TOUR OVERVIEW
Visit the famous Vishwa Bharati University at Shantiniketan at the most opportune time of Poush Mela – which marks the beginning of harvest season. With all art, craft and live performances, be prepared to get your fill of culture. Experience the Zamindari living at a Rajbari to discover another historical aspect of West Bengal. Visit Bandel, Chandannagar to explore what’s left of the only French Colony in Bengal, Belur Math, famous Dakhineshwar Kali Temple.
Day 1 - 25 Dec 2018
Get picked up from a common point in Kolkata around 8AM & start the journey to the university town of Shantiniketan, home to the Visva-Bharati University, which Rabindranath Tagore started in the 1920s. Join celebrations of the annual, world-renowned Poush Mela where several Baul musicians, dancers and artisans showcase their work. Overnight in Shantiniketan, Birbhum.
Day 2 - 26 Dec 2018
After the festival day, explore the university campus and witness how this inspiring institution of education came to being. Trace the path of Tagore’s literary work across the Visva-Bharati university and Rabindra Bhaban Museum.
Post lunch, head to Ittachuna to experience the rich history of a Rajbari (historical zamindari house) and experience the simple pleasures of bengali aristocracy & hospitality while staying at this heritage property. Overnight in Ittachuna.
Day 3 - 27 Dec 2018
After a leisurely breakfast, hit the road to proceed to Bandel, home to one of the oldest Christian churches in West Bengal built as a memorial for the Portuguese settlement. From Bandel, move to Chandannagar to explore what’s left of the only French Colony in Bengal.
Post lunch visit Belur Math, an education institution founded by Swami Vivekananda, located at the banks of Hoogly river. Sailing across the river via a quick ferry ride, visit the famous Dakhineshwar Kali Temple.
Inclusions
- All meals and evening tea/coffee – starting from lunch on Day 1 till lunch on Day 3
- Hand-picked accommodation for 2N/3D on double occupancy.
- Pick up and drop from a common point in Kolkata.
- All transportation in an AC Tempo Traveller/Innova
- All entry charges
- Baul Gaan performance at Shantiniketan
- Permits and tolls
- Your F5 guide
Exclusions
- Food, snacks other than mentioned
- 5% GST
- Airport pick-up and drops
- Camera charges
- Tips and personal expenses
- Personal medication
- Flights from your city of residence to Kolkata and return
Terms & Conditions
REFUNDS/CANCELLATION:
If cancelled 90 days or more in advance, cancellation fee is 12% of the trip amount.
- 25% of the trip cost if cancelled 89 – 60 days in advance.
- 50% of the trip cost if cancelled 59 to 16 days in advance.
- Last 15 days – no show – entire amount will be forfeited.
If you use our services to book flights, cancellation charges of the flights will apply.
Disclaimer
1. This is a non-smoking and a non-alcoholic trip for all practical reasons.
2. 50% of the trip cost is required to confirm the booking.
3. The booking does not include flights as the flight rates are extremely unpredictable. However, we can help you book your flights for the trip
4. All our trips are well-researched, including identifying access to medical facilities. In case of a medical emergency, F5 will assist the traveler in getting medical attention.
5. F5 Escapes is in no way responsible for any untoward incident happening due to the ignorance/negligence of the guests, natural/man-made calamities, accidents or any other events that are out of human control during the trip.
6. F5 reserves the right to cancel the trip under certain conditions – in such a case, the amount will be refunded in full.
Note on weather
There will be nip in the air during the morning and the evening. Warm jackets, caps, socks will be required. Temperatures can range from 5 to 25 degrees.
*Please note that now a days, climate/ weather is dependent on many factors and unpredictable hence above information might be subject to change during your actual travel days
Stay
We will be staying in a mix of stays.
• Mud villas in Shantiniketan
• Rajbari – an ancestral haveli of the erstwhile Zamindars of the area – in Ittachuna
Foooooood!
We have included a variety of food options including a flavor of Bengali cuisine and experiences around local street food.
Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food options will be available.
We have tried and planned your meals at great restaurants/homestays/hotel etc, but there will be instances where we will need to have lunches on the way from one place to another.
Note > Prepare > Accept > Embrace:
- A fair bit of walking will be involved in exploring Shantiniketan. Please ensure you are carrying comfortable walking footwear.
- Kolkata can be extremely chaotic and crowded which will require you to coordinate with your tour lead and stay together at all times specially in the market areas. You will also need to cross areas/lanes which are not very clean.
- Kolkata street food can come across as extremely unsophisticated in how and where its prepared. Please be open to experimenting and look beyond the same.
- Poush Mela is one of the biggest festivals of West Bengal which attracts a lot of Indian and International tourists. You will be required to navigate through big crowds and be comfortable with the madness the festival brings along.
- Please come with an open mind and we will guarantee you an experience of a lifetime!
‘F5 Escapes’ is a Bangalore-based, experiential travel company, with a focus on redefining the way women travel in India. The premise of F5 is an ambitious dream – to put India on the global travel map as a preferred destination for women from across the globe.
F5 Escapes offers fixed departure all-women group tours, customized itineraries for families, groups and solo travellers. We also do in-city engagements which include #JustGo travel meetups, workshops to educate women on travel safety, sustainable menstruation, motorbiking etc.