Kolkata: Heritage Walk - Barrackpore - Serampore & Chandernagore exploration - Cruise on Hoogley - Darjeeling: Toy Train - Glenburn tea estate - Kolkata
East India Heritage
The 50 tour members who participated in one or more of our previous trips to North, South and East India, found it fascinating to walk through similar paths as their ancestors and to uncover information about their forebears – for example finding an entry for a family marriage in a parish register in Trichinopoly or being captivated that their ancestor’s grave was one of the larger tombs in the South Park Cemetery in Kolkata!
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Tour Plan
Fly from London or regional UK airports to Kolkata by Emirates Airlines. Emirates airlines also offers connections from Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham.
Arrive, met and transferred to the Hotel. After lunch group meeting followed by a Calcutta Orientation Talk by local Historian on the British in Kolkata. Welcome dinner. Four nights Oberoi Grand. B, D
The walking tour provides a close up glimpse of Calcutta’s living British heritage. The tour will encompass many of the most famous buildings of the time including A Raj Bhavan, or Government House (Wellesley was reported to have said ‘India should be governed from a Palace, not a counting house’!) See St John’s Church, with the grave of Job Charnock (the founder of British Calcutta), and the poignant Black Hole of Calcutta Memorial. Pass the Lal Dighi, the water tank - once a popular ‘promenade’. Other buildings of note include the General Post Office, the Writer’s Building and St. Andrew’s Kirk. B
The British were not the only nation interested in the wealth of India. In February 1845 the Danish Serampore - Frederiksnagore (founded in 1755) was transferred to the British East India Company. Here visit the cemeteries and building of note. The French arrived in 1673 and gradually Chandernagore outstripped Calcutta for trade…. however the then, Colonel Robert Clive, and Admiral Watson captured the settlement in 1757 at the Battle of Chandernagore - the French regain control in 1816 until Independence. B
The name Barrackpore originates from the English word ‘barracks’ and was the first major military base of the British East India Company. It remains forever etched in the hearts and minds of both Indians and British because of two ‘rebellions’. The first was in 1824, under Sepoy Binda Tiwary. The second in 1857, considered to be a catalyst for the ‘Muntiny’ or ‘Uprising’ as it’s called in India, of 1857, when an Indian soldier, Mangal Pandey, attacked his British commander. He was court-martialed and the regiment was disbanded. Visits will include the major places of historical interest. Mangal Pandey Park where Mangal Pandey rose in rebellion. At Gandhi Ghat visit the great man’s Memorial - also see the Gandhi Museum with its extraordinary collection of artefacts. Nishan Ghat was built by the East India Company for the convenience of the Governor General and his guests. See the Flag Staff House - close to the Vice Regal Lodge. Visit St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, St.Joseph’s and the Sacred Heart Church. Finally stroll through the Barrackpore Cantonment. When passing the Kali Temple, think about Job Charnock - his Indian wife is said to have been a devotee there. B
Fly to Bagdogra and then drive through the lovely countryside to Sournee Leaves Tea Estate. Three nights sta at the Tea Estate. Refreshments will be served midway at an exotic location. You will be received at Sourenee by our Hostess and checked-in. After lunch you can stroll at leisure through the various trails with the option of high-tea at a breathtaking location or at the bungalow. Enjoy a relaxed evening followed by dinner at Sourenee. B, D
Spend the day at Sourenee Tea Estate, starting with a leisurely breakfast. Indulge in a Tea Tour which starts with a guided walk through the tea garden and observe the art of plucking the “two leaves and a bud” – which are eventually manufactured into the famous Darjeeling tea leaf that ends in your teacup! Interact with the Estate workers as you move from one part of the estate to another. Refreshments will be provided at a suitable location. Treks through tea bushes, forest, down to the stream at Subitang for a picnic lunch. The trek to the stream takes almost 2 hrs. You can also be driven down if you choose to. Relax amidst the chirping of birds and the sound of a gurgling stream in the backdrop while your enjoy the meal at leisure. After lunch a trip to Mirik, a small township which is just 30 mins. drive up the hill. Sightseeing of Buddhist Monastery / Swiss Cottages / Observation Point and Mirik Lake. You can also shop for local crafts and garments at the Mirik Bazaar. On your way back to the bungalow, a short halt at the Tingling Viewpoint. From here you can get a breathtaking view of the hills and the landscape while sipping a cup of hot Darjeeling Tea from the Sourenee Tea Joint. The day’s activities culminate with a Barbeque dinner. B, L, D
After an early breakfast, leave for a day trip to Kurseong. Sight seeing at Kurseong will include Eagles Craig, Deer Park, St. Mary’s Hill (Goretto) and museum. Packed lunch will be provided at a convenient location. Return to Sourenee via Rohini, amidst breathtaking locales enroute. Spend the evening at leisure at Sourenee. OR You start you day with leisure walk through the various trails. A visit to Dudhia River Side for a picnic lunch. On your way back to the bungalow, a short halt at the Shiv Mandir, from where you can get a breathtaking view of the surrounding hills and of the valley below. Visit Soureni Village for a feel of the local market. Spend the evening at leisure at Sourenee. B, L, D
A visit the Tea Factory after an early breakfast, where our Estate Manager will take you for a guided tour. Here you may observe the arrival of the plucked leaves and thereafter be taken through the processes of Withering, Rolling, Fermenting, Drying and finally Sorting. This tour ends with a Tea Tasting Session, where one can discover the differences in aroma, flavour and appearance of the teas manufactured. Depart from the estate for Darjeeling. Stay at Windamere Hotel for 3 nights. B, D
Dawn visit of Tiger Hill to see the incomparable sunrise over Kanchenjunga and the snow covered peaks of the entire eastern Himalayan range - on a clear day Everest can be glimpsed! Then a delightful day exploring this most beloved of British Hill Stations. Visits will include visit to the Cemeteries in Darjeeling , to Jalapahar hill to see the Japanese Temple. Close by is the Peace Pagoda with four large avatars of Lord Buddha. See also the Himalayan Mountain Institute founded in honour of Tenzing Norgay. Go to Observatory Hill, wander the British built Lloyd Botanical Garden alk around The Mall and end up with a wand Chowrasta, the hub of Darjeeling. B, D
No journey to Darjeeling is complete without a ride of the Toy Train as it huffs and puffs up and down the tortuous hills sides. Morning at leisure with early lunch to catch the train to Ghoom. The views are simply outstanding - dominated by the soaring snow clad peaks of the mighty Kanchenjunga and delightful Darjeeling sprawled beneath. Ghoom is the highest altitude station on the Darjeeling Himalayan Rail track at 2225.7 metres. (7407 ft). Here the toy train stops for 30 minutes for a visit to Darjeeling Himalayan Railway museum. B, D
Travel to Bagdogra airport for flight back to Kolkata. Two nights Oberoi Grand. B
A day to relax before the flight home - perhaps spend the day in the Cemeteries researching ancestors - e.g. in the Lower Circlular Road, the South Park Street Cemetery and the Bhowanipore Cemetery which is also a War Graves cemetery as well as or in the local records office. Some last minute shopping or relaxing by the pool! Farewell Dinner. B
Transferred to the airport for flight back to London on Emirates. Clients wishing to fly from Manchester will fly regional sectors Manchester-Dubai-Manchester EK18(1405-0015) ) and EK 19 (1435-1915) and connect the above mentioned Dubai-Kolkata-Dubai flights. Clients wishing to leave from Birmingham, Glasgow please contact us for details and availability. Looking to extend your holiday? Contact our consultants today for your options. B
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