3 days Kolkata Itinerary
Kolkata: the yellow cabs, on the verge of extinct tram cars over the streets, the rikshaw pullers, people living their life on the streets, sunsets on the banks of river Hooghly and surreal ferry rides. These are the things that come to mind when I think of Kolkata. Its a tiny world in itself and we got an opportunity to explore this city for three and a half days.
Our itinerary:
Day1
We landed at airport around 8am. We had not pre-booked hotels for any day in Kolkata. We took an Uber to the center of the city i.e Esplanade. After strolling the streets for hotel which are alot here but within 2k budget we didnot get clean hotels. We got de empressa's 4k room for an offer of 2.5k with tax on goibibo.
After breakfast at Blue sky cafe we left to see Victoria Memorial. Along with this, Indian museum are two interesting places to check out for Historic buffs. They say there are bengal history plays in here but we coudnt check it out. After lunch at Haldiram's we went to check out St.Paul cathedral church. All of these are in the park street neighborhood and located within walkable distance.
After resting for awhile at hotel, we headed to Pricep ghat for a beautiful sunset view. From there we walked on the streets of Mirza Gharib street and Park street for a date night Dinner.
Breakfast: https://goo.gl/maps/M3ayvtMFCmMXGNXN7
Dinner: Oasis restaurant https://goo.gl/maps/eK1VP4op2EYfGoa67
Day2
we had only second half of the day as we attended friend's marriage for the first half. We went to the most famous temple of Kolkata Dakshineshwara temple. MOBILE phones and cameras are not allowed into temple so plan accordingly. it took approx 1 hr to finish darshan on the rush evening hours of Sunday. We took a stroll along the river on the back of temple and watched the sunset.
Day3
One day tour at Sundarbans
There are local tour operators who have various package excursions to the mangrove forests of Suburbans which is 110km away from Kolkata. When we google for tour operartors sundarbanchalo came up first and we booked with them.
Is it worth spending 4.6k for 2 people and going to Sundarban ?
First thing, don't go there to spot tigers. its near impossible. Its a totally different eco system found in India with slushy shores, thick bushy mangrove trees with their roots protruding. We started from Kolkata at 4.30 am, with tea on the way we reached Godhkali village. with a 8km ride inside the village, we boarded the launch cruise at 9 am. We were served good food cooked on the boat. Manuvering through large widths of river to small creeks, it was an unforgettable journey. not every body might like it as after sometime the boat ride gets monotonous with water infront of you as far as you can see surrounded by short mangrove trees on the either sides. We didnt spot many animals except for a deer, wild boar and a few birds. There are also beds available on the lower deck of the boat for a quick nap if needed. Go there only if you love that solitude, being on silent waters with no seneries and no phone network. The boat ride ended where we started, after sunset at 5.30pm. We headed back to Kolkata and reached by 8pm.
Day4
This was a hectic day. We checked out at 10 am and headed out to park street for some street photography. We took tram ride for a few stops and loved the experience. The trams run so slow here dodging the traffic on the road that we actually ran a stop racing the tram to get into it. The driver said " you could have just waved and i would stop!".
We didnot have itinerary for this day and we googled what can we see today. We ended up going to South park street cemetery on the park street. With 50rs entrance fee, it was so green surreal and quiet inside. It consists of 1600 tombs of Englishmen from pre independence era. Each tomb is build differently and names engraved. Though a sad place to see many men and women died so young, we found solace from the hustle and bustle of the city.
After a Biriyani lunch at Amenia( well known for Bengali Biriyani) we headed to Millennium park. After strolling around we took a ferry to Kuti ghat from where we were suppose to visit Belur math ( swami vivekananda's place). Due to some fun prank played by my hsuband that he is unwell and that he is feeling very cold, we enrouted back to Park street and picked up our luggage.Our flight was delayed by an hour and from 5.30 pm to 10pm we were suppose to literally kill the time. We sat infront of the big showrooms on the park street, we sat under the huge banyan tree and we just literally sat and chatted on the streets anywhere we could. That's what travel is about. Enjy the moments! We headed back to Bangalore on 11pm flight.
Some tips for a good trip :
1. Do not take yellow cabs within the city, they charge you ridiculously high amounts. Take Uber, local buses. Trams as everything in the city is very reachable.
2. Have an experience of rickshaw pullers and trams. Trams started in Kolkata on 1902 and amazingly running till today and soon on the verge of extinct.
3. Check some local street foods and cotton sarees
4. Alot slightly higher budget (2k) if you want clean hotels to stay.
5. Try the kullad chai, white and brown rosogollas in rather small shops for authentic taste. Check out Lancha, Mishti dohi.
Our itinerary:
Day1
We landed at airport around 8am. We had not pre-booked hotels for any day in Kolkata. We took an Uber to the center of the city i.e Esplanade. After strolling the streets for hotel which are alot here but within 2k budget we didnot get clean hotels. We got de empressa's 4k room for an offer of 2.5k with tax on goibibo.
After breakfast at Blue sky cafe we left to see Victoria Memorial. Along with this, Indian museum are two interesting places to check out for Historic buffs. They say there are bengal history plays in here but we coudnt check it out. After lunch at Haldiram's we went to check out St.Paul cathedral church. All of these are in the park street neighborhood and located within walkable distance.
After resting for awhile at hotel, we headed to Pricep ghat for a beautiful sunset view. From there we walked on the streets of Mirza Gharib street and Park street for a date night Dinner.
Breakfast: https://goo.gl/maps/M3ayvtMFCmMXGNXN7
Dinner: Oasis restaurant https://goo.gl/maps/eK1VP4op2EYfGoa67
Day2
we had only second half of the day as we attended friend's marriage for the first half. We went to the most famous temple of Kolkata Dakshineshwara temple. MOBILE phones and cameras are not allowed into temple so plan accordingly. it took approx 1 hr to finish darshan on the rush evening hours of Sunday. We took a stroll along the river on the back of temple and watched the sunset.
Day3
One day tour at Sundarbans
There are local tour operators who have various package excursions to the mangrove forests of Suburbans which is 110km away from Kolkata. When we google for tour operartors sundarbanchalo came up first and we booked with them.
Is it worth spending 4.6k for 2 people and going to Sundarban ?
First thing, don't go there to spot tigers. its near impossible. Its a totally different eco system found in India with slushy shores, thick bushy mangrove trees with their roots protruding. We started from Kolkata at 4.30 am, with tea on the way we reached Godhkali village. with a 8km ride inside the village, we boarded the launch cruise at 9 am. We were served good food cooked on the boat. Manuvering through large widths of river to small creeks, it was an unforgettable journey. not every body might like it as after sometime the boat ride gets monotonous with water infront of you as far as you can see surrounded by short mangrove trees on the either sides. We didnt spot many animals except for a deer, wild boar and a few birds. There are also beds available on the lower deck of the boat for a quick nap if needed. Go there only if you love that solitude, being on silent waters with no seneries and no phone network. The boat ride ended where we started, after sunset at 5.30pm. We headed back to Kolkata and reached by 8pm.
Day4
This was a hectic day. We checked out at 10 am and headed out to park street for some street photography. We took tram ride for a few stops and loved the experience. The trams run so slow here dodging the traffic on the road that we actually ran a stop racing the tram to get into it. The driver said " you could have just waved and i would stop!".
We didnot have itinerary for this day and we googled what can we see today. We ended up going to South park street cemetery on the park street. With 50rs entrance fee, it was so green surreal and quiet inside. It consists of 1600 tombs of Englishmen from pre independence era. Each tomb is build differently and names engraved. Though a sad place to see many men and women died so young, we found solace from the hustle and bustle of the city.
After a Biriyani lunch at Amenia( well known for Bengali Biriyani) we headed to Millennium park. After strolling around we took a ferry to Kuti ghat from where we were suppose to visit Belur math ( swami vivekananda's place). Due to some fun prank played by my hsuband that he is unwell and that he is feeling very cold, we enrouted back to Park street and picked up our luggage.Our flight was delayed by an hour and from 5.30 pm to 10pm we were suppose to literally kill the time. We sat infront of the big showrooms on the park street, we sat under the huge banyan tree and we just literally sat and chatted on the streets anywhere we could. That's what travel is about. Enjy the moments! We headed back to Bangalore on 11pm flight.
Some tips for a good trip :
1. Do not take yellow cabs within the city, they charge you ridiculously high amounts. Take Uber, local buses. Trams as everything in the city is very reachable.
2. Have an experience of rickshaw pullers and trams. Trams started in Kolkata on 1902 and amazingly running till today and soon on the verge of extinct.
3. Check some local street foods and cotton sarees
4. Alot slightly higher budget (2k) if you want clean hotels to stay.
5. Try the kullad chai, white and brown rosogollas in rather small shops for authentic taste. Check out Lancha, Mishti dohi.
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