Our journey begins in the historic city of Kolkata (Calcutta), a vibrant 350-year-old metropolis on India’s Eastern Coast. Once the former showcase capital of the British Raj, Kolkata, known as the ‘City of Joy’, is now regarded as the cultural, intellectual and artistic capital of India.
We drive north from Kolkata through former European trading posts to the town of Murshidabad on the banks of the Bhagirathi. Hidden from the global tourist map today, the region has witnessed some of the most significant events in Indian history including the Nawabs of Bengal and the Battle of Plassey. In the 1700s, it became a prosperous region with flourishing trading and banking businesses causing the wealthiest merchants across India to migrate to Murshidabad. This confluence of cultures created Murshidabad’s very own unique and rich culture and heritage.
Returning south, we spend a few days staying in a beautifully restored opulent 300-year-old palace in a small village a short drive from Kolkata. Staying on the edge of a lake surrounded by farmland, enjoy the unspoiled peace and beauty of the countryside and gain an insight into local village life.
The tour ends in Varanasi, the so-called ‘City of Light’ and one of the oldest cities in the world. Set on the banks of the mighty River Ganges, Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India where Hindu pilgrims come to die, cremate their loved ones or wash away their sins in the sacred waters.