Travel guide · Kolkata & West Bengal
Kolkata & West Bengal Travel Guide
Kolkata and West Bengal tour packages cover Kolkata's Victoria Memorial, Dakshineswar and Belur Math, Kumartuli and the Howrah Bridge; the mangrove creeks of the Sundarbans; Mayapur and Nabadwip; Gangasagar on Sagar island; Tagore's Shantiniketan and the terracotta temples of Bishnupur; the beaches of Digha and Mandarmani; and the rhinos of Gorumara and Jaldapara in the Dooars. Our itineraries run 3 to 5 days, with standard / 3-star equivalent hotels and breakfast.
By Holiday Guru Travel · Updated 8 Oct 2026
In short: Kolkata, the sundarbans, bengal's culture and pilgrimage and wildlife. Colonial landmarks, Kali temples, the river ferries and the city of Durga Puja. October to March is the best time to visit Kolkata and West Bengal; Durga Puja in September or October is the most festive time in Kolkata.
Kolkata & West Bengal quick facts
- Trip length
- 3–5 days (8 itineraries)
- Best time
- October to March is the best time to visit Kolkata and West Bengal; Durga Puja in September or October is the most festive time in Kolkata.
- Key places
- Kolkata, Sundarbans, Mayapur and Gangasagar, Shantiniketan and Bishnupur, Digha and Mandarmani, The Dooars
- Tours start in
- Kolkata, Bagdogra
- Hotels
- Standard / 3-star equivalent on all 8 itineraries
- Meal plans
- Breakfast on all 8 itineraries
- Suits
- Culture lovers, Nature lovers, Pilgrims
Best places to visit in Kolkata & West Bengal
Kolkata, Sundarbans, Mayapur and Gangasagar, Shantiniketan and Bishnupur and Digha and Mandarmani are the places our Kolkata & West Bengal itineraries are built around.
Kolkata
The Victoria Memorial, Dakshineswar, Belur Math, Kumartuli and the Howrah Bridge.
Sundarbans
Mangrove creeks, watchtowers and island villages.
Mayapur and Gangasagar
ISKCON's headquarters and the Kapil Muni temple where the Ganga meets the sea.
Shantiniketan and Bishnupur
Tagore's university and the terracotta temples of the Malla kings.
Digha and Mandarmani
Beaches on the Bay of Bengal.
The Dooars
Gorumara and Jaldapara, tea gardens and forest villages.
Things to do
- Take the ferry from Dakshineswar to Belur Math
- See the clay idols being made at Kumartuli
- Cruise the Sundarbans creeks by boat
- Visit Tagore's Shantiniketan
- See the terracotta temples of Bishnupur
- Watch rhinos in Jaldapara
How many days do you need?
Three days covers Kolkata, the Sundarbans, Mayapur or Gangasagar; four days covers Shantiniketan with Bishnupur or Digha; allow five for Kolkata with the Sundarbans or the Dooars.
| Trip length | What it covers | Our itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Kolkata city break | Kolkata City Break |
| 3 days | Sundarbans | Sundarbans Mangrove Break |
| 4 days | Shantiniketan and Bishnupur | Shantiniketan and Bishnupur |
| 5 days | Kolkata and the Sundarbans | Kolkata and the Sundarbans |
| 5 days | Dooars: Gorumara and Jaldapara | Dooars: Gorumara and Jaldapara |
Best time to visit Kolkata & West Bengal
October to March is the best time to visit Kolkata and West Bengal; Durga Puja in September or October is the most festive time in Kolkata.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| October – March | Best season | Pleasant weather; Durga Puja (September–October) transforms Kolkata. |
| April – June | Summer | Hot and humid; the Dooars parks close from mid-June. |
| July – September | Monsoon | Heavy rain; the Sundarbans are green but boats may stop on rough days. |
Suggested Kolkata & West Bengal routes
Routes from our own Kolkata & West Bengal itineraries, by trip length.
- 2 Nights / 3 Days: Kolkata → Kakdwip → Sagar Island → Gangasagar — Gangasagar: Kapil Muni Temple
- 3 Nights / 4 Days: Mandarmani → Digha — Digha and Mandarmani Beaches
- 4 Nights / 5 Days: Lataguri → Jaldapara — Dooars: Gorumara and Jaldapara
Things to consider
Getting there and around: Packages include road transfers and sightseeing from Kolkata or Bagdogra as specified. Boats, ferries and safaris are paid locally or quoted; flights or trains are quoted separately.
Where you stay: Standard / 3-star equivalent hotels with breakfast, as listed on each package; simple eco-lodges in the Sundarbans and on Sagar island.
- The Victoria Memorial and Indian Museum are closed on Mondays.
- Sundarbans tigers are very rarely seen; the mangroves are the reason to go.
- Gangasagar Mela in January needs separate planning.
- The Dooars parks close from mid-June to mid-September.
Kolkata & West Bengal travel questions
What is Kolkata & West Bengal known for?
Kolkata, the sundarbans, bengal's culture and pilgrimage and wildlife. Colonial landmarks, Kali temples, the river ferries and the city of Durga Puja.
How many days should I spend in Kolkata & West Bengal?
Three days covers Kolkata, the Sundarbans, Mayapur or Gangasagar; four days covers Shantiniketan with Bishnupur or Digha; allow five for Kolkata with the Sundarbans or the Dooars. Our Kolkata & West Bengal itineraries run 3–5 days.
What is the best time to visit Kolkata & West Bengal?
October to March is the best time to visit Kolkata and West Bengal; Durga Puja in September or October is the most festive time in Kolkata.
Which places should I include in a Kolkata & West Bengal trip?
Kolkata, Sundarbans, Mayapur and Gangasagar, Shantiniketan and Bishnupur, Digha and Mandarmani and The Dooars. Kolkata: The Victoria Memorial, Dakshineswar, Belur Math, Kumartuli and the Howrah Bridge.
Which Holiday Guru Travel packages cover Kolkata & West Bengal?
8 itineraries: Gangasagar: Kapil Muni Temple (2 Nights / 3 Days); Kolkata City Break (2 Nights / 3 Days); Mayapur and Nabadwip (2 Nights / 3 Days); Sundarbans Mangrove Break (2 Nights / 3 Days); Digha and Mandarmani Beaches (3 Nights / 4 Days); Shantiniketan and Bishnupur (3 Nights / 4 Days); and 2 more listed below.
Can a Kolkata & West Bengal itinerary be customised?
Yes. Any of our Kolkata & West Bengal itineraries can be changed — add or remove nights, change the hotel category or add sightseeing. Tell us what you need and we send a quote for your dates.
Kolkata & West Bengal holiday packages
All 8 Holiday Guru Travel itineraries for Kolkata & West Bengal, shortest first. Each can be customised.
| Package ID | Package | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0512 | Gangasagar: Kapil Muni Temple | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Kolkata → Kakdwip → Sagar Island → Gangasagar |
| 0508 | Kolkata City Break | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Kolkata → Victoria Memorial → Dakshineswar → Belur Math → Kumartuli |
| 0511 | Mayapur and Nabadwip | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Kolkata → Mayapur → Nabadwip |
| 0509 | Sundarbans Mangrove Break | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Kolkata → Godkhali → Sundarbans → Sajnekhali |
| 0514 | Digha and Mandarmani Beaches | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Mandarmani → Digha |
| 0513 | Shantiniketan and Bishnupur | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Shantiniketan → Bishnupur |
| 0515 | Dooars: Gorumara and Jaldapara | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Lataguri → Jaldapara |
| 0510 | Kolkata and the Sundarbans | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Kolkata → Sundarbans → Kolkata |