Intimate India

cultural tours with a difference

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Connect with the heart of India and experience the rich culture of West Bengal. Our tours are conducted by experienced guides and are personal, friendly and different.

10 Nights: 1st-12th February 2010 

Bengal’s Rich Culture

West Bengal is the cultural heart of India, and as yet, rarely explored. Poets, musicians, artists, saints— Bengal has them all. Famous Bengali’s include Ravi Shankar, Rabindranath Tagore, Aurobindo, and Ramakrishna.

This tour is special because you will enjoy private concerts, lectures and meetings with local artists and cultural experts. You will benefit from the guidance, knowledge and expertise of our experienced guides from the UK and Bengal throughout the trip.

 Kolkata (Calcutta) is a bustling and proud city, huge in scale yet intimate in feel—more like a series of villages than an impersonal town. It encompasses remnants of the British raj, temples to the Goddess Kali and other Hindu deities, a bustling life around the river Ganges, vibrant markets, some of the best galleries, museums and concert halls in India. Best of all, the Bengali people who love music, art, chatting, drinking tea and eating sweets!

Santiniketan means ‘Abode of Peace’ It is famous as the home and inspiration of Rabindranath Tagore, and is internationally renowned as a centre of arts and culture.

Activities and Itinerary

We will spend half our time in and around Kolkata, and the other half in the peaceful rural environment of Santiniketan.

Day 1: arrival in Kolkata. Explore local south Kolkata markets and street life.

Day 2: North Kolkata: Kumartuli—a whole district of Kolkata where the clay and straw statues are made for the different festivals. Flower market, Tagore’s house, Jain temples, the Marble Palace, traditional coffee house

 Day 3: Heritage of the Raj—the Victoria Memorial, Writer’s building, Flurries tea shop Park Street and central Kolkata. Evening—concert of Songs of Rabindranath Tagore with renowned singer, Rajeswar Bhattacharya

Day 4-7: Travel to Santiniketan by train. We will explore the local villages and tribal communities, craft centres, the Tagore museum, university campus, and visit development , arts and environmental projects. There will be an evening concert with ‘Baul’s of Bengal—wandering mystical minstrels.

Day 8: Return to Kolkata and rest. Kali temple at Dakshineshwar and leisurely river trip on the Ganges to Belur Math. Home cooked Bengali feast with Bula

Day 9: Indian Museum (oldest in Asia-Pacific). It has a vast collection of over 1 million exhibits. Evening concert/lecture

Day 10: Craft centres, shopping, ‘Hogg’ market, and Dakshinapan, with all the state emporiums and the famous Dolly’s tea shop.
 

Food and Accommodation

In Kolkata, we will stay at the Tollygunge Club, which combines raj-style elegance and comfort, friendliness and informality in the greener south Kolkata .

In Shantiniketan, we will stay at ‘Jeeran’ a rural retreat with accommodation in cottages surrounding a small lake, and with home-cooked food.

Food: Bengalis love food and our expert guides will ensure that you experience the best of local fare. This includes a wide range of fresh, lightly spiced vegetable and lentil-based dishes, fish, juicy mutton and chicken. Kolkata is famous for its ‘mishti’ (sweets) made with creamy milk, sugar and delicate flavours.

Responsible Tourism

Last but by no means least, we strive to adhere to responsible tourism guidelines; helping protect and develop all that is best in the local culture, for a sustainable future for all.

Experience the real India without the hassle!

We offer an intimate experience of West Bengal’s rich cultural heritage, supported by expert guides from Bengal and the UK

Avoid the typical touristy experiences without having to spend weeks back-packing, and enjoy;

Real contact with real people

Experiences not just sights

Urban bustle and rural retreat

Good local food, clean water and a comfortable bed

Clay sculpture of Hanuman, Indian god

Remnants of the Raj - central Kolkata

vibrant paddy fields in rural Bengal

Your local host, Bula Saha. Her home is Kolkata, and she is proud and passionate about Bengal and its heritage.

Cost: £1200 Please inquire for $ and € rates

Included: full board, all services of experienced, expert guides, local travel, shared accommodation

Excluded: international flights, visa, insurance

Emaiil Suekali here for up to date information about this tour.

River view of Howrah bridge, Kolkata