Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour

Unique experience, amazing scenes and stories from Manjit. He really helped with the photo tips (much needed by me). Chai and biscuits were welcome. Highly recommend this tour. Definitely worth the early start.

This one was already my 2. Tour with Manjit and she was great again! Manjit gave us a priceless behind-the-scenes look with unique impressions and photo opportunities. Perfect for those who want to experience Calcutta behind the scenes.

I can’t imagine a better tour than one of those offered by Calcutta Photo Tours. The Flower Fest Tour takes you to what is considered to be India's largest and oldest wholesale flower market. It is truly spectacular and a treat for any photographer to visit. It is located along the Hooghly River (a branch of the Ganges), so it has religious significance to many Indians. Not only will you enjoy seeing the floral variety, you will see Indian’s bathing in the river and Hindu priests offering blessings for the dead. As a lifelong Kolkata resident Manjit, the owner, knows this market and many of the vendors. He is a talented photographer himself, so he knows what interests people in the field. He will give you as much, or as little, guidance as you like. If you’re a woman, traveling on your own, you may have concerns about your safety in Kolkata. I assure you Manjit works hard to make you feel secure and well cared for. This is a fascinating city; for photographers it’s a dream destination.

Hands down an awesome tour. You will see the flower market but more importantly the organized chaos it is surrounded by Manjit shows you the right places you wouldn't come yourself and provides good photography tips. Awesome tour.

I had an unforgettable morning exploring Kolkata’s vibrant flower market and walking across the iconic Howrah Bridge. The sea of marigolds, roses, and lotus blossoms created an explosion of color and fragrance, while our knowledgeable guide brought the history and culture of the market to life. Watching locals haggle, carry garlands, and prepare offerings gave such an authentic glimpse into the city’s daily rhythm. Crossing the Howrah Bridge afterward offered stunning views of the Hooghly River and the bustling city below. A truly enriching experience that blended beauty, history, and culture — highly recommend to anyone visiting Kolkata!

As a native of Kolkata who has been living in New York for over two decades, I thought I knew the soul of my city. However, a single Sunday morning on the "Hooghly’s Flower Fest Tour" with Manjit Singh Hoonjan of Calcutta Photo Tours completely redefined it for me. It was, without a shadow of a doubt, the single best decision of my trip back home. My biggest apprehension going in was the classic photographer's dilemma: how to capture the raw, candid life of a place without being an intrusive tourist. I was especially sensitive to this in my own hometown. When I mentioned this to Manjit, he smiled and assured me, "With me, you'll be invisible." This was not an exaggeration; it was a promise he effortlessly delivered on. Walking through the vibrant chaos of the Mullick Ghat flower market with Manjit is like having a backstage pass. He isn't a guide who simply visits; he is part of the fabric of the place. With over 20 years of photographing this very market, he knows the regulars by name, and they know him. This deep-rooted connection meant that I wasn't seen as an outsider with a camera, but as a friend of a friend. People hardly noticed me, allowing me to capture authentic moments of life unfolding, a privilege that is simply unattainable on one's own. Manjit's value extends far beyond access. He is a walking encyclopedia of the market's history and a master of its logistics. He explained the journey of the flowers from the fields to the hands of the sellers, the economics of the trade, and the stories behind the faces we saw. This rich narrative transformed the experience from a simple photo walk into a profound cultural immersion. As an accomplished photographer himself, whose work has deservedly been featured in world-renowned publications like National Geographic Traveller and Condé Nast Traveller, Manjit's artistic guidance was invaluable. He has an impeccable eye for a story. He would gently point out a fleeting expression, suggest a unique angle to capture the morning light filtering through the Howrah Bridge, or find a compelling subject in a flurry of activity that I would have otherwise missed. It was a masterclass on the move. I left not just with a memory card full of photos I am incredibly proud of, but with a renewed connection to the city I thought I knew. It was a powerful and humbling experience. If you are in Kolkata and have any interest in photography—whether you are a seasoned professional, an enthusiastic amateur, or just someone who wants to experience the authentic heart of the city—do yourself a favor and book a tour with Manjit at Calcutta Photo Tours. I am already planning my next trip and intend to experience every single tour he has to offer. This is not just a tour; it's an essential Kolkata experience.

If you love photography and culture this is an experience not to miss! I spent over a month in Kolkata and I’m so glad I discovered Manjit and his tours very early during my visit because that allowed me to meet him several times and do four of his tours. The flower market was the first one. I fell in love with the busy and colourful environment, the vendors and all the stories around it. It’s such a great place to take pictures and feel the vibrant Kolkata. Manjit makes things super easy and enjoyable and the three hours went by so quickly. Seeing the city through his eyes is always fun. If you have enough time in the city it’s worth booking different tours as they all have their unique feeling but if you can only select one or two, this is the perfect starting point. Thank you, friend, for sharing your love for Kolkata with strangers like me in such a beautiful way 🙏🏼

Manjiit is a professional photographer and an exceptionally empathetic person. With him, you'll uncover hidden gems and capture “the real Kolkata,” always with deep respect for the people and places you visit. He’ll guide you toward unexpected angles while giving you complete freedom to photograph what inspires you most. Deeply familiar with his city, he’ll teach you how to “see the sea—even in Kolkata.” Always kind and approachable, he’s happy to answer your questions and help you discover more about this fascinating culture.

Manjit is very kind and trustworthy. He has been visiting flower market for 20 years. He shows you all the secret corners to have an unbelievable experience.

My husband and I recently took Manjit’s private tour of the flower market at Mallick Ghat and had the most wonderful morning. The three hours absolutely flew by! As a Kolkata local Manjit is incredibly knowledgeable - and shared the history of the market itself, but also the city more broadly which gave us an amazing insight into everything we were looking at/photographing. He also personally knows many of the people who work the market, which really heightened the experience for us too. We not only got a glimpse into their daily work - but their lives as well. It was a completely different experience to what it would have been had we gone alone. We also had a good few laughs along the way - and by the end Manjit felt like an old friend. 10/10 recommend. Would love to do another tour with you next time we are in Kolkata, Manjit!