Kolkata - Guided Tour of the City of Joy

Experience the 'City of Joy' while you visit the oldest and remarkable monuments of this jolly city and take a 3-hour long cruise on the holy Ganges.

Highlights

• Take a tour of the Indian museum, the largest and oldest in India.
• Witness the paintings of the 'Last Supper' on the walls of a Greco-Roman architectural beauty called the St. John's Church.
• Take a 3-hour long cruise on the mesmerizing waters of Ganges, watch the iconic Howrah Bridge and numerous ghats.
• Company of an experienced and knowledgeable local guide.

Detailed overview

Kolkata (earlier known as Calcutta) is the capital of West Bengal and a major hub of East India. At one time Kolkata was the British capital in India and thereby had been greatly influenced by it. British style lamp posts and the yellow ambassador taxis that throng the streets are evidence to this. Commonly known as 'City of Joy', Kolkata is known for welcoming locals, street food, culture, literature and most importantly sweets.

Itinerary

• Your tour begins with a morning pick up from your hotel/residence in Kolkata city limits, you will be meeting your guide who will be your companion for the day.
• First up at around 8:00 am you will be visiting the Mausoleum of Job Charnock the founder of modern Kolkata.
• In 1690 Charnock bought the villages of Sutanuti, Gobindapur and Kalikata from Bengal subedar Azim Usman and over time Kolkata became the capital of East India Company.
• Your second stop will be the St John’s Church, built in 1787 by architect James Agg, this majestic stone and brick structure is the principal Cathedral of Calcutta since 1815, this church has the 'Last Supper' painted on its walls.
• At around 10:00 am your place of visit will be the Writers' Building built in the year of 1777, this Greco-Roman masterpiece is the seat of the West Bengal state government, as it is a working building you will be visiting it from outside.
• Post the Writers' Building you will head to the Governor's House, Marquess of Wellesley who came to Kolkata as the Governor General of East India Company in 1798 was the first occupant of this 1803 structure.
• 11:30 am hour mark will take you to the Shaheed Minar, this was built in 1848 with a blend of Egyptian, Syrian and Turkish design styles. A monument commemorating the sacrifice of Indian freedom fighters.
• Post the Shaheed Minar you will head to India's oldest and largest museum, the Indian Museum at noon. Built in the year of 1814 this is the home to a massive collection of relics, ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armours and paintings of different eras
• Now comes the time of a lip-smacking lunch at a restaurant selected by your host cum guide.
• Post lunch you will resume your day's tour by visiting the most celebrated structure of the city, the Victoria Memorial. This architectural gem built in marble is a great place to experience the essence of Victorian-era.
• At around 4:00 pm in the evening, the last leg of your tour will lead you to a 3-hour long cruise on the Ganga river, enjoy the scenic views of the Howrah bridge and the beautiful ghats. Relax and let this mighty river enchant you.
• Your Kolkata experience will come to an end by a drop back to your hotel/residence in Kolkata city limits.