West Bengal has the Himalaya, the largest mangrove forest on earth, the terracotta temples of Bishnupur and one of the great cities of Asia, and it is easy to plan badly. This is how we plan it from our base in Kolkata: three routes for five, seven and ten days, the travel times that decide them, and the season for each part of the state.
The short answer
Five days: Kolkata (3 nights) and the Sundarbans (2 nights).
Seven days: Kolkata, the Sundarbans and Darjeeling.
Ten days: add Murshidabad, Shantiniketan or Bishnupur.
Best season: October to March; Darjeeling October–November and March–May.
Getting to the hills: fly Kolkata to Bagdogra, then about 3 hours by road.
How West Bengal Fits Together
Bengal runs from the Himalaya to the Bay of Bengal, and the distances shape every plan. Kolkata sits at the bottom, close to the delta. The Sundarbans are about three hours south-east by road and boat. Shantiniketan, Bishnupur and Murshidabad lie three to five hours west and north. Darjeeling and the hills are at the far end of the state, an hour’s flight to Bagdogra and about three hours’ drive up.
So a good Bengal trip is built from three or four blocks rather than one long loop: the city, the delta, the heritage towns and the hills. The question is which blocks, in which season, for how many days.
| To | Distance | Time | How long to stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sundarbans (Godkhali jetty) | 100 km | 2½–3 hrs, then the boat | One or two nights |
| Shantiniketan (Bolpur) | 160 km | 4–4½ hrs by road | One or two nights |
| Bishnupur | 140 km | 4–4½ hrs | Far better as two nights |
| Murshidabad | 200 km | 5–5½ hrs | One or two nights |
| Mandarmani & Digha | 155–180 km | 4–5 hrs | One to three nights |
| Darjeeling | Fly to Bagdogra | About 3 hrs by road from Bagdogra | Three or four nights |
Five Days: The City and the Delta
For a first visit with a week or less, keep it close: three nights in Kolkata and two in the Sundarbans. You see the city properly, from Kumartuli and the river to the rajbaris and the food, then trade it for the creeks and watchtowers of the mangrove delta.
- Days 1–3, Kolkata. Our Kolkata City Immersion covers three nights airport to airport, from USD 229₹22,000EUR 202GBP 173 each for two, private.
- Days 4–5, the Sundarbans. About three hours to Godkhali, then the boat. Our two-night Sundarbans journey starts from USD 187₹18,000EUR 165GBP 142 per person, twin share.
Swap the delta for Tagore if you prefer culture to wildlife: Shantiniketan & Bolpur overnight, from USD 108₹10,350EUR 95GBP 81 each for two, private.
Seven Days: City, Delta and Hills
With a week you can see three Bengals in one trip, which is what our Royal Bengal Experience does over seven nights, from USD 885₹85,000EUR 781GBP 669 per person:
- Days 1–2, Kolkata: arrival, then a full day of colonial heritage and Kumartuli.
- Days 3–4, the Sundarbans: by road and boat to the delta, then a full day on the creeks.
- Day 5: back to Kolkata and a flight to Bagdogra, up to Darjeeling.
- Days 6–7, Darjeeling: Tiger Hill at sunrise, the toy train, the tea estates and the monasteries, with Kalimpong as an option.
- Day 8: down to Bagdogra and home.
Ten Days: Add the Heritage Towns
Ten days leaves room for one of Bengal’s heritage towns. Start with the Royal Bengal week, then add two or three nights in one of these, before the hills or after the city:
- Murshidabad: the last capital of the independent Nawabs and the Hazarduari palace. Two nights from USD 229₹22,000EUR 202GBP 173 per person.
- Shantiniketan & Rural Bengal: Tagore’s university, Baul music and terracotta. Four nights from USD 260₹25,000EUR 230GBP 197 per person, or one night from Kolkata.
- Bishnupur, Bankura & Susunia: the great terracotta temples of the Malla kings. Two nights, from USD 184₹17,650EUR 162GBP 139 each for two, private.
Prefer the hills to the plains? Swap the heritage block for Silk Route East, five nights in the quiet villages above Kalimpong, or Cooch Behar & the Dooars, four nights of palace, rhinos and forest.
When to Go, Block by Block
| Part of Bengal | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata | October–March | Cool and dry, and the festival season. See our Kolkata winter guide |
| Sundarbans | November–February | Cool on the water, and wildlife shows itself most |
| Shantiniketan, Bishnupur, Murshidabad | October–March | Comfortable for walking; Poush Mela from about 23 December, Basanta Utsav at Dol |
| Darjeeling & Kalimpong | October–November, March–May | The clearest mountain views; December and January are cold and clear |
| Digha & Mandarmani | October–March | Pleasant beach weather, and again in early summer |
The one month to plan around is October: Durga Puja transforms Kolkata, but it also fills every hotel and train in the state. If you want the Puja, plan it as the centre of the trip; our Durga Puja 2027 journeys run on 5–10 October 2027 (provisional).
Practical Notes
Private or shared. Every journey here runs privately, priced per person and falling as the party grows. Most of the Kolkata short trips also sell single seats on scheduled departures, which suits one or two travellers.
Getting between blocks. Road is simplest for the delta and the heritage towns; fly to Bagdogra for the hills rather than the long overnight train, unless the train is the point.
Permits. The Sundarbans need forest permits, which we arrange and pay for in advance as part of the journey.
Bengal rewards the traveller who chooses three things and does them slowly, rather than eight things at a run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for West Bengal?
Five days covers Kolkata and the Sundarbans. Seven gives you the city, the delta and Darjeeling. Ten lets you add Murshidabad, Shantiniketan or Bishnupur.
What is the best time to visit West Bengal?
October to March for Kolkata, the Sundarbans and the heritage towns. For Darjeeling, October and November or March to May give the clearest mountain views.
How do you get from Kolkata to Darjeeling?
Fly from Kolkata to Bagdogra, about an hour, then drive about three hours up to Darjeeling. The overnight train to New Jalpaiguri is the slower alternative.
Is the Sundarbans worth it?
Yes, for a night or two. It is the world's largest mangrove forest and home of the Royal Bengal tiger, though sightings are never promised. The creeks, villages and birdlife are the reason to go.
Can I see West Bengal on a private tour?
Yes. Every journey we publish runs privately, priced for your party size, with your own vehicle and guide. Single seats on scheduled departures are also sold on most of the short trips from Kolkata.
Sources: Walk Another Mile, distances from Kolkata · Walk Another Mile, West Bengal journeys. Dates follow the lunar calendar and are reconfirmed before any booking.