Bengal's City of Joy & River of Dreams with Margie Thomas

Welcome to West Bengal. The capital of the British Raj until 1911, Kolkata retains its imperial splendour in its grand buildings and rich colonial heritage. Kolkata is frequently referred to as India’s intellectual capital, the birthplace of some of its best-known writers, artists and filmmakers. Its teeming bazaars and stately mansions are testimony to its prominence as the commercial hub of eastern India. Kolkata is a vibrant, many layered city with a rich cultural life and many fascinating areas to explore. We will have one nominated group flight for the arrival transfer. If arriving on a different day or flight we can book a transfer service for you at an extra cost. As most flights arrive late in the evening there are no plans for today. Overnight Hotel Fairlawn, Kolkata

Meals:  Nil

Nearby to the hotel we start our explorations of Kolkata by wandering through Dalhousie Square, now known as Benoy Badal Dinesh Bagh, an oasis in the heart of modern Kolkata. Here we'll also visit St John’s Church and the memorial to the black hole of Calcutta, an obelisk commemorating the British prisoners who died in the siege of Calcutta. Next we tour one of Kolkata's most beautiful monuments – the Victoria Memorial. Funded by Indian princes, the British government and the former Viceroy of India Lord Curzon, it was inaugurated by the Prince of Wales in 1921. Constructed from the same marble used by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal, the Memorial exudes majesty and elegance. It houses several galleries displaying a rich collection of sculpture, painting, armaments and other historical treasures. In the afternoon we’ll visit the South Park Street Cemetery, built in 1767 for the earliest British pioneers of the East India Company. Visiting graveyards is a melancholy pursuit and this necropolis with no graves newer than 100 years old is no exception. It’s filled with crumbling colonnades, mossy mausoleums, obelisks, sarcophagi, and headstones that tell tragic stories of untimely deaths. It’s the final resting place of people of all ages who succumbed to the hardships of an unfamiliar and disease-ridden life in India. Overnight Hotel Fairlawn, Kolkata

Meals:  B

Our first stop this morning is the Mallick Ghat Flower Market, located on the banks of the Hooghly River - one of the largest and oldest flower markets in India, dating back to the mid-19th century. A riot of colour and scent where flowers such as marigold, lotus and jasmine are prepared for offerings and festivals. The Hooghly River is lined with dozens of ghats—stone or concrete steps descending into the water—used for worship, cremation, and ritual bathing. We explore these sacred riverfronts along with Kalighat Temple, Kolkata’s most revered Hindu shrine, dedicated to the fierce and compassionate goddess Kali. In the afternoon we resume our sightseeing on Chitpur Road, one of Kolkata’s oldest roads and home to diverse communities, unique craft traditions and heritage buildings. As we walk, we'll enjoy street food snacks from the many hole in the wall eateries that dot old Calcutta where everyone from revolutionaries to literati have gathered to satisfy their hunger. We’ll also stop in at the iconic Indian Coffee House on College Street, a favourite hangout for Bengali students and intellectuals for over a century. Overnight Hotel Fairlawn, Kolkata

Meals:  B

A day trip by car takes us to explore the sleepy towns of Serampore, Chandernagore and Chinsurah. Seramphore is the Danish settlement founded in 1755 by the Danish Asiatic company as a trading outpost on the banks of the Ganges and there we’ll have lunch (own expense) at the beautifully restored Danish Tavern built in 1786. We then move on to Chandernagore, a settlement established by the French, where we’ll visit magnificent colonial architecture idyllically situated along the mighty river. It’s a charming town and was governed by the French until 1951. You can clearly see the cultural and architectural imprint left by the French and you might come across remnants of the French language being spoken and French cuisine like baguettes and croissants on offer. The British were certainly not alone in making their mark in West Bengal. Our last stop on our return to Kolkata is to the Hooghly Imambara in Chinsurah, a massive two storeyed building built in 1861 by Mohammedan ruler Hazi Mohsin. Again, the building is situated on the banks of river Ganga and is a major religious centre of the followers of Islam – specifically Shia Muslims. Exquisitely carved walls, texts of the Holy Book of Quran, massive crystal chandeliers and imposing entrance pillars as well as an ancient clock tower are some of the most captivating features of this architectural wonder. Overnight Hotel Fairlawn, Kolkata Driving approx 10 hours total

Meals:  B

This morning we take the early train to Murshidabad. The train journey is itself an experience with hawkers selling sweet chai, spicy samosas, books, toys and all manner of knicknaks and keepsakes. Baul musicians frequent this service hoping for donations as they sing their devotional songs. Murshidabad, the last capital city of independent Bengal is situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi and is known for its rich culture and heritage. The region has seen some of the most significant events of Indian history including the Battle of Plassey. The historical significance of the region in the 1700s attracted the wealthiest merchants from across India to migrate to Murshidabad. This led to a confluence of cultures and gave birth to its very own unique and diverse culture. Having once contributed an eyewatering 5% of the world’s GDP at one point in history, it is seemingly lost in time today. Murshidabad is dotted with majestic palaces, mosques and ruins spread out among verdant green paddy fields and mango plantations. In the afternoon we take a barge up the river to visit the Char Mangla group of four Siva Manders. The “Char Bangla” temples were built by Queen Bavani of Natore in 1755 AD. They’re enclosed in a small courtyard, with each temple having three arched openings and three siva-lingams. Richly decorated, their facades illustrate the very best in ornamental brickwork of West Bengal. The decorative themes are drawn mainly from the Hindu epics and puranas. Late in the afternoon, we’ll also wander through organic vegetable and mango farms on our way back to our barge. Our accommodation is in the magnificently restored ancestral mansion of the Dhudhoria family. Train journey approx 4 hours Overnight Bari Kothi Hotel, Murshidabad

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we explore the many riches of Murshidabad starting with Hazariduari Palace, the name Hazarduari literally means "a thousand doors" in Persian. The palace was once the residence of the Nawabs of Bengal and now a museum. We wander the elegant palace of Wasef Manzil, the serene Madina Mosque and the beautiful Katra Mosque whose domed rooms were designed for scholars and students studying Islamic theology. Overnight Bari Kothi Hotel, Murshidabad

Meals:  B,L,D

Bari Kothi, besides conserving its own heritage, preserves the cultural heritage of its surroundings. An early morning storytelling walk down the lanes will take us back 200 years. The magnificent Jain Temples and other Havelis like Nowlakha Kothi, Rajbari, Singhi Koth, Marble Palace illustrates the opulence and glory of the era. Tonight we enjoy another dinner at Bari Kothi, savouring Sheherwali cuisine, which has featured prominently in this community, evolving passionately through their 300-year history in Bengal. The cuisine is the finest vegetarian food one can find and is a wonderful melange of the cuisines of the west and the east of India. Overnight Bari Kothi Hotel, Murshidabad

Meals:  B,L,D

On our last day at Bari Kothi we’ll have a more leisurely start, making the most of our magnificent surroundings, this is a place you will not want to leave! We’ll start the day with a leisurely breakfast served on the banks of the river. Since textiles play such an important role in the history of Murshidabad, we’ll go on a guided Textile Tour with our hosts at Bari Kothi. We’ll visit and interact with locals at Tantipara (Weaver’s Village) and Islampore (an important area for sericulture, the cultivation of silk worms). Murshidabad has always been world famous for its fine quality silks and muslins. The afternoon is free to relax and soak up time at this incredible Jain mansion. Overnight Bari Kothi Hotel, Murshidabad

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we farewell our hosts at Bari Kothi and take the barge and then onward by train to Kolkata, arriving early afternoon. We'll have lunch together at a local restaurant and check then into the hotel. After a quick freshen up, we'll head off for some further sightseeing of Kolkata's most famous monuments. The Marble Palace is the sprawling 19th century mansion of the Mullick family, which houses an eclectic collection of art and antiques ranging from Old Masters to statues of Hindu gods. The palace earned its name from the 90 varieties of patterned marble on its floors. There are paintings by Reubens and Joshua Reynolds, Dresden figurines and Bohemian goblets. The author Geoffrey Moorhouse described it as ‘the richest, the quaintest, the eeriest, the most haphazard and the most ridiculous, the most astounding and the most loveable’ place in Kolkata. Nearby is Jorsanko Takur Bari, the birthplace of the poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, now a museum which gives an insight into the Tagore family’s involvement in Hindu reform movements and the Bengal Renaissance. The evening is free to enjoy Kolkata. Our hotel is just few minutes’ walk from Park Street, a bustling hub for shopping, cafes, restaurants, bars, and bookstores. Train journey approx 4 hours Overnight Hotel Fairlawn, Kolkata

Meals:  B,L

After an early morning breakfast, we set off for the Sunderbans. We'll make a quick stop at the Kolkata fish market when the market is most lively and interesting. After our drive, we transfer to a boat to take us to Dayapur Island in the heart of the Sunderbans, a UNESCO-listed wilderness. This is one of the most remote wilderness areas in India, its dense mangrove forests and intricate waterways making it only accessible by boat—there are no roads leading deep into the core of the forest and only small villages and settlements on the fringes. We will spend 3 nights in our eco friendly cottages, a comfortable yet immersive stay in the heart of this wild landscape. Driving approx 3 - 4 hours + 2 hour boat ride. Overnight Tiger Camp Wildlife Resort

Meals:  B,L,D

We spend our days in the Sunderbans exploring the river, mangroves and islands by boat safari. We'll see various "watchtowers", elevated observation points originally built for forest officials to monitor the movement of tigers and other animals, now serving as key vantage points for visitors. We will be on the lookout for spotted deer, irrawaddy dolphins, crocodiles and maybe even a Royal Bengal tiger, there is believed to be more than 100 in the National Park. The Sundarbans is also a paradise for bird lovers, with over 250 species thriving in its unique mangrove ecosystem. Overnight Tiger Camp Wildlife Resort

Meals:  B,L,D

Another full day boat safari where both breakfast and lunch will be taken onboard. Today's focus will be exploring the Sundarbans' creeks, rivers, and rivulets, while looking for endemic birds. In the late afternoon, we will take a walk with Nawang, to visit nearby Adibasi village at Dayapur Island to observe local lifestyle, crafts, cuisines, and how villagers and tigers coexist. We enjoy our final night in the Sunderbans with dinner, a bonfire and dance performance. Overnight Tiger Camp Wildlife Resort

Meals:  B,L,D

One final morning weaving through the mangroves by boat before an early lunch back at the resort. We then transfer off Dayapur Island and drive back to Kolkata for a special farewell dinner which will showcase centuries old recipes of traditional Bengali dishes. You’ll have the afternoon free to visit the museum, shop at the markets, or just relax. Driving approx 3 - 4 hours + 2 hour boat ride. Overnight Hotel Fairlawn, Kolkata

Meals:  B,L,D

The tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. We will be happy to assist with extra accommodation if you wish to extend your stay, or airport transfers for your travel home.

Meals:  B