Overview:

West Bengal, the East Indian state, is known for its rich culture and heritage. This place makes every traveler and tourist feel at home, welcoming them with open arms. During the trip, you will experience the diverse traditions while exploring the different heritage sites in Kolkata, Mayapur, Murshidabad, and Shantiniketan. Kolkata, the vibrant heart of Bengal, commonly known as the City of Joy, is one of the best Cultural hubs. Its narrow lanes, red-bricked dilapidated houses, sunkissed orange waters of Ganga, and the brightly lit streets filled with the aroma of Bengali Food cannot be compared to anything else. Mayapur is also filled with traditions, and the Aarthi Darshan atChandradaya Mandir is one of the best moments on this journey. The well-preserved Museums, magnificent Masjids, and splendid Gardens at Murshidabad is truly worth exploring with time in hand. On this heritage tour, you will also visit Shantiniketan, which is known as a literary heritage site, where the artistic and valuable works of Gurudev, Rabindranath Tagore are preserved. Bengal is undoubtedly the best destination if you wish to walk, talk, and relive every moment from the pages of History. It beholds in its heart the great leaders like Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, and Shri Ramakrishna, following whose footsteps Bengal derives its Cultures and Traditions. With this vacation, you will take back memories and moments to stick with you throughout your life.

Day to Day Travel Slate:

Day1:

On your arrival at the Kolkata Airport or Howrah / Sealdah / Kolkata Railway Station,you will be received by our representatives. Soon you will be transferred to the hotel where you can relax for a while. You will spend the rest of the day by visiting some of the popular tourist attractions located by the banks of the holy Ganges. You will begin with St. Paul’s Cathedral, an old Anglican church that stands tall with pride since the British Raj. Directly adjacent to the Cathedral lies Victoria Memorial, which is only one of the most spectacular monuments of the city. It is a magnificent white marbled building made in memory of Queen Victoria. After that, you will visit the Outram and Princep Ghat, where you can immerse yourself in the mesmerizing beauty during the sunset when the waters of Ganges sparkle in the orange reflection of the sky. You will also witness the Second Hoogly Bridge, popularly known as the Vidyasagar Setu, the iconic toll bridge often seen to describe Kolkata. In the evening, you can visit the New Market, one of the largest markets in the city, for some shopping items like Jewellery, Bags, Clothes, etc. After that, you can proceed to Park Street, where you can explore the brightly lit streets under the night sky and explore some of the best restaurants and hotels in that area. You can choose one of the famous joints amongst them to have dinner and then return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day2:

Today, after breakfast, be prepared for the exciting Kolkata Heritage walk. It will start from the Great Eastern Hotel (Lalit), which is a hotel constructed during the British Rule and is a rare specimen of the Colonial Era. Throughout the day, you will have an exploratory walk along the narrow lanes of Kolkata amidst the red-bricked houses dating back to the British Raj. The trail will end at Raj Bhavan or Bidhansabha Bhavan after discovering the nooks and corners of the City of Joy. In the evening, you will visit the sacredDakshineswar Temple and then Belur Math by boat. The boat ride on the Ganges, with cold winds touching your face, will be truly fascinating. On reaching the other bank, you will visit the Ramakrishna Mission, a heritage building, and a center started by the followers of Shri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. After the blissful evening at Belur Math and the Ramakrishna Mission, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day3:

With an early morning breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel today. You willproceed for Mayapur, which will be a journey of 130 Km for 3 hours approximately. On reaching, you will check-in to the guest house, relax and have some refreshments. Then you will go for a boat ride in the holy Ganges for Puja and sacred rituals. In the evening, you will be given a guided tour of the lovely campus, after which you will get ready for the special puja for your family and loved ones. Mayapur is famous for theChandradaya Mandir, which was the first temple to be established by the ISKCON. You will witness the spectacular Arthi Darshanin the Chandradaya Temple and also have Bhog Prasad. Overnight stay will be at Mayapur.

Day4:

After breakfast, today, you will proceed for Murshidabad. The town of  Murshidabad is located on the eastern bank of the Hoogly River and will take about 2.5 hours to cover the distance of 100 Km. On your arrival, you will check-in the hotel/resort to relax and take some refreshments. After a while, you will proceed with the sightseeing, and you will begin with the biggest attraction of this place:the Hazarduari Palace Museum. It is a three-story structure with thousand doors hence the name “Hazar Duari.”The palace is of quite a significant historic architecture and attracts tourists from all over India. After that, you will visit the Katra Masjid, a dome-shaped structure and a specimen of Islamic Architecture. It is a beautiful place and is the tomb of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan. The next few destinations on your list would be Motijheel Park, Kathgala Gardens, and Khosh Bagh. Motijheel Park is an amusement park where you can relax and enjoy the serenity of the place for a while. The Kathgala Gardens and Khosh Bagh are known for the varied species of flora and the charming lush green scenic beauty, which is a delight for nature lovers. After the beautiful journey amidst the major destinations of the town, you will end your day enjoying the exquisite view of the River Ganga. Dinner and overnight stay at Murshidabad.

Day5:

You will proceed for Shantiniketan today soon after breakfast. Shantiniketan, as the name suggests, means the “Abode of Peace” is another very famous destination of Kolkata, which tourists and locals alike visit. After driving for 115 Km  (3 hours), you will finally reach your destination. On your arrival, you will check-in to the resort /hotel and relax for a while. You will then proceed for sightseeing, and your first destination for the day will be Viswa Bharati University. It was founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921 and is now known for its National Rank in India. The Tagore’s Ashram, our next stop, is a must-visit as it beholds the literary works and awards of Rabindranath Tagore and is very well preserved as a Heritage Site. Next, we will visit Amar Kutir, a shelter for National Movement Activists during Independence and greatly historical significance. Kala Bhavan is also quite an important site as it is the center for Visual Arts and Research in India. Then we will head towards the Chhatimtala, which means “under the tree.” This is the unique spot where Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore, used to sit here and pray. It is a spectacular location with greenery all around. Our last site for the day would be Kankalitala, a Sati Peeth, which is a sacred place for Hindus to offers prayers and ask for blessings. You will have lunch and dinner in different local Bengali traditional restaurants, and in the evening, enjoy a Cultural Program. Overnight stay will be in Shantiniketan.

Day6:

As your week-long trip comes to an end, you will check-out from the hotel soon after breakfast. You will then proceed for the Airport or Railway station for your return journey with lots of happy memories from the City of Joy that you will cherish forever.

Inclusions:

• Accommodation with Breakfast.
• All ground transportation with toll tax and parking fees etc.
• Professional guided tour.

Exclusions:

• Airfare and train fare
• Entry fees and camera charges
• Package drinking water and beverages
• Emergency medical expenses and Insurance
• Any other expenses not included in inclusions