St. John's Church, Kolkata

Get a proper orientation of Kolkata and feel like a local with this unique tour that follows a story which is titled, 'A Sea of Faces and A Thousand Places'. The locations selected are based on the tour storyline, and the guide plays the role of a narrator. Start your day in the center of the city, Esplanade and meet your guide outside Smaranika Tram Museum. Dive into the heart of this bustling city's life and observe a spectrum of activities amidst imperialistic mansions, modern skyscrapers and lush bold greenery. Next, step into the captivating era of Victorian Kolkata and learn about the birth of this vibrant metropolis in Dalhousie Square. See imperial neo-classical architecture, stroll through intricate grid patterns, and discover timeless tales from heritage landmarks. We stop at an energetic street food alley, a bustling hub of culinary delights. Indulge in a tea break surrounded by stalls serving up delicious and hygienic local fare. Here, you'll have the opportunity to sample the city's favorite dishes, each with its own unique story and flavor profile. Next, we embark on a local bus adventure, traversing the lively streets and cross the iconic Howrah Bridge to reach a ferry point along the ancient and holy river Ganga. Boarding the ferry, we embark on a journey through time itself, sailing along the sacred waters to reach the oldest part of the city. As the wind whispers tales of bygone eras, you'll find yourself transported to a realm where history comes alive. Discover Charming Old North Kolkata. Unveil the area's pre-megapolis essence, explore ancient occupations, old lifestyles, and spiritual threads. Visit a potter's colony named Kumortuli, a secret gym built for revolutionary fighters and an old aristocratic mansion. Our adventure continues with a classic cab ride in the iconic yellow taxi, whisking us away to the vibrant heart of revolution: College Street. Here, amidst the thrum of students and intellectuals, you'll feel the pulse of freedom echoing through the very streets. Immerse yourself in the spirit of liberation as we delve into the stories of the brilliant minds who ignited the flames of liberty in Kolkata. From the luminaries of the Bengal Renaissance to the fearless fighters who dared to dream of independence, every corner of College Street resonates with the legacy of those who shaped history. Our journey culminates at the legendary Indian Coffee House, the oldest cafe in India, where generations of thinkers and visionaries have gathered to share ideas and ideals. Here, amidst the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the buzz of stimulating conversation, we reflect on the journey that has brought us to this moment in time. Join us as we raise a cup to the past, present, and future of Kolkata, a city where every street corner is steeped in history and possibility.

Embark on a journey to capture the essence of Kolkata as you explore on foot some of the most iconic and prominent landmarks of the city’s Colonial heritage. Choose from flexible options of a private tour or a shared tour to meet other travelers with optional hotel pickup and drop-off. The tour's first stop is the Writer's building, built in 1777. Once used for the lower bureaucracy of the East India Company, today this stunning Greco-Roman masterpiece is the seat of the West Bengal state government. It is a working office and hence will be seen from outside. Next, walk to the Mausoleum of Job Charnock, who in 1690 bought the villages of Sutanuti, Gobindapur, and Kalikata and over time transformed the region into the capital of East India Company. At the site, learn about how in recent times, a High Court ruling has discredited him as the founder of the city. Continue to St John’s Church, a majestic stone building from 1787, which became the principal cathedral of the region in 1815. Marvel at a painting of the Last Supper on its walls. (On Sundays St John''s church will be closed and we will see St Paul's cathedral instead). Follow your guide to the Governor’s House, built for the Marquess of Wellesley who came to Kolkata as the Governor General of East India Company in 1798. Admire its Neoclassical style with distinct Baroque overtones as you learn about how the Crown gained rule over India during the Colonial era. It is a working office and hence will be seen from outside. Finally, visit the legendary Victoria Memorial, an architectural gem built from marble. Here you can really experience the essence of the Victorian era, set in the middle of the hustle and bustle of modern Kolkata. Note the Museum in Victoria Memorial will be closed on Fridays.

Your tour will begin with a visit to the 200-year-old temple Kali, before changing our course to head onward to St John’s Church. This church was one of the first cathedral churches built by the British in Kolkata, and it's neoclassical architecture holds the grave of Job Charnock. You will then encounter the Magen David Synagogue, with interior walls containing memorial plaques dedicated to the well-known Jews of Calcutta. From here you will visit Nakhoda Masjid, the principal mosque of Kolkata. You will then view the Pareshnath Temple, complete with architectural brilliance and stained glass all over, before enjoying lunch. Following lunch, you will head for the Dakhineshwar temple and the Belur Math. These two temples are separated by the river Ganga and you will enjoy a great experience on the cool and calm ride over the Ganges. At the end of the tour, get dropped off back to the hotel.

Kolkata is a land of devotion. Kolkata is home to several exquisite religious sites of all faiths, including churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other pilgrimage destinations. One can take a spiritual trip to the city to explore the cultural heritage of Kolkata. Enjoy solace and serenity at the spiritual places in and around. Your road trip to Kolkata will surely be a journey to connect with your soul because of the spiritual places in this city and vicinity. It is always good to start at 8 am. Visit the city's one most important Kali temple with all other architectural beauties!!

Start your tour from the headquarter of the British Empire The Writer's Building. Get the starting stories with a sip of hot bubble tea served in Calcutta's famous clay cup.Then we’ll show you in the course of our walk through the ‘British’ areas of what was once the capital of the British Empire in India till 1911. There are major plans to beautify and restore this heritage site with its rich and varied architectural styles. This walk will be taking you to the 19th century with all the beautiful stories & the architecture creates goosebumps. Enjoy the beautiful tank square Visit the Grand Post Office and the numerous insurance buildings of the British colonial era. One of our most popular walks this serves as the perfect introduction to British Calcutta and gives you a sneak peek into what went into the making of the Colonial Capital of India. So prepare to whet your appetite for all things Raj. After the tour is over now it's time to take a ride of a yellow cab to visit the city's most important Landmark The Grand Victoria Memorial Hall

After pickup from your accommodation in Kolkata, you’ll head to St Andrew’s Church. This was the only Scottish church in Kolkata and was completed in 1818. Listen as your guide tells stories of the steeple, which was higher than that of St John’s Church and caused some controversy at the time. Next up you’ll visit St Paul’s Cathedral, the first Episcopal Church in the eastern world. The cathedral took 8 years to build and was finished in 1847. Note its Gothic-style stained glass windows and frescoes in the Florentine Renaissance style. Continue to South Park Cemetery, the largest Christian cemetery outside Europe and America in the 19th century. The cemetery covers 8 acres of space and contains graves belonging to prominent British citizens and high officials of the East India Company. Finally visit Mother’s House, the former residence of Mother Teresa. The building remains the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, the organization founded by Mother Teresa. Visit a museum with Mother Teresa’s belongings and see the sisters of the charity at work, before paying your respects at the tomb of Our Angel of Mercy. Lunch is included at a famous local restaurant before you’re dropped back at your accommodation.

Begin your full-day tour of Kolkata at the Mausoleum of Job Charnock, the founder of modern Kolkata in 1690. Visit St John’s Church which was built in 1787 by architect James Agg. This majestic stone and brick structure became the principal Cathedral of Calcutta in 1815. A highlight of the Church is the “Last Supper” painting on its walls. The next destination is the iconic Writers Building. Built in 1777, it was meant for the lower bureaucracy of East India Company. Today this Greco-Roman masterpiece is the seat of the West Bengal state government. Your guide will shed light on the landmark events which took place in India’s freedom struggle with the Writers Building as the backdrop. Since this is a working office, you will see it from outside. Proceed then to the Governor’s House, a remarkable building which was built for Marquess of Wellesley in 1803 by the famous English architect Charles Wyatt. The Governor’s House follows a Neoclassical style with distinct Baroque overtones. We will be seeing this from outside. After lunch, visit the legendary Victoria Memorial built by George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, and Viceroy of India. Dedicated to Queen Victoria, this architectural gem built in marble is a great place to experience the essence of the Victorian Era, set in the middle of the hustle and bustle of modern Kolkata. On the last leg of the tour, take a 30 minute boat ride over the holy River Ganges and explore the City of Joy from its waters. Pass by numerous ghats and under the iconic Howrah Bridge before this magnificent experience comes to an end. This tour is organized by Five Senses Tours, a private limited company recognized by the Ministry of Tourism and a member of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). The tour has been designed to support local livelihoods by way of employment of local guides, and supporting local businesses in line with the mission of the company to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent.

Morning pick up from Kolkata City hotel. And drive to visit Mother Teresa House (Closed on Thursday) which is the organization was founded in 1950 with the sole purpose of providing selfless service to the underprivileged and the poor. It is the home of Mother Teresa and her sisters from February 1953 to the present. Then drive pass from Howrah Bridge. Which is the beautiful bridge connecting Kolkata and Howrah has become an icon of Bengal’s history, culture and tourism today. It is considered one of the longest cantilever bridges in the world. Then visits St. John's Church (Closed on Sunday) which is the oldest British-era building in the city. The church contains the tomb of Jab Charnock, the founder of the city. It is a stone and brick building with a beautiful wood and marble interior. You can see a large painting of the Last Supper on the wall. It is also significant because it contains the Round Table where the Calcutta Charter was signed. After visiting the St. John’s Chruch, enjoy lunch at good restaurant. After lunch visits Marble Palace (Closed on Monday and Thursday). The exquisitely designed Marble Palace. Set amidst lush green lawns and artistic sculptures, this building is a treasure trove of antiques, including Chinese porcelain and Ruben paintings. Then visits, Victoria Memorial (Closed on Mondays). The Victoria Memorial is a huge monument made of white marble located in the heart of the city, built between 1906 and 1921. It is a memorial dedicated to Queen Victoria. Later drop at your pick up location.

Explore the confluence of different faiths from around the world in Kolkata, the City of Joy. Take a guided 3-hour walking tour in a group of no more than 12 people, and find out about centuries of the city's rich history, culture, and architecture as you visit various places of worship. Begin your tour at St. John's Church at 8 AM and then walk to the breathtakingly beautiful Magen David and Neveh Shalome Synagogues, the biggest and first synagogues in Kolkata respectively. Trace the history of Baghdadi Jews in India at Neveh Shalome, swoon at the buildings' interiors, and interact with the local informative keepers, who all happen to be of the Islamic faith. Once you're done, follow your guide to the Armenian Church of Holy Nazareth, the center of the Armenian community in India. Explore the beautiful architecture of a church that is believed to be the oldest in India, find out more about the Armenian community, and discover the oldest known grave in the graveyard. Next up is the Holy Rosary Cathedral, also known as the Portuguese Church. Founded in 1690 with the influx of the Portuguese community in the city, this church bears testament to the Portuguese and their history in Kolkata. Listen to your guide's informative commentary, full of interesting facts and details about the church. After the Portuguese Church, pay a visit to the Beth El Synagogue, the third Jewish synagogue in the city. Although this synagogue no longer runs services, you'll be mesmerized by the exceptionally well-maintained interiors of this place. Get lost in the surroundings with your guide as you learn further about the architecture and history of the synagogue. Finally, head toward your last stop, St. Andrews Church. Explore the only Scottish church in Kolkata, one of the heritage sites of the city, before bidding goodbye to your guide. The tour concludes here at St. Andrews Church.

At 9:00 AM your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby to start an enchanting tour exploring the wonders of the famous City of Joy – Kolkata. The first stop is the monumental symbol of Kolkatam, the Victoria Memorial. Designed by Sir William Emerson, the Victoria Memorial is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic style. The architecture of Victoria also has elements from the Mughals that adds to the elegance of the structure. The garden especially was designed by Lord Redesdale and Sir David Prain. This special memorial was established to honor Queen Victoria. Now it's time for a fun tonga ride, which is often referred to as the heritage ride along the VIP circle area. The exclusive city tour continues with a drive around St. John’s Church. St. John’s is one of the first architectural wonders created by the British during their stay in Kolkata.  The spiritual journey continues with the visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was established in the year 1839. In the year 1874, St. Paul’s was consecrated. Now it's time to got to a local restaurant where you can enjoy lunch. After lunch, the next stop for the day is Howrah Bridge. The bridge connects two major cities of West Bengal, namely Howrah and Kolkata. The area around Howrah Bridge is the house of two major places – Mullik Ghat and the colorful flower market. Finally, the last stop of the day is the famous South Park Street Cemetery. In the 19th century, it was marked as one of the largest Christian cemetery outside America and Europe.