visit some places of interest.
Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
After lunch, start from your accommodation to reach the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. You can spend an hour in this place before heading to the adjacent Darjeeling Zoo.
When you finish your zoo exploration, it will almost be evening. You can enjoy a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway after enjoying some evening snacks. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also known as the Toy Train. So, this trip will be enjoyable.
Before heading to your accommodation, finish your dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 10: Darjeeling Exploration Continues
On the 10th day of this 11-day West Bengal itinerary, you can see some other interesting places in Darjeeling. Make sure to wake up early to visit Tiger Hill.
Morning: Visit Tiger Hill
Wake up early to visit Tiger Hill and witness the spectacular sunrise over the Kanchenjunga and Everest peaks. After this, finish your breakfast and head to the Ghoom Monastery.
Ghoom Monastery
This is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Darjeeling. You can spend some quality time here before finishing your lunch. After lunch, head to your accommodation so that you can rest for a few hours.
Evening
In the evening, stroll through the bustling Chowrasta and enjoy shopping for local tea and handicrafts. You can finish your dinner near this shopping stroll before heading to your hotel for a restful sleep.
Day 11: Darjeeling Exploration and Departure
Morning
Spend your last morning in Darjeeling visiting the tea gardens and learning about the tea-making process. Purchase some world-famous Darjeeling tea to take home.
Afternoon
Travel back to Bagdogra and catch your flight to Kolkata or onward destination, concluding your memorable journey through West Bengal.
This 11-day West Bengal itinerary provides a perfect blend of culture, history, nature, and adventure, ensuring you experience the best that West Bengal has to offer. Whether it’s the colonial charm of Kolkata, the serene beauty of the Sundarbans, the intellectual vibe of Shantiniketan, or the majestic hills of Darjeeling, each destination will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Take home some valuable memories and indeed some digital photos and videos that will let you cherish your moments in West Bengal for a long.