Day 1 : Kolkata
Arrive into Kolkata airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of day free. Overnight in Kolkata.
Meal plan: n/a
6 days
Ask us for pricing
This is the price per person for a private tour (based on 2 people travelling) excluding international flights. Contact us for pricing for other group sizes including individuals.
Intro
Discover the hidden secrets of India's colonial gem on a fascinating walking tour of Kolkata, visit Kumartuli's master sculptors who craft thousands of Hindu deities, and stop off in one of the largest flower and fruit markets in India. Cruise through the Sunderbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world and home to swimming Bengal tigers, reptiles, and birdlife.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Kolkata’s imperial monuments & markets
- Discover the real Kolkata on our walking tour
- Cruise the world’s largest mangrove forest
Places Visited
Kolkata - Sunderbans
What's Included
Airport transfersGround transport with driver
Accommodation
Entrance fees to sites & parks
Breakfasts and some meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan)
English-speaking guides
Day 2 : Kolkata
After breakfast depart for city tour of Kolkata. Take in Kolkata's rich colonial past with visits to the impressive Victoria Memorial, St Paul's Cathedral and the High Court. Stop off at the bizarre Marble Palace and cross the famous Hoogly River, the city's main trading post. Pay respect and witness the fantastic work at Mother Teresa's Sisters of Charity, then head into one of Kolkata's most artistic areas - Kumartuli - famous for sculptures of Hindu deities which are used in elaborate Hindu ceremonies. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight in Kolkata.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Often labeled the "Cultural City of India", Kolkata is India's second biggest city and one of its major ports, located on the east bank of the Hooghly River. Previously named 'Calcutta', it was the former capital of the British Indian Empire until 1911 and originally designed in the style of a grand European capital. As a result, Western influences can be seen throughout the city within its colonial-era architecture: Raj Bhavan, the state governor's residence, imitates Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire, the Indian Museum is built in the Italian style, while the Victoria Memorial Hall attempts to combine classical Western and Mughal architecture. Kolkata was also the centre of the Indian independence movement, and to this day still plays an important role in contemporary state politics.
Day 3 : Kolkata - Sunderbans
Transfer to the departure point for your boat ride into the Sunderbans. Snacks and drinks are served on board the boat. Check in to your cottage at the Camp then enjoy an excellent lunch in the open buffet area. Leave for your afternoon boat ride along the Sunderbans' many waterways and visit the watch tower. Tea/coffee and snacks served onboard. Return to camp for evening buffet dinner, followed by traditional folk dance and music. Overnight in Sunderbans.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sunderbans is a National Park, a Tiger Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve. It is home to one of the world's largest areas of halophytic mangroves and is also a hotspot for Royal Bengal tigers, boasting one of the highest Bengal tiger populations in India. Situated in Bangledesh, two-thirds of the park fall into the district of West Bengal. The name 'Sunderbans' literally means 'beautiful forest', and the reserve is very scenic, intersected by a series of waterways, tidal islands and mudflats, and boasting a diverse range of endemic plant species. There is also a significant Watch Tower which offers panoramic views of the area.
Day 4 : Sunderbans Tiger Reserve
Early morning tea will be served at your cottage before you set off on boat ride through mangroves and creeks in search of wildlife. Although there are believed to be approximately 250 tigers in the Sunderbans, they are usually very hard to spot due to the thick vegetation and the vast area of the Sunderbans. You should however be able to see reptiles and impressive bird life.
Breakfast will be served on-board. Stop off at a bank and take a canopy walk above the forest. Return to camp for a buffet lunch. After a rest, take a walk to the local village where you will see children walking home from school, beautiful thatched huts, open fields and a vibrant market place. Return to camp for tea and snacks, followed by a short film on the Sunderbans. Buffet dinner at camp. Overnight in Sunderbans.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5 : Sunderbans - Kolkata
Morning tea is served at the cottage, then you will go on a boat ride with breakfast on-board. Cruise through more mangroves and creeks admiring the scenery as well as looking out for more of the Sunderbans wildlife. Return to camp for buffet lunch and then transfer to Kolkata by boat and minibus. Transfer to guesthouse for dinner. Overnight in Kolkata.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Day 6 : Departure
After breakfast embark on a fascinating half-day walking tour of hidden Kolkata. You will take in some of the lesser-known streets of Kolkata, famous for carpentry and metalwork. Visit the colourful flower and fruit markets, one of the largest in India, and stop off for chai at one of the foodstalls. Hop on board the water taxi that ferries passengers along the Hooghly. Visit the area first colonised in Kolkata and also the house of Rabindranath Tagore, Bengal's most famous literary genius. Lunch en-route or back at hotel. Transfer to airport for your departure flight.
Meal plan: Breakfast
On The Tiger Trail (9 days)
On the tiger trail through Bandhavgarh and Kanha
The Golden Triangle (5 days)
Marvel at India's most incredible forts and palaces
Kolkata & Sunderbans (6 days)
Discover colonial Kolkata and the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve
Wildlife of Tadoba & Pench (9 days)
A real life Jungle Book.
Kolkata & Darjeeling Snapshot (7 days)
Ideal extension to Bhutan
Himalayan Extension: Ladakh to Kashmir (5 days)
Travel across the spectacular Himalayan Highway
Beaches (1-7 days)
After exploring the busy cities, there's no better place to relax than one of India's paradisiacal beaches
Treks & Walks (1-12 days)
Himalayan treks, village walks and more
Hill Stations & Mountains
Escape the city and unwind among some of the most breathtaking mountain and hill scapes the world has to offer.
City Extensions (1-4 days)
Visit the must-see sights and the hidden depths of India's most vibrant cities.
Monks, Tribes & Rhinos (20 days)
Himalayan mountains, unseen tribes & amazing wildlife
Journey through the Indian Himalayas (20 days)
Travel through the Himalayan foothills via Shimla & Amritsar to Ladakh
Classic Bhutan & Assam Cruise (18 days)
Experience Bhutan's rich culture, colonial Kolkata and rural life in Assam
Glimpse of India & Nepal (16 days)
Golden Triangle and the Himalayas
The Himalayan Silk Road (16 days)
Travel India's Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh
Textile Tour of India (16 days)
Textile tour of Gujarat & Rajasthan including the Mewar Festival
Taste of South India (15 days)
Experience the flavours and exotic spices of South India
Treasures of Maharashtra (15 days)
Mighty sea fortresses, rock-cut cave temples, and verdant hill stations
Kerala Calling (15 days)
Tropical mountains, tea & spice plantations, and backwaters
Best of Bhutan & Bengal (15 days)
Experience the culture and landscapes of India & Bhutan
Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival (15 days)
Wildlife, tribes & rural life in Assam and Nagaland
Journey Through Rajasthan (15 days)
Discover Rajasthan's forts, palaces and rural villages
Big Six of India (15 days)
Spot tigers, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhino & elephants
Best of Assam & Meghalaya (14 days)
Wildlife, diverse cultures & rural life in hidden North East India
Birds & Wildlife of Rajasthan (14 days)
Uncover the regal wildlife of Rajasthan
Hampi and Beyond (14 days)
Discover Karnataka's stone temples, wildlife and coffee farms
Taj, Tigers & Temples (14 days)
Perfect mix of classic sights and off-beat places for first-timers to India
Spirit of South India (14 days)
Temple towns of Tamil Nadu to backwaters of Kerala
Big Cats of India (14 days)
Experience the thrill of the Indian jungle ...
Himalayan Wildlife of Ladakh (14 days)
Track the Himalayan brown bear & snow leopard on a once-in-a-lifetime trip
Heart of India (14 days)
Take in the highlights of central India
Delicacies of North India (14 days)
Discover the huge diversity of North India's cuisine
Wildlife of North East India (14 days)
Diverse wildlife in Assam and the Sunderbans
Tribes of North East India (14 days)
Remote tribal cultures in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Nagaland
Kerala & Karnataka Explorer (14 days)
Idyllic backwaters, tropical forests & ancient temple towns
Tribes & Temples of Eastern India (14 days)
Visit remote tribal villages of Orissa & Chhattisgarh
Roof of the World - Ladakh to Kashmir (14 days)
Experience dramatic Himalayan scenery, Buddhist and Islamic cultures
Best of Bengal & Sikkim (14 days)
Colonial Kolkata, Darjeeling toy train & Buddhism
Kerala - Trekking the Western Ghats (13 days)
Explore this UNESCO biodiversity hotspot on foot
Maha Kumbh Mela Festival (13 days)
Once in 12 years - the largest gathering of humanity on earth
Gujarat's Tribes & Wildlife (13 days)
Gujarat's Asiatic Lions, Salt Flats & Textile Villages
Glories of Gujarat (13 days)
Tribal villages, temples, salt flats & the world's last Asiatic lions
Hidden Rajasthan (13 days)
Rural villages, grand forts & wildlife
High Indus Valley of Ladakh (12 days)
Attain lofty heights over soul-soothing Ladakh
Glimpse of India (12 days)
Golden Triangle, tigers & exotic Kerala
Markha Valley Trek (12 days)
Set foot in Ladakh's hidden Himalayan valleys
Essential Rajasthan (10 days)
Discover the forts, palaces, villages and desert of Rajasthan
Living Bridges of Meghalaya (7 days)
Waterfalls, hills and living bridges in North East India
Classic Kerala
Tea, spices, backwaters & beaches
Nigel & Margaret Turner , Tailormade India Wildlife & Birding tourThis trip was very well put together and ticked all the boxes that we had requested. The accommodation throughout the tour was of a high standard and our experiences in the national parks was wonderful spotting many different animals including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, lions, jungle cat plus countless number of birds. Thank you Rahul for tailoring this trip to our requirements.
Joan Edmunds (USA) , Tailormade IndiaI have been on 3 tailor made trips with Travel The Unknown and have found them to be knowledgeable and reliable. We`ve stayed in some wonderful places and have had some unusual and satisfying experiences that go beyond the standard tours.
Danny , Tigers, Lions & Rhinos of India, IndiaI thought I missed the name of this tour when I was looking for wildlife trips, lions in India! Not only was I lucky to see a tigress and her cubs in Kanha, Satpura was also magical, particularly the walking safari. I saw a leopard dragging its kill away. Gir was so different, and yes, I can confirm lions do live in India! Thank you Travel The Unknown for a very different wildlife trip.
Hazel Fairall , Tribes of North East India, IndiaThanks for organising such a great trip to NE India Rahul - everything went seamlessly! We loved the fact that we could book an individual tour but still have flexibility with our itinerary once we were there, enabling us to take in the Si Donyi Festival at Daporijo and also be the first guests to stay overnight in a local village hut with our hosts in Papi, which was fantastic. Our guide was super. He had a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humour! It’s hard to pick a highlight as the whole trip was both fascinating and at times, humbling. We’ll never forget the amazing people, scenery & culture we experienced whilst there and are glad we had the opportunity to visit such an intriguing part of the world. We would certainly consider travelling with you again in the future.
Andrew Martin , Tailormade North East IndiaI`m sure I could not have found a better operator for the type of complicated Indian tour I wanted to undertake on a limited budget. India is an intimidating country to visit, and I suspect that some operators look down on the first time visitor, or disparage their requirements. Travel the Unknown, by contrast, helped me all the way, and their local guides were superb.
Rachel , Spirit of South India, IndiaWe went on the Spirit of South India Tour and had a great time on our honeymoon. There was a good variety of places visited and the hotels, drivers and guides were all very good. We would definitely recommend this tour.
Tracey & Gary , Tailormade IndiaI would highly recommend Travel the Unknown to anyone visiting India. The service we received both prior to, during and following our travels was always timely and excellent. We were able to customize our trip to our liking and to enjoy a wide variety of activities. The guides in every location were outstanding! Honestly. Having travelled through much of the world I can truly say that we have never been more impressed with the quality of the guides arranged for us in each location, as well as the service we received. Similarly, the hotels were excellent and allowed us to live very comfortably while, at the same time, enjoy an authentic Indian experience. If you haven`t already booked your trip with Travel the Unknown, then either do so now....or at least give them a chance to show you what they can offer.
Keith Lewis , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, IndiaThis was my first experience of using Travel the Unknown having enjoyed small group adventure holidays for many years. I was attracted to the company because it seeks out the more unusual and lesser known areas of a country and I was not disappointed by my visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. There is a clear contrast between the people and the scenery of these two regions and we saw very few western tourists particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. The tour was well organised with plenty to see and do.
Richard Williams , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, IndiaThis was a very varied and interesting trip to a forgotten part of India. If you like off the beaten track travel it is definitely worth the effort but go with an open mind and keep a smile on your face.
Vik , Kerala Calling, IndiaThank you for organising our holiday in Kerala. I certainly wouldn`t have had the time or the knowledge to put together such a trip. Munnar was my favourite and the accommodation throughout was excellent.
Ann Holgate , Tailormade IndiaA really well planned trip. We experienced life in Northeast India in just the way we wanted to. We loved the game reserves and saw a rock python which thrilled our guides as it is even rarer than the tiger! We visited villages and were able to interact with local people and loved the busy markets in Delhi and Calcutta. A special highlight was the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland; shown to us by our very own Naga guide Kezo. Kezo accompanied us for 15 days of our trip and ensured that we had many very special experiences - even taking us to the home of one of his Aunts where we spent a couple of hours sitting by the bonfire chatting.
Penelope Smith , Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival, IndiaWhat an excellent service! Rahul adapted, extended and improved our trip so many times without a qualm and we ended up with the trip of a lifetime. The destinations are unusual and interesting but everything has been checked out by the team and works brilliantly. I can`t wait to do another trip.