John Crawley, Paris
I have been to Kolkata four times and every time I do several walks with Calcutta Walks . I have done the Confluence of Cultures 4 times, Dalhousie Square and Kumartuli 3 times each. Why? Because they are amazing and they are different every time depending on the "Explorer" and the time of the year. The are not only interesting but they are loads of fun as well...and they make you fall in love with that astounding, strange, enormous city that is Kolkata.
Bhandaris, Chicago
We come to Calcutta every year and wanted to experience the city in a new way. We did the private tour, and brought our two children, ages 5 and 7. We could not have been happier with our experience. Seeing any city on foot is the only way to truly understand the surroundings, but it has to be done right. We met our guide at 8am and spent the next three hours transported to a time when the British ruled India. Ifte was knowledgeable of course, but the way he described the history was through anecdotes, stories, and fun trivia. He answered all of our questions happily and thoroughly, even if many of them took him off the planned course. The children also felt comfortable asking their questions, which he answered with the same respect and clarity as he answered those of the adults. Three hours flew by, we all learned a ton, and left loving this amazing city even more. We will absolutely be doing another tour next December... So please save us a prime 8am slot!
Willeke Van Nieuwenhuijze, The Netherlands
Two days ago we made the Photographer's Walk with Rahul. It really was great. I am not a photographer, but my girlfriend is. She got great tips from Rahul. And I enjoyed it very much due to the information we got about the history of this neighbourhood. I love to get to know the city better this way. Rahul talked with respect to the city, to it's inhabitants. We even got invited by a 82-year old milk man in his home. An experience we will never forget. By all, it's a great neighbourhood, we got there early morning, seeing how the city wakes up. When you are in Calcutta and if you are interested in getting to know the city better, just go with Calcutta Walks!!
Vijay, USA
I am still smiling, and my stomach is still dreaming, thinking of this amazing tour. Anirban is the perfect guide, with perfect English and a deep knowledge of the city coming from being a native Bengali. The tour combined the perfect amount of city knowledge with an opportunity to try the best street food the city has to offer. I am most impressed to note that Anirban was totally correct that no matter how dodgy looking the eating establishment, he had picked places where the guests could eat at will and not get sick. I felt amazing after and the next day!
Tony Hastings, UK
"This is Calcutta and you are as humble as it's hospitality" as Tony and group said! One of the best walks ever done with these beautiful and charming couples ! Bringing the Goddess to the Earth Walk !
Sybille Ecroyd, Dubai
We went on four tours over two weeks and loved each one. We have a feeling for Calcutta that we could not have gained without a lot of reading, exploring and a few knowledgeable friends. Our ages ranged from 22 to 58 and we were all delighted by our experiences on the walks. On top of all this, the guides are personable, educated, interesting, and helpful. Definitely ask for one of their maps - when we were not walking with a guide, we were using all the advice on their map - better than any guide book or tourist map I've found for a city. Thank you Calcutta Walks!!
Seema Mohanchandran, Hotel Taj Bengal
I have been on 2 walks with Ifte and team. They are all so passionate about their city and share a common dream to showcase the charm and substance of Kolkata to the world. I have recommended him to many friends and clients and each one of them has been impressed. In the words of one of my clients - "Yes, Ifte is a real find. We had a great time with Ifte today on the walk - he's not cheap but he's very good." that pretty much sums it up. I would highly recommend Calcutta Walks to anyone who wants to see the extraordinary side of this 'City of Joy', Kolkata!
Richard, Melbourne
I took this walk with Anirban as the guide together with another solo traveler!! Starting from the North point Police station, we headed to the flower market next to the river Hooghly, then crossed the Howra bridge. After a short walk on the other side of the river and a wonderful breakfast, we took a ferry across the river to Kumartuli, to see how potters make god idols from straw and clay. An art which has been practiced in this area for 300 years. The whole tour was highly informative and our guide provided a world of previously unknown information.. Extremely professional!! This walk made my visit to Kolkata memorable!! I would HIGHLY recommend it!!!
Max Anders, San Fransisco
Best experience I had in India! I have lived and traveled in India for over a year now and my experience with Calcutta Walks was easily one of the most amazing I have had. Initially I was hesitant to partake in a walking tour but I am so glad I let my friend talk me into it. The home stay Calcutta Walks arranged for us was wonderful, the house gorgeous and the family unbelievably friendly. The walks were fascinating and allowed us an opportunity to experience Calcutta in a way that would have been totally impossible without them. Our adventurous guide took us to behind the scenes places (at times, literally people's backyards) to show us a beautiful tree or an important historical location. Introducing us to local figures to hear the stories from their mouths or taking us to drink the best tea in Calcutta, the employees of Calcutta walks clearly love their city. And it is this love and passion for sharing their city, that make Calcutta Walks such a memorable and wonderful experience. I highly recommend anyone who wants to get off the beaten track and see India from a different perspective to take a walk with Calcutta Walks.
Lawrence Richards, Berlin
Anirban of the company "Calcutta Walks" was an amazing guide and assistant for my documentary filming in Calcutta. Not only did he take me to the right spots at the right time, he also knew how to assist a cameraman and understood when the light was best to shoot at certain spots. He had great knowledge of the history and culture and made sure there was always enough food and water. On top of that he was great company! I can recommend this company warm heartedly. You will have a great time and learn lots about the city!
Kerrie Proulx, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Calcutta is notably one of India’s less touristy cities and getting to know the place is not as straightforward as in other mega-cities in India. Calcutta Walks does an excellent job at introducing the city from the perspective of proud citizens – and they do so with a great sense of humour and lively discussion. The price for the cultural walk seemed a bit steep at first glance, but at the end of the day it was one of my more memorable experiences in India. True to famous Bengali hospitality, Ifte and the rest of the team certainly go out of their way to ensure a warm and friendly welcome – and their efforts don’t stop at the walk. They provide a “one stop shop” for travellers. On a recent trip to India with my mother, they arranged all the hotels and transportation in Calcutta and beyond (Darjeeling, Kurseong), pointed us in the right direction for authentic Bengali restaurants and provided suggestions for shopping and day trips. They took the hassle out of our travel planning and we were impressed with all the arrangements they made.
DeSales University Group, USA
I was at first nervous traveling to the unknown city of Calcutta, India with a group of students from my university in late May; but the amazing tour guides of Calcutta Walks made my group feel welcomed and right at home! Our tour guides- Ram, Ani, and Ritwick beamed passion for their beloved city, and were extremely knowledgeable of its rich history. Not once was I bored on one of their tours- and I learned so much about the culture of India which I would not have learned otherwise! Calcutta Walks really helped make my school's service trip memorable- and allowed me to experience the culture of Calcutta on a whole other level. Their hospitality is greatly appreciated and I strongly recommend this amazing company! Anyone traveling to Calcutta must dive into the culture and history with these fun and passionate tour guides! - Sarah
Jack Kuenzle, Connecticut
We did two tours, a bicycle tour in the early morning and a historical tour. We had Ifte for both and both were fantastic. Prices were very reasonable, and the tours fascinating. I definitely recommend the bike tour, it was truly amazing to see the city waking up in the early morning. We also booked a home stay through Ifte which was the best place we stayed in India.
Marie-Josee Malenfant, Quebec, Canada
Fantastique! J’ai été touchée par la beauté de Kolkata grâce au guide Anirban qui est brillant, intéressant et sensible à l’art de la ville qu’il aime tant et de ses habitants. I warmly recommand this great city tour with Anirban Dutta.
Emila Van Hauen
Take a voluntary responsibility now - or be forced to do so later! For the state of the world is estimated to be two minutes in doomsday. A visit to Kolkata / Calcutta showed that one does not have to be at Elons Musk's level, to make the difference many talk about. Iftekar's philosophy, which is based on simple cultural exchange and practical sustainability, is something we can all copy. Reciprocity is the keyword. (2nd most read on borsen.dk that day) Read the full blog here : https://www.emiliavanhauen.dk/blog/boersen-baerenoedvendighed/?fbclid=IwAR0Cgw0uGhtNDJ8NXykFYbYLfhs3kHYVobAj2fUu2bnwGBtI51NQ6AYcSI8
Dr. Sarah Dietz, UK
If you only have a few hours in Calcutta put yourself in the hands of an Explorer from Calcutta Walks and experience more of the city in a few hours than a month’s wandering would provide. I took three walks with Explorer Anirban, each more fascinating than the last, each a conversation of history, culture, politics and above all food. We drank delicious chai from terracotta cups, snacked on rum balls from the old Jewish bakery Nahoum, grabbed Christmas cake from a shop in Grey Town and he can arrange an amazing Bengali meal in a traditional Calcutta home, urging you to “eat as you’ve never eaten before”… and you will! Calcutta Walks offer much more than a tour of the well-known monuments and sights, but a behind-the-scenes look at an extraordinary city: through apparently locked gates to discover beautiful Bengali courtyards, Chinese churches, ancient synagogues. Down bustling back alleys of market traders and quiet lanes to stumble across the Calcutta home of the Aga Khan. At twilight we climbed darkened staircases for a bird’s eye view of heaving Burrabazar. This only scrapes the surface of my Calcutta experience… Thank you so much Anirban!
George & Connie, Quebec, Canada
Passionate, knowledgeable, educated, engaging and unafraid to show you the true city, today; as it was; and what it might be. Call it "assisted exploration". You can't package this type of tour, it flows with the current of the city. If I could see Rome, New York, Buenos Aires, or anyplace in the world with this guide - I would go tomorrow. Sadly - only in Kolkata. Not to be missed! Truly an experience, but not for the faint of heart. This is the real deal.
Geneviève Messmer, Bangalore
We are 9 French ladies living in Bangalore and we did 3 of the walks (Dalhousie - Confluence - Sovabazar). It was just SUPER - AMAZING - INTERESTING and also DIFFERENT, all this and even more thanks to Ritwick and Ifte. What else can I say : do not hesitate to sign in. I am sure we discovered lots of hidden places we would not even have noticed by our own. And we had lots of fun too.The idea is great. I will highly recommend these walks to my expats friends in India and French friends coming to visit. Other major cities in India... and abroad should take example. Namaste!
Fareed Mostoufi, Washington DC
I love to engage directly with a people when I travel, but had been intimidated upon arrival in India by the sounds and crowds. This tour was just the introduction I needed. Seeing the city with Calcutta Walks was like being introduced to a new friend by someone you trust. Safe, special, informative, but also personal. Without a doubt, I would go on any of the tours provided by them because I know it would be a truly special experience. And it was simply the icing on the cake that the tour concluded with every participant receiving Calcutta Walks' extraordinary map of the city. It's so detailed and also easy to read. Thank you guys for a morning of truly unforgettable memories. See you next year!
Ben Grozier, Sydney
Honestly, one of the best three hours of my travelling life. I've visited over 80 countries and as you can imagine had plenty of awesome experiences amongst them. This morning will remain as one of the best ever. Thank you Calcutta Walks. I will be recommending you far and wide!
Aaron Edward, USA
Having scanned through a bunch of walking tour companies, I am very glad I chose Calcutta Walks! I did the Dalhousie Square Walk.. I was in awe of the British influence and architecture throughout the city and the indepth knowledge of the city provided by none other than the amazing Anirban tour guide. I left that tour feeling more knowledgeable about Dalhousie Square, the British history in Calcutta, and just the city in general. Also, the hospitality shown by Anirban was great, truly took care of me and my needs throughout the tour. Calcutta Walks offers a variety of tours to explore and learn about this beautiful and diverse city, so I will be coming back for more!