Glenburn Tea Estate

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If you just transiting through Calcutta, or would like to combine a few days in Calcutta with just Glenburn and Sikkim, we would be happy help you book accommodation, transfers, internal flights to Bagdogra or train tickets to New Jalpaiguri.

For accommodation, we would recommend The Oberoi Grand, on Chowringhee Road because of the facilities, ambience and location right in the centre of town.

For a "Country Club" atmosphere with golf, swimming, tennis, squash and horse-riding facilities, we recommend The Tollygunge Club, a former Indigo Plantation and later home to the exiled family of Tipu Sultan. Spread over 110 acres, the lush green surroundings are home to a multitude of bird life and a resident pack of jackals who howl for the members of the Club at dusk each day. This is truly an oasis in the city, but is located about a half hour drive from the centre of town.

We can also organise accommodation at The Bengal Club on Russell Street, which is the oldest social club in Calcutta. Founded in 1827, its members formed the cream of the Calcutta Society. Traders, lower ranking civil and military officers were not admitted. Until 1962, the club refused to accept Indians. As a gesture of protest, Lord Mountbatten never visited it. The Bengal Club is chiefly a lunch club where anyone that counts must be seen regularly. The main features of the club are the Reynolds Room with a real Reynolds, bound 19th-century collections of the Calcutta Gazette and Punch, and the bar with its silver cobra, the symbol of the club. The rooms are spacious with private verandahs with a personal butler per room.

Please note that "Club" accommodation can be a little on the "old world" side, including the service, and sometimes "mustiness" of the rooms. However they prove to be amazing value for money compared to the larger 5 star hotels, and of course come with the ambience and character!

Calcutta is one of the most "under-rated" and "under-visited" cities in India, and since we started our private guiding in 2007 - our guests are left marveling at the hidden treasures and unique history the city has to offer. We list below some suggested 1, 2 and 3 day itineraries that can be modified to fit your specific interests and time available.

Full day city tour:

6:45am	Your walking guide will meet guests at the hotel lobby
7:00am	Heritage Walk of Dalhousie Square, now a World Heritage Site. The walk takes place in the morning so that you can leisurely take in the architecture and history of the city's many unique and spectacular buildings without any traffic on the roads. There is an option to begin at The Flower Market on the River Hoogly - where it really "all" began. The walk then starts at the site of the terrible 'Black Hole'. takes you past the famous Writer's Building, the former HQ of the infamous East India Company, around the square to, among others, the magnificent Governor's House and the almost forgotten Charnock Mausoleum. The whole experience takes you back to the 18th and 19th century when the British ruled the entire subcontinent from Calcutta - at that time the most fashionable city in the world after London. It is also a chance to experience a special side of the city as it is waking up in the morning with many interesting city characters to interact with along the way.
10:00am	"Breakfast at Bomti's" - offers a rare glimpse of the old Calcutta way of life, now sadly endangered. Mr Surojit 'Bomti' Iyenger, an art collector and socialite, is delighted to welcome visitors to his charming flat in perhaps the most interesting heritage building on historic Chowringhee. Authentic and home-cooked Bengali cuisine served up with hot cups of fresh Darjeeling tea and stimulating insights into Bengali Art (with some for sale) and Modern Kolkata make up Bomti's salon.
12:30pm	Shopping and sightseeing with Devika Duncan (a break at the hotel can also be taken). Sightseeing could include The Marble Palace, The Park Street Cemetery, The Indian Museum and/or The Victoria Memorial. Shopping could include local handicrafts, jewellery, textiles (including the famous Bengal Katha stitch work), antique furniture, food, spices and books.
4:00pm	Boat cruise up the River Hoogly. In a private river boat, guests are able to discover a hitherto unseen side of Kolkata, with a ring-side view of the myriad happenings on the river's 'Ghats'. This was the view that greeted many a 19C adventurer as he stepped up to the Princep's Ghat. You will sail past Belur Math, headquarters of The Ramakrishna Mission, as the city's two huge and famous bridges, Howrah and Vidyasagar Setu pass overhead.
6:30pm	Drop back to your hotel

Two Day Package:

Day 1:
6:45am	Your walking guide will meet guests at the hotel lobby
7:00am	Heritage Walk of Dalhousie Square, now a World Heritage Site. The walk takes place in the morning so that you can leisurely take in the architecture and history of the city's many unique and spectacular buildings without any traffic on the roads. There is an option to begin at The Flower Market on the River Hoogly - where it really "all" began. The walk then starts at the site of the terrible 'Black Hole'. takes you past the famous Writer's Building, the former HQ of the infamous East India Company, around the square to, among others, the magnificent Governor's House and the almost forgotten Charnock Mausoleum. The whole experience takes you back to the 18th and 19th century when the British ruled the entire subcontinent from Calcutta - at that time the most fashionable city in the world after London. It is also a chance to experience a special side of the city as it is waking up in the morning with many interesting city characters to interact with along the way.
10:00am	"Breakfast at Bomti's" - offers a rare glimpse of the old Calcutta way of life, now sadly endangered. Mr Surojit 'Bomti' Iyenger, an art collector and socialite, is delighted to welcome visitors to his charming flat in perhaps the most interesting heritage building on historic Chowringhee. Authentic and home-cooked Bengali cuisine served up with hot cups of fresh Darjeeling tea and stimulating insights into Bengali Art (with some for sale) and Modern Kolkata make up Bomti's salon.
12:30pm	Shopping and sightseeing with Devika Duncan (a break at the hotel can also be taken). Sightseeing could include The Marble Palace, The Park Street Cemetery, The Indian Museum and/or The Victoria Memorial. Shopping could include local handicrafts, jewellery, textiles (including the famous Bengal Katha stitch work), antique furniture, food, spices and books.
4:00pm	Boat cruise up the River Hoogly. In a private river boat, guests are able to discover a hitherto unseen side of Kolkata, with a ring-side view of the myriad happenings on the river's 'Ghats'. This was the view that greeted many a 19C adventurer as he stepped up to the Princep's Ghat. You will sail past Belur Math, headquarters of The Ramakrishna Mission, as the city's two huge and famous bridges, Howrah and Vidyasagar Setu pass overhead.
6:30pm	Drop back to your hotel
Day 2:
9:30am	North Calcutta Heritage Building Walk -This walk takes you to the narrow alleys of the "Black Town" where a parallel culture to the British arose amongst the pioneering Bengali families whose fortunes grew as they assisted their colonial rulers in their quest to rule the subcontinent. The impressive mansions hold some rare treasures and interesting stories. The Marble Palace is perhaps the most bizarre of them all! The day provides an interesting contrast to the rest of the sightseeing you will be doing. Guests may also visit the home, and now University, of the famous Bengali Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. One of the leading families of the Bengali Renaissance, the family lineage is rich in accomplishments in the fields of art, culture, science and literature. You will also visit Kumartuli, the "potters" market, where all the idols for religious festivals in the city are made, and a collection of four intriguing Jain and Hindu temples adorned with shimmering mirrors and ceramic tiles and chandeliers brought over to India by rich merchants from lands as far away as Persia, Japan and Europe.
1:00pm	Lunch at a restaurant of your choice - There is a lovely little Bengali Restaurant situated in the newly restored Star Theatre, where Bengali Theatre has its roots, along with much of the drama that initiated the freedom movement in Bengal, and later the rest of India. Alternativley, there is a nice South Indian restaurant if you'd like to try a different cuisine today.
3:30pm	Visit to a Textile Factory - Rangeen is the weaving, dyeing and printing unit for Weavers Studio in Calcutta, famous for their high quality cotton and silk garments. You will have a chance to watch the artisans at work weaving at their looms, dyeing using diverse techniques such as tie and dye, batik, Japanese Shibori and African Adire, block printing and stenciling on fabric, as well as hand painting, mud and screen printing. The Resource Centre also has a textile library and museum with a collection of antique fabric from around the world. The history of the world's most popular natural dye - Indigo - weaves its story into the visit as well. Indigo has a huge connection with the history of Bengal, and is thought to have played a major role in the start of the struggle for a free India. After the factory, we will visit Weavers Studio, where you can have a look at the finished products!
5:30pm	Tea at Weavers Studio or Flury's Tea Room on Park Street
7:30pm	Return to your hotel

Three Day Package:

Day 1:
6:45am	Your walking guide will meet guests at the hotel lobby
7:00am	Heritage Walk of Dalhousie Square, now a World Heritage Site. The walk takes place in the morning so that you can leisurely take in the architecture and history of the city's many unique and spectacular buildings without any traffic on the roads. There is an option to begin at The Flower Market on the River Hoogly - where it really "all" began. The walk then starts at the site of the terrible 'Black Hole'. takes you past the famous Writer's Building, the former HQ of the infamous East India Company, around the square to, among others, the magnificent Governor's House and the almost forgotten Charnock Mausoleum. The whole experience takes you back to the 18th and 19th century when the British ruled the entire subcontinent from Calcutta - at that time the most fashionable city in the world after London. It is also a chance to experience a special side of the city as it is waking up in the morning with many interesting city characters to interact with along the way.
10:00am	"Breakfast at Bomti's" - offers a rare glimpse of the old Calcutta way of life, now sadly endangered. Mr Surojit 'Bomti' Iyenger, an art collector and socialite, is delighted to welcome visitors to his charming flat in perhaps the most interesting heritage building on historic Chowringhee. Authentic and home-cooked Bengali cuisine served up with hot cups of fresh Darjeeling tea and stimulating insights into Bengali Art (with some for sale) and Modern Kolkata make up Bomti's salon.
12:30pm	Shopping and sightseeing with Devika Duncan (a break at the hotel can also be taken). Sightseeing could include The Marble Palace, The Park Street Cemetery, The Indian Museum and/or The Victoria Memorial. Shopping could include local handicrafts, jewellery, textiles (including the famous Bengal Katha stitch work), antique furniture, food, spices and books.
4:00pm	Boat cruise up the River Hoogly. In a private river boat, guests are able to discover a hitherto unseen side of Kolkata, with a ring-side view of the myriad happenings on the river's 'Ghats'. This was the view that greeted many a 19C adventurer as he stepped up to the Princep's Ghat. You will sail past Belur Math, headquarters of The Ramakrishna Mission, as the city's two huge and famous bridges, Howrah and Vidyasagar Setu pass overhead.
6:30pm	Drop back to your hotel
Day 2:
9:30am	North Calcutta Heritage Building Walk -This walk takes you to the narrow alleys of the "Black Town" where a parallel culture to the British arose amongst the pioneering Bengali families whose fortunes grew as they assisted their colonial rulers in their quest to rule the subcontinent. The impressive mansions hold some rare treasures and interesting stories. The Marble Palace is perhaps the most bizarre of them all! The day provides an interesting contrast to the rest of the sightseeing you will be doing. Guests may also visit the home, and now University, of the famous Bengali Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. One of the leading families of the Bengali Renaissance, the family lineage is rich in accomplishments in the fields of art, culture, science and literature. You will also visit Kumartuli, the "potters" market, where all the idols for religious festivals in the city are made, and a collection of four intriguing Jain and Hindu temples adorned with shimmering mirrors and ceramic tiles and chandeliers brought over to India by rich merchants from lands as far away as Persia, Japan and Europe.
1:00pm	Lunch at a restaurant of your choice - There is a lovely little Bengali Restaurant situated in the newly restored Star Theatre, where Bengali Theatre has its roots, along with much of the drama that initiated the freedom movement in Bengal, and later the rest of India. Alternativley, there is a nice South Indian restaurant if you'd like to try a different cuisine today.
3:30pm	Visit to a Textile Factory - Rangeen is the weaving, dyeing and printing unit for Weavers Studio in Calcutta, famous for their high quality cotton and silk garments. You will have a chance to watch the artisans at work weaving at their looms, dyeing using diverse techniques such as tie and dye, batik, Japanese Shibori and African Adire, block printing and stenciling on fabric, as well as hand painting, mud and screen printing. The Resource Centre also has a textile library and museum with a collection of antique fabric from around the world. The history of the world's most popular natural dye - Indigo - weaves its story into the visit as well. Indigo has a huge connection with the history of Bengal, and is thought to have played a major role in the start of the struggle for a free India. After the factory, we will visit Weavers Studio, where you can have a look at the finished products!
5:30pm	Tea at Weavers Studio or Flury's Tea Room on Park Street
7:30pm	Return to your hotel
Day 3:
The 3rd day remains flexible and guests may choose from a number of activities: A visit to the Botanical Gardens with a picnic lunch The Park Street Cemetery Charitable institutions and schools A game of golf at The Tollygunge Club or The Royal Calcutta Turf Club Shopping - Bengal Handicrafts, Contemporary Bengal Art, Jewellery - traditional/ modern/western, Textiles - silk/cotton, Embroidered Textiles - Katha Work, Missionary style table linen, antique furniture, Bazaars - food/flowers/ spice/ fruit/ furniture, Books, Designer clothes/accessories and lifestyle products. Specific sightseeing - The Indian Museum, The Asiatic Society A visit to the Tea Auction Centre An Afternoon at the Calcutta Races - racing runs on certain days from noon to 5pm. The Royal Calcutta Turf Club with its panoramic views of Victoria Memorial and the River Hoogly is one of the oldest and grandest in India and the ambience positively 'Raj'. Guests are entertained by hosts closely associated with the Club and lunch and tea are served in a Member's Box. Betting before, and meeting the jockeys, trainers and horses after, is all a part of the glorious afternoon. Lunch is brought to the box itself, but is mainly "snacky" in nature. Drinks are available for sale, but lunch is included. The day ends with a Bengali, Chinese or Mughlai Meal at one of Calcutta's famous restaurants.

Cost of the Package: (Oct 2010- Sept 2011)

	1 pax	2 pax	Cost per pax	4 pax	Cost per pax
Full Day City Tour	*Rs 17,500	*Rs 22,900	*Rs 11,450	*Rs 24,900	*Rs 6,225
2 Day Package	Rs 29,000	Rs 37,500	Rs 18,750	Rs 42,200	Rs 10,550
3 Day Package	Rs 42,450	Rs 57,200	Rs 28,600	Rs 67,200	Rs 16,800

*Rs 500 per person lunch supplement (including beer) if breakfast becomes lunch on Day 1 (recommended on a Sunday or Public Holiday so that morning heritage walk can start a bit later at 8.30 am)

The cost includes:

Expert Guide fees (please see Expert Guide Profiles)
Transport in an air conditioned Ford Ikon (2 pax)/Innova car (4 pax)
All meals mentioned in itinerary
All activities mentioned in itinerary
A mobile library (a collection of books relating to the History, Art, Culture and Food of Bengal)
Entry Fees
Tips
Complete flexibility
Pleasant surprises where possible!