Begin your journey from the City of Joy, which is connected by road, flights and trains from most parts of the country and by air from several foreign countries. Arrive a day before to start exploring the city at the break of dawn the following day. If you have time after reaching the city, visit the Victoria Memorial and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride near the landmark.

Touted as the cultural capital of India, Kolkata once served as the capital of the British raj. Rooted in art and legacy, the city seamlessly weaves the past with the present, where colonial-era buildings rub shoulders with modern-day high-rises. A city where the heritage tram is still operational, Kolkata has many heritage delights to awe a visitor with.

Experience the early morning vibe of the city at the Mallik Ghat Flower Market, said to be the biggest of its kind in Asia. Stop for an authentic Chinese breakfast spread at Tiretta Bazaar, said to be one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city where the Chinese migrant community first settled in the late 18th century. Then move on to one of the most noted addresses in the city close by - Jorasako Thakur Bari, the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore. 

Hail the iconic yellow taxi and make your way to the Nehru Children’s Museum, stopping to explore the Indian Museum on the way. If you have time, drop by the children’s museum’s equally popular neighbours - Birla Planetarium, St Paul’s Cathedral, Academy of Fine Arts, Rabindra Sadan (a cultural centre and venue) and Nandan, a government-sponsored film and cultural centre. 

Visit Princep Ghat next. This British-era structure sits on the banks of River Hooghly with the Vidyasagar Setu stretching above it. Take a boat ride on the river from here during sunset. End your day on a devotional note at Kalighat Temple, one of the 51 shaktipeeths.

Chandannagar (colloquially called Chandernagor or Chondonnogor) was established as a French colony in 1637. The French left such an indelible impression here that many schools here teach French as a third language.

The former residence of Francois Dupleix, the then governor of French India, it has been converted to Institut de Chandernagor, an Indo-French Cultural Centre housing one of the oldest museums in West Bengal. 

A kilometre-long sprawling promenade along River Hooghly called Strand is the pride and joy of Chandannagar. And its crowning jewel is the Durgacharan Rakshit Ghat. An elegant pavilion with slender columns boasting beautiful stucco works, this ghat was built in honour of Durgacharan Rakshit, a recipient of Légion d’honneur, the highest honour bestowed by the French Government.

Situated in the foothills of the Himalayan ranges along the Mahananda river, Siliguri is West Bengal’s second largest city. Flanked by the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and the Baikanthapur Forest, Siliguri enjoys a considerably cooler climate than the southern and central regions of the state. 

An elephant safari will allow you to explore the varied flora and fauna of this national park (a three-hour drive from Siliguri), whose most famous inhabitants are the Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros. You can also opt for a 4x4 jeep safari from Madarihat Jaldapara Tourist Lodge and Kodalbasti Point on the way to Chilapata range.

On your way back to Siliguri, stop by the small town of Salugara and visit its eponymous monastery, which was built by Tibetan Buddhist monks and followers of the Dalai Lama. Also known as the Great International Tashi Gomang Stupa, it is surrounded by verdant forests and rolling hills.

Called the Queen of Hill Stations, Darjeeling, with its expansive rolling hills dotted with rhododendrons, aromatic tea estates, dense forests of silver fir and spectacular views of Mt Kanchenjunga (or Khangchendzonga), the third-highest peak in the world, is one of the crowning glories of north Bengal. This coupled with the myriad cultures of the such ethnic communities that call this hill station home, makes it one of the most popular destinations in the state. Once a much-favoured summer retreat for British officials, the city today marches with the advancements of the present day while preserving the vestiges of its colonial past. 

Take a journey on the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This joy ride will take you round Batasia Loop and upto Ghoom (Ghum), where you can visit the Ghoom Monastery and the DHR Railway Museum.

Boasting an astounding collection of alpine plants, arum lilies and lilacs from China and Japan, this 40-acre garden also houses a medical garden and a rock garden. Explore several species of plants and trees including weeping willows, cypress, as many as 50 rare varieties of orchids, geraniums and more.

A haven for adventure seekers, especially trekkers, Pelling offers some of the best views of Mt Khangchendzonga. Explore beyond the town’s mishmash of accommodations and you’ll discover a serene lake, beautiful monasteries, a quaint village, a cascading waterfall and other natural delights.

Located barely a kilometre from Pelling, this monastery is said to be one of Sikkim’s oldest and premier Nyingma monasteries and offers commanding views of the Khangchendzonga range. Explore the exquisite thangka paintings and statues housed here. 

Make your way to Yuksom, about 1.5 hours away. The gateway to the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve and the base for the Dzongri Goecha La trek, Yuksum is also the historic site where the first king of Sikkim was crowned in the mid-17th century

The largest city in Sikkim, Gangtok once served as an important transit point for travellers between India and Tibet. Today, it is a cosmopolitan town with the country’s first litter and spit-free zone,  and acts as the perfect base for travelling around the state. It is one of Sikkim’s most popular destinations owing to the numerous historic, religious and natural attractions close by..

Perched on a hilltop about 10 minutes from the city centre, this is a 200-year-old monastery where Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava are worshipped. 

Traverse a rugged high-altitude terrain with winding roads and steep cliffs to arrive at Tsomgo Lake. Fed by the melting snow from the surrounding mountains, this waterbody is highly revered by the locals. The appearance of the lake changes with seasons. While it remains frozen during winter, it offers a pretty sight with the blossoming of flowers around it during spring.

Situated along the banks of the Lachung Chu river, this lesser-known quaint village lies at a height of 8,610 m nestled amidst lofty peaks and dotted with cascading waterfalls, gurgling streams and numerous apple orchards. It is also an ideal halt for visitors travelling to Yumthang from Gangtok.

Located at a walking distance from the town centre, this monastery can be reached by crossing the Lachung Chu river. What the monastery lacks in size, it makes up with its colourful eye-catching structure.

Located close to the Yumthang valley, this green land spread over 43 sq km houses as many as 40 species of rhododendrons along with a variety of flowering plants, including primulas, poppies and gentians.