Taki riverside escape: Just 2 hours from Kolkata

I am always on the lookout for quick weekend getaways near Kolkata where we can relax and rejuvenate and then get back to the grind in a couple of days. That’s why I am also constantly reading up reviews in travel groups and looking up reels so that I can have a list of destinations always ready for short trips from Kolkata. Recently after much discussion and deliberation we decided to go on a Taki riverside escape.

Taki riverside escape

A number of riverside resorts have come up in Taki, but I zeroed in on Hotel Sonar Bangla Taki, because the reviews and word-of-mouth worked in its favour.

Be it a weekend trip or a long haul for us it is always preceded by thorough research that starts with checking reviews on Tripadvisor, then I go to FB groups like Weekend Tours from Kolkata, Bangalir Berano and Long Drive from Kolkata to look up my destination further.

While going through a friend’s FB holiday photos I saw this room that had views of the Icchamati river on both sides – a glass wall on one side and a balcony on another. I couldn’t believe it was at a resort that is just 2 hours from Kolkata. Frantic research followed and eventually we booked it directly with the hotel.

An unpleasant surprise became a pleasant one

From Ruby More we quickly hit the Basanti highway and through a road that meandered through green fields and banana plantations, in no time we reached Taki. After a quick check in when we opened the doors of our room, we realised we had been given a room in the other corner of the building that had a nice view – pool, river, green lawns – but not the glass wall and the river on both sides.

As we told the staff at the reception desk that we wanted the rooms in the other end, we were informed that those rooms wouldn’t be available till the next day. However, we could opt for a villa that was nearer to the river and had a separate swimming pool and a lovely porch.

I hit the roof immediately thinking that the villas were expensive and we would have to pay much more. Then came the happy news. We were being given an upgrade at no extra cost.

The buggy took us to the villa, on the other side of the beautiful property and we instantly fell in love with the quaint building with a slanting roof. Our villa had a single room, a wooden porch overlooking the river, and all the amenities like TV, mini fridge, tea maker et al. The villas stood in a row, and some were two storied with two bedrooms meant for four people.

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Taki riverside tourism

Not many people have shared negative experiences while staying at this property and as we settled in, we gradually realised why it is so. From the instant upgrade, the yum food – we opted for all kinds of dishes pasta, biryani, paneer butter masala and naan, chicken curry and rice – to extremely courteous staff, to clean rooms and spic and span common areas, it was very hard to complain about anything in the resort.

And then there was the river. Looking at it you remember Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay’s brilliant novel Icchamati, where in his inimitable style he wrote about the beauty of the flowing river, the forests around it and the life of the people flowing along it for hundreds of years.

Sitting all alone in the resort lawn staring at the majestic Icchamati with the silence around, except for a lone launch patrolling the river since the land of Bangladesh is visible on the other side, you can truly feel remnants of Bibhutibhushan’s imagination still playing on yours.

To enjoy the evening breeze on the river you can opt for a boat ride and witness a stunning sunset on the Icchamati river. Some boats take you close enough for a Bangladesh border view from Taki.

Also check: Takdah Diaries: Why the misty hills are my pilgrimage…

A perfectly tranquil setting to enjoy silence and nature

Finally, my coveted room

The villa was so comfortable and cozy that when the staff came to take our luggage to shift us to our much-coveted room the next day, we were not sure if we wanted to move at all.

But once we settled in our third-floor room with views of the river on both sides, we realized that we were actually lucky to be getting the wholesome Sonar Bangla Taki experience. This room had expansive views of the river, and it had a couch by the glass wall where you could sit for hours and watch the boats sailing by. Your hands wouldn’t reach for the mobile; neither would you want to switch on the TV. Our Taki riverside escape couldn’t get better than this.

The entire property was fully booked but all guests seemed to respect the silence that the beauty of Taki demanded. It was as if everyone was reconnecting with nature, something that is dearly missed in the city of Kolkata.

Then came the clincher: A norwester with lighting and thunder. We stood at the balcony and played with the rain, saw the zig zag lights dropping from the sky and disappearing over Bangladesh. It was an experience to behold.

A group of boys in the next room suddenly started singing aloud “Bewafa! Bewafa nikli hain tu”, perhaps to lift the mood of a jilted friend. In any other circumstance this would have been annoying, but the post-rain view outside was so unearthly, I found myself humming along!

Weekend getaway in Taki comes to an end

The pool has a lovely view of the river. It was a bit crowded, but we still managed a few laps and witnessed the sunset from there. The table tennis board was where we had a great time. The long walks in the manicured lawns, followed by coffee at the coffee shop, were enjoyable experiences. Thanks to the rain we didn’t get a chance to explore the rooftop bar. But I guess after nature embraces you with such resplendent beauty, a bar doesn’t hold much interest.

Some trips remain unforgettable. Hotel Sonar Bangla Taki is one of the best weekend destinations we have been to and plan to head to again sometime in the future. Two nights might not be enough this time.

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Taki Travel Guide

How To Reach Taki From Kolkata

By Road: Taki is just two hours from Kolkata, making it an ideal short trip. You can drive via Barasat-Basirhat Road, enjoying picturesque landscapes along the way.

By Train: Take a local train from Sealdah to Hasnabad, then a short auto ride to Taki.

Must read: Taki (Hasnabad) West Bengal – Places to visit, Picnic Spot

Top Attractions in Taki

Ichamati river boat ride

Witness the Bangladesh border from the river and experience an unforgettable riverside escape with stunning sunset views.

Taki Rajbari heritage trip

Check out the historic Taki Rajbari, an architectural gem. Although the place lacks maintenance now but it will give you an idea how regal it looked in its heyday.

Picnic spots and eco-tourism

Taki is ideal for family-friendly outings with lush greenery and the beautiful Icchamati flowing by. There are number of picnic spots in Taki, and it is also ideal for a day trip. People love to visit the Golpata Forest in Taki.

Riverside resorts

You can choose from budget-friendly resorts in Taki for a comfortable stay for or a more luxury experience at Hotel Sonar Bangla Taki. Here room rents start at Rs 5376 (approx.) So just go ahead and plan your Taki riverside escape.

For more places to see check here: 8 Best Places To See For Your Visit To Taki | LBB