More Than a Photo Tour: An Authentic Kolkata Homecoming - 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.

Perfect first tour in Kolkata - 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 🙏🏼

Much More Than a Photography Tour - 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.

Memorable experience - 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.

More than a photo tour - 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!

Best Marigold Clicks - Fantastic tour. Manjit makes you discover the finest photography spots of this amazingly colorful and incredibly busy place and he provides the full-immersion experience. Highly-rated and worth every single rupee.

Calcutta flower market - We both absolutely loved this tour, Manjet is great and we felt so much at ease wandering through the market and learning about the history. Defo worth 5* and the cost. Would not use another guide his knowledge is fantastic.

Flowermarket tour - I recently joined a photo tour with manjit that exceeded my expectations in every aspect. The tour was well-organized, with clear communication from the start. The itinerary was thoughtfully crafted, allowing ample time at each location to capture stunning shots without feeling rushed. The transportation provided was comfortable and efficient. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their photography skills while exploring amazing places.

Flower market photo tour you should take - Fabulous photo tour through the flower market and the surrounding ghats. Manjit has been going here for years, so he knows the sellers and the in and outs of the market. Loved the super relaxed atmosphere he creates and the in depth stories he tells along the way. Had the best time.

Tour par excellence - Booked this private tour for myself, an amateur photographer, and my wife who carries the lenses and loves culture and history. I used on the day a Canon 90D with an Extreme Pro super-fast SD card and stayed with my 18-55mm kit lens most of the time. We met Manjit at the hotel and, having done a tour the previous day with Manjit, we headed straight out. This tour proved more challenging than the kaleidoscope tour however Manjit very quickly realised I was struggling with the low light and crowded subjects and moved us to a better area. The tour was exactly as described with a never-ending supply of subjects to point the camera at with Manjit seeming to know everyone we passed. The biggest plus for us (apart from the most amazing opportunity to capture real life images) was that we didn’t have to worry about where we were (or how to get back), if we could point a camera at that person on not or if we were staying safe as Manjit was the perfect guide. He also has a great personality – warm and funny, and reads people and situations really well. After three hours we were exhausted and very pleased that Manjit had arranged a car to collect us at the start and finish of the tour. We would highly recommend either of the tours we took with Manjit and have gone away with memories money can’t buy.