Hostels in West Bengal

West Bengal is one of 6 regions in India. It is situated in East India with Sikkim and Bhutan to the North, Assam to the Northeast, Bangladesh to the East and the Bay of Bengal to the South. The other 5 regions located in West Bengal include Darjeeling, North Bengal, Birbhum-Murshidabad, Rarh, Southeast Bengal, and Southwest Bengal. The region is divided by the Gangetic Plain to the South and the Himalayas to the North.

Plenty of wildlife can be found in West Bengal. There are rhinos, tigers, elephants, and leopards. Some places to see them are located in the Jaldopara Wildlife Sanctuary, the North Bengal Wild Animal Park and the Alipore Zoo and Gardens.

The city of Kolkata is the capital. It is also known as Calcutta. Visitors to the city might want to see the Belur Math, the Indian Museum, the Howrah Bridge, the Dakshineshwar Temple, the Victoria Memorial, the Marble Palace, Tagore’s House, and the Birla Temple. Residents advise that if you are followed in the temples, you should not give donations to those people. If you do donate, it should only be placed in collection boxes. Decre’s Lane is the place to go for street food. There are a lot of places in the city to sample India’s unique sweet treats. Another tourist favorite is a visit to the Kumortuli idol maker shops. They will permit you to watch them work if you offer a small donation. You might also enjoy a ride with one of the rickshaw drivers who can show you the city in a unique way. Kolkata is also where some of the Indian movies are filmed. Sudder Street is the best known area of Kolkata for cheap hostels and hotels.

Another tourist destination in West Bengal is the small hill town of Darjeeling. Situated in the Himalayas, the city offers tours of monasteries, Tibetan and Buddhist temples, the Himalayan Zoo with its snow leopards and the Mountaineering Institute. Visitors travel to Tiger Hill to witness the magnificent sunrises in the mountains. Another favorite activity is taking a Joy Ride on the Himalayan Mountain Railroad. Tea lovers will want to visit the Glenburn Tea estate and learn how teas are made. Adventure lovers will enjoy a ride on the cable cars at the Rangeet Valley Ropeway.

Whether you choose to stay in a boutique or spa hotel or a jungle camp, you will find your perfect accommodations in West Bengal. Note that proprietors will not be anxious to house unmarried couples and hostels will most likely be either for boys or for girls, although there are hostels suitable for families to stay. Some may be listed under the title backpacker hotel.

Handwritten by local expert for West Bengal hostels Jakob Lombardi