Question 1

What are the best places to visit on a Kolkata tour?

Accepted Answer

1. The Howrah Bridge: Howrah Bridge is considered the most representative, iconic structure in the city. Apart from being a very beautiful place to explore, it is also an important historical landmark, connecting the two districts of Kolkata and Howrah, across the Hooghly River.Location: Howrah, West Bengal 700001.2. The Victoria Memorial: The Victoria Memorial is another iconic structure that has defined the skyline of Kolkata since 1901, when it was built. Constructed as a homage to Queen Victoria, the palace is now a converted museum with sprawling grounds surrounding it, where you can relax and take in the beauty of the building from all sides.Location: 1, Queens Way, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071.3. St. Paul’s Cathedral: Paul’s Cathedral is another iconic landmark in the city, where you can check out the intricate Indo-Gothic style which became popular all over the country. The church has existed since 1847, and it is said to be the first cathedral built by the British in one of their colonies outside of Britain.Location: Cathedral Road, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071.4. Botanical Gardens: The Botanical Gardens in Kolkata, which has existed since 1787, is one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the world. Apart from being home to thousands of beautiful flowering and non-flowering plant species, it is also home to the largest tree in the world – a Banyan tree – that is said to be over 300 years old.Location: Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal, 711103.5. The Indian Museum: The Indian Museum is one of the largest and most well-stocked museums in the country, with artefacts dating back to Neanderthal times. Kolkata tour packages are incomplete without a stop at the museum, which houses many relics from the reign of the Mughals and Ashoka and even has an Egyptian history section with a restored Egyptian mummy.Location: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Fire Brigade Head Quarter, Dharmatala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016.6. Shobhabazar Rajbari: What started out as the home of one of the oldest families in Kolkata is now a major tourist attraction in the city. If you want an authentic insight into the “old-world charm” that the city boasts of, then no place is better than this magnificent house with its courtyards and verandas that have existed since the 18th century.Location: 67C, Raja Nabakrishna Street, HatiBagan, Shobhabazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700004.

Question 2

What are the best things to do on a Kolkata tour?

Accepted Answer

1. Explore College Street: Kolkata tour packages would be incomplete without a tour through the famous College Street. College Street is a cultural hotspot for Kolkata, where you can visit some of the oldest colleges in the country with colourful histories of their own. The street is lined with hundreds of bookshops, where you can buy cheap books and check out iconic places like the Coffee Shop.Price: Free entry (Approximately INR 30 – INR 100 for a book).2. Walk down Park Street: Park Street is another iconic street in the city and your Kolkata tours would remain incomplete without a visit. With legendary restaurants and shops like Trincas, Flury’s, Moulin Rouge and Peter Cat lining the streets, it is impossible to escape the contagious energy of the street.3. Enjoy an adventure at Nicco Park: Nicco Park is Kolkata’s largest amusement park that is also home to a fully equipped water park. You can book Kolkata packages that include a trip to Nicco Park, where you can enjoy go-karting, going on a roller coaster, scary houses and much more.Price: INR 250 for entry, INR 750 for entry+water park access.4. Go birdwatching in Rabindra Sarobar Lake: The lake area in South Kolkata is one of the most peaceful places in the city. The lakes are surrounded with gardens with benches where you can sit and watch the birds. The lakes also have small islands of trees at the centre, which attract many exotic birds to the area. It is the ideal place for walkers, joggers and bird-watchers.5. Eat breakfast at Tiretti morning bazaar: The Tiretti Morning Bazaar is an iconic landmark in the city that is run by the local Anglo-Indian community. The bazaar starts at 5 a.m. and wraps up by 7 a.m. You can buy authentic, home-cooked pork buns, momos, gyathuk, soup, and other North-eastern, Anglo-Indian, Nepali and Tibetan delicacies here.Price: Prices of items start from INR 20.6. Enjoy a ride on the ferry on the Hooghly River: To get a breathtaking view of the Howrah Bridge, you can take a ride on the ferry or an old-school boat. It is especially recommended that you take this ride at dusk or after sundown so that you can watch the magical lights of the city and the bridge reflected in the river.Price: INR 20 for a one-way trip on the ferry, INR 600 for an hour’s-long tour on a boat.

Question 3

What are the famous adventure activities to do on a Kolkata tour?

Accepted Answer

1. Tram rides: Well-crafted Kolkata holiday packages include exciting activities such as tram rides. Trams are still an important means of transportation in Kolkata, but taking a ride on one of these on-ground rail cars is nothing short of an adventure. You can hop on any tram that frequents the streets of North Kolkata for a unique adventure.2. Camping: There are some very beautiful places within 100 kms of Kolkata such as Tajpur, Bolpur, Mandarmani, etc. where you can go camping and enjoy other outdoor adventures such as hiking.3. Boating: There are several places in Kolkata such as Eco-Park and Rabindra Sarobar Lake, where you can go boating, and even try your hand at professional rowing.4. Horse-riding: There is a full-fledged race course in Kolkata which holds events like the Derby on an annual basis. However, for the rest of the year, you can enjoy horse-riding with your family, which is considered an exciting adventure during your Kolkata tours.

Question 4

Which are the places for a wildlife experience in Kolkata?

Accepted Answer

Kolkata houses various natural parks as well as wildlife sanctuaries where one can witness wildlife from extreme closeness. Some of the major attractions are jotted below:

Jaldapara National Park
   Sunderban National Park
   Buxa Tiger Reserve
   Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary
   Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary
   Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary

Question 5

Which are the best places to stay in Kolkata?

Accepted Answer

1. ITC Royal Bengal: Located very close to the city-centre, the newly refurbished ITC Royal Bengal is soon becoming the go-to hotel in the city, with luxury amenities such as rooftop pools, 6 restaurants, suites, and much more.Location: 1, JBS Haldane Avenue, Tangra, Kolkata, West Bengal 700046.Price: INR 7,000 per night.2. JW Marriott: JW Marriott is another luxury hotel in Kolkata, where you can stay during your trip to Kolkata. Apart from their wonderful rooms, suites, swimming pools and spas, the hotel is also known for their excellent breakfast buffet.Location: 4A, JBS Haldane Avenue, Tangra, Kolkata, West Bengal 700105.Price: INR 5,100 per night.3. The Hyatt Regency: The Hyatt Regency is another plush, 5-star luxury hotel that is located close to Kolkata airport that has several convenient facilities for families to enjoy a comfortable vacation.Location: JA-1, JA Block, Sector III, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700098.Price: INR 4,500 per night.4. The Westin Kolkata: The Westin Kolkata is located in the fringes of the city, that gives you a gorgeous panoramic view of Kolkata and its suburbs from all its rooms. It is a structure oozing with luxury and modernity, where you are bound to have a good time.Location: International Financial Hub, CBD/2, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal 700156.Price: INR 5,500 per night.

Question 6

Which are the best places to visit at night on a Kolkata tour?

Accepted Answer

1. Someplace Else: Kolkata tours are incomplete without a stop at Someplace Else, the hub of music, dance and culture. It is one of the oldest pubs in the city, with performances by some of the world’s best artists being organized on the regular.2. Princep Ghat: A trip to the banks of the Hooghly River after sundown to watch the lights of the Howrah bridge and the city is the perfect way to spend a night in Kolkata. Special Kolkata tour packages include night tours of this beautiful place that you can explore with your loved ones.3. Hard Rock Café: The Hard Rock Café in Kolkata is a happening centre for music, food and dancing. The lively ambience makes it the perfect place for a night out in Kolkata.4. Balwant Singh Dhaba: Balwant Singh’s is one of the many iconic dhabas that are open late at night. A late night dinner with specialities such as lassi, milk-Cola and other unique items is the perfect end to an exciting day in Kolkata.

Kolkata Tour Packages