Kolkata, INDIA
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The cultural capital of India and home of revered icons like Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy and Satyajit Ray, Kolkata is a destination like no other. The city’s sedate pace of life makes an ideal setting to imbibe the elements of the good life, like fine cuisine, great literature and a frenetic Durga Puja season. Travel back in time to the 18th-century, when the capital of West Bengal was the power-centre of British India. Explore the enduring icons of architecture from the Days of the Raj in Kolkata’s most impressive heritage quarter - Dalhousie Square during the quiet hours of the morning on this walk. You will have the option to start at The Flower Market on the River Hooghly.
Dalhousie Square, renamed BinoyBadal Dinesh Bagh (BBD Bagh, after three freedom fighters of Bengal), is packed with a history of the times when it was the seat of business and administration during the British Colonial rule in Kolkata. Even in its current avatar, the area has managed to retain its previous significance as the central business district and home of the most impressive colonial architecture in the world.
Writer's Building, now seat of the State Government of West Bengal, takes its name from the era when it housed junior servants, or ‘writers’of the East India Company. The grand 150-metre long facade is inspired by the Greco-Roman style.
Next on the agenda is General Post Office, an impressive monument with a high dome and ionic Corinthian pillars. It is believed that the GPO was built in the 19th-century at an exorbitant cost of six lacs. The Postal Museum on the premises has a wonderful stamp collection.
Calcutta High Court, the oldest High Court in India, is a Neo-Gothic building with a colonnade, sculptured pillars and a 180-feet high tower. The red paint adds to the elegance. Governor's House, the residence of the Governor of West Bengal, is a picture of pure imperial past with its 26 acres of land, formal gardens and cannons. You will also stop at Black Hole, a site of atrocities on 65 captives, who were imprisoned in an underground cell that measured 18 by 14 feet.
The tour includes a walk through Asia’s largest flower market at MullikGhat. Drown in the colours of sunflowers, marigolds, hibiscus, orchids and piled in heaps for as far as the eye can see. Navigate the crowded chaos of a 125-year old marketplace where 4,000 vendors create an unusual morning ritual.
Transport: Walking Tour 
Activity level: Easy to Moderate
Accessible to wheel chair: Yes 
Kid friendly: Yes 
Languages: English & Local Language 
Inclusions: Private Knowledgeable guide, Entrance fee - 50 Per Person, entrance ticket (if any) to be included 
Exclusions: Meals. Personal Expenses and Souvenir, meals unless specified 
Gratuities: Not included in tour cost;payable at guest's discretion 
Meet up location: Hotel Pick Up 
End of tour location: Hotel Drop Off Duration: 3 hours Price: upto 2 adults ₹8820 | Price upto 2 adults | : ₹8,820 |
| Children | : Complimentary for children below 10 years |
25% of the total cost will be charged, if cancelled 15 to 10 days prior to the tour date.
50% of the total cost will be charged, if cancelled 9 to 5 days prior to the tour date.
No refund if cancelled less than 5 days prior to the tour date.
For group size more than 4 adults, write to us at info@footprintholidays.com
We can arrange other language speaking guides based on your request and availability
The tour can be customised to suit your needs like change of time, change of pick-up point, etc. You can write to us to info@footprintholidays.com customise your tour as per your preferences.
I will begin by saying that I had a FANTASTIC time in India. It was one of the best trips I've ever taken and I'm truly looking forward to hopefully having you book other trips for me in India.
I must say everything was planned to perfection. Each guide in every city was knowledgeable; especially the guide you arranged for us in Udaipur. We really enjoyed getting to know our guides Musheer and Kishore. We experienced the real India and appreciated the detailed itinerary your team created for us. The hotels were fantastic! In every hotel, the chef paid us a visit to make sure that we had meals suitable for us. We also enjoyed all the extra shopping excursions that were suggested.
The trip was a mega success and your team did a great job. Thanks to Footprint for everything. The entire family had a great time! The exclusive kalaripayattu demonstration was absolutely engaging and we loved every bit of the special private stand-up by Alex Babu (of Alex in Wonderland fame).
Thank you for a great trip! We especially enjoyed driving through the desertland into Jaisalmer; we also thoroughly enjoyed Bikaner, its Havelis and the Fort. Catching the daily life in Mumbai was a unique and eye-opening experience! All the hotels chosen are excellent with wonderful staff. Thank you!
Thank you for a wonderful trip to Kerala. We loved the village life walk and Fort Cochin walk. The backwater cruise in a traditional country boat was an incredible experience. A meal with the local family, living on an island in the backwaters, offered us an excellent opportunity to interact, learn and share. We loved every minute of our holiday! Thanks!
As a solo traveller, I felt safe and was exceptionally well taken care of. The cooking class in Jaipur was extremely enjoyable. The food, chef, and his wife were all exceptional and made for a lovely evening. Also, our expectations were definitely exceeded at a private residence, spending time with the elephants and lunching. Thanks!!
I loved India and thank you very much for arranging everything. It was a fabulous trip. Big kudos to you and your team. The tour guides and drivers were excellent. I loved the artisan walk, discovering the artistic treasures of Udaipur, meeting local potters and painters.
Thanks for arranging everything to precision – it was super smooth and we had a very good darshan!
Thanks for organising a great trip to Lucknow and Varanasi. The hotels at both the places were excellent; we had a great guide in Varanasi who went beyond the designated tour route and showed us around. The food tour in Lucknow was amazing and re-discovering the Awadhi Cuisine was a great experience – the kebabs were out of the world!
It was a terrific experience to spot the King of the jungle in all their glory at Gir. We had a very good experience overall.
It was a perfect leisure getaway – thanks for organising this! We loved the French Connection Trail; the guide took us through the French quarter sharing some incredible stories from the colonisation. We enjoyed the hotel and the service!