5 Road Trip Destinations From Kolkata for Your Christmas Holidays

Kolkata, the city of joy, has a special relationship with Christmas. It is one of the major centres for enthusiastic Christmas celebrations, many would like to travel out of the city during Christmas vacation. 

The city is also well-connected by roads to some known and hidden destinations that can help you celebrate a quiet but rejuvenating Christmas with friends and family.

Following is the list of 5 places to visit near Kolkata during the upcoming Christmas vacation. 

• Raichak

• Mukutmanipur

• Bakkhali

• Deulti

• Darjeeling

• Raichak

Located just 54 km from Kolkata, Raichak can be the quaint Christmas getaway from Kolkata you can easily reach in less than 3-hours. Take Diamond Harbour road from Khidirpur in Kolkata and drive until you reach Sarisha. From Sarsha, turn right to Noorpur road and continue driving until you reach Raichak.

The serene village on the banks of the Hooghly river has many isolated picnic spots. Sit on the riverbank or play with your friends or children to have a holiday to remember.  

• Mukutmanipur
  

The picturesque village of Mukutmanipur is one of the most preferred places to visit near Kolkata for Christmas and new year vacations. The village in West Bengal’s Bankura district is situated at the confluence of rivers Kumari and Kangsavati. 

The distance between Kolkata and Mukutmanipur is 232 km if you drive on NH 16. The road conditions are good till the town of Khatra. The 12 km stretch from Khatra to Mukutmanipur can be a bit bumpy. However, the stretch is dotted with trees of the Palash flower, giving you an experience of a lifetime.

The biggest tourist attraction of Mukutmanipur is the giant artificial mud dam which is more than 10 km long. The dam uses the water of Kangsabati and Kumari to provide irrigation facilities to Purulia, Bankura, and Midnapur districts during the dry summer months.  

• Bakkhali

Situated in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, Bakkhali is one of the most frequented weekend getaways from Kolkata, especially during the winter season. The place is actually a part of the many islands spread in the Sunderban delta across South Bengal. You can cover the 140 km journey from Kolkata to Bakkhali in about 4 hours via NH12.

There is no bridge connectivity to Bakkhali. But, large trawlers/vessels are available to transport four-wheelers to and from the island by crossing the waters, one hell of an experience even for seasoned road trippers. 

The 8 km long beach from Bakkhali to Frasergunj has appeared in many Bengali movies. The beach is ideal for walks, picnics, and playing cricket with friends. Additionally, you can explore other tourist places like Henry’s Island, Jambu Dwip, Fraserganj Wind Park, the crocodile breeding centre, and the ancient Bishalakshi temple.

•  Deulti

A road trip to Deulti is one of the most fulfilling things to do near Kolkata in December. Nestled on the bank of the Rupnarayan river, Deulti in Howrah district is just 62 km away from Kolkata. It takes about 2 hours to reach Deulti from Kolkata via NH 16. However, it may take you an hour more based on traffic between Kolkata and Howrah. The peaceful retreat is an ideal rural escape away from the busy Christmas crowd of Kolkata. Don’t forget to visit the 17th-century terracotta temple of Radha and Madangopal.  

• Darjeeling

A trip to Darjeeling is one of the simplest road trips from Kolkata. Take NH 12 from Kolkata and stay on it until you reach Matigara. From Matigara, get into NH 27 and continue until Siliguri. From Siliguri, take the Darjeeling-Jorethang road to reach Darjeeling. 

Whether you're thinking of a day trip or a 5-day long vacation, go on a road trip to the places mentioned above and come back fully recharged to take on life's new challenges.