Konark West Bengal Tours

Kolkata: Grown from mangrove swamps, Kolkata is the largest metropolis in India. Kolkata's role in the national economy is of crucial importance as the Gateway to Eastern India. Ships were the beginning of Calcutta's history & the river Hoogly was the key to the city's fortunes. Vishnupur is famous for the exquisite 17th & 18th century terracotta temples, Seat of classical music. The Stylized, "Bankura horse" symbolic of excellence in rural handicrafts is native to this district. Belur Math is a modern temple within the grounds of the Ramakrishna Mission. Dakshineshwar Temple, dedicated to Kali is built in the architectural style of Bengal.

02 Day: Kolkata
After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of the city visiting the High Court Building, built in 1872 and the oldest Catholic Church in Calcutta, St. Mary’s. The Howrah Bridge, built in 1943 – the bridge is crossed by approximately two million people everyday; the Botanical Gardens, the oldest and largest of their kinds in India; Victoria Memorial: The symbol of Calcutta built between 1906 and 1921 at a cost of Rs. 7.5 million and is a reminder of the might of British India and has been often compared to Taj Mahal. It was conceived by Lord Curzon as both tribute to Queen Victoria and a triumphant depiction of her reign in India, St. Paul Cathedral, Indian Museum, Kali temple of Kali ghat, Birla temple, Dalhousie Square & Tagore House. Overnight at the hotel.

03 Day: Kolkata – Sunderbans (By Road: 3 ˝ hrs)
8.30 A.M.: Departure from Priya Cinema near Deshapriya Park located in South Kolkata, West Bengal India. (Refreshments are provided during the journey through rustic Bengal)

11.00 A.M.: Arrival at Sonakhali (Here the road journey ends and the cruise to beautiful Sunderban begins…).

11.30 A.M.: Departure by Boat for Dayapur. Tea/Coffee on Boat

1.15 P.M.: Arrival at Sunderban Tiger Camp, Dayapur (The resort is located right opposite the Sunderban Tiger Reserve Forest separated just by River Pitchkhali).

1.30 P.M.: Lunch.

3.30 P.M.: Departure by boat for Sajnekhali Tiger Project Area for viewing Wild life, Sajnekhali Museum, Mangrove Interpretation Centre & Watch Tower.

5.30 P.M.: Return to Sunderban Tiger Camp.

6.00 P.M.: Evening Tea/Coffee with Snacks. Enjoy a Panoramic View from Watch Tower. Evening Get-Together. Folk Dance by Local Artists/ Wild Life Movie and Bonfire (during winter season only)

9.00 P.M.: Dinner.

Timing may vary depending upon tide.

04 Day: Sunderbans
6: 30/5:30 A.M: Morning Tea.

8.00 A.M.: A thrilling Boat Cruise inside creeks and dense forest (breakfast on boat during cruise)through numerous rivers while visiting Dobanke Watch Tower where the canopy walk inside the forest sends chills down your body (experience the life in which caged animals live in, while getting an all around view of the forest). Also visit the Spotted Deer Rehabilitation Centre. After which we cruise through Matla – Sea Face (the point from where Bay of Bengal can be seen) Cruising back through the 5 river junction - to Pitchkhali.

1:00 P.M.: Lunch.

4.00 P.M.: Promenade around the Neighbouring villages to interact with the Local Community at a typical Sunderban settlement to understand their local Art, Culture and Way of Life (how man and tiger coexist in such a difficult terrain. In simple words a “Rendezvous with the Rural Bengal.”

5:30 P.M.: Evening Tea / Coffee with Snacks, followed by a Folk Dance by Local Artists/Wildlife Movie.

9:00 P.M.: Dinner.

Timing may very depending upon tide.

05 Day: Sunderbans – Kolkata (By Road: 3 ˝ hrs)
6.30 A.M.: Morning Tea.

7.00 A.M.: Visit to Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower and Cruise through Rivers and Narrow Creeks of Pitchkhali- Sarakhkhali – Sudhanokhali – Bonobibi Dharani (narrow creek) and visit the Watch Tower followed by a cruise around the Islands of the Sunderban Tiger Project Area (Breakfast on Boat during Cruise).

10.00 A.M.: Return to Sunderban Tiger Camp.

11.30 A.M.: Lunch.

12.00 Noon: Departure for Sonakhali by Boat.

3.00 P.M.: Arrival at Sonakhali.

3.30 P.M.: Departure for Kolkata.

6.30 P.M.: Arrival at Kolkata and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Timing may very depending upon tide

06 Day: Kolkata – Bhubaneshwar (By Air)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to the airport to board the flight for Bhubaneshwar. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Later take a sightseeing tour of Bhubhaneshwar city visiting Lingaraj temple, the Parsurameswar temple, the Mukteswar temple and the Rajarani temples all bearing testimony to the magnificence of Orissan architecture expressed through the sculptures and exteriors of the temples famous for its hot sulphur springs and the Hatakeswar Temple and visit to state museum house to see some of finest collections of paintings and palm leaf etchings. You will then enjoy some free time in the bustling colourful markets shopping for some exquisite Orissan handicrafts. Overnight at the hotel.

Bhubaneshwar ('The Lord of the Universe') is the capital of Orissa. In Bhubhaneshwar, Shiva is known as Tribuhuvaneswara or “Lord of the Three Worlds", from which the city derives its name. Besides being the capital of ancient Kalinga, Bhubhaneshwar is known as Temple Town and Cathedral City on account of its many temples in the extravagant Orissan style. Modern Bhubhaneshwar is delightfully rural for a state capital that administers the affairs of 25 million Orissans.

07 Day: Bhubhaneshwar – Konark – Puri (65 kms: 2 hrs)
After breakfast check out of the hotel and drive to Puri. Enroute visit Konark - Renown for Sun Temple probably remains as the last remnant of the glorious temples of Orissa an extant example of the architectural excellence of the times. Built in the 13th Century, here a colossal image of the chariot of the Sun, drawn by seven horses and 24 wheels symbolizes the divisions of time. It also houses a Natamandira or dancing hall. Only two subsidiary temples out of the 22 exist today. The Vaishnadevi Mayadevi Temple stands to the West. The Sun temple of Narasimhadeva is a depiction in stone of the life of those times – royal, social, religious and military. Later proceed to Puri. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. In the evening, prayer at the temples and exploring beaches. Overnight at the hotel..

Konark: Renown for Sun Temple probably remains as the last remnant of the glorious temples of Orissa an extant example of the architectural excellence of the times. Built in the 13th Century, here a colossal image of the chariot of the Sun, drawn by seven horses and 24 wheels symbolizes the divisions of time. The Konark Sun Temple also houses a Natamandira or dancing hall. Only two subsidiary temples out of the 22 exist today. The Vaishnadevi Mayadevi Temple stand to the West it. The Sun temple of Narasimhadeva is a depiction in stone of the life of those times – royal, social, religious and military. The intricate carvings on the walls and wheels of the chariot are unprecedented in history.The fine sculptures depicting court life, hunting, scenes and celestial deities are epitomes of precision and grace. Graceful sculptures from the world of the Kamasutra, epic of eroticism also adorn the structures. The Sun Temple standing in solitary splendor is the relic of a great past.

08 Day: Puri
After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of Puri, this city by the sea is one of the four main Hindu pilgrim centers in India and is famous for its Jagannath temple. Millions of devotees flock to this holy place every year to participate in the Rath Yatra or "Car festival", take a visit to the famous Jagannath Temple, enjoy a stroll through the temple bustling bazaar and visit the main temple complex. The rest of the afternoon is free for shopping or for relaxing on beach. It is a pleasure to swim here, as the sea is shallow for almost a mile. Very near the beach huge waves come rolling in ideal for surf riding. This annual ritual spreads over the entire summer and monsoon seasons making the most fruitful period to visit Puri. Overnight at the hotel.

Puri is a city in the Indian state of Orissa, which is famous for having a Jagannath Temple. Puri is situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal and is a popular beach resort. Religiously, Puri became famous in modern times from the time spent here by Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century. Puri is the site of one of the four cardinal "Peetham's" established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the others being those at Sringeri, Dwaraka and Jyotirmath. Puri is also famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or "Festival of Chariots", when the deities Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra, are brought out of the temple, and placed in a chariot procession. This festival occurs on various dates of the Gregorian calender, typically in the June or July months.

09 Day: Puri – Bhubaneshwar (65 kms: 2 hrs) – Hometown (By Air)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Bhubhaneshwar. On arrival transfer to the airport to board the flight for hometown. Tour concludes here with happy memories.