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Best trips from Kolkata for the 2026 festive season: Diwali and Kali Puja (8 November) in Darjeeling, Sikkim, Puri or Bhutan; Christmas in Goa, Kerala, Shillong or Singapore; New Year 2027 in Goa, Andaman, Sikkim, Thailand or Dubai. Domestic trips cost ₹8,000–₹35,000 per person and international ones ₹40,000–₹1.2 lakh. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for the best fares.
Festive season holidays from Kolkata
Kolkata travellers love the festive calendar, and after Durga Puja, the next big holiday windows are Diwali and Kali Puja (8 November 2026), Christmas (Friday 25 December) and New Year 2027 (Thursday 31 December). With Christmas falling on a Friday, a 3-day long weekend is ready. This guide lists the best places to go from Kolkata for each festival, with realistic budgets from Exciting Tales, the best travel agency in Kolkata.
Where to go for Diwali from Kolkata
|
Destination |
Duration |
Approx. cost per person |
Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Darjeeling and Kalimpong |
3-4 nights |
₹9,000–18,000 |
Mountain views, tea gardens, cool weather |
|
Gangtok and Pelling (Sikkim) |
4-5 nights |
₹14,000–28,000 |
Monasteries, Tsomgo Lake, snow nearby |
|
Puri and Konark |
2-3 nights |
₹6,000–12,000 |
Beach, temples, seafood |
|
Bhutan (Paro, Thimphu) |
5 nights |
₹35,000–55,000 |
No visa, peaceful culture |
|
Varanasi and Ayodhya |
3-4 nights |
₹10,000–20,000 |
Dev Deepawali and Ganga aarti |
|
Sundarbans |
2 nights |
₹6,000–11,000 |
Wildlife and mangroves |
If you are still wondering 'where to go in puja vacation' or 'where to go during Durga Puja' next year, these same destinations work well. For Diwali, pre-book trains and hotels at least 3-4 weeks ahead.
Best Christmas trips from Kolkata
- Goa: midnight masses, beaches, lights and parties (₹12,000–₹30,000).
- Kerala (Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey): backwaters and cool hills (₹20,000–₹40,000).
- Shillong and Cherrapunji: cosy Christmas, caroling and hills (₹14,000–₹25,000).
- Darjeeling: white Christmas feel, cafes and cake (₹9,000–₹18,000).
- Singapore: Orchard Road lights, Universal Studios and Sentosa (₹70,000–₹1.2 lakh).
- Thailand or Bali: beaches, Christmas markets and resorts (₹40,000–₹75,000).
Best New Year 2027 trips from Kolkata
- Goa: top party packages and beach clubs (₹14,000–₹35,000).
- Andaman: Havelock and Neil Island, calm beaches (₹30,000–₹55,000).
- Sikkim and Gangtok: snow, bonfire nights (₹15,000–₹30,000).
- Jaipur and Udaipur: royal palaces and desert (₹14,000–₹30,000).
- Dubai: fireworks at Burj Khalifa, desert safari (₹55,000–₹95,000).
- Thailand: Phuket and Bangkok countdown (₹40,000–₹70,000).
Domestic vs international: what to choose?
If you have 3-4 days, choose a domestic destination such as Darjeeling, Puri or Sikkim. For 5-7 days and a budget of ₹40,000 or more, go international to Thailand, Singapore, Bali or Dubai. Where should I go for New Year? If you want a party: Goa or Phuket. If you want calm and snow: Sikkim or Bhutan.
Tips for festive-season travel from Kolkata
- Book flights and trains early; fares double in the last two weeks of December.
- Choose hotels in advance; popular areas like Goa and Gangtok sell out.
- Avoid 30–31 December departures if you want cheaper flights.
- Keep a day buffer for mountain roads in winter.
- Use a trusted agent like Exciting Tales to lock group rates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where to go for Diwali from Kolkata?
Darjeeling, Sikkim, Puri, Bhutan or Varanasi.
Where to go for Christmas from Kolkata?
Goa, Kerala, Shillong, Darjeeling, or Singapore and Thailand.
Where should I go for New Year from Kolkata?
Goa, Andaman, Sikkim, Dubai or Thailand.
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali and Kali Puja fall on 8 November 2026.
Which is the best travel agency in Kolkata for festive tours?
Exciting Tales offers domestic and international Diwali, Christmas and New Year packages from Kolkata.
Why book with Exciting Tales?
Exciting Tales is a trusted, customer-first travel company and the best travel agency in Kolkata for international tour packages, visa assistance, cruises, honeymoon holidays, family trips and domestic getaways. Our team creates customised itineraries, handles bookings and visa paperwork, accepts payments in rupees, and supports you before, during and after your trip

