UnCover the Wonders of Calcutta

For those who want to see more in less time, this is just the perfect solution for you. The myriad colours of the city – the British Calcutta, the Calcutta of the Babus, the Calcutta of the reformers and the birth of nationalism , the cultural and the social kaleidoscope – all put together in full or half day city tours.

Choose to do what you like between the itineries mentioned.

TRAVEL PLAN

– We start the day early maximum by 8 am simply to beat the heat and the traffic. River Hooghly has a huge role to play in the development of the city. It is also the most appropriate place to see the everyday life of the city as people from the streets where they live and work go to the great river to perform their early morning rituals. And where better to witness this than in the century old colourful riverside Flower Market, one of the oldest and largest in India.

– Having had a colourful start we proceed towards the bustling Dalhousie Square where the British Raj started in India. We take you through a fascinating walk dating back to the time of the Black Hole right to the time it became the Second City of the Empire. The famous Writers’ Building , the magnificent Governor’s House and the almost forgotten Charnock Mausoleum – we see it all through interesting facts, figures and anecdotes.

– With the establishment of the empire came various communities who made Calcutta truly the melting pot of cultures – the Armenians , the Portuguese, the Jewish , the Parsis. Our next journey takes you through the Armenian Church, Portuguese Church and the Jewish synagogues.

– Next we drive towards the South Park Street Cemetery and Victoria Memorial – 2 great institutions left behind by the British.

– Lunch can be arranged by us or the guests can choose to do lunch on their own.

– We end the tour with a visit to the Jain temples which can be regarded as one of the hidden secrets of the city. The complex is unique with its shimmering tiles and chandeliers , awe inspiring architecture and excellent up keep.

– We start this day by 30 am as we travel to North Calcutta – the Native Town where a parallel culture heavily influenced by the Europeans flourished among the pioneering families in Bengal. We start the journey with the Marble Palace which is perhaps one of the most bizarre of the Bengali mansions of this area. Built in 1835, it houses an astonishing collection of paintings, marble sculptures and Belgian glass. (This is currently closed but supposed to re start by March end subject to Covid situations)

– From here we proceed the hallowed portals of the Jorasanko Thakur Bari , the bastion of Bengali culture and home of the multi talented poet, writer, dramatist, play wright Rabindranath Tagore.

– A small walk in the labyrinth of lanes and bylanes in the vicinity will complete the feel and really give you an insight of why Calcutta earned the moniker – City of Palaces.

– Lunch can be arranged by us or the guests can choose to do lunch on their own.

– In the afternoon we visit Kumartolli or the Potters’ Market where you will see potters deftly making life size clay idols out of mere clay, bamboo and straw.

– On the way back we visit the Mothers House , Mother Teresa’s home and centre of her Missionaries of Charity.

– Sunset at Prinsep Ghat completes the entire experience.