7 Offbeat Places Around Kolkata For The True Explorer
Nov 29, 2023 By Sean William
Kolkata is a city of culture, charm, joy, and beauty. Everyone has explored all the well-known and popular tourist spots in Kolkata, so why not choose some offbeat places to explore on your next trip?
So, if you are ready to visit the untouched, less popular, and less-explored places, let us help you plan your trip. Below, you can find the top offbeat places around Kolkata. Get to know more about them here and mark a few of them for your next trip!
7 Offbeat Places around Kolkata
Kolkata has many awesome places nearby to chill on weekends. It is hard to balance everything with work stress and family time. Weekends are perfect for a quick escape to recharge yourself. You have many options for weekend trips in Kolkata, like mountains, villages, beaches, and forests. Below is the list of the best offbeat places to visit near Kolkata. So, check out these less-known but amazing weekend getaways from Kolkata.
Taki
Taki, a fantastic picnic spot close to Kolkata, is just a short drive away. It is super green with lots of trees and farms. The best picnic spot is on the Ichamati River, which separates India and Bangladesh. There are cool places likeGolpata Forest and Machranga Island to visit nearby. It is about 65 km from Kolkata, taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes to drive there. You can do fun stuff like picnics, ferry rides, and jungle walks. The best time to visit Taki is from October to February. Remember to bring a valid ID for the Border Security Force when visiting this border town.
Mousuni
Mousuni is not a very well-known beach in Kolkata. It is a hidden paradise for bird lovers, which is located on an island. Remember to bring your camera here to capture the photos of the birds. You can relax on hammocks, dip in the ocean, walk along the beach, enjoy the sunset, or make sand castles to recall childhood memories. It is 120 km from Kolkata, and you can reach there in about 4 hours and 10 minutes. You can also enjoy bird watching, swimming, boating, fishing, camping, paragliding, and windsurfing. The best time to visit is from October to February.
Chuikhim
Chuikhim is a charming spot at a height of 3500 feet. It is located in the North Bengal hills. Experience the warmth of local hospitality, home-cooked meals, and the beauty of green terraced fields and sunlit valleys. Life starts early, with villagers up at 5 AM for daily chores. Chuikhim is heaven for nature lovers. It can be an excellent addition to the Darjeeling-Kalimpong trip or a standalone destination.
Trekking, hiking, and bird watching are the fun activities you can enjoy there. You can also catch a stunning sunrise at the nearby viewpoint. Other places like Lava, Lolegaon, and Charkhole are also located near Chuikhim. It is about 608 kilometers from Kolkata, and you can visit throughout the year, but don't explore the place during monsoon season.
Ambika Kalna
It is a must-visit place for all history lovers and heritage enthusiasts. The town is about thousands of years old and here you can find every type of temple you have ever heard of or thought about. The terracotta temples were built between the 18th to 19th centuries by Burdwan Maharajas. You can move around the old town through its narrow streets and reach the Rajbari Complex of Ambika Kalna, which is well-protected and well-maintained. You can get a 360 view of the temples from the gate, which is mesmerizing. It is approximately 106 kilometers from Kolkata, and you can visit the place anytime except in summer (as the temperature used to be very high at that time).
Bagora
Bagora is a peaceful village in the mountains, surrounded by mist and pristine nature. It is 7150 ft above sea level, providing a serene escape. You can enjoy the luxurious mountain views and relax on the green grass. Here, time moves slowly, allowing you to unwind. You can enjoy leisurely walks through the village and explore at your own pace. Bagora is 600 km from Kolkata; you can visit the place yearly. Take advantage of Zero Point, village strolls, and bird watching whenever you visit Bagora. Nearby places are Chimeni, Latpanchar, Mongpu, and Chatakpur.
Bangriposi
Bangriposi, meaning 'beautiful daughter of the hills,' truly lives up to its name. Located in the Thakurani ranges of Odisha, this serene place is celebrated in Buddhadeb Guha's novel. It is ideal for peace and relaxation, with beautiful hills, lush forests, and flowing rivers. You can visit Bangriposi, a beautiful place throughout the year, as it is just 220 km from Kolkata. Reach Balasore by train and take a 110 km trekker ride to Bangriposi. One can also explore Buribalam waterfalls, the riverbank, and the Kanak Devi Temple. In winter, you can witness migratory birds. Nearby attractions include Simlipal Forest, Puri, Chilika, and Gopalpur-on-sea.
Joychandi Pahar
If you are tired of going to Ayodhya Pahar repeatedly, try exploring a new hill called Joychandi Pahar. It is in Purulia, and it is 800 feet tall. You can climb 520 stairs to reach the Mata Chandi temple on the hill's top. The impressive shape of Joychandi Pahar amazes tourists, and it is even featured in Satyajit Ray's famous film 'Hirak Rajar Deshe.'
Conclusion:
You need help with the choices regarding weekend gateways near Kolkata. The beautiful city has everything from mountains to beaches, rural villages to forests. Undoubtedly, the beautiful city caters to every kind of tourist. So, take a break from the same boring routine, visit the unexplored places near Kolkata, relax, and have a great time with family.
