India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) (374 page)

GUIDED TOURS
The guide services of the following two men are worth booking before you arrive.
Shanti Bhattacharjee
is a retired history teacher with a profound knowledge of his city, who provides in-depth tours of Kolkata (
033/2350-1576
or 98-3024-2803). He charges Rs 1,500 per day irrespective of the number of people (all entrance and transport costs to be paid by tourists). Other than organizing festivals,
Action Research in Conservation of Heritage
conducts excellent heritage walks
(usually on Sun) of northern Kolkata and Dalhousie Square (
033/2359-6303
or 033/2337-5757;
www.centrearch.org
; Rs 350 per person). Alternatively, you could get in touch with
Husna-Tara
Prakash
(
033/2288-5630
), the charming owner of the amazing Glenburn Tea Estate (reviewed later) who, along with an expert team of guides, conducts walks throughout the city—the rates are far higher than others mentioned here but inclusive of an air-conditioned vehicle, breakfast, entry fees and little personal touches that make it worthwhile.
The Tourism Centre
(3/2 B.B.D. Bagh E.;
033/2248-8271
or -8272) conducts two different daily sightseeing tours of the city; these inevitably involve a great deal of bus travel and little sightseeing. In the same center, the
West Bengal Tourist Development Corporation
(
033/2243-7260
) organizes short and long-distance tours of the state and selected destinations around the country.

Kolkata

Airlines
Jet Airways:
033/3989-3333.
Kingfisher Airlines:
1800-1800-101.
Air
Sahara:
1600-22-3020.
Indian Airlines:
033/2511-9720.