Slow travel is a system of travelling that stresses affinity with local people, cultures, cuisine, and music. Cycling is one of the ways to travel slow. India has several excellent cycling trails, from the east coast in the south to Gangtok and Nathula Pass in the northeast. Cycling around a city is also a great way to discover hidden gems. Here are five cycling tours in Kolkata that let you explore the city's hidden gems and nearby towns:
Rediscover your city in a whole new way. Perhaps the old building opposite to your office was owned by the person who built the city itself. Beginning from the Victoria Memorial, ride through the Colonial area of the city visiting places like Lal Dighi (where the British were defeated, a battlefield in the heart of the city), GPO, Life Assurance Building, Job Charnock’s Tomb, Black Hole Monument, Churches from different sects of Christianity, Cemeteries, and many more places with stories that take you back in time.
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A wetland is an ecosystem characterised by soil saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. It supports aquatic plants and wildlife. Wetlands play vital roles in water management, carbon gathering, and supporting biodiversity. On this trail, you will ride through the serene Kolkata wetlands, enjoy a stunning sunset, and get a firsthand experience of how fishermen cultivate and catch fish as part of their daily routine here. You will also get to experience kayaking in the freshwater inland lakes, and perhaps try your hand at angling.
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On this six-day trail, you will start with exploring Nabadwip. Located in Nadia district, it is considered to be the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and a famous pilgrimage centre. Included in the itinerary is a ferry ride to Mayapur, the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) which is known for its Vaishnava heritage. You can also go kayaking on the Jalangi River here. Another stop will be at Krishnanagar, famous for its clay models where you can pick up colourful souvenirs of handpainted clay figurines. When in Krishnagar, you cannot miss sampling famous local sweets like shorpuriya and shorbhaja. You will also get to visit the historic towns of Berhampur, Palashi, Malda, Gaur, and Pandua.
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Pedal Through The Old City
Set out early morning on an exploration of the old city of Calcutta, through its unique and interesting localities. Explore Colonial area, the Black Town, and localities by the river, or a mix of everything. For more info, check here.