Weekend Getaways from Kolkata

I've been looking into this place and thinking about going there in December. It does look beautiful. I found a really positive write-up on another forum.

Has anyone here been to Garpanchakot?

How was the accommodation? And the food?

Are there good tracks and paths to walk in the forest and hills?

It seems that it is necessary to book ahead, and if I can't do that by phone from here then I'll have to give up on the idea, but first I'd like to hear from anyone who's been there. Any advice welcome!

Thanks, Julia.

Though I have not visited the place before, I gathered info about the place from one of my acquintance who had been there. I will be going there in the first week of December.

There is no other accommodation available there and since no spot booking is made, it is absolutely necessary to book rooms before reaching there. The rooms are quite good with almost all modern amenities (geyser, etc.) Food available is decent enough though mostly indian food is served.

There is a road going to the top of the hill amidst the forest which is around 8 KM from the foothill.

Regarding booking, they dont take booking over phone so one has to physically come to any of their booking centres and book in person by paying full amount in advance. For your info, no rooms are vacant from 14-Dec-08 to 30-Dec-08.

Another link for a travelogue http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...hpanchkot.html

For booking availability http://www.wbfdc.com/gpkt/booking-availability.html

Thanks for your reply, mobilerug.

It doesn't look like I'll be able to go there, not this year anyway. What a shame that the only way to book is in person, but in any case it's all booked up for the time I'd want to be there.

I hope you have an enjoyable time when you visit in december - I look forward to reading your write-up here!

Julia

Hello all,

I've asked some questions about Duarsini, and other forest and hill places in Purulia district in response to a post by Windrider in another thread in the 'Off the Beaten Track' forum.

Could I please ask all you West Bengal experts to have a look at it?

The thread is here:
Duarsini -- Little known eco spot in WB

Thanks, Julia

Friends...Please let me know about some Forest Bunglows in WestBengal....

http://www.wbtourism.com/wildlife/bunglow_forest.htm

We are planning for a trip to “Henrys Island” near Bakkhali. ‘Sundari’ and ‘Mangrove’ these two lodges are there (State Fisheries Development Corporation, Bikash Bhavan. Saltlake. Ph: 23376470). Trying to collect some more info.
1. http://wikimapia.org/372054/Henry-s-Island
2. http://wikitravel.org/en/Bakkhali

- Somnath

Hi Somnath
It's long since we replied in IM, with each other. Reference to your mail, Henrys Island is lonely and beautiful, but one need to have their own vehicle. Otherwise you need to get down on road and have van rickshaw. So much so, the maintenance is very poor, as we came to know from the dwellers.

For sight seeing purpose it is good. For stay, I recommend WB Tourism’s bungalow.

Can you provide me the contact details for booking of the Tribeni Sangam Tourist Resort. I dont want to take chances and would like to book it in advance before reaching there.

We'll reserve a car (with an insulated box and lots of ice ) from here itself.

Ice in winter ??? Joke apart, we are going today to Sunder ban with our own arrangement from office. We have booked car to reach up to Gondhkhali, just opposite Gosaba. We will take a hired boat from there to Pakhiraloy. One person called Barun is making entire arrangement. We will stay there. From Pakhiraloy, we will start for sight seeing en route Sajnekhali tomorrow. Tomorrow we will stay at Sajnekhali and day after tomorrow we will back from there.

Will keep you updated on my return.

somnath

I found this:
"Haldia Development Authority has opened 'Tribeni Sangam' tourist complex (For booking please contact Mr. Sanjib Roy at 09733544203) ..."
on this site: http://www.hdaindia.com/TOURISMHOSPITALITY.html

Thanks Julia but this info is not updated I believe as the phone is either not answered or is switched off.

Hi friends,
I am back from Henry’s Island. This area – Bakkhali / Frezergaunj / Harbor is really a great place for weekend trips. In my personal opinion – even better than Digha. There are two lodges one is Mangrove and another one is Sundari. Sundari is located near ‘Kiran Beach’. BTW, we’ve seen tents in Sundari complex.
As Somnath da said, personal vehical is really helpful here. Kolkata to Kolkata it was total (including local drive between places) 300 KM.

For reservation, you need to contact:
State Fisheries Development Corporation,
Bikash Bhavan; Saltlake
Phone # 23376470

- Cheers