Kolkata Horse Carriage Trip

Location:Maidan.

Time to Visit:9 A.M. - 5 P.M.

Preferred Timings: Morning time is the best time to go on a horse carriage trip. As the day wears on, there is a heavy surge of vehicles on Kolkata's roads, which makes the horse carriage drive a cumbersome exercise rather than being smooth.

Admission Fee: Nil

How to Reach: Local buses, mini buses and metered taxis are readily available from various parts of the city. One can also avail the highly efficient underground metro rail.

Photography / Video charges: Nil.

Nearest Metro Station: Maidan.

Nearest Functional Metro Station: Maidan.

Nearest International Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

Time required for sightseeing:About 1 hour 30 minutes.

These days, horse driven carriages are indeed a novelty, especially in cities. Kolkata being the capital of East India Company, the streets of Kolkata were upgraded from brick layout to cement, so that the horse driven carriages could ply smoothly. Though horse carriages were introduced by the British, horse carriages were in vogue even during the Mughal era.

Horse carriages come in different shapes and sizes. Of course in the earlier eras, 17th and 18th century, not only were horse carriages the primary mode of transportation for the common man, the carriages were also used by the members of the royal family. It is but natural that the carriages were fine pieces of craftsmanship. It is such a pity that today in the guise of modernity we have had to axe these wonderful non-polluting vehicles.

But all is not lost. In Kolkata, the traditional colonial hangover is still very much alive and the horse driven carriages are available at Maidan and they are designed like chariots, having leather cover convertibles. They are also quite spacious and can easily accommodate 5 to 6 passengers.

A journey through the lush green expanse of the Maidan and the majestic Fort William close by, is a virtual treat as the horses chug your carriage rhythmetically through the wide open streets. Today, the horse driven carriages of Kolkata are strictly meant for tourists and keeping that in mind, the municipal authorities have earmarked the Maidan-Fort William circuit to be the most appropriate route.

In the earlier eras though, the Burra Sahibs would hire horse carriages and go shopping at the up market Hogg Market (present day Burra Bazaar). But due to the utter chaos and pandemonium in the main thoroughfares of Kolkata, the horse carriages have to be content with a small area on which they can ply.

Although, you don't have the freedom to ride in the main thoroughfares of Kolkata, yet, one must admit that the Maidan-Fort William stretch is by far the most picturesque stretch in the whole of Kolkata and the beauty is unmatched.

But all is not lost. In Kolkata, the traditional colonial hangover is still very much alive and the horse driven carriages are available at Maidan and they are designed like chariots, having leather cover convertibles. They are also quite spacious and can easily accommodate 5 to 6 passengers.

A journey through the lush green expanse of the Maidan and the majestic Fort William close by, is a virtual treat as the horses chug your carriage rhythmetically through the wide open streets. Today, the horse driven carriages of Kolkata are strictly meant for tourists and keeping that in mind, the municipal authorities have earmarked the Maidan-Fort William circuit to be the most appropriate route.

In the earlier eras though, the Burra Sahibs would hire horse carriages and go shopping at the up market Hogg Market (present day Burra Bazaar). But due to the utter chaos and pandemonium in the main thoroughfares of Kolkata, the horse carriages have to be content with a small area on which they can ply.

Although, you don't have the freedom to ride in the main thoroughfares of Kolkata, yet, one must admit that the Maidan-Fort William stretch is by far the most picturesque stretch in the whole of Kolkata and the beauty is unmatched.

Special Event / Annual Event:

Any holidays and weekends.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

Maidan, Fort William, Victoria Memorial, Birla Planetarium.

Nearby places to eat

The Chowringhee-Park Street-Esplanade stretch is by far the most happening place in Kolkata and a wide variety of restaurants are located here where you can truly indulge in mouthwatering Bengali, Mughlai, Chinese, Italian and continental spread. A visit to Tangra, Kolkata's version of Chinatown is especially recommended which is an exclusive Chinese bastion in Kolkata and lots of authentic Chinese restaurants are available here. The Chinese delicacies available at Tangra are lip smacking good.
As far as traditional Bengali dishes are concerned, Peerless Inn and Oh! Calcutta are great options. Aminia, Rahmania and Shiraz are fabled for their Mughlai spread. Mainland China, Marco Polo, Chung Wah and Golden Dragon offer delicious Chinese cuisine. Drop in at Domino's at Russel Street and Pizza Hut at Camac Street for Italian delicacies.
Celebrity restaurants like Indian Cricket icon Saurav Ganguly's signature restaurant-Saurav's- The Food Pavilion is a top draw.
Barista, Café Coffee Day and Flury's are irresistible as far as beverages are concerned. A visit to Flury's is highly recommended which is one of Kolkata's most enduring Raj era restaurant. The ambience is very British and the service is of a very high standard.

Nearby shopping venues

Kolkata is a shopper's delight. The Park Street-Esplanade stretch has all kinds of shops selling everything from Tibetan Thangkas to Ray Ban goggles. The stretch from The Oberoi Grand located in Esplanade to Park Street is one of the most fashionable places to shop. The flea market is especially very popular with tourists. Baluchuri sarees and Vishnupur clay idols vie for attention alongside up market brands like Nike, Addidas, Westside and Pantaloons.
For handloom and handicraft items, The Cottage Industries Emporium at Chowringhee is well worth a visit. You could also explore New Market, Vardaan Market at Camac Street, Central Cottage Industries Emporium at 7, J. L. Nehru Road, Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan at 24, Chittaranjan Avenue, Priyadarshini at 14/C, Lindsay Street and Manjusha at 8/2 Jagamohan Mullick Lane, Barabazar. All of them offer a fabulous shopping experience.