Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days
Destinations Covered : Kolkata | Sunderbans | Kolkata | Guwahati | Kaziranga | Darjeeling | Kolkata |
Arrival at Kolkata International Airport, meeting assistance by our representative who will welcome you and will provide transfer to the hotel. Upon reaching your hotel, you will be handed over the travel documents with a complete briefing of tour by the representative. Check-in and proceed to your room. Overnight stay at Hotel.
After breakfast proceed for a full day city tour visiting Dalhousie Square (Covering Raj Bhavan, St. John's Church, High Court, GPO, Town Hall, Writer's Building and other important colonial buildings), Flower Market, Howrah Bridge, Kumhartoli (The Potter's Village), Marble Palace, Indian Museum, St. Paul's Cathedral Church & Victoria Memorial.
The Heritage tour will give insight in to the historical aspect of old Calcutta. This square has many old historic buildings, to name a few - Silver Mint (1824-31) built in Greek style is presently in a dilapidated condition, The Writers Building - designed by Thomas Lyon as a trading house for East India Company in 1780 has 57 sets of identical windows on 3 storeys built like a barrack inside. The Old Mission Church, built by Swedish missionary Johann Kiernander was consecrated in 1770, General Post Office designed by Walter Granville in 1868 has a white dome and Corinthian pillars, The Raj Bhawan, once a residence of British Governors-General and Viceroys, it is now the home of Governor of West Bengal, next to it is the most important Gothic building of Kolkata - the Calcutta High Court, built in 1872.
The Pareshnath Jain Temple is an ornate Digambar Jain temple built in central Indian Style in 1867 by a jeweller. The interior is richly decorated in European baroque and Italianate styles with mirrors and Venetian glass mosaics. The gardens have formal geometric flower beds.
Belur Math was founded in 1899 by Swami Vivekanand, a disciple of Saint Ramakrishna. It is presently the international headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission and preaches the unity of all religions. Symbolizing the belief of "Math" (monastery) it has Hindu, Christian and Islamic style of architecture.
Visit to the Ninth oldest regular Museum of the world, Indian Museum, Kolkata. It was established in the year 1814 at the Asiatic Society and was transferred to the present site in 1878. It has over sixty galleries of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Botany sections, spreading over 10000 sq. feet area. Many rare specimens both Indian and Trans - Indian origin relating to Humanities and Natural Science are preserved and displayed in the galleries of these sections. It has a collection of more than 50,000 coins of Gold, Silver and other metals. It also has a mummy in its Egyptian section.
In the afternoon visit the Victoria Memorial - a gift by Lord Curzon to Queen Victoria in honor of her commemoration and as a symbol of her Indian Empire. It has been designed in Italian Renaissance-Mughal style and built in White Marble in 1921 and has many galleries with over 3000 exhibits. At the entrance it has an impressive 'weather vane' in form of a 5mt tall bronze figure of Victory, weighing over 3 tons.
Visit the flower market near the Hooghly River in the morning, followed by a boat ride. Also visit the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa, Mother Teresa came as a Loreto Sister in 1931 to teach in a local school in Kolkata and 19 years later with Pope's permission started her Order of the Missionaries of Charity to serve the destitute. The Nuns of this order always work in pairs and the mission has many Homes, Clinics and Orphanages. Nirmal Hriday (pure heart) was opened in 1952 for the dying among the poorest. Overnight stay at Hotel.
This morning you drive to Basanti Port (120 kms / 03 hrs). On arrival, transfer by boat to Sunderbans. Upon arrival in Sunderbans, check-in at Camp / hotel. Overnight stay at the Camp / Hotel.
After breakfast, this morning you are collected from your hotel for full day boat cruise in Sunderban National Park. Safaris in Sunderbans are conducted in Boats, which cruise through the estuarine backwaters and mangrove forests. Overnight stay at the Camp / Hotel.
This morning you are collected from your hotel for full day boat cruise in Sunderban National Park. Overnight stay at the Camp / Hotel.
Early breakfast at hotel and check-out. This morning you will be transferred to the Basanti Port by boat. On arrival drive to Kolkata airport (125 kms/03 hrs.) in-time to board flight for Guwahati. (Flight SG 528: 1250/1405 hrs) Upon arrival at Guwahati airport you will be met and driven to the Kaziranga National Park (220 Kms / 05 hrs). Upon arrival check-in to Lodge / hotel. Overnight stay at the Lodge / Hotel
Early morning game safari into the Kaziranga National Park. Safaris in Kaziranga are organized in Jeeps and Elephant safaris are also available. Elephant safaris are regarded as the best way to view the wildlife in Kaziranga, since the vantage point of being on the back of an Elephant, allow the best chances of viewing wildlife hidden in the tall elephant grass. Local guides and naturalists are at hand to enhance the experience. Overnight stay at the Lodge / Hotel.
Early morning game safari into the Kaziranga National Park to enjoy the flora and fauna of this reserve. Overnight stay at the Lodge / Hotel.
After early breakfast check-out from hotel. Early in the morning drive to Guwahati airport (220 kms / 05 hrs) in-time to board flight for Bagdogra (G8 151 1330/1425 hrs). Upon arrival in Bagdogra, drive from airport to Darjeeling. Reach Darjeeling and proceed to hotel for check-in. Remaining day at leisure for independent activities. Or, in the evening stroll around Chowrasta and Mall - Chowrasta, a wide promenade atop a ridge lined with shops and restaurants, is the heart of the town. Here people gather to chat and spend time basking in the Sun. The Brabourne Park is attached to the Chowrasta and now features a musical fountain. This place is an open place and free from vehicular movements from where one can watch the scenic beauty of the mountain range and take charm of walking at the Darjeeling Mall. Chowrasta is the central place of the Mall road. (Though it can be approached from different roads, the access to the Mall from Nehru Road is suggested) Overnight stay at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel. This morning proceed for the full day sightseeing in and around Darjeeling, visit to the following places:- Botanical Garden: It is the oldest Botanical Garden named as Lloyd Botanical Garden, this place is worth a visit for its exotic and exclusive collection of a variety of Himalayan Plants, Flowers and Orchids. The garden also has a green house. Zoological Park: Established on the 14th Aug 1958, this Zoo was dedicated to the memory of Padmaja Naidu, former Governor of West Bengal on the 21st Nov 1975. Considered as one of the best Zoo in the country, it is the only center that breeds the Tibetan Wolf in captivity. Breeding programmes for the endangered Red Panda, Snow Leopard and the Siberian Tiger are also carried out at PNHZP (Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park). Open on all days except Thursdays and other National Holidays. Mountaineering Institute: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) was established in Darjeeling, India on 04th Nov 1954 to encourage mountaineering as an organized sport in India. This institute was set up following the successful ascent of the Mount Everest-the highest peak in the world by the local hero Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on 28th May 1953. Tenzing Norgay was the first director of field training for HMI. It regularly conducts Adventure, Basic and Advanced Mountaineering courses, they are also highly subsidised to encourage mountaineering as a sport. The institute is presently under the purview of the Minstry of Defence, Government of India and its museum is worth a visit. Japanese Peace Pagoda: It is one of the most popular attractions in the Darjeeling. It is one of those Peace Pagodas (Buddhist Stupas) in the world that have been established with the aim of creating a special niche for enlightening people from all religions, creeds and origins, to come together and work for World Peace. It was build under the supervision of a Buddhist Monk, Nichidatsu Fujii, who was also the founder of Nipponzan Myo-ho-ji, a Buddhist order for World Peace. Perturbed by the tragedy that followed the dropping of atom bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in 1945, Nichidatsu Fujii pledged to teach the world the importance of non-violence, goodwill and harmony. There are four statues of Buddha in Gold polish and eight carvings on sandstone depicting different stages of Buddha's life in the wall of the Pagoda. Rangit valley passenger cable car: Darjeeling-Rangit Valley Passenger Cable Car is popularly known as the Ropeway. It is about 03 Kms North of the town and situated at what is known as the North Point. The Ropeway is India's oldest passenger ropeway and connects Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar at the bottom of the valley. The present ropeway has been extensively modernized and visitors can now safely travel over the clouds to witness the aerial view of the lush green tea gardens below. Overnight stay at hotel.
Early in the morning at 0400 hrs (Pre-Dawn) drive to Tiger hill: Situated at an altitude of 2590 mt (8482 ft) 13 Kms from the town, this spot has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over the "Kangchenjunga" (28,208 ft. world's 3rd highest peak) and the great eastern Himalayan Mountains. The first rays of Sun shoot ahead and shed light upon the twin peaks of Kangchenjunga painting it Pink and then bathing it in a beautiful Orange colour. From Tiger Hill, Mt. Everest (29,002 ft) is visible too, peeping out through two other peaks standing by its side. Makalu (27,799 ft) looks higher than Mt. Everest, owing to the curve in the horizon, as it is several miles closer than Everest. The distance in straight line from Tiger Hill to Everest is 107 miles.
On your way back visit Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop. Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling Monastery located at Ghoom at an elevation of 8,000 ft, 08 Kms from Darjeeling. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa (Yellow Hat sect) school of Tibetan Buddhism and is famous for its 15 ft high special statue of the Maitreya Buddha. The external structure of the building was established in 1850 by the famous Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso. It contains images of Buddha's disciples, Chenrezi and Chongapa. Amongst the Buddhist texts available are the Kangyur, the Tibetan Buddhist canon, running into 108 volumes. The monks fly prayer flags in the Tibetan tradition.
Afterwards visit, Batasia Loop and War Memorial: The Batasia Loop situated almost 5 kms away from the town, it is a gigantic railway loop where the Toy Train makes a 360 Degree turn. It was basically built to make it possible for the Toy Train to cut the deep ascend. Strategically located the Batasia Loop offers a panoramic view of the Kangchenjunga Range. A War Memorial constructed in the memory of the brave sons of the soil who laid down their lives in the different wars since the independence of the nation adds to its attraction.
Return to hotel for wash and change and for breakfast, rest of the morning at leisure.
Later during the day, in-time transfer to Darjeeling Railway station - Hill Cart Road.
Joy Ride Train: If you do not want to spend 07 hrs journey from Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri in the toy train, you can still have a taste of it by going for a ride on one of the two-hour joy-ride trains from Darjeeling - Ghum - Darjeeling. Ghum being - World's highest narrow gauge railway station at 7,407 ft. Train takes 10 minutes stoppage at Batasia Loop and 30 minutes stoppage at Ghum Museum. Grab a window seat on the right side of the train facing Ghum. At Batasia loop you get a chance to click excellent photographs of Kangchenjunga.
(Joy Ride trains depart daily at 1040 hrs and 1320 hrs. Buy the ticket in advance because during tourist seasons tickets sometimes sell out. The fare includes entry fee of the Ghum Museum)
The DHR - Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a UNESCO World Heritage narrow gauge rail network still operates with the original steam engines and the loops along the route are all remarkable feats of human endeavor and engineering. The journey from Darjeeling town to Ghoom is a "joyride" in the true sense of the word. The Toy Train is a modern engineering marvel and deserves its spot in the limelight. Later during the day visit Tea Garden. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Breakfast, check-out from hotel. Later drive to Bagdogra airport (67 Kms) to board flight for Kolkata (SG 324 1525 hrs/1625 hrs). Arrive in Kolkata transfer assistance to International airport terminal, to board return journey flight.
Departure early in the morning, by an international flight.