The Garden Bungalow
Heritage garden setting
Couples,
Solos,
Culture Seekers
Tucked away in the cultural heart of West Bengal, The Garden Bungalow offers a serene escape within the historic university town of Santiniketan.
Set across three acres of landscaped gardens, this restored heritage property reflects the creative and philosophical legacy of Rabindranath Tagore. A stay here invites you to experience Bengal’s artistic soul through carefully curated antiques, quiet verandahs, and an atmosphere of timeless calm.
It took a decade to design and build the bungalow in harmony with its surroundings, resulting in a space that blends seamlessly with Santiniketan’s distinct rhythm and heritage.
This is a stay best suited for culture-seeking couples, solo travellers, or those drawn to the literary and artistic richness of Bengal. Though service is informal, it’s warm and attentive. Guests can enjoy home-style meals, guided garden walks with a naturalist, and a quiet base from which to explore the cultural landmarks of Santiniketan.
The Rooms
Each of the four suites that ETG recommend open up to a verandah from which you can enjoy the peaceful and relaxing setting; a tour of the gardens with the naturalist can be arranged too.
The four suites can get booked up very early and as it is the only property that ETG recommends in the area, it is important to book early. The service isn’t particularly formal, however, this is a unique and ambient place from which to experience the heritage and history of Santiniketan.
What You’ll Find:
Why You'll Love It:
Explore ETG's Sample Itineraries in India
A few of our favourite routes, hand-picked by the team and ripe for tweaking.
Think of them as conversation starters. Curiosity sparkers. Not fixed plans, just ideas for what your holiday could look like, shaped by years of local know-how and the kind of immersive experiences that live long in the memory.
Darjeeling
Highlights of East India
Little visited and often overlooked, East India is an incredible place: from the spellbinding contrasts of Kolkata to the sleepy waterways of the Sundarbans, the Buddhist culture of Sikkim and the mighty Himalayas.
This journey will enable you to explore Kolkata in depth, before heading south for a lovely tranquil experience in the Sundarbans National Park. While you’re unlikely to spot one of the park’s many tigers, there is a plethora of wildlife here, and it’s a lovely place to spend a few days.
Then it’s back up to Kolkata for an overnight train deep in the Himalayas. East India is an incredible region: the heart of Buddhist culture in India, a land of monasteries, sleepy hill towns, friendly people and breathtaking views.
Highlights
Kolkata
Explore Kolkata, the former capital of British India and a riot of colour, a hub of Bengali culture and an incredibly vibrant place.
Incredible culture
Discover timeless Buddhist monasteries and a highly distinct Sikkim culture.
Khangchendzonga Mountain
Being inspired by the view of the mighty Khangchendzonga Mountain, the third-highest in the world, soaring above the horizon
Gallery
Delhi
East to West: Highlights of the Gangetic Plain
This holiday is for travellers with an adventurous spirit who like to get away from the tourist trail; people who have a desire to explore eclectic, busy and ever-evolving Indian cities, but who also want to contrast immersive city life with some unique, rural experiences.
Take time to delve into Kolkata and Varanasi with our signature experiences in each. You’ll journey by car, train and minimal internal flights so that you can experience the beautiful rural life and landscape of the Gangetic Plain as you move around. You’ll spend four days exploring northern Madhya Pradesh and three days in a remote valley of Uttar Pradesh; allowing completely different rural and wildlife experiences in each.
Highlights
Lunch with an art collector
Taking lunch with an art collector in his home in Kolkata
Sunrise at the River Ganges
Watching the sunrise from your private boat on the River Ganges
Chambal Valley
Experiencing life in remote hamlets of the Chambal Valley
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The Garden Bungalow on the map
In Our Travellers’ Words
Wonderful introduction to India
The best family holiday we have ever been on
India, exceeded all expectations
The Curious Traveller’s Expert Guide to India
Want to know more? With its vast size, rich diversity, and countless possibilities, planning a holiday to India can feel overwhelming – so we’ve created our Curious Traveller’s Guide to India to help make sense of it all.
It’s our experts’ pick of standout experiences and places to stay, with honest advice on the best regions and tips for both first-time visitors and those returning for more.
