Bengal and the historic towns that line the Hooghly River are one of the major cultural centres of India.
From the 17th century this wealthy region attracted intrepid traders from a host of European nations and by the 1800s the towns and cities that lined the river formed one of the most prosperous territories of the British Empire. This itinerary is a leisurely exploration of this historic region and follows the Hooghly north by road from Kolkata and includes stays in and visits to the most of important of these European settlements including French Chandernagore, Danish Serampore, British Murshidabad and Dutch Cossimbazar. The itinerary begins with three nights in Kolkata, which served as the capital of British India until 1911, and concludes in the Bengali village of Bawali with a memorable three nights at the historic Rajbari Bawali – an 18th century palace and the perfect place to experience traditional rural Bengali life.
Kolkata – Chandernagore – Chinsura – Serampore – Plassey – Azimganj – Murshidabad – Cossimbazar – Bawali
Trip Highlights
- Stay at Rajbari Bawali a 200-year-old palace once owned by the Zamindars of Bengal
- Chandernagore, a former French colony, retains much of its Gallic heritage and flavour
- Explore Murshidabad, a charming town of mosques, mansions and historic palaces
- Once capital of the British Raj, Kolkata is a renowned centre of art, literature and culture
- Discover the town’s churches, temples and government buildings of Danish Serampore
- Cossimbazar was a Dutch colony and was famous for the production of silk and hosiery
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Depart the UK for the flight to Kolkata via the Middle East.
Day 2
Arrive Kolkata
Arrive in Kolkata where you will be met and taken to your hotel in the city which will be your base for the next three nights. The intellectual capital of the country, origin of the Indian independence movement and birthplace of many of India’s most famous writers, poets, artists and scientists, Kolkata is a city renowned for its art, literature and culture. Kolkata was also a major trading centre and capital of the British Raj for over a century.
Calcutta Bungalow
The Elgin Fairlawn
Oberoi Grand Hotel
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Day 3-4
Kolkata
You have the next two days to explore Kolkata with your guide. As one of the most esteemed and cultured cities of south Asia, there is plenty to see and do. Highlights include the excellent Indian Museum which covers everything from archaeology and zoology to anthropology and botany, the impressive white marble Victoria Memorial and the Kali Temple at Kalighat. There are also a number of important Raj-era buildings including St John's Church, the Writers Building, the domed General Post Office and South Park Cemetery.
- Breakfast
Calcutta Bungalow
The Elgin Fairlawn
Oberoi Grand Hotel
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Day 5
Kolkata to Serampore via Chandernagore and Chinsura – 90kms
This morning leave Kolkata and drive north to the town of Chandernagore. A former French colony that remained in the possession of France until 1950, Chandernagore has a lovely setting on the banks of the Hooghly River and the churches, convents and buildings here are reminiscent of the colonial French era. Visit the 18th century missionary church and Dupleix’s House, owned by the Governor-General of French India, Joseph François Dupleix. In the afternoon, time permitting, visit the historic Dutch town of Chinsura then continue to the Danish colony of Serampore for a two-night stay.
- Breakfast
Denmark Tavern by The Park
Day 6
Serampore
The Danish settlement of Serampore lines the west bank of the Hooghly and was originally known as Frederiknagore, after the Danish monarch. Sold to the East India Company in 1845 Serampore developed into an important missionary town and printing centre. With your guide, today explore the town’s churches, temples and government buildings then head to the library of Serampore College that houses a rare collection of Sanskrit, Tibetan and Pali manuscripts.
- Breakfast
Denmark Tavern by The Park
Day 7
Serampore to Azimganj via Plassey – 200kms
After breakfast leave Serampore and follow the Hooghly River north towards Azimganj. En-route stop to see the battlefield of Plassey where the East India Company, under the command of Robert Clive, defeated the Nawab of Bengal thereby laying the foundations of the British Raj in India. Continue on to Azimganj where you will stay for the next three nights at Bari Kothi – a recently restored grand 18th century residence and now a small heritage hotel. Later this afternoon take a heritage walk of Azimganj to see some of the town’s palaces and temples.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Bari Kothi
Day 8
Azimganj – visit Murshidabad
Today visit Murshidabad. Capital of the Nawabs of Bengal and historic British trading centre, Murshidabad is an enchanting town of abandoned mosques, riverside mansions, grand tombs and crumbling palaces. Enjoy a heritage walk that includes the imposing Hazarduari Palace, neighbouring Imambara, 17th century Jahankosha Canon, the 200 year old palace of wealthy financier Jagat Seth, Katra Mosque, Khoshbagh gardens and Kathgola, the home of a rich Jain merchant.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Bari Kothi
Day 9
Azimganj – visit Cossimbazar
This morning visit the fascinating terracotta temples at Baranagar then continue on to Cossimbazar which was once a Dutch colony and busy inland river port throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. During the early days of its existence, the English, Dutch and French all had factories in Cossimbazar and the town soon developed a reputation for silk, hosiery and ivory. A highlight is the palatial Cossimbazar Rajbari, still owned by the family which built it, and which today also houses an interesting museum. Return to the hotel in the afternoon where the rest of the day will be at leisure.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Bari Kothi
Day 10
Azimganj to Kolkata – by train / Kolkata to Bawali – 50kms
This morning you will be met and taken to Azimganj Railway Station in good time to catch the train to Kolkata. On arrival you will be met and driven south of the city to the small village of Bawali for a three-night stay at Rajbari Bawali. An 18th century palace built for the Zamindars of Bengal, following independence in 1947 the Zamindars lost much of their historic wealth and as a result Rajbari Bawali fell into disrepair. Recently the property has undergone a period of sympathetic restoration that not only reflects the building’s heritage and history but also its atmosphere and character. There are 30 lovely rooms, a charming main courtyard, a spa and an outdoor swimming pool.
- Breakfast
Rajbari Bawali
Day 11-12
Bawali
Over the next two days you are at leisure to enjoy Rajbari Bawali and the neighbouring village. Rajbari Bawali is set in the heart of Bawali and there are few better places from which to experience rural Bengali life. There are a number of optional activities that you may wish to include during your visit – taking part in evening aarti prayers, enjoying a boat ride on the Hooghly, spending time learning about life in the village and the countryside of West Bengal or mastering authentic Bengali food with a cookery lesson. Alternatively relax by the pool and take advantage of the calming spa facilities.
- Breakfast
Rajbari Bawali
Day 13
Kolkata to the UK
Today return to Kolkata Airport and fly to the UK via the Middle East.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Fly to the remote archipelago of the Andaman Islands on a direct flight from Kolkata. The handful of resorts are set on Havelock Island, an unspoiled tropical paradise with a densely forested interior, beautiful sandy beaches and pristine seas harbouring a wealth of marine life.
Travel by train of air from Kolkata to Bhubaneshwar, capital of Odisha. Visit some of Bhubaneswar’s 700 temples then head to nearby Puri site of the famed Jaganath Temple and Konark’s Sun Temple, UNESCO listed and one of India’s foremost architectural treasures.
Include a Brahmaputra River cruise. Most cruises commence from Guwahati which is linked by air to Kolkata. There are few better ways to experience Assam than from the Brahmaputra River with spectacular scenery, wildlife, riverside villages and temples to discover.
Lucknow is one of the great Indian cities with an extraordinary collection of buildings that rival any in the subcontinent. Renowned as a centre of India’s independence struggle, discover grand palaces, mosques and atmospheric colonial-era ruins. Fly to Lucknow from Kolkata.
Guide to Price
13 days from £3195 per person
What's Included
- International flights
- Train travel as specified
- Private car with English speaking driver
- Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Cost of visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
from £3195
Travel Information
Getting There
British Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. Virgin Atlantic have daily flights to Delhi and Vistara fly direct to Delhi. Emirates, Oman Air, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways also have excellent connections via their respected hubs to Kolkata, Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Goa, Jaipur and Lucknow and fly from airports all over the UK.
Flying Times From UK
Direct flights from the UK take between 8 and 10 hours depending on the destination. Flights with stops en-route take between 12 and 14 hours.
Time Zone
India is +5½ hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
Holders of British Citizen passports are able to apply for an e-Tourist Visa (eTV). There are three different eTVs - a one month eTV (valid for 30 days), a one year eTV (valid for 365 days) and a five year eTV (valid for 5 years). Applications for the one month eTV can only be made within 30 days of travel to India. Applications for the one year eTV and five year eTV can only be made within 120 days of travel to India.
Please note that the very latest an Indian eTV application can be made is 4 days prior to travel to India. The eTV becomes active from the date of entry into India. It is not valid for Protected or Restricted areas.
All international passengers arriving in India are required to complete an e-Arrival Card up to 72 hours prior to arrival India. This applies to all nationalities and must be submitted online via the official portal https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival
Do’s & Don’ts
Smoking and drinking in public places is prohibited in India – with smoking this includes public areas in hotels, restaurants and bars.
E-cigarettes and related products are banned in India. You will be unable to buy e-cigarettes or bring them into the country.
Always ask permission before entering a temple and remember to remove your shoes and any leather objects such as bags, belts or wallets. It is fine to wear socks.
When in a Buddhist temple you should always walk in a clockwise direction with the main building to your right.
Modest, loose-fitting clothing is preferable and is essential when visiting religious places. When visiting a Sikh Gurudwara the head needs to be covered.
Permission should always be asked before taking a person’s picture.
When eating, only the right hand should be used. Indian culture considers the left hand to be unclean.
Money
The currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR) and comes in notes and coins. Exchanging money is easy and can be done at international airports, most hotels or banks and it is always a good idea to ask for some small denomination Rupee notes. ATMs are now common and reliable in all main cities and credit cards are widely accepted by most hotels, shops and restaurants. In rural areas or wildlife reserves ATMs and money exchange facilities are limited so having cash is essential.
Please note that there are restrictions on bringing Indian rupees into India. Visitors, including tourists, are not permitted to bring any amount of Indian currency into the country. Pounds sterling and other foreign currencies are allowed to be brought into India. For more information please visit the FCO’s Foreign Travel Advice for India.
Tipping
This is left to your discretion, however, tipping for good service in India is part of everyday life. In restaurants and for room service a 10% tip is appreciated and at smaller hotels and homestays a communal ‘tip box’ is common.
For drivers and guides, hotel staff and at national parks, the following amounts should act as a guideline. Please note that these figures are based on two people travelling together:
Tour driver: INR1000 to INR1200 per day (not per person)
Tour guide: INR1000 to INR1200 per day (not per person)
Naturalist (national parks): INR1000 to INR1200 per day (not per person)
Jeep Driver (national parks): INR 500 per day & per safari (not per person)
Hotels (communal tip for all staff): INR 1000 to INR 1500 per day (not per person)
Food & Drink
India is known the world over for its food and especially its vegetarian cuisine. Spice plays an important role in dishes throughout the country as do breads, rice, pickles and chutneys. Although nearly every region has its own speciality, there is a divide between the cuisine of northern India and southern India – the north with its meat dishes influenced by the Mughals and the lighter, fruitier, coconut based dishes of the south. Desserts are common in India with kulfi ice cream and gulab jamun two of the best known and most popular. Nearly all tend to be very sweet, milk based or fried.
The most common drink in India is chai tea which can be bought on nearly every street corner. The yoghurt drink lassi – whether sweet, salty or fruity – is also easy to find. The popularity of coffee has spread from the south whilst Indian beer is well-respected. There is also a fledgling wine industry centred on Nashik in Maharashtra.
Accommodation
There is a huge breadth of accommodation in India with styles varying across the country. India is famed for its heritage properties, the majority of which tend to be found in the north of India. These come in all shapes and sizes from beautifully restored buildings and luxury palaces operated by distinguished hotel groups to small privately owned forts and ancestral homes.
Homestays are also very popular and found throughout the country. Whether a grand and luxurious family residence, heritage property or simple abode, they offer a high level of service and a unique glimpse into everyday Indian life. Please let us know if you would like to include a homestay into your itinerary. In more remote regions, hotels are likely to be clean and simple whilst wildlife accommodation is generally either in jungle lodges or comfortable tented camps. For those looking to relax there are many excellent beachside hotels and an increasing number of retreats specialising in both Ayurveda and yoga.
Shopping
With wholesale markets and bazaars, innumerable shops and stores, India is a shopper’s paradise. The country is best known for carpets and dhurries with Rajasthan, Kashmir and Leh best for these. There is also a bewildering range of clothing, fabric and leatherwear found not only in the smallest of villages but also the largest cities. Gems, silver and jewellery (valuable or costume) are popular throughout the country but especially in Jaipur and Hyderabad whilst Kochi is noted for its antiques. Spices can be bought all over India but purchased straight from plantations in the south. Darjeeling, Assam and the Western Ghats in south India are all known for tea.
Suggested Reading
For India travel advice, Footprint, Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Bradt have excellent guide books whilst Nelles Maps have comprehensive and up to date maps of the Indian subcontinent. There is also a wide range of literature including from famed authors such as RK Narayan, Vikram Seth, Paul Scott, VS Naipaul, Arundhati Roy and Salman Rushdie. Vivek Shanbhag's more recently translated book 'Ghachar Ghochar' also comes highly recommended. Other good books on India include:
‘India: A History’ by John Keay
‘The Great Arc’ by John Keay
‘No Full Stops in India’ by Mark Tully
‘India in Slow Motion’ by Mark Tully and Gillian Wright
‘City of Djinns’ by William Dalrymple
‘White Mughals’ by William Dalrymple
‘Chasing the Monsoon’ by Alexander Frater
‘The Tears of the Rajas’ by Ferdinand Mount
‘Plain Tales from the Raj’ by Charles Allen
‘Mughal Architecture and Gardens’ by George Michell
'Tea, Love and War: Searching for English Roots in Assam' by David Mitchell
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on India the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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Our Reviews
What our clients say
We truly had the holiday of a lifetime
CM - India - March 2024
We truly had the holiday of a lifetime thanks to the exceptional guides and drivers we met along our trip in Northern India. The itinerary had the perfect balance of tours, travel days and rest days for us and was meticulously planned and executed. We'd love to use Pettitts Travel again in the future and will absolutely be returning to India.
Getting to know you
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Helping you to design your trip
Entirely tailor-made, there is complete flexibility to incorporate all your requirements.
On-hand support, when you need it
Our team are on hand to answer any questions and ensure you are fully ready, and excited, for your trip.
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