Calcutta is the perfect place to plan and start out on a variety of holiday tours that suit the needs and interests of tourists of every kind. If you have a yen for adventurous holidays, you can use Kolkata as your base to start off on a trekking expedition. Calcutta is also at a comfortable distance from many beaches. Some of these are usually packed with tourists, while others are more secluded.
Kolkata is not more than 300 years old, but it can be the perfect holiday spot for the history hunter, steeped as it is in the remains of early British rule. The city is choc-a-bloc with pilgrimage spots of every kind, and is just right for the tourist on a trip to save his soul.
Your holiday in Kolkata could fit into any of the patterns mentioned below
Or else, just read up on the spots in and around the city and come up with your own itinerary!
The beach route
You can plan a one-day visit to most beaches around Calcutta. These areas have been developed as tourism destinations, so it is also possible to find good accommodation in these places. For the perfect beach holiday in Kolkata, visit Digha, Shankarpur and Frazergunj (also known as Bakkhali)
Wildlife jaunts
From a centuries-old garden to a wildlife sanctuary, it's possible to tailor the perfect holiday for a wildlife enthusiast in Kolkata.
Destinations such as the Sunderbans need a permit, so do apply for one when you plan your holiday here. Other recommended wildlife destinations in and around Kolkata include Shibpur, the Dooars and Jaldapara.
Hill stations/ Trekking trails
Hill stations/ Trekking trails For a holiday in the company of nature and your backpack, set out for the hills in the vicinity of Kolkata. Between October and January, a handful of trekking destinations around Kolkata, such as Darjeeling and Mirik, see a low influx of tourists. This is, therefore, the best time for off-season discounts and service. Your trekking itinerary could also include the Ajodhya Hills, the Dooars, Kurseong and Kalimpong.
History trail
If the aura of history is what you seek on your holiday, Calcutta is the right destination for you. You can check out the stately palace at Murshidabad, spend a refreshing afternoon in the company of trees and students in the pristine Shantiniketan, or even wander among the ruins of a church or two at Bandel. Other places to visit on the history trail include Antpur and Bansberia.