Travel between Dharamsala, Rishikesh, Varanasi and Calcutta

I want to visit Dharamsala, Rishikesh, Varanasi and Calcutta. What is the best time of the year to visit these areas and what is the best travel route ( and means) to travel between them - starting in Dharamsala and ending in Calcutta?

Any advice on best places to stay (hotels, ashrams, etc) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

dear traveller,
oct to feb or maz march is the best time to visit the places you mentioned. lateron it becomes a little hot. if you visit dharamsala first there is a train to varanasi from pathankot and its really conflrtable to travel by train.there are number of guest houses and hotels in all these places. tell me your budget so that i can suggest accordingly.