Delve into the Heritage of Great Bengal

DAY 1 : Arrival in Calcutta (Kolkata)

Landing in Calcutta (Kolkata), welcome at the airport, and departure by private vehicle to your charming hotel to take rest after your long-haul flight. Stretched out on the banks of the Hooghly, this former capital of the former British Indian Empire is home to beautiful vestiges of the colonial era, and has a real soul. During this stay we will invite you to discover it.

 

DAY 2 : Calcutta

Private transfer in the city, for a day of visit on the traces of the past through the beautiful vestiges of the colonial time such as the Victoria Memorial, the district of Raj Bhavan or the Church Saint John. It is still in its streets with the old-fashioned charm that the spectacle is even more bewitching, like the flower market at the foot of the Howra bridge, the Book Market of College Street with its famous coffee of predilection of the intellectuals, the Coffee House or the Kumartuli district, kingdom of the potters of Kolkata where they create the Hindu idols which one sees at the time of the festivals. You will pass from the temple to the temple of Kalighat, following the line of pilgrims who have come to offer hibiscus flowers to the goddess Kali. You will discover how this goddess impregnates the life of the inhabitants of the city. Finally the Jain temple Pareshnath, made by one of the great jewelers of Calcutta, covered with semi-precious stones and small mirrors. Return to the hotel before your traditional Bengali dinner with a family. Overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 3 : Calcutta – Bishnupur

Morning transfer to Bishnupur through the Bengali countryside, en route visit the Pancharatna temple at Pandua and the Bari Mosque and its minaret. After lunch, continue to the village of Panchmurah and meet the clay artisans. In the vicinity, visit many Terracotta temples dating back several centuries, from the Mallaraja era. Arrival at the hotel at the end of the day for the dinner and the night. (Journey : 4h / 140 Km)

 

DAY 4 : Bishnupur – Panchmura – Bikna – Sonamukhi – Shantiniketan

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit of the very old historical city of Bishnupur, and discovery in particular of its houses made of bamboos, ground or bricks. Stroll in rickshaw while skirting its brick temples of the XVII and XVIII centuries in the shape of traditional hut and covered with terracotta patterns of a great delicacy relating episodes of the Mahâbhârata and the Râmâyana. Lunch in town then this afternoon direction Shantiniketan, translated by ‘sanctuary of peace’. Once a small village inhabited by the Santhal tribes, it is now famous for its school founded by the Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore and its many universities dedicated to the arts. Visit the museum dedicated to Tagore and its art gallery. On the way, you will discover the beautiful Surul Temple of Lakshmi-Janardan on the banks of the Hoogly. Enjoy the evening with a traditional Baul song and dance performance. Settle in and overnight at your hotel. ( Journey : 3h30 / 130 Km)

 

DAY 5 : Shantiniketan – Supur – Itonda – Bolpur to Malda by train

This morning you will be introduced to the academic world of Shantiniketan starting with the Uttaryan complex, the campus of Visva Bharati University and all the universities that have worked for the renaissance and contemporary Bengali artistic and literary developments. After lunch, visit the Supur temple made of terracotta with a walk through its village. Visit Itonda if time permits. Then hop on the local train to Malda. Get ready for the dinner at your arrival in Malda. (Train journey : 4h)

 

DAY 6 : Malda – Pandua – Gaur – Malda

This morning after your breakfast, visit Malda’s relics of the three dynasties of ancient Bengal – the Buddhist Palas, the Hindu Senas and the Muslim Nawabs – from three distinct eras. Start with the Bara Sona Mosque, Dakhil Darwajah (built in 1425), Qadam Rasul Mosque and the ruins of its huge fortification. You will be surprised to discover its colored glazed tiles on the Gomti and Firoz Minar gate. Then this afternoon direction the archaeological site of Pandua, presenting an impressive Muslim architecture, in particular the vast mosque Adina built by Sikander Shah in 1369. It is one of the largest mosques in India, built on a Hindu temple and having up to 378 small domes. Followed by a visit to the lost monastery of Jagjivanpur and the Ramakrishna mission temple. Return for dinner and overnight at your hotel in Malda. ( Journey : 2h / 70 km)

 

DAY 7 : Malda – Murshidabad (Azimganj)

This morning drive to Azimganj (Murshidabad) (141 km / 4h30), the last capital of independent Bengal in the 18th century before Calcutta, located on the banks of the Bhagirathi river. This city of splendors is also famous for its silk. In the afternoon visit the Hazarduari Palace or the Palace of a Thousand Doors, built for the Nawab Najim Humaun Jah. Then check in to your charming hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. (Journey: 3h30 / 144 km)

 

DAY 8 : Murshidabad (Azimganj)

Today your guide reserves you a complete day in the city of Murshidabad and its many monuments which you will discover with him of which the imposing mosque of Katra and its immense domes. You will also be invited to explore the nearby Tanti para, this colony of weavers using the famous Murshidabad silk. Evening free, dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

 

DAY 9 : Murshidabad (Azimganj) – Mayapur – Kalna – Itachuna

Continue through the countryside to Mayapur to visit the new ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple which dominates the skyline. As the headquarters of the Hare Krishna movement, the temple receives over a million singing and dancing devotees from all over the world each year. Its calm atmosphere and positive meditation energies will soothe you. Visit its many temples and stroll along the river.
Head to the rural town of Kalna where you will take an autorickshaw and pass by some of the most beautiful terracotta temples in Bengal. Walk along the Pathuria Mahal Ghat, which has become the main place of sacred ablutions in the town. Finally you will end this afternoon at Itachuna, in the heart of the countryside where an ancient Rajbari will welcome you in his palace. Dinner and night at your host’s place. (Journey : 4h30 / 160 Km)

 

DAY 10 : Itachuna – Bansberia – Bandel – Chandernagor – Serempore – Calcutta

It is time to say goodbye to your host to continue your journey in Bengal. First stop at the town of Bansberia, known for the temples of Ananta Vasudeva and Hangseshwari built in the traditional Ekaratna style with curved cornices and numerous minars, each in the shape of a lotus bud. Then direction Bandel and its monastery of 1599 recall that this locality was a Portuguese trading post. You will finally arrive in Chandranagar, the “city of the moon” lined with coconut trees and former French trading post. Visit of its Museum housed in the former residence of France and the Church of the Sacred Heart.
After lunch, last stop towards Srirampur (ex-Serampore) for the night. Of its Danish colonies, a church of the XIXth century remains. Return to Calcutta for dinner and overnight at your hotel. (Journey: 2 hours / 70 km)

 

DAY 11 : Calcutta – Sunderban National Park

Breakfast at the hotel. After this immersion in the history and spirituality of Bengal, you will enjoy a moment in nature, in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest south of Calcutta. The best way to visit the park is by boat through the channels. Located in the Bay of Bengal, straddling India and Bangladesh, this reserve is one of the largest mangrove forests on our planet. It is also one of the last refuges of the Bengal tiger.
Upon arrival, a full day cruise in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to discover the local wildlife. With a little luck, you may see a Bengal tiger. You will appreciate the beauty of the mangrove from the many creeks and channels. Picnic lunch during the visit.
In the evening return to your lodge located in the middle of nature, for dinner and overnight. (Journey : 5h / 100 km)

 

DAY 12 : Sundarban National Park – Cacultta – Departure

Breakfast at the lodge then move to the airport of Calcutta for flight of return or of extension for another destination. (Journey : 5h / 100 km)

Suggested Hotels:

• Kolkata: The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata 5*.
• Bishnupur: Annapurna
• Shantiniketan: Mayas / The Creek
• Malda: Golden Park 3* (in the city of Malda)
• Murshidabad / Azimganj: Bari Kothi / The Roys
• Palace Cossimbazar
• Itachuna: Itachuna Rajbari
• Serampore: The Denmark Tavern
• Sunderban National Park: Lodge