Kolkata 7 Days Tour (DSI-178)

On arrival, our representative will drive you till your hotel.

This evening, be ready as we take you for an art walk to the Experimenter Gallery in Kolkatta. View the two showsNestled brings together the works of sculptor and painter Adip Dutta and the revered artist late Meera Mukherjee, revisiting a layered and nuanced relationship between them. Bare Bones is Ayesha Sultana’s solo, bringing together an intensely personal yet acutely revealing body of work, that deals with the body and stillness, its relationship with space and movement, breaking down the act of painting to express an intimate moment, where physical and emotional limitations are stretched, tested and broken. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, after an early breakfast, we set off for Kalna. (approx. 3 hours) On arrival, we will cross over the Ganges to go meet Mr Rajib Debnath, a textile developer and designer. He will show us the process of the Jamdani Muslin, how its process is almost magical and the importance of the Jamdani in the world of weaving. He, and his father, can be credited with the development of Jamdani in India. Lunch will be enroute From here, we will continue on the highlight of our trip, Murshidabad. (approx. 4 hours) On arrival in Murshidabad, we will be booked at the heritage Bari Kothi hotel. Check in to the hotel Pre-dinner, enjoy an enthralling storytelling session on the intangible significance of the place and its architecture to enable visitors to connect both emotionally and intellectually. You will also enjoy a Bari Kothi by night tour.

Dinner & overnight at hotel.

Today you will enjoy a unique sightseeing experience by boat. You will visit the site of the Nawab’s burial, Katra Mosque, which was built in 1724 and was modelled after the great mosque at Mecca. We will also visit Hazarduari, or "A Thousand Doors," the nawabs' massive Italian Baroque palace, which features an enormous chandelier presented by Queen Victoria and a library of over 10,000 books. We will also visit the Nizamat Imambara which is located quite close to the royal Hazarduari Palace. In 1847 AD, Nawab Nazim Mansoor Ali Khan Feradun Jah built the Imambara after the Siraj-ud-Daulla's Imambara was destroyed by a fire. This is the largest Imambara in West Bengal. We will visit the Kathgola Palace an ancient and ornate mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens. From here we will visit Nasipur Palace. The miniature of the Hazarduari, the Nasipur Royal Palace is situated a little to the north of Akhra, very close to Jagat Seth's house. It was built in the 2nd half of the 19th century by Raja Kirtichand Bahadur who came from Panipath to do business. Enjoy a unique lunch on the boat. We will also visit Tantipara - a weavers village. While visiting this village you can experience the age old techniques and highly skilled weavers preparing the finest of silk sarees which are now being recognized in both national and international markets. The weaver’s community prepare the famous Bengal sarees (Garad, Baluchari, Silk Handloom, etc). Evening return to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Morning: Optional Village walk.

Post breakfast, we will leave for Shantiniktan post breakfast (approx. 4 hours) Shantiniketan literally translates to "abode of peace". Originally it was a small village inhabited by Santhal Tribes. Later with the development of a world class university with the vision of the Rabindranath Tagore, the education system developed and led to the establishment of Vishwa Bharati University attracting people from all parts of the world to congregate here. In Shantiniketan, you will be booked at Mitali Homestay / The Garden Bungalow or similar for 2 nights. Lunch will be in Shantiniketan This afternoon, we will visit visit Lipi’s Ceramic studio. Lipi Biswas, a potter, is a fine arts graduate and a self trained ceramic artist. The pottery shapes and designs are inspired by nature.

Overnight at the hotel.

Shantiniketan sightseeing: (please note that part of the sightseeing will be on foot or in a toto).

Highlights include the Uttaryan Complex of five houses from the time of Rabindranath Tagore, named Punascha, Shyamali, Konarka, Udichi, and Udayan. A house called Bichitra is now a museum that houses several of Rabindranath’s personal belongings. (if open) Also see the Visva Bharati University Campus, and the fine arts faculty of Kala Bhavana, The Rabindra-Bhavana museum, and the Chhatimtala meditation site. (all, if open) We will then visit the Amar Kutir Society for Rural Development, established to sustain the livelihood of traditional West Bengali arts and crafts and its artisans.

Overnight at the hotel.

After early morning breakfast leave for Bishnupur to see the wonderful terracotta temples. (apprx 3½ hours) In Bishnupur proceed for a tour of the town.

Bishnupur was which was a part of the Malla dynasty for almost a thousand years. Bishnupur is now renowned for its temples with exclusive terracotta craftsmanship. Is a seat of crafts and culture. "Terracotta" or "Baked Earth" is synonymous of Bishnupur. Apart from the temples, terracotta pottery, artefacts and even jewellery made of terracotta are widely available and makes Bishnupur all the more famous. The potters here derive their inspiration from the glorious history of kings, soldiers and wars. Bishnupur is also known for its silk (tussar), particularly the Baluchari Sarees. Woven on unusual punch-card looms, these sarees have episodes from the Mahabharata woven into the border and pallu. Bellmetal ware and conch-shell jewellery is also available here. Another exquisite craft found here are Dashavatar Cards - a special type of playing card named as the "DASHAVATAR TAS", which represents the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Lunch in Bishnupur and continue back to Kolkatta arriving in the evening. (apprx 4 hours).

Over night at hotel.

Morning: optional Calcutta Heritage walk: In the footsteps of the Raj.

The British had sought to build 'the second city of the Empire' right here and it is this 'building' that we'll show you in the course of our walk through the 'European' areas of what was once the capital of the British Empire in India. There are major plans on to beautify and restore this heritage site with its rich and varied architectural styles. One of our most popular walks this serves as the perfect introduction to British Calcutta and gives you a sneak peek into what went into the making of the Colonial Capital of India. So prepare to whet your appetite for all things Raj. Return to the hotel.

The transfer to the airport will be arranged for you.