The
Ultimate
GETAWAYS

West Bengal is Unique among Indian states in stretching all the way from the Himalayas to the sea and nonetheless explored in depth by only a few. Bengal holds an extraordinary assortment of landscapes and cultures, ranging from the dramatic hills of Darjeeling, within sight of the highest mountains in the world, to the vast mangrove swamps of the Sundarbans, prowled by man-eating Royal Bengal tigers. All this and much more comprise of the wonderful assortment of weekend getaways.

Weekends are fun. They become more fun if we add a little spice to the usual weekends by a party or a quick trip to a beautiful place nearby. We bring to you a list of getaways from Kolkata that'll serve your wanderlust well! Before we begin, here is a little flowchart to help you decide. Have a great trip

EXPERIENCE HAS GROWN
For the joy of culture and heritage

Sundarban, Khulna Division & West Bengal

The Sundarbans is a natural region in southern Bangladesh and the extreme southern part of the Indian state of West Bengal in the vast river delta on the Bay of Bengal. It is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sundarbans (Bengali: সুন্দরবন, Shundôrbôn) is a vast forest in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal which is one of the natural wonders of the world. Located in the delta region of Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra river basins. The Sundarbans is the largest forested forest in the world, as the largest mangrove forest in the coastal environment. Sunderbans, which has an area of 10000 sq.kms approx. out of which 6000 square kilometers, is in Bangladesh and around 4000 square kilometers is in West Bengal,India. The Sundarbans are trapped in the net, with small streams of marine streams, mud shores and mangrove forests, small-scale archipelago. 31.1 percent of the total forest area, which is 1,874 sq km, consists of riverbed, inlet, bill, and water. Forests, known for its self-contained Royal Bengal Tiger, as well as numerous species of animals, including Chital Deer, Crocodile and Snakes.
Shantiniketan, Birbhum

Shantiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, approximately 160 km north of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). It was established by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, and later home to Rabindranath Tagore and his vision in the form of Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan is a peaceful retreat near Kolkata in the winter. Visit the Poush Mela (at the time of Makar Sankranti) which is celebrated to welcome the Spring and revel in the joy of the cold spring of Shantiniketan.

This place registered in the name of Maharshi Devendranath against Rupee One as a token value. He called his home Santiniketan (after the name of the house), became a spiritual centre where people from all religions were invited to join for meditation and prayers. He founded an ashram here in 1863 and became the initiator of the Brahmo Samaj. Here Rabindranath Tagore started Patha Bhavana, the school of his ideals, whose central premise was that learning in a natural environment would be more enjoyable and fruitful. After he received a Nobel Prize in 1913, the school was expanded into a university in 1921. By 1951, it had become one of India's central universities.
Tajpur, Purba Medinipur

Tajpur is located in Purba Medinipur, in the state of West Bengal, India on the shore of Bay of Bengal (near Digha). Tajpur is set between Mandarmani and Shankarpur. Tajpur is 170 km from the state capital Kolkata. Tajpur has also around 1400 acres of land dedicated to Pisciculture.

There are a number of bheris or fish-ponds in the area. As a tourist attraction, it is relatively new as there are fewer hotels compared to Digha and Mandarmani. The beach is clean and home to numerous red crabs. The Government of West Bengal and Central Government decided to build the Tajpur Port in the area.
Garh Panchkot, Purulia

Garh Panchkot is a ruined fort located in the eastern part of India at the foot hills of Panchet Hill in the district of Purulia, West Bengal, the ruins of the Panchkot Palace are a silent testimony to the Bargi attack during the 18th century.

From a historical perspective Alivardi Khan had become the Nawab of Bengal in April 1740, having defeated and killed Sarfiraz Khan. Rustam Jung, Sarfiraz's brother-in-law challenged Alivardi Khan but failed in his endeavours which prompted him to sought the help of the Maratha Rulers of Nagpur, Raghoji Bhonsle. A Maratha cavalry was sent by Bhosle who entered Bengal through Panchet and started looting the countryside. These Maratha men came to be known as "Bargi's". For about 10 years they looted and plundered Bengal. It ended in the year 1751 after a settlement was reached between the Nawab of Bengal and Maratha King. During one of these encounters Garh Panckot was attacked by the "Bargi" and having defeated the King's guards they destroyed it after looting and plundering the palace. It is believed that all the 17 wives of the king committed suicide in a nearby well during the attack.
Mandarmani, Purba Medinipur

Like feeling good? Chilling on a calm beach? This is the one of the best places to visit near Kolkata in winter ! Some three hours from Kolkata, Mandarmani is a sweetheart beach destination which can take your stress away and prove to be an idyllic paradise worth a visit in the winter. Red crabs crawling around the 13 km long beach is a special attraction of Mandarmani. It is argued to be the longest driveable (drive in) beach in India. With waves lower than the other beach resorts on the Bay of Bengal, this is one of those places where walking barefoot on the beach is going to prove therapeutic! Mandarmani is just 170 km from Kolkata and one can take a bus or a cab to reach Mandarmani in approximately 4 hours via NH6 and SH4.
Itachuna Rajbari - Panduah, Hooghly

The other name for Itachuna Rajbari is ' Bargee Danga'. The term has been derived from Bargee , which was a name given by the bengali's to the Maratha warriors. There was a time when Maratha's attacked Bengal repeatedly to collect Chauth, which was 1/4th of the tax that was to be paid by the Nawab of Bengal( Sub-e-dar), Bihar and Orissa. Apocryphally, after Aurangzeb the downfall of Mughal empire had started. The Bargee's attacked under the the guidance of Bhaskar Pandit and Raghuji Bhosle from 1742-1752. Katwa , near Hooghly was made the early centre which was later changed to Medinipur. Though the Maratha warriors stopped their attacks after the assassination of Mir Habib, they gained control over Orrisa. As a result many maratha Bargee's stayed back in Bengal and started their own trade. They amassed a lot of wealth. One of such Maratha warriors were the Kundans, now known as Kundu's also settled here. The Itachuna Rajbari was built by the ancestors of Shri Safallya Narayan Kundu in 1766.
Jungle Tent, Kolkata

This property is located just 15km away from Ruby Hospital Crossing. We have one Executive Tent (four sharing) having two double beds and three Safari Tents (double sharing) with two single beds. All are attached bath western style. Acres of lush green garden with water body,boating & lots more. Situated at a mere distance of 1 km from the Kali Mandir, Jungle Tent offers breakfast service on a surcharge to its patrons. The Sonarpur Junction Railway Station is 12 km away from the premises. Guests are accommodated in 4 spacious rooms. In-room amenities offered are television, makeup mirror, wardrobe, desk, separate seating area and attached bathroom with shower and hot/cold running facility. Jungle Tent features a garden, restaurant, and lobby with 24-hour front desk and travel counter. Conveniences such as airport transportation (surcharge), power backup facility, luggage storage, limited-hour room service, laundry, medical aid and security are also provided. Points of interest include Victoria Memorial (24 km) and Kolkata Zoo (25 km). This campsite in Kolkata is accessible via travel hubs such as Kolkata Railway Station (28 km) and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (34 km).
Jhargram

Jhargram is a city and the administrative headquarters of Jhargram district located in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a municipality which is a popular tourist destination known for its forests,ancient temples and royal palaces.

Legend says that around 1592 CE, Raja Man Singh of Amber had come to conquer Bengal on behest of Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great from Rajputana (Rajasthan) to expand the Mughal Empire to Eastern India. He appointed one of his loyal officers in the army, Sarveshwar Singh, to defeat the local rulers of the region known as Junglekhand. This area is also mentioned in Ain-i-Akbari as Jharikhanda, and it was populated by the Santhal, Munda, Bhumij and Lodha people groups. The area belonged to the Mal Raja. The Mals were ancient warriors and were powerful people in the eastern part of India since the time of the Mauryas and the Guptas.
Haldia, Purba Midnapur District

Often considered as a mere river port assisting Kolkata, Haldia has more to offer to India than just foreign trade. With it's rich collection of heritage locations, temples and local markets, Haldia is geared upto be the next major tourist hub of West Bengal. From marine drives to palaces, Haldia is one of those rare places that combine the beauty of monuments with the bounty of nature. Explore this pristine land of legends, yet to be touched by tourist rush and commercialization.

It is a major riverport and industrial belt located approximately 125 kilometres southwest of Calcutta near the mouth of the Hooghly River, one of the distributaries of the Ganges. Township is bordered by the Haldi River an offshoot of the Ganges River. The riverside in Haldia is a favorite destination for tourists. A catamaran service used to operate from Kolkata to Haldia, but was withdrawn due to its high price and unpopularity among tourists.
Mukutmanipur, Bankura

Mukutmanipur is a town in Bankura district of West Bengal, India. It is located at the confluence of the Kangsabati and Kumari rivers close to the Jharkhand border. Mukutmonipur and Jhilimili nearby are major tourist attractions visited by more than a lakh (100 000) visitors. The second biggest earth dam of India is located in Mukutmonipur 55 km away from Bankura. According to one description, "green forests surround the vast bluish tract of water, and the hillocks are picturesque.

Approximately two kilometers from the lake is the Bangopalpur Reserve Forest, a home of many species of flora and fauna. Four kilometres from the dam is the ancient town of Ambikanagar, once an important place of pilgrimage for Jains. However, a flood destroyed most of what remained in 1898. Mukutmanipur is home to the world's reportedly longest (10.8 km) man-made mud-banked fresh water barrage that canalises Kangshabati & Kumari rivers into the three drought affected districts of Bankura, Purulia & Midnapore for irrigation in the summer months.