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Calcutta

Calcutta was the capital of the British East India Company and then the British Raj before power shifted west to New Delhi in 1911. It is also India's longest continually operating port city, dating to the 19th century. During the 20th century, Calcutta became a kind of shorthand reference to India's impoverished urban residents, and indeed, in 1950, Mother Teresa founded her organization Missionaries of Charity here, for which the city is perhaps best known today outside of India.

Renamed Kolkatta by the Indian government after independence in 1947, today it is the capital of the state of West Bengal and one of the world's emerging mega-cities - a frantic, giant metropolis that nonetheless has its gentle side. Culturally, Calcutta has inspired numerous artists, writers and scholars, sparking what some have called a "Bengali Renaissance"; among such notables was Rabindranath Tagore, winner of the Noble Prize in Literature (1913) and writer of the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh.

Experiences

A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.

Calcutta Polo Club

Dine at the Calcutta Polo Club, the oldest private polo club in the world. If they are available, dine with the Maharaja of Burdwan and his wife, who are friends of Remote Lands, while watching a polo match. On occasion, we can arrange for guests to have cocktails and dinner at the Maharaja's home, joined by leading members of Kolkatta society.

Colonial Calcutta

Have a privately guided tour focusing on the city's elegant (and sometimes crumbling) old colonial architecture, including the National Library of India, the stately 19th-century Marble Palace, the Indian Museum, the General Post Office, and the grand Victoria Memorial. At the latter, Remote Lands can on occasion arrange a private curator-led tour of areas not normally accessible to the public.

Mother House

Visit Mother House, the final resting place for Mother Teresa as well as the headquarters for her order, the Missionaries of Charity. Formed in 1950, the hall serves as both a museum and mausoleum, with her grave located on the ground floor. On occasion, Remote Lands can arrange for guests to have a private mass with resident sisters of Mother House (donation required).

Tollygunge Club

Go riding or play golf or tennis at the Tollygunge Club, an exclusive country club whose history dates back almost 225 years.

India Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.

Calcutta Itineraries

All Itineraries
Multi Country
Ultra Luxe
A Journey Through Bengal: Bangladesh and India

A Journey Through Bengal: Bangladesh and India

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $9,000
See Itinerary
Darjeeling & Northeastern India

Darjeeling & Northeastern India

Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
From $7,000
See Itinerary
Intimate India and Beautiful Bhutan: Overland from New Delhi to Bumthang

Intimate India and Beautiful Bhutan: Overland from New Delhi to Bumthang

Duration
22 days / 21 nights
Price Per Person
From $20,600
See Itinerary
Flight of the Hornbill: India's Northeast by Helicopter

Flight of the Hornbill: India's Northeast by Helicopter

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $21,000
See Itinerary
ABN Charaidew II
Preferred Hotel

ABN Charaidew II

Calcutta, India

Assam Bengal Navigation is famous for river cruising in India and the ABN Charaidew is one of the longest established boats of the Brahmaputra River. The original vessel is now moored near Majuli Island, providing accommodation and sightseeing opportunities in its new life as a floating hotel. Meanwhile, the new ABN Charaidew II continues the sailing route between Calcutta and Dibrugarh. Travelers can choose from four, seven or ten nights on the river, taking in nature reserves, tea gardens, tribal village performances and endangered wildlife safaris. Accommodation aboard is comprised of 18 cozy and comfortable cabins, all featuring balconies for views of the passing river scenery. The limited accommodation allows for an intimate experience and guests can socialize in the vessel's saloon & bar after a day of excursions to see historical, cultural and natural wonders. Or, keep fit in the gym, relax at the spa, or lie out on the sun deck - the choice is yours.

See Hotel
The Oberoi Grand
Preferred Hotel

The Oberoi Grand

Calcutta, India

Affectionately called the “Grand Dame of Chowringhee,” the stately, neo-classical Oberoi Grand has stood for 125 years in the heart of Kolkata (Calcutta). With elegant decor evoking the city’s colonial past as the capital of the British Raj, all rooms and suites provide wired and wireless high-speed Internet, a 32-inch LDC television, satellite TV, DVD, Ayurvedic toiletries, and more. Dining options include gourmet Thai cuisine at Baan Thai, the all-day international buffet at La Terrasse, while fine wines, beer, spirits, and cigars are available at the Chowringhee Bar. The health center features state-of-the-art Life Fitness cardio machines and weight training equipment. The Oberoi Spa offers a variety of massage treatments, body wraps, Ayurvedic therapies, salon treatments, and personal yoga and meditation sessions. The Oberoi Grand is approximately a 50-minute drive from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU).

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The Glenburn Penthouse

The Glenburn Penthouse

Calcutta, India

The Glenburn Penthouse is a petite and exclusive property composed of just nine suites - a sister property to the Glenburn Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The five Calcutta Suites and the four Royal Bengal Suites are spacious, vibrantly designed with Hindoostan wallpaper depicting scenes of rural India and furnished with antique Bengal colonial-era pieces and artwork, plus Glenburn's signature tea print can be found on the bed linen and hand-embroidered sheets. Bathrooms are configured with both bathtubs and walk-in showers, featuring Glenburn Therapy Darjeeling Green Tea bath accessories. Several of the suites offer private balconies, though one of the best views is from the hotel's rooftop terrace and infinity pool, which looks out onto Victoria Memorial and beyond. Other hotel facilities include a library, courtyard and dining room.
Taj Bengal

Taj Bengal

Calcutta, India

Located in a leafy, quiet part of town, the Taj Bengal is within walking distance of various sights such as the Royal Calcutta Race Course, Horticulture Gardens, National Library, and the Zoological Gardens. There are 229 spacious rooms, equipped with marble-tiled bathrooms, teak floors, original works of art, hand-crafted rugs, and tasteful wooden furniture. The hotel’s amenities range from a club lounge, business center, swimming pool, Jacuzzi and steam room to a fitness center, spa and salon, and boutique shops. Guests are invited to savor exotic Indian and Szechwan flavors at the onsite restaurants, Italian and international cuisine is also available.

Multi-Country Specialists

India Goes Well With

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

What Others Say

Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.

Alyssa - Ulysses, KS

Alyssa - Ulysses, KS

It was individual and authentic. And I was treated like a family friend, not a paying guest.

India

A couple from the Dominican Republic

A couple from the Dominican Republic

We had an amazing trip that exceeded our expectations ... The places we visited, the accommodations you chose, the quality of the guides, the itinerary, and all the logistics were excellent.

India, Bhutan

A couple from San Francisco - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016

A couple from San Francisco - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016

If we had traveled independently, we could never have done this level of planning. This is the only way to travel.

China, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka

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