Situated in the east of India, West Bengal is stretches from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the South. This state shares international boundaries with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. Hence it is a strategically important place. The state is interlocked by the other states like Sikkim, Assam, Orissa and Bihar.
Hooghly and its tributaries - Mayurakshi, Damodar, Kangsabati and the Rupnarayan, enrich the soils of Bengal. The northern districts of Bengal like Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Bihar (in the Himalayas ranges) are watered by the rivers Tista, Torsa, Jaldhaka and Ranjit. From the northern places (feet of Himalayas) to the tropical forests of Sunderbans, West Bengal is a land of incessant beauty.
Calcutta, three hundred years old, traces its history to the landing of Robert Clive on the banks of the Hooghly beside three villages. It was from here the monumental British Raj was launched in India. The capital of West Bengal, Calcutta is the major entry point.
If Delhi is the elegant capital of the nation, and Bombay its major industrial city, then Calcutta ranks as the intellectual capital. Poets, thinkers and film directors of international renown hail from this city where avant garden plays and art exhibitions go on show practically every day of the year. Calcutta was the first headquarters of the East India Company, and some of its best known monuments were built by this British trading house. However, the city has, within its 300 years’ history, hosted other communities both from other parts of India as well as abroad – Chinese, Armenians, Jews – all of whom have left their imprint in pockets of Calcutta.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival Kolkata Transfer to Hotel. PM: Visit to Kumartooli to see how typical Bengal pottery are made, Bengali Sweet Making Centre, Jorasanko (Rabindranath Tagore’s House), Marble Palace. Overnight at Kolkata.
Day 2: Visit to Fulia, Shantipur weaver’s Village (known for cotton weaving of Bengal). Later on proceed to Krishnanagar famous for Clay doll making and scroll painting work at Ghoorni. PM: Half day at Mayapur Iskcom Temple. Overnight at Kolkata. Drive to the Terracota Town – Vishnupur, en route visit Jayrambati, Kamarpukur (Native of Ramakrishna). At Vishnupur visit these temples are full of old palaces, Baluchori Silk weaving Center, Conchshell work center, Dasavatar Playing cardmaking Center which is a typical center for traditional play card making. Lunch at Vishnupur Tourist Lodge.
Day 3: Panchmura village for Terracota work center. In the evening live Hindusthani Clasical Music Program (Famous Vishnupur Gharana). Overnight at Vishnupur. Vishnupur: The old capital of Malla kings (from the 8th Centuries) is famous for Terracotta Temples - The Typical Village Hut style of Bengal Temple Arcitecture. Some of the important Temples are Jor-Bangla, Shyamrai, Rashmancha are full of exquisite terracotta panels.
Day 4: Visit to Shantiniketan enroute visit Kenduli and Joydev. At Shantiniketan visit Vishwa Bharati University, Kalabavan and Museum, later visit Shantal (Tribal) village to enjoy the Shantal musical Dance performance and Baul (Balad Singer of Bengal) song and Dance performance at the Baul village. Dinner at Hotel with authentic Bengali food Overnight at Shantiniketan. Shantiniketan “The abode of Peace”, an Open Air School in harmony with nature founded by Noble Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore’s father Shri Debendra Nath Tagore, later which was promoted by Rabindranath Tagore and presently known as Vishwa Bharati University. Rabindra Bhawan - a Museum of Tagore Memorabilia, Uttarayan a complex of five houses in different architectural style, Sriniketan – a rural development center added more attraction. Shantiniketan is also the home of another Noble Laureate Economist Prof. Amartya Sen.
Day 5: Departure from Hotel for Kolkata. Enroute visit some Butik and Handicraft Centers. PM: Boat ride on Ganges. Overnight at city hotel.
Day 6: Drive to Murshidabad en route visiting the Historic Plassey Monument, Ranaghat Church and tour of Village Architecture, Muslim Architecture of 17th and 18th Century of Bengal. Sight seeing of Murshidabad. Murshidabad: The Old Capital of Bengal is intimately related to evernd that ultimately changed the history of India after the War of Plassey in 1757. Rich in Historical relics like Hazariduari Palace, Katra Mosque, Imambara etc are worth visit. Overnight at Berhampur.
Day 7: Drive to Malda, Once know as English Bazar. Visit of Gaur famous for Dakhil Darwaza, Lukochuri Darwaza, Barasona Mosque, Loton Mosque and many more sites. Gaur has typical mixture of Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Bengal Architecture, developed during early Eslamic Period of Bengal 14th to 15th Century. Few Architecture remains are of 09th to 10th Century of Pala Period.Visit of Pandua, famous for Typical Islamic and Buddhist Architecture. The most important site of Pandua is Adina Mosque. Overnight at Malda.
Day 8: Drive to Siliguri to visit Monastic Architectural Places. Drive to Darjeeling via Mirik Overnight at Darjeeling.
Day 9: Early morning Witness the amazing sunrise effect on the Mt. Kanchendzonga, at Tiger Hill. Visit Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop, Rock Garden, Refugee center, Tea Gardens and other places of interest in Darjeeling. Overnight at Darjeeling.
Day 10: Visit of Mirik.
Day 11: Board the Toy train to Siliguri. Overnight at Siliguri.
Day 12: Departure transfer for onward connection.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour Cost includes :
- Accommodation as per your budget/requirement as per above given range.
- Service of the Vehicles as per the entire programme
- Service of the Knowledgeable, Experience & Govt of India Tourism approved Licensed Guide
- Toll, tax, parking & all travel related taxes for the tour.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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