STREETS OF KOLKATA, 23 NOV-2 DEC, 2023

STREETS OF KOLKATA
23 NOV-2 DEC, 2023

with Jeremy Woodhouse
(9 days – 9 nights), maximum group size 6

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Flower Market

Kolkata, India’s second-biggest city, is a daily festival of human existence, simultaneously noble and squalid, cultured and desperate, decidedly futuristic while splendid in decay. By its old spelling, Calcutta readily conjures images of human suffering to most Westerners – although that's not a complete picture of this 350-year-old metropolis. Locally, Kolkata is regarded as India’s intellectual, artistic and cultural capital. Although poverty is certainly apparent, the self-made middle class drives the city's core machinery, a nascent hipster culture thrives among its millennial residents and its dapper Bengali gentry frequent grand, old colonial-era clubs.

As the former capital of British India, Kolkata retains a feast of colonial-era architecture contrasting starkly with urban slums and dynamic new-town suburbs with their air-conditioned shopping malls. Kolkata is the ideal place to experience the mild yet complex tang of Bengali cuisine. Friendlier than India’s other metropolises, this is a city you ‘feel’ more than simply visit.


Itinerary

Day 1: 23 Nov — Arrive Kolkata
Upon arrival in Kolkata, a representative holding a signboard in your name will meet you at the International Airport. You will then be escorted to your hotel and assisted with check in. (Check in from 02:00 PM)

The day is free to walk around in the city or relax at the hotel. After a long flight the day is kept free, so you can recover from jetlag. We are visiting Kolkata at the best time of the year.

O/N Peerless Inn, Kolkata (B,L,D)
With the timeless traditions of hospitality, The Peerless Inn Kolkata, welcome you with warmth and charm. Located at heart of the city, in Chowringhee, The Peerless Inn, is situated at the perfect location for business and relaxation. An upscale 4 star hotel, this business hotel offers its travellers every possible convenience with premium accommodation, meeting and conference room, fitness centre. 

Day 2: 24 Nov — Kolkata
Today after an early breakfast we will enjoy a morning Tram ride followed by walking tour in the heritage part of the city.

Later we will Drive to Kumortuli – the place where thousands of ideal of goddess Durga are made. Kumortuli is a traditionally potters’ quarter in northern Kolkata, the place is famous as a sculpting hot-spot which not only manufactures clay idols for various festivals but also regularly export them. The potters of Kumortuli, who fashioned the clay from the river beside their homes into pots to be sold at Sutanuti Bazar (later Burrabazar), managed to survive in the area. Gradually they took to making the images of gods and goddesses, worshipped in large numbers in the mansions all around and later at community pujas in the city and beyond.

O/N Peerless Inn, Kolkata (B,L,D)

Day 3: 25 Nov — Kolkata
Early this morning we will visit the flower market and Howrah bridge. We will explore the Mallick Ghat and photograph locals as they wash in the river Hooley with the backdrop of the magnificent Howrah Bridge. Explore all the little avenues that run off the flower market where you will find religious temples.

In the corner of the Ghat you will find the traditional Kushti wrestlers— we will photograph them practicing and fighting in sand. Traditional Indian wrestling isn't just a sport— it's an ancient sub-culture where wrestlers live and train together and follow strict rules on everything from what they can eat to what they can do in their spare time. Drinking, smoking and even sex are off limits. The focus is on living a pure life, building strength and honing their wrestling skills.

We will explore under the road bridge where you will find more flower sellers, street barbers and fruit traders. Later we will explore the narrow and crowded lanes of the “City of Joy”.

O/N Peerless Inn, Kolkata (B,L,D)

Day 4: 26 Nov — Kolkata
Today we will head for the weekly Pet Market. Based in Galiff Street, every Sunday stating at around 6.00 am when traders set out their stalls . It’s a great location. Photograph people either coming out as a family or bartering to buy their favourite pet. Its also worth walking over the bridge. You’ll see a huge number of pets for sale from puppies, pigeons, parrots, hens and parakeets alongside flowers, pot plants, bird cages and street food.

O/N Peerless Inn, Kolkata (B,L,D)

Day 5: 27 Nov — Kolkata
Today we will explore and photograph at the Koley vegetable market. Koley Market is located very near Seldah train station and is predominately a wholesale market. Its quite a tough place to photograph but the rewards for the patience are worth it. The main market hall is a little on the dark side. Photograph the many lorries unloading their goods and being carried to market on the heads of local workers. The outer walls are both gritty and colourful. We will also explore the surrounding lanes that are a little less busy.

O/N Peerless Inn, Kolkata (B,L,D)

Day 06: 28 Nov — Kolkata
Today we will head to the College Street Book market. One of the world’s largest book markets and a paradise for both book lovers and street photographers located in the centre of Kolkata. Photograph the rickshaws, Tuk Tuks and taxis weaving thru the narrow streets ferrying people and delivering books and stationary. You’ll discover hundreds of both old traditional book stalls along with many makeshift stalls made from bamboo and canvas. College street is definitely one of the the best places for street photographers to practice photographic layering.

Whilst photographing the streets take a break in the world famous Indian coffee house in College Street with its charm from a bygone era filled with college students and literary intellectuals and the odd book buying tourist.

O/N Peerless Inn, Kolkata (B,L,D)

Day 7 & 8: 29 & 30 Nov — Kolkata and Nearby Villages
We will spend the next two days photographing in nearby villages, streets, railway stations and other parts of the city along with markets and interesting neighbourhoods.

O/N Peerless Inn, Kolkata (B,L,D)

Day 9: 1 Dec — Kolkata
After a relaxing breakfast and a full day of shooting we will return to hotel, to transfer to the Airport to board your very earl morning flight back home (2 Dec).

O/N Peerless Inn, Kolkata (B,L,D)

Day 10: 2 Dec — Depart Kolkata

END OF TOUR

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Koley Market


Trip Notes


Arrival & Departure 

Arrival & Meeting Place

Departure

Visa
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in

Weather 
Daily high temperatures decrease by 5°F, from 82°F to 76°F, rarely falling below 72°F or exceeding 85°F.

Daily low temperatures decrease by 6°F, from 62°F to 56°F, rarely falling below 51°F or exceeding 67°F.

For reference, on April 24, the hottest day of the year, temperatures in Kolkata typically range from 78°F to 96°F, while on January 9, the coldest day of the year, they range from 56°F to 76°F.

Language
Kolkata has no official language. The language widely spoken and used over here is Bengali. Hindi and English is also spoken.

Currency
Indian rupee.

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Colonial Architecture

6 SPOTS OPEN
$4,650

DEPOSIT: $1,000 (NON-REFUNDABLE)

SINGLE: $600

Maximum Group Size: 6


Tour Price Includes

  • 9 nights accommodation in a double room at the hotel mentioned above or Similar
  • All Meals starting from the dinner on 7 Dec till dinner on the 15 Dec
  • Local guide
  • Tempo Traveller and local Ambassador for transport services
  • Toll and Parking charges
  • Ground transportation as described in the itinerary
  • Group transfers on arrival and departure
  • All accommodations based on twin occupancy
  • 3 Meals per day
  • Bottled water


    Tour Price Excludes

    • Domestic airfare
    • International airfare
    • Passport and visa fees
    • Medical and trip insurance & evacuation costs
    • Airport taxes; excess baggage charges
    • Photography and video fees
    • Food and beverages not included in the group meals
    • Tips to drivers or guides
    • Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry and telephone calls
    • Other items not specifically mentioned as included. 
    •  Monuments Entry /camera fee

    Paying by check

    If you would like to pay your deposit and/or balance with a check, please make the check payable to: Pixelchrome, Inc and mail it to:

    Nicole Woodhouse
    Pixelchrome, Inc, 
    605 Rouen Drive, 
    McKinney TX 75072

    Paying by Wire Transfer

    If you would like to pay by Wire Transfer please contact nicole@pixelchrome.com for bank account details.


    Equipment Checklist

    • Bring you own laptop computer and storage media
    • Camera body(s)
    • Lenses, 16-35mm, 24-70mm zoom and 70-200mm zoom or similar lenses are very good
    • Light bag for easy hiking with camera bodies and accessories
    • Cleaning kit for cameras and lenses
    • Rain/dust covers for cameras and lenses
    • Charger for batteries
    • Spare batteries
    • Spare Memory cards
    • Memory card reader
    • USB key to exchange images

    Also good to have

    • Tripod
    • Good quality polarizing filter