Culture & Wildlife in Northern India: Kolkata, Sundarbans & Delhi - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi, Free Evening

Welcome to Delhi! You'll be met by your guide at New Delhi International Airport and will be given a traditional swagat (welcome) before you take a private transfer to your hotel in New Delhi. India's buzzing capital has a diverse range of architectural styles as it's been under several rulers over the centuries. It's divided into two main parts, New Delhi and Old Delhi. New Delhi was built by the British with colonial-style buildings and tree-lined streets, while lively Old Delhi dates back to the 17th century and was founded by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan.

As you have a free evening in Delhi, you might consider heading out to explore, shopping, sightseeing, or trying local food. You also have the option of going on a guided walk in Lodi Garden, one of the city's most beautiful and popular parks. In New Delhi, this 90-acre (36 ha) garden contains 15th-century tombs, mosques and bridges, and a wide selection of trees and birds. You can stretch your legs in these peaceful surroundings and join the locals for a cup of chai (strong and sweet milky tea) at a tea shop in the middle of the gardens. Delhi's India Gate monument, also known as the Delhi Memorial, is close to Lodi Garden too.

Day 2: Fly to Kolkata, Half Day Sightseeing Tour

You'll leave your hotel in the morning and transfer to the airport to board a flight to Kolkata. On arrival, you'll meet your guide, who will take you to your hotel to check in. Kolkata is one of India's largest cities and is located on the east bank of the Hooghly River. It's become known for its culture, with thriving local drama, art, film, theater, and literature scenes.

In the afternoon, head out for a half-day sightseeing tour of Kolkata. First, you'll visit the grandiose Victoria Memorial. The white marble beauty is one of the most popular buildings in Kolkata, and it houses several rare and unique antiques. Next, visit the Kalighat Kali Temple situated on the bank of the Hooghly River. This huge and artistically constructed temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas (significant shrines). You can't visit Kolkata without trying some delicious food, so end your day by tucking into some local dishes. You'll have the evening to spend at leisure.

Day 3: Transfer to Sundarbans, Guided Nature Walk

You'll be picked up from your Kolkata hotel in the morning and will be driven to the Gadkhali ferry station, passing through beautiful countryside and a rural bazaar. Once in Gadkhali, you'll board a motorboat. On your journey, your local guide-cum-naturalist will brief you about the day's tour over a welcome drink, and you can sit back and enjoy the scenery en route to your resort. You'll travel on the rivers Hooghly, Gomor, Durgaduani, and Gumdi.  

The Sundarbans is a Unesco World Heritage Site and covers 3,900 sq mi (10,000 km2) of land and water. Split between India and Bangladesh, It contains the world's largest area of mangrove forests and a number of rare or endangered species, including tigers. After lunch at your Sundarbans resort, you'll head out with a guide on foot or in an electric rickshaw to acclimatize yourself. While exploring, keep a lookout for kingfishers, egrets, Brahmani eagles, pond herons, black cormorants, green bee-eaters, and more. After your evening meal, get to know your resort's local team.

Day 4: Explore Sundarbans National Park

Today you'll explore more of Sundarbans National Park, keeping a lookout for Bengal tigers as well as other creatures. First up is bird-watching and spotting wildlife from the Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, and Dobanki watch towers. At Dobanki, you'll also embark on a canopy walk where you can look down at the wildlife from a netted enclosure. On a cruise through the national park's small channels and creeks on the calm waters, you'll be able to spot dolphins, spotted deer, wild boars, monitor lizards, and more.

After a busy day, you can relax at your resort, or there's the option to watch a special Bonbibi Theater show. This musical dance performance by local artists tells folk tales of the Sundarbans. Ma Bonbibi, the forest goddess of the Sundarbans, is celebrated through these performances. She is said to prevent ferocious tigers from attacking locals and has established a universal order for the peaceful coexistence of wildlife and the villagers.

Day 5: Sundarbans National Park By Boat

Today you will explore Sundarbans National Park again but in a different way. Enjoy a boat ride on the calm waters of the Sundarbans, traveling through streams and canals past thousands of islands. Relaxing in the peace of the jungle while sailing is a remarkable experience in itself.

Make the most of your last day in the Sundarbans among the lush mangroves, close to all kinds of nature. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a tiger or crocodile as you travel. In the late afternoon, head back to your resort to unwind and look back at the photographs you've taken of the day.

Day 6: Transfer to Kolkata, Heritage Walk

Check out and transfer to Gadkhali by boat. Then you'll head to your Kolkata hotel by road. Back in Kolkata, you can explore the city at leisure, perhaps shopping or trying the local food. Alternatively, join a Kolkata heritage walk to be guided around more of the city's big sights. On this, you'll visit ancient palaces, ruins, and temples. You'll also admire the Great Banyan Tree in the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden, which is the largest banyan tree in the world.

To feel the energy of the city, you'll walk to markets and explore neighborhoods such as Kumartuli, Bandel, Chinsurah, Hooghly, Burrabazar, and Sovabazar. The spectacular Gothic Saint Paul's Cathedral is a highlight of this tour, followed by a visit to the extraordinary Marble Palace, which houses paintings by Rubens, Titian, and Reynolds. After a busy day, relax in the evening at your hotel.

Day 7: Fly to Delhi, Half Day Tour

In the morning, you'll board a flight to Delhi. After you've transferred and settled into your hotel, you'll head out to explore some of the city's best attractions on a half-day tour. Driving on Delhi's busy roads, you'll be taken to visit the Raj Ghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the India Gate memorial, Rashtrapati Bhavan (the official residence of the president of India), Parliament House, and other colonial buildings. The early 20th-century work of Edwin Lutyens, a British architect, prominently features here.

Another stop is at the Laxmi Narayan Temple, built by industrialist J.K. Birla, which is also known as Birla Mandir and is one of the top tourist attractions in Delhi. Devoted to the goddess Laxmi, the beautiful temple with a vast garden attracts tourists from all over the world. Your tour ends at the Unesco World Heritage Site, Humayun's Tomb, a marvelous example of Persian-inspired Mughal architecture. After your tour, relax at your hotel for the night.

Day 8: Depart Delhi

Your tour finishes today in Delhi. You'll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Indira Gandhi International Airport to fly to your onward destination. Until next time!

More Great India Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to India? Check out these other India itineraries, explore different ways to spend eight days in India, or discover the best time to visit India.