Writers' Building

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.

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

Take a guided walking tour of Kolkata's historic British landmarks. Learn about the city's colonial past and see the Great Eastern Hotel, the Old Currency Building, and the Writers' Building. Meet your guide at the Dalhousie Square and start your tour with an overview of the present-day Kolkata. Learn about the city's 3 distinct parts: North, South, and Central. Discover the British part of the city as you walk through the Central Kolkata. See the Great Eastern Hotel, one of the first big hotels in Asia. Admire the Ezra Mansion, a Jewish building, and the Central Telegraph Office, where the first telegram of India was sent out in 1850. Continue to the Old Currency Building, which was initially called the Agra Bank. Later, it became the banker's bank or the Reserve bank. See the Stephen House, which was owned by Arathoon Stephen, a hotelier and builder. Visit the Scottish Kirk, which has a cross that is different from the cross of Christ. Learn about the funny story of the rooster on the top of the steeple. End your tour at the Writers' Building, which was the administrative headquarters from the British days. See the Corinthian pillars and learn about the building's importance.

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.