Heritage in Colonial Kolkata, Bishnupur and Soulful Mayapur

Duration5 days

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Experience the cultural soul of eastern India on this thoughtfully curated journey through Colonial Kolkata, temple-rich Bishnupur, and spiritually vibrant Mayapur. Discover Kolkata’s grand British-era architecture, historic landmarks, flower markets, and riverfront life along the Hooghly. Travel onward to Bishnupur, renowned for its exquisite terracotta temples and timeless Baluchari silk weaving traditions. Conclude your journey in Mayapur, the global center of the ISKCON movement, where sacred temples, riverbank serenity, and devotional rhythms create a deeply peaceful atmosphere. This tour beautifully blends history, art, spirituality, and everyday local life, offering a harmonious and immersive cultural experience.

Options

Price with 3-Star Hotels

Accommodation in 3-star hotels: + Private car with driver + Private local guides + Entrance fees and activity charges as mentioned in the itinerary.
Pickup included

Price with 4&5-Star Hotels

4 & 5-star hotels: + Private car with driver + Private local guides + Entrance fees and activity charges as mentioned in the itinerary.
Pickup included

Price with 4-Star Hotels

Accommodation in 4-star hotels: + Private car with driver + Private local guides + Entrance fees and activity charges as mentioned in the itinerary.
Pickup included

Tour Price without Hotels

Please book hotels on your own
Private car with driver : + Private local guides + Entrance fees and activity charges as mentioned in the itinerary.
Pickup included

What's included

All applicable government taxes.
English-speaking local/accompamied guides for sightseeing/ complete tour.
Monument entrance fees as per the program.
Bottled drinking water in the car.
Private AC vehicle with professional driver throughout the tour.
Breakfast
4 nights’ accommodation as per selected package (excluded if booked without hotels).

Camera/video charges at monuments.
Meals unless mentioned.
Personal expenses like laundry, tips, drinks, etc.
Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusions.

What to expect

Day 1: Arrival in Kolkata

Pass by

Arrive at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, where you will be met by your private driver and assisted with a comfortable transfer to your hotel.

Check in at the hotel (standard check-in time: 14:00 hrs; early check-in subject to availability) and take time to relax after your journey.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Pass by

In the evening, enjoy leisure time at your own pace. You may opt for a gentle walk along the banks of the Hooghly River, visiting Princep Ghat, a beautifully restored colonial riverside promenade, or Millennium Park, offering peaceful river views and a pleasant atmosphere.

Return to the hotel and unwind.

Day 2: Colonial & Historical Exploration of Kolkata

Writers' Building
Pass by

Breakfast at the hotel.

Begin your full-day exploration of Kolkata’s colonial and historical heritage.

Drive past the iconic Writers’ Building, once the administrative headquarters of British India, and the grand General Post Office, inspired by Roman architecture and overlooking the Hooghly River.
Indian Museum (Jadu Ghar)
2h · Admission ticket included

Visit the Indian Museum, the oldest and largest museum in India, housing rare collections of ancient sculptures, fossils, Mughal paintings, Buddhist relics, and an Egyptian mummy.
Victoria Memorial Hall
1h · Admission ticket included

Continue to the majestic Victoria Memorial, a marble monument built in honor of Queen Victoria, surrounded by landscaped gardens and galleries showcasing colonial-era artifacts and paintings.
1h

Visit St. John’s Church, one of the earliest Anglican churches in the city, known for its classical architecture and historic tombs in the churchyard.

Step inside St. Paul’s Cathedral, an impressive Indo-Gothic church famous for its stained-glass windows, murals, and peaceful interior.
Pass by

Explore Town Hall and Dalhousie Square (B.B.D. Bagh), surrounded by colonial-era buildings that reflect the grandeur of British Calcutta.
Enjoy a drive past the iconic Howrah Bridge, witnessing one of the busiest and most famous landmarks of Kolkata spanning the Hooghly River.
Malik Ghat Flower Market
30m

Visit the vibrant Mallick Ghat Flower Market, one of Asia’s largest flower markets, offering a colorful and authentic glimpse into local life.
Fort William
1h · Admission ticket included

Drive past Fort William, an active military installation (viewed from outside), marking the strategic importance of the city during colonial rule.

Day 3: Kolkata – Bishnupur (Approx. 140 km / 4 hrs)

Kolkata (Calcutta)
Pass by

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Drive from Kolkata to Bishnupur, a historic temple town known for its terracotta architecture and rich cultural traditions, passing through the scenic countryside of West Bengal.
Rasmancha
30m · Admission ticket included

Upon arrival, begin sightseeing with a visit to Rasmancha, built in 1600 AD by King Bir Hambir, distinguished by its pyramid-like structure and arched corridors once used for displaying idols during festivals.
Jor-mandir Group of Temples
30m · Admission ticket included

Visit the Jor Bangla Temple, designed in the traditional Bengali hut style, adorned with intricate terracotta panels depicting mythological scenes and daily life.
Radha Shyam Temple
20m

Explore Shyam Rai Temple, famous for its five spires and elaborate terracotta artwork narrating episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Madan Mohan Temple
20m

Visit the Madan Mohan Temple, built in the ek-ratna style, known for its beautifully detailed terracotta figurative panels.
Radha Shyam Temple
30m

Walk through the Lalji Temple and Radha Shyam Temple, offering serene courtyards and remarkable craftsmanship from the 17th–18th centuries.
Bishnupur Museum
30m · Admission ticket included

Visit the Bishnupur Museum, displaying manuscripts, temple fragments, musical instruments, and historical artifacts of the region.
Bishnupur
Pass by

Experience local heritage craftsmanship with a visit to a Baluchari saree weaving workshop, where skilled artisans demonstrate this traditional textile art.

Check in to your hotel and relax.

Day 4: Bishnupur – Mayapur (Approx. 200 km / 5.5 hrs)

Mayapur
Pass by

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Drive through rural Bengal landscapes, villages, and farmlands en route to Mayapur, the international headquarters of the ISKCON movement and a major Vaishnavite pilgrimage center.

Arrive in Mayapur and check in to your hotel or guesthouse.
ISKCON Chandrodaya Mandir
2h · Admission ticket included

Visit the magnificent ISKCON Chandrodaya Mandir, the main temple complex dedicated to Lord Krishna, known for its spiritual energy and architectural grandeur.
1h · Admission ticket included

Visit Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa Samadhi Mandir, a memorial dedicated to the founder of ISKCON, surrounded by landscaped gardens and informative exhibits.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness
1h

Enjoy a peaceful walk along the Ganges riverbank, soaking in the serene atmosphere and panoramic views of the temple complex across the river.

Attend the evening aarti, a deeply spiritual experience accompanied by devotional chanting and music with devotees from across the globe.

Return to the hotel.

Day 5: Mayapur Sightseeing & Return to Kolkata (Approx. 130 km / 4 hrs)

Mayapur
Pass by

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Visit the Goshala (cow sanctuary) within the ISKCON campus to learn about sustainable living practices and the spiritual significance of cow protection.
Pass by

Explore Yoga Peeth, the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the 15th-century saint and key figure of the Bhakti movement.
Mayapur
Pass by

Visit the Samadhi of Bhaktivinoda Thakur and Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, revered spiritual leaders of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

Spend time absorbing the peaceful ambiance of the ashram gardens and temple surroundings.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Pass by

Drive back to Kolkata in the afternoon.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel or directly to the airport for your onward journey.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

A private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle will be provided for the entire tour. Pickup is available from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and all hotels, residences, and other accommodations within Kolkata city limits. Travelers arriving at the airport will be welcomed and assisted by our office executive. If you are staying outside the pickup area, you may choose a convenient central hotel or landmark for pickup. Please provide your hotel or flight details at least 3 days before the tour. Office executive and driver contact details will be shared one day prior to the tour.

Additional information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.