"The gateway to the eastern Himalaya"
Overview
West Bengal enters this portfolio in one role: Siliguri, the transport hub in the state's northern neck, is where North East itineraries begin and end. Bagdogra airport and New Jalpaiguri station sit here, and the roads to Gangtok, Darjeeling and Kalimpong all start from them. The itineraries in the current catalogue treat it as an arrival and departure point rather than a sightseeing stop.
Where to go
Siliguri
The transport hub of north Bengal, on the narrow corridor between Nepal and Bangladesh. Bagdogra airport and New Jalpaiguri railway station serve the whole eastern Himalaya, which is why almost every North East itinerary passes through. Tea estates surround the town.
Must-see experiences
Weather & best time to visit
Seasons at a glance
Winter
November–February
Dry and mild on the plains, and the reliable season for onward road travel into Sikkim.
Spring
March–May
Warm and increasingly humid, with clear early mornings before the haze builds.
Monsoon
June–September
The heaviest rain in the region. Landslides regularly close the hill roads north to Gangtok and Darjeeling.
Autumn
October
The rain eases and the hill roads reopen. A short, dependable window before the winter season proper.
Festivals & events
Ready to go to West Bengal?
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