India Tours & Travel Packages

Tourism in States & Cities of India

Calcutta

Kolkata was the first capital of the British in India. The city was established in 1686 when the British moved to the small villages of Sutanati, Govindpur, and Kalikata from their trading port of Hooghly. It progressed well until 1756 when Siraj-Ud-Daula (Nawab of Bengal) attacked the town and drove away the British. Lord Clive retook Kolkata and until 1911, it remained the capital of the British government in India. Being the centre of power for so long created a unique culture and heritage, totally unlike any other city in India. The city is famous for its culture; films, poetry, art and dance. The Victoria Memorial is a splendid architectural monument in, white marble, modeled after the Taj Mahal, was built in the memory of Queen Victoria.  Victoria Memorial houses a fantastic collection of rare memorabilia from colonial  days.  Brass cannons, wrought iron streetlamps and imposing statues recreate history. With an overwhelming 10 million people, Calcutta is busy and bustling. Something is always happening - whether it is soccer, religious celebrations, concerts, theatre or a political demonstration, Calcutta is always on the move.

Sight Seeing Places:

Kali Temple of Kalighat, Mother Teresa (if interested), Birla Temple, Victoria Memorial and Down Town area, St. Paul’s Cathedral, St. Johns’ Church. Also visit Nilhat House & Jewish Synagogue. Flower market and the Howrah bridge. Writers’ building and the Governor’s house. Visit to Kumartooli to see how typical Bengal Pottery are made, Then visit a Bengali sweet making Centre, Jorasanko (Rabindranath Tagore’s House), Marble Palace, Collage Street, Kolkatta University, Indian Museum.

Sunderbans

Designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO, the Sunderban National Park lies to the south-east of Kolkata in the 24 Paragon's district of West Bengal. Sunder ban, the world’s largest delta formed by the Ganga and Brahmaputra, is also known for its unique mangrove forest ecosystem. The national park, also a biosphere reserve and home to the Royal Bengal tiger, is spread over an area of 1,330 sq. km. The core area of the park is bound by Matla River on the West, Haribhanga on the east and Netidhopani and Gosaba on the north. The buffer zone, which extends over an area of 885 sq. km, also includes Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary. Halliday Island and Lothian Island wildlife sanctuaries lie to the south of Sunderban but do not form a part of the tiger reserve.
The climate of Sunderban is very humid due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal. During monsoon, which last from mid-June to mid-September, the region experiences a heavy rainfall. After monsoons, the weather is quite pleasant making it a right time to visit Sunderban.

Sight Seeing Places:

The flora and fauna of the region are the major attractions here. The mangrove forest presents a unique ecosystem. The wildlife includes the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, a major attraction in the tiger reserve. Some of the other attractions include chital, crocodile, monkeys, estuarine and marine turtle, dolphins and various kinds of birds.

Jaldapara Sanctuary

Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary situated in Alipurduar Sub Division of Jalpaiguri District in West Bengal is about 124 km from Siliguri. This sanctuary was constituted in the year 1941 for the protection of Wild Life, particularly one-horned rhinos, an animal threatened with extinction. River Toorsa runs through the Sanctuary. The forest is mainly savannah covered with tall elephant grasses. The wild life, in addition to one-horned rhinos, consists of Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephants, deers, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer and hog deer, wild pig, bisons and a number of birds, peafowls. Elephant ride is arranged for viewing of wild life preferably at dawn. Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Dooars, is the habitat of the rare one-horned rhinoceros, the mighty bison, the spotted deer, the barking deer, huge tuskers, fearsome wild boars and a variety of birds and animals. Elephant safaris can be enjoyed at the Sanctuary. The wild life, in addition to the famous single horned rhinos, consists of Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephants, deers, swamp deers, hog deers, wild pigs, and bisons.

Excursions:

Jaldapara Tribal Villages

Bakkhali

At Bakkhali, the beach is long and sandy, the waves twinkling in the sunlight. Dense casuarinas groves drape the beach. Red fiddler crabs march in line on the beach.

Shantiniketan

Shanti Niketan is the embodiment of serenity and peace, far removed from the concrete jungle. Here imposing sculptures of Ram Kinkar greet you at every turn of the road. Paintings of Nandalal, Abanindranath and Binod Bihari captivate your senses. Shantiniketan is an International University founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore where the cultures of the East & the West could meet and mingle.

Vishnupur

For almost a thousand years it was the capital of the Malla kings of Mallabhum, of which Bankura was a part, till their power waned during the times when Mughal rule weakened under the last monarchs of the dynasty. The patronage of Malla king Veer Hambir and his successors Raja Raghunath Singha and Veer Singha made Vishnupur one of the principal centres of culture in Bengal. Most of the exquisite terracotta temples for which town is justly famous were built during this period. Apart from the unique architecture of the period, Vishnupur is also famous for its terracotta craft and its own Baluchari sarees made of tussar silk.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a popular hill station, surrounded by tea plantations on all sides. The views over the mountains to the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga and down to the swollen rivers in the valley are magnificent. Buddhist monasteries; tea plantations; colorful markets and handicrafts shops; trekking are some of the major attractions, not to mention the famous 'toy train' which is part of the fun in getting there. Excursions include Kalimpong on the foothills and deep valleys of the Himalayas; Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, overflowing with ancient temples, palaces, monasteries and colorful bazaars. Darjeeling tea is one of the finest teas in the world and the snowcapped mountains form a picturesque background to the many tea plantations in the region.  

Sight Seeing Places:

Tiger Hill :  About 11 kms from Darjeeling is the Tiger Hill, the highest spot in the area at 2520 meters.  Tiger hill is famous for it magnificent view of Kanchenjunga and other eastern Himalayan peaks. Visit pre dawn to enjoy the spectacular sunrise amongst the mountain peaks and on a clear day the peak of Mt. Everest visible. Ghoom Monastery : On the way back to Darjeeling see the Ghoom monastery, belonging to the yellow sect it houses famous Buddhist scriptures.

Excursions:

Mirik Lake.

Sagardwip (Sagar Island)

A lovely destination combining pilgrimage and fun, situated on an island in the Sunderban, holds the charms of a completely unspoilt beach on the estuary of the mighty Ganga. Sagardwip presents a quiet, silvery expanse of beach and the calm sea provides the perfect setting for a quiet weekend. On Makar Sankranti day in winter, pilgrims from all over India congregate at Sagar dwip to take a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal. After the holy dip, they offer ‘Puja’ at the nearby ashram associated with the legendary sage Kapil Muni. This has been a famous pilgrim centre from the ancient times. Gangasagar Mela, held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti is the largest fair in West Bengal.The lighthouse at Sagardwip provides a panoramic view of the surroundings.

Kalimpong

Set in beautiful wooded mountains Kalimpong is a remote hill station about 50 kms from Darjeeling is known for its beautiful orchids. The Tharpa Choling monastery has a library of Tibetan manuscripts and Thanka which can be visited. Kalimpong also offers pleasant hikes and walks through rice fields and tea fields around the town. Kalimpong attractions include three Buddhist monasteries, spectacular churches, an excellent private library for the study of Tibetan and Himalayan language and culture, a sericulture centre and a fine view of the surrounding countryside. Kalimpong is an important orchid-growing area and flowers are exported from here to various countries. Them Sri Ganesh Moni Pradhan Nursery and the Udai Mani Pradhan Nursery are among the most important in the area. There's a flower festival in Kalimpong in October. Kalimpong has a well laid-out golf course near the Durpin Dara Monastery. The monastery was built in themid-1970s at Durpin Dara and consecrated by the Dalai Lama. The view from here is breath-taking. The nine-hole golf course at Senchal  is one of the highest in the world. 

Kurseeong

Situated at an altitude of 2458 Mts.(4864 ft), 51 kms from Siliguri and 30 kms from Darjeeling, Kurseong's natural advantages make it a very attractive tourist destination. Located at a lower elevation for those who dislike the severe winters of Darjeeling, Kurseong enjoys a milder and a very healthy climate throughout the year.Kurseeong has various places to see such as deer park, Ambotika Shiv Mandir, Giddhapahar Mandir, Makaibari Tea Gardens.It is the peace, serenity and the healthy climate of Kurseong, that attracted many a great person to this place.