BETLA NATIONAL PARK, PALAMAU, JHARKHAND How to reach Where to stay What to see & do SONAJHURI FOREST, BIRBHUM, WEST BENGAL How to reach Where to stay What to see & do GARH PANCHAKOT, PURULIA, WEST BENGAL How to reach Where to stay What to see & do MONCHASHA, EAST MIDNAPORE, WEST BENGAL How to reach Where to stay What to see & do MANDARMANI, EAST MIDNAPORE, WEST BENGAL How to reach Where to stay What to see & do 
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Located in Palamau, Jharkhand, Betla was one of the first parks to become a Project Tiger reserve. This area is famous primarily for elephants though the deciduous forests support a huge variety of wildlife. Tiger sightings are infrequent, but if you shed the obsession of seeing the ‘big cat’, and settle down to enjoying the jungle, then you will find Betla captivating.
FLIGHT / TRAIN + CAR: Take a train or a flight from Kolkata to Ranchi (185km) and from there a taxi to Betla National Park.
The renovated Betla Forest Rest House (budget) has been receiving high praises. Also, Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation runs Van Vihar hotel (mid-range). For more information, contact the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Jharkhand, F.F.P Bhawan, 2nd Floor, Dhurwa, Ranchi-4, Tel: +91 651 2400981, e-mail: [email protected].
Park safari: Take an elephant safari or a jeep safari inside Betla National Park.
Betla Fort: The 16th century fort is located deep inside the Betla forest.
Close to the Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolpur, Sonajhuri forest is practically next door to Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan, and yet far removed from the din of the university township. The proximity of the Kopai river and tribal villages makes it ideal for some non-strenuous ‘connecting’ with nature. Sonajhuri is within easy walking distance of the sanctuary, which has plenty of birding opportunities, a watch tower and a lake. In winter, the climate is very pleasant and the local fairs held during this time add to the attraction quotient. The tribals are friendly to visitors, as long as one does not act excessively ‘touristy’.
CAR: The Sonajhuri-Ballabhpur area is 165km from Kolkata down NH2, about 3 hours’ drive. TRAIN + TAXI: A number of trains run to Bolpur from Kolkata; the Shantiniketan Express (from Howrah) is the most convenient. There is an abundance of local transport from Bolpur station.
Kopai Resort (mid-range, tel: 03463 228 279) tries to put on a ‘village look’ with low-roofed cottages resembling huts. Chhuti Holiday Resort (mid-range, from 1,772; chhutiresort.com) has a picturesque setting. Jiraan The Retreat (budget, from Rs 1,300; Tel: +91 9333510012) is a pleasant farmstay, with stylish and comfortable rooms and leafy surroundings.
Visiting Visva Bharati: The campus is spread over a huge area. The buildings are not open to visitors, but there are campus tours organised by the university itself (Tel: +91-3463-262751-56).
Batik shopping: The most famous products of Bolpur-Shantiniketan are batik-printed garments and leather accessories with bright embossed patterns.
West Bengal has several hidden gems that the tourism promotion blitz has missed. Maybe just as well, because it is hard to imagine Garh Panchakot, a place at the foot of Panchet Hills, as a crowded destination. Once ruled by the Singh Deo dynasty of Rajput origin, Garh Panchakot has a number of century-old temples and ruins. The Panchet Lake – offspring of the Panchet Dam – is a wonderful site for a picnic. Sit back and enjoy the emerald surrounding or go on short hikes, the choice is yours.
TRAIN: Take the early morning Black Diamond train from Howrah and disembark at Barakar or Asansol. From these stations, any local transport will take you to Garh Panchakot in an hour or so. CAR: Garh Panchakot is about 260km from Kolkata, down NH2. After Asansol, turn left for Raghunathpur, reach Satbari and ask for Garh Panchakot.
Garh Panchakot Prakriti Bhraman Kendra run by the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation (budget, price on request; Tel: +91-33-2237-0060-061/2225-8549; wbfdc.com) is a comfortable place right in the proverbial ‘lap of nature’. Among other options are Palash Bithi Lodge (+91 9932610350), which is close to the government lodge, and Village Telkupi, an ‘eco-village’ by Panchet Residency (mid-range, from Rs 5,500, panchetresidency.com) that has air-conditioned cottages resembling village huts. Panchet Residency also runs eco camps (budget, Rs 2,000 per head) on Panchet Hill.
Boating on Panchet Lake: The Panchet Dam is about 3km from Garh Panchakot, and the lake created by the dam is good for a picnic and boat rides. The Maithan Dam on the Barakar river is 22km away.
Nature hike: Garh Panchakot is ideal for easy hikes. Walk up Joychandi Hills, considered an extinct volcano, for panoramic views.
Temple visits: The Birinchinath and Biharinath temples are nearby.
This eco-tourism initiative within easy reach of Kolkata is one of the most successful in the state. Set up in the village Paushi, it is not just a resort, but an interactive experience with village life. Only about two years old, Mon Chasha sits by a river, its construction eco-friendly, made with locally sourced organic material. Coming here is sampling a slice of rural Bengal, but with every comfort available nearby – and delicious meals cooked with traditional recipes.
CAR: Monchasha is 4 hours’ drive from Kolkata down AH45, past Kolaghat. TRAIN + CAR: The nearest station is Contai (23km), and the resort provides a car pick-up and drop at an extra cost.
Monchasha (mid-range, from Rs 3,500, meals extra; monchasha.khorlo.com) has only non-AC cottages, but these are naturally temperature-controlled, made of hogla (reed), bamboo and straw; besides, it is still winter and so the lack of air-conditioners will not bother you. The sprawling resort is pet-friendly and a small allowance of Rs 500 a day is charged for a pet.
Fishing: Its location by a river makes Monchasha perfect for anglers, and angling is a major guest activity. Whether the fish bite your bait or not, you will have the thrill of anticipation.
‘Hammocking’: No matter how plush your own home, it cannot beat swinging from a hammock at Monchasha with trees all around.
Cultural activities: Guests take part in local crafts and music and mingle with the residents of Paushi.
Photo credit: Abhijit Kar Gupta
The Kolkata beach lovers’ alternative to Puri and Digha, Mandarmani is the new rage, but it still retains a degree of ‘newness’ in the sense that everyone has not been there yet. Plus the Mandarmani beach is, indeed, what it is cracked up to be – long, clean, and vast enough to accommodate the legions of eager arrivals. The 13km beach is the longest motorable beach in India, and locals offer drives on the sand, but this considerably pollutes the beach, so is best avoided. Mandarmani is a great place for a long weekend, as there are few or no distractions from the endless bathing and beachcombing – relaxing is the only thing to do.
CAR: From Kolkata, Mandarmani is a 3-4 hour drive past Kolaghat. TRAIN + TAXI: The nearest railway is Contai, from where local taxis go to Mandarmani. BUS: An air-conditioned bus leaves from Esplanade at 7am. After that, there are non-AC state buses throughout the day.
Hotel Sonar Bangla (mid-range, from Rs 2,300; hotelsonarbangla.com) is a large property with smart rooms, right on the beach, and its best feature is a long paved ‘promenade’ with shaded benches facing the whole expanse of the sea. Samrat Holiday Inn (budget, price on request; Tel: +91 8584029262 / 8584029263 / 8584029264, e-mail: [email protected]) is a small and comfortable place with basic rooms. The Sana Beach resort (mid-range, from Rs 3,650; Tel: +91-33-25301030 / 64525172 / +91 9330633111, mandarmonihotels.com) has rooms ranging from ‘comfortable’ to ‘serious luxury’ and is as close to the water as it gets. Massara Resort (mid-range, from Rs 2,900; massararesort.com) has bicycles on rent and beach volleyballs.
Beachcombing: With a beach this great so close to Kolkata, it has to be explored on foot. Far better than driving on the sand.
Water sports: Mandarmani lays claim to having some ‘new age’ water sports, such as water scooter and quad biking on the beach.
Garh Panchakot
Kolkata
long weekend getaways