West Bengal lies in the east of India, bordering Bangladesh. You will undoubtedly experience timeless moments here, as its landscapes and atmospheres are so richly diverse.
Vibrant Calcutta
The main city in West Bengal is the famous Calcutta, regarded as the country's cultural capital, where many artists and intellectuals were born. This city is full of contrasts and never ceases to amaze visitors. India's third-largest city by population, with over 4.5 million residents in the city proper, Calcutta is bursting with life, everywhere and at all times. Thousands of pedestrians crossing paths, an incredible number of buzzing vehicles of every kind, and evident signs of poverty sit side by side with buildings of astonishing architectural splendour, though often dilapidated. It is not a city you simply tour, but one you absorb, wandering through its maze of streets and taking in the colourful attire worn by its inhabitants.
A delicious black tea in a dreamlike setting
Darjeeling, for its part, is a village perched at an altitude of more than two thousand metres on the slopes of the Himalayas, offering a sumptuous view of the mountain range. You can reach it either by road or aboard a picturesque steam train, known as the Toy Train, which takes its time as it meanders peacefully along, leaving you with an unforgettable memory!
Once there, the tea plantations stretch as far as the eye can see. These crops are organised into gardens, each boasting its own plants and processing factory. You can visit them and, depending on the season, even watch the tea leaves being harvested. Every year, the first plucking takes place from the end of March, when temperatures rise and the days grow longer, after the tea bushes have hibernated for five months. The first shoots are then delicately picked: this is known as the "first flush", yielding a tea that is both light and elegant, with an exquisite fragrance and fresh, vegetal notes with a very subtle touch of spice. Darjeeling tea is considered the crème de la crème of black teas for its delicacy. It is best enjoyed on its own, so that nothing masks its refined aromas. Other harvests follow later, along with the changing seasons.
After the city and the mountains, head for the forest
While West Bengal is also renowned for its craftsmanship – jute cloth and silks, rosewood and sandalwood items, saris... – it is above all the incredible harmony between its rich fauna and flora that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.
To immerse yourself in nature, head to the Sundarbans reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the Ganges Delta, it is a realm of land and water. Here you will find one of the largest mangrove forests (tidal wetlands) in the world, along with numerous animal species, from aquatic mammals and birds to monkeys, deer and reptiles. Not to mention the famous Bengal tiger, an endangered species whose numbers are steadily declining – a cause very dear to Kusmi. A reserve best explored by boat to make the most of the experience.
Already packing your bags? Wonderful! Just wait until the end of the monsoon season to set off and do not forget your camera – you are in for an absolute feast for the eyes!