Kolkata + Varanasi · 5 days
Bengali intellectual bones + Hindu spiritual bones — India's most-cultural weekend.
The literary + spiritual eastern combo. Long flights make this a tight 5-day trip; add 2 more for Darjeeling if you can.
Best seasonOct – Feb
Length5 days
Budget£1,200–£1,800 pp exc. flights (heritage boutique in Kolkata + riverside in Varanasi).
Day by day
- DAY 01KolkataArrival + Park Street
Peter Cat for kebabs, sazerac at Trincas.
- DAY 02KolkataVictoria + Kumartuli
Victoria Memorial morning, Kumartuli idol-makers afternoon, Kalighat evening.
- DAY 03KolkataCollege Street + coffee house
College Street books, Indian Coffee House lunch, sunset at Princep Ghat.
- DAY 04VaranasiFly Kolkata → Varanasi
Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh evening — arrive by 5 pm at latest.
- DAY 05VaranasiSunrise boat + fly home
5 am boat down the ghats, Sarnath if time, evening flight.
Pack this
- Modest clothing for ghats
- Slip-on shoes (constant temple entry)
- Warm layer for Kolkata mornings Oct-Feb
- Cash for College Street books
- Small torch
One dispatch a month