Kolkata (Calcutta) Tours
Kolkata's English History - European Calcutta Tour
5
Kolkata's English History - European Calcutta Tour
By Calcutta Photo Tours
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 6-99, max of 15 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- All Fees and Taxes
- Bottled water
- Local chai
- Street side local food
- Entry/Admission - BBD Bagh
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
- The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata, Dalhousie Square 1, 2,3, Old Court House St, Chowringhee North, Ward Number 1, Kolkata, West Bengal 700069, IndiaOpposite Raj Bhawan on Dalhousie Square. P.S. Drop us a message if the mentioned start times do not work for you. Maybe we can schedule according to your convenience.
Pickup details- Any other city hotels, BnBs and private residences. Pickup timings will be relative to distance. Approximately 30 mins before tour start time for locations within city limits. Please note that unless there is a scheduled pickup, the minimum requirement for pickup is 2 pax. P.S. Drop us a message if the mentioned start times do not work for you. Maybe we can schedule according to your convenience.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:- St. John's Church, 2/2, Council House St, opp. Dewars Garage, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India
- Infants must sit on laps
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 144033P2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 144033P2
From
$35.12
per adult
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Itinerary
- 1Dalhousie Square, now known as B. B. D. Bagh was what was once the central business district. It was the nerve centre of Job Charnock’s Calcutta.Rudyard Kipling in his “A Tale of Two Cities” writes : This tour – which serves as a wonderful introduction to the city - takes you through the hows and whys of Calcutta helping you retrace the steps that gave birth to this second city of the Empire. Liberal doses of history with lots of photographic opportunities. Calcutta which was once tipped as not only the handsomest town in Asia but one of the finest in the world is an enigma waiting to be discovered. Come and see the past come alive on this tour with us. We will be witnessing history as told by the great buildings like Great Eastern Hotel, Dead Letter Office, Currency Office, St. Andrew’s Church, Writers Building, General Post Office, Royal Insurance Building, Lal Dighi, Standard Life Insurance, Government House, St. John’s Church, Job Charnock’s Mausoleum, Holwell Monument. Etc.
- 2/2, Council House St, opp. Dewars Garage, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- keranim20240 contributionsManjit is a knowledgeable, energetic & culturally savvy tour guideManjit is a fantastic guide! As a local who has travelled worldwide with an impressive list of accomplishments, he has a natural ability to connect across our cultures and has a great sense of humor, which made the tour feel personal and impactful as a cultural exchange. With deep relationships in the community, he also made thoughtful introductions treated us to tea and snacks to fuel our tour, which felt more like an invitation into someone's home than sightseeing through a neighborhood. We're really glad we hired him and didn't explore our own -- we would have missed the insights and unique humanity and stories brought to life through the tour. Highly recommend any tour with Manjit and checking out his website to view his amazing photos -- especially if you're not a local and you're looking for personal insight, connection to place, and humor that transcends across culture -- book a tour with Manjit. You won't be disappointed!Written February 6, 2025
- amymP5293QR0 contributionsInformative and engagingThe tour was excellent. Very informative. We are not photographer's but we came back with some great shots. This tour is absolutely worth it! Manjeet really cares about the city and it shows.Written January 3, 2025
- Roving2599630 contributionsUnique insights on Kolkata’s amazing historyManjit’s tour was fantastic! He is super knowledgeable, insightful and engaging. I spent my childhood in Kolkata but I learned so many things I didn’t know about the city’s history and culture. The places we visited were unique and you won’t find them outside the tour, and the food we tried was delicious too. Highly recommend!Written December 28, 2024
- 171elked0 contributionsExperience the fulness and diversity of Culcutta with ManjitI enjoyed very much the whole tour - in particular the variety and diversity of places Manjit showed us. What he shared about the city has been very profound and personal and also humorous. I got the impression Manjit loves his city - and also sees and names the reality of all the changes happening. I also enjoyed the way how he interacted with the people we met on the tour, the shop owner, people working there, people in the different spiritual communities - respectful, kind and humorous. Manjit as well responded to so many of my questions. AND: We had so much fun. A great tour, which I highly recommend !!!Written December 28, 2024
- georgesh4720 contributionsBest Marigold ClicksFantastic tour. Manjit makes you discover the finest photography spots of this amazingly colorful and incredibly busy place and he provides the full-immersion experience. Highly-rated and worth every single rupee.Written December 25, 2024
- SurfTsunami3330 contributionsExcellent for independent and experienced photographers, too!Manjit ensured I had access to interesting areas and knew the history, but otherwise gave me full independence to do my thing, which I greatly appreciated. I captured some of my best India street photos to-date here (even though I only had my phone with me this time) and highly recommend this "tour."Written December 16, 2024
- X8726LEnicolasp0 contributionsQuaint neighborhoods and very nice guideVery nice guide. Very knowledgeable, speaking fluent english. This tour allowed me to walk and talk with locals while being able to take great pictures. Our guide showed us beautiful neighborhoods with stunning colors. I could also enjoy free typical indian food cooked in front of us by locals. All of that while always feeling safe. Great experience.Written December 4, 2024
- 749margaretc0 contributionsCalcutta Photo Tours— great experienceA very interesting stroll around Kolkata’s inner city, home to several small communities. Very photogenic. Big thanks Manjit!Written November 29, 2024
- 861stevenb5550 contributionsDelightful- Highly recommended!!!This tour is just delightful! Manjit is very well versed in the history of Kolkata and its neighborhoods. We strolled through the streets listening to the history of each neighborhood taking photographs. We stopped for snacks and tea at local vendors who Manjit knows well. Most everyone was welcoming to have their photo taken with the exception of a few. This tour is great for photographers and non photographers alike. It was a very enjoyable experience and I would highly recommend this tour. I chose the option to be picked up and dropped off at my hotel which was well worth the extra little bit of money. Thank you Manjit you provide a fantastic service!Written November 20, 2024
- vargabmukherjee0 contributionsOne of the best walking tours in the city to get to know it's multicultural heritageManjit was an excellent guide taking us on a walk through neighborhoods of the city I grew up in. There were many things that I came to know about the places only today despite having grown up here. He would take the time to make sure that all our questions were answered, and had an unique insight into the multicultural history of the city that he proudly helped us get a taste of. My girlfriend was visiting India for the first time and I wanted to really show her around the city I'm from and the neighborhoods that give Calcutta it's unique multicultural heritage, Manjit made sure she took in all of the above and so much more. As an ex-local who spent a good number of years in the city, I cant recommend Manjit's tours enough to anyone who wants to skip the usual monument and museum tours of the city. The tour while catering excellently to photographers, especially ones interested in Portraits, comes also recommended for people who just want to walk the lanes and soak it all in with their eyes.Written November 20, 2024
- Odyssey102038109220 contributionsMorning Entertainment with ManjitMy husband and I recently had a fabulous photo tour with Calcutta Photo Tours. Manjit was our extremely knowledgeable, humorous and patient guide. This tour allows you close interaction with locals in the flower market due to the relationship Manjit has built up with these people over many years. The tour was not rushed in any way and included chai with the locals, great nigella seed biscuits, sweet local bananas and pick up and drop off at our accommodation. The colours and perfumes were a sheer delight. Definitely booking another tour on our way home via Calcutta.Written November 12, 2024
- cathalconaty0 contributionsGreat walking / photo tourSuper interesting walking and photography tour through very interesting neighborhoods of Kolkata, away from the usual “monuments and buildings”itineraries. The guide was friendly, chatty and interesting, and very generous with his time. The whole thing was completely relaxed and friendly, as were the many people we met along the way.Written November 8, 2024
- palashb20240 contributionsAs always had an amazing tour.As always had an amazing tour. Manjit ensures he shares his view of the place and makes people around him comfortable, specially when the surrounding is challenging and chaotic. His ability to pace the tour and give space to the photographers in the tour makes it even more enjoyable. Look forward to the next one.Written October 19, 2024
- jane W0 contributionsCalcutta flower marketWe both absolutely loved this tour, Manjet is great and we felt so much at ease wandering through the market and learning about the history. Defo worth 5* and the cost. Would not use another guide his knowledge is fantastic.Written October 7, 2024
- jane W0 contributionsCalcutta cultural reviewWonderful tour. Manjet showed us sights and told us things I had never thought you could see in Calcutta. Loved every minute of this tour. He kept in touch throughout the process.Written October 7, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
14
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Travel11891335817
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Couples
Thanks so much we very much enjoyed our time with our guide and we highly recommend this guide and this tour of some of the significant buildings of Kolkata. We would not have been able to do this by ourselves. The guide is a knowledgeable and thoroughly agreeable person with an excellent knowledge of Kolkata . This is exactly what we were looking for and even though are usually independent travellers we are very glad to have taken this tour. If you are interested in the history and architecture of Kolkata, You really must take this short tour. Excellent work.
Written July 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Libbylloyd1
Perth, Australia10 contributions
Sep 2021
Manjit's tours are really good value. He is engaging, knowledgable, respectful of locals and fun. This results in unusual locations, stories and interactions with locals. Having themes for each tour helps us begin to make sense of the marvellous complexity of this extraordinary city. I take these walks with Manjit every time I am in his beloved Kolkata. This tour distills the fascinating and complex story of Europeans who came to trade and ended up staying. Standing in these historic places while Manjit told us stories of the people who lived, worked, fought, loved and dreamed here was so much more thrilling and understandable than just reading a book about it. My photos will be so much more meaningful to me now.
Written November 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1land2ps
Australia975 contributions
Dec 2020
I've done this tour a few times pre COVID but the system won't let me put earlier dates. If you're interested in history this is a great way to get a sense of the city's modern history - East India Company onwards. So there's bad and good in this story in terms of English and European involvement in the city, but related via accessible and engaging anecdotes.
There's a bit walking but that's the best way to get to know the place.
I've enjoyed this tour each time I've done it - in particular the built heritage. Recommended.
There's a bit walking but that's the best way to get to know the place.
I've enjoyed this tour each time I've done it - in particular the built heritage. Recommended.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Medha K
10 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Truly amazing experience — Manjit is a gifted storyteller and makes you wish your history classes in grade school were taught this way. He mixes historical context with humor and personal anecdotes from his loved experience that make this tour one you won’t forget! Would recommend his other series too — cultural kaleidoscope.
This tour focused on the European history of Kolkata, starting from when the East India company first came to Kolkata all the way to colonization.
Our group was mixed — second gen kids from America as well as Kolkata locals, and yet everyone had a blast.
This tour focused on the European history of Kolkata, starting from when the East India company first came to Kolkata all the way to colonization.
Our group was mixed — second gen kids from America as well as Kolkata locals, and yet everyone had a blast.
Written December 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarbarib
Short Hills, NJ19 contributions
This tour was a great introduction to Kolkata’s history with a focus on its colonial past. We went on a fun and engaging ramble around the BBD Bag area, covering some historical figures and interesting buildings along the way. Manjit made the walk come alive with many interesting anecdotes and facts! For example, do you know the location of the first Italian restaurant in Kolkata? Go on the tour and you too shall know the answer! Highly recommended!
Written June 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OrangeSunset441
Tel Aviv, Israel234 contributions
Sep 2019
"European Calcutta" was the first trip I did in the city. "European Calcutta" is a leisurely tour to various locations of historical significance to the town. The walk will be extremely beneficial to the travellers with the interest of the colonial heritage, but even if you want to see the city merely, you will enjoy it. I recommend the trip to those who do not have much time but are willing to get some idea of Calcutta. You will come back from the tour excited and more educated than before.
Written August 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julian F
Dubai, United Arab Emirates110 contributions
Dec 2019
I was staying in the Oberoi, Kolkata for only one day and therefore had limited and precious time to take in some sites. The few hours walking with Manjit was excellent. Moreover he got an endorsement before we had even started. He met me at the Oberoi and it was clear that the staff all knew him. We then did a British / European tour taking in Kolkatas history, key buildings, a little chai and street food and a down a few back streets to see Synogogues, Zoroastrian temples, Churches and Mosques. Manjit was great company and very informative and the walk was tailored to my pace and level of interest. Perfect.
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rahul B
London, UK183 contributions
An excellent introduction to the Colonial settlement in Bengal, particularly the British and the foundation of Calcutta, it’s architecture and orientation into the old ‘business center’ of the city or white town. It is amazing how much of the original town is still there at varying levels of repair!
Manjit passionately showed us around and pointed at traces of history scattered and hidden around in the ubiquitous cacophony and filth. Added bonus was recommended street stalls serving all that you wanted to taste but never sure whether it would be safe to do so. Highly recommended for the tourist as well as the local or someone returning to trace their roots!
Manjit passionately showed us around and pointed at traces of history scattered and hidden around in the ubiquitous cacophony and filth. Added bonus was recommended street stalls serving all that you wanted to taste but never sure whether it would be safe to do so. Highly recommended for the tourist as well as the local or someone returning to trace their roots!
Written December 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri-ann White
Perth, Australia5 contributions
Dec 2020
I have never had a moment of disappointment on Manjit's tours. I've done a number of them more than once, and I think that is the best endorsement I can find.
Manjit is a living treasure.
Manjit is a living treasure.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Proteeti Basu Ray
Hyderabad, India4 contributions
Jan 2020
This was my most anticipated walk with Calcutta Photo Tour since I walked with them in their Culture Kaleidoscope walk. The tour started early morning from the Great Eastern Hotel and from the very beginning you will be taken to the era of first British settlement in Calcutta.... oh, to be precise even before the city of Calcutta even excised!
This walk is not only a journey through the British Calcutta, but being an Calcuttan myself, for the first time, I tend to look at my city through the eyes of a young ambitious British lad who left his home and traveled thousands of miles across sea for six months to conquer his dream. Manjit is terrific in telling stories... in spite of all your preconceived ideas and opinion, you could relate to their struggles and hardships.
The chronology of events that look place in that piece of land that changed the fate of India for ever... Manjit is immensely knowledgeable in his subjects and he will not left any stone unturned. Every minute of this tour was gripping! This tour will also take you through the magnificent gallery of old British architectures with plenty of opportunities for photography.
If you are into history, stories, architecture and photography you can't afford to miss this gem from Calcutta Photo Tours.
This walk is not only a journey through the British Calcutta, but being an Calcuttan myself, for the first time, I tend to look at my city through the eyes of a young ambitious British lad who left his home and traveled thousands of miles across sea for six months to conquer his dream. Manjit is terrific in telling stories... in spite of all your preconceived ideas and opinion, you could relate to their struggles and hardships.
The chronology of events that look place in that piece of land that changed the fate of India for ever... Manjit is immensely knowledgeable in his subjects and he will not left any stone unturned. Every minute of this tour was gripping! This tour will also take you through the magnificent gallery of old British architectures with plenty of opportunities for photography.
If you are into history, stories, architecture and photography you can't afford to miss this gem from Calcutta Photo Tours.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.