West Bengal is located in the east of India and on the border with Bangladesh. You will undoubtedly experience timeless moments there, as its landscapes and atmospheres are so varied.
Colorful Calcutta
The main city of West Bengal is the famous Calcutta, considered the cultural capital of the country, with many artists and intellectuals having been born there. This city is full of contrasts and never ceases to surprise the visitor. Third city in India by population with more than 4.5 million inhabitants within its walls, Calcutta is full of life, everywhere and all the time. The thousands of pedestrians crossing paths, the incredible number of vehicles of all kinds that are constantly roaring and the obvious signs of poverty rub shoulders with buildings of astonishing architectural richness, although often dilapidated. It is not a city that can be visited, but rather immersed in its intertwined streets and the colorful colors of its inhabitants.
Delicious black tea in a dream setting
Darjeeling, for its part, is a village perched at an altitude of more than two thousand meters, on the slopes of the Himalayas, which allows it to offer a sumptuous view of the mountain range. You can access it either by road or aboard a picturesque steam train, called the Toy Train, which will take its time winding peacefully, but will leave you with unforgettable memories!
Once there, the plantations of tea extend as far as the eye can see. You should know that these crops are organized into gardens, each of which has its own plants and factory. It is possible to visit them, and even depending on the period, to witness the harvest of tea leaves. Each year, the first picking is done at the end of March, when temperatures rise and the days lengthen, after the tea plants have hibernated for five months. The first shoots are then delicately picked: this is what we call the “first flush”, which results in a tea that is both light and elegant, with an exquisite fragrance and fresh, vegetal, very slightly spicy notes. The Darjeeling tea is considered the cream of black teas for its delicacy. It is best enjoyed alone, so that nothing masks its refined aromas. Other harvests follow later, depending on the seasons.
After the city and the mountains, direction the forest
If West Bengal is also known for its crafts - jute and silks, objects made of rosewood and sandalwood, saris, etc. - it is above all the incredible harmony between its rich fauna and flora that impresses the visitor.
To immerse yourself in the heart of nature, head to the Sunderbans reserve, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Located in the Ganges delta, it is made up of land and water. There is one of the largest mangrove forests (maritime marshes) in the world, as well as numerous animal species, from aquatic mammals to birds, including monkeys, deer and even reptiles. Without forgetting the famous Bengal tiger, an endangered species, whose number of animals continues to decrease – a cause dear to Kusmi. A reserve to discover by boat, to make the most of it.
Are you already packing your bags? Perfect ! So wait until the end of the monsoon to leave and don't forget your camera, you're going to be amazed!