Tour Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
Destinations Covered: Kolkata - Bagdogra - Darjeeling - Pemayangtse - Gangtok - Kalimpong
Day 01: Arrival at Kolkata
Be welcomed and greeted by our representative at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport upon your arrival in the post-colonial city of Kolkata. Complete the airport formalities and be escorted to the hotel. Relax and refresh yourself. Spend the night at the hotel.
Day 02: Kolkata
After having a sumptuous Bengali breakfast, you will be heading for a day's city tour. Beginning with the popular Jain temples of Kolkata, you'll pay a visit to the intricately architecture Howrah Bridge, also called Rabindra Setu, later on. From here, you'll proceed to the famous Kali Temple on the banks of River Ganges via the Rabindra Setu, the busiest bridge in the world. The prestigious Victoria Memorial, a gigantic marble marvel which gives Kolkata a pseudo-Victorian era look, is on the cards next. Now converted into a museum, you can view the interiors of the buildings closely. Relive the history of the western era in the majestic gardens of this marvelous piece of architecture. Return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 03: Kolkata - Bagdogra - Darjeeling
Complete your lip-smacking breakfast at the hotel in the morning, as you have to ride back to the airport to catch a flight Bagdogra. Upon your arrival in Bagdogra, our tour guide will accompany you to Darjeeling, via lush green and thick teak and tree plantations. Referred to as the Queen of Hill Stations, Darjeeling is picture perfect with unparalleled scenic beauty, snow-clad mountains, and verdant green pastures. The presence of a number of Buddhist Monasteries and trekking trails add to the splendor of the beautiful natural portraits presented throughout the journey. As you reach Darjeeling, you'll be escorted to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 04: Darjeeling
Get up in the wee hours of the morning and quickly complete a hot cup of aromatic tea to view the sun rising from within the towering Himalayas. You'll be driven to the sunrise point called Tiger Hill, situated at 2590 m above sea level. As the first rays of the sun touch the sky and approach from behind the snow-white Kanchenjunga Mountain, the entire aura is sure to spellbind you. Return back to the hotel for breakfast. Pick up your luggage and drive to the railway station to board the train to Ghum to visit the picturesque Ghoom Monastery. The monastery harbors a 15-foot high statue of Maitreya Buddha. Travel back to Darjeeling and enjoy a lavish dinner. Call it a day and retire in the comfort of your hotel room.
Day 05: Darjeeling
After an early morning breakfast at the hotel, embark the toy train ride, or Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, to Ghum. Return back to the hotel for a tummy-filling lunch. Thereafter, get ready for a city sightseeing tour. Spend the rest of the day visiting tourist attractions, like the Tibetan Refugee Center, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. The evening is reserved for you completely to indulge in activities, like shopping and relaxing. Come back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 06: Darjeeling - Pemayangtse
Post breakfast, you'll be accompanied to Pemayangtse, a small yet significant Buddhist pilgrim center, about 135 km from Darjeeling. The 6-7 hour long drive to the destination will offer you umpteen panoramic vistas of the natural beauty hidden in this part of India. By noon, you'll be in Pemayangtse. Check in to the hotel and take a short nap. The rest of the day is at your disposal. Discover the town or admire the natural splendor, the choice is yours! Return back to the hotel for bingeing in a luxurious traditional dinner. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 07: Pemayangtse - Gangtok
Day seven begins with a quick yet healthy breakfast at the hotel, after which you'll walk up to the most renowned monastery of Pemayangtse. Though this town is small, but it witnesses a number of Buddhist pilgrims every year since it is one of the major holy sites for Buddhists. The big wooden structure depicting Sanglokpahi, the heavenly abode of Guru Padma Sambhava, is the highlight of this monastery. Board the cab as you will now be transferred to the idyllic town of Gangtok, about 125 km from Pemayangtse. Enjoy the six hour drive crossing mighty hills, breathtaking views, luxuriant plantations, and hazy clouds. On you arrival, check-in to the hotel and call it a day.
Day 08: Gangtok
The prime attraction of the tour begins here. Have a quick breakfast as you are soon to witness the exotic and remarkable Flower Show. The show illustrates a wide variety of exquisite flowers from north-eastern states of India as well as from neighboring lands of Nepal. The magnificent collection displayed by the locals is a colorful treat for the eyes. This international festival is held every summer during the peak season when the flowers blossom. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 09: Gangtok
Splurge on a sumptuous multi-cuisine breakfast at the hotel. Seat yourself comfortably in the cab the tour guide accompanies you to the other side of the valley to visit the Rumtek Monastery, the most pious of the monasteries present in India. The afternoon is reserved for a stroll in the beautiful Enchey Monastery, or Solitary Temple, and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, a Tibet museum storing a collection of Tibetan books, Tibetan manuscripts, and rare Thangkas (traditional Tibetan silk paintings). Drive back to the hotel for an appetizing dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Gangtok - Kalimpong
Have a delightful breakfast in the morning and embark on the journey to your next destination - Kalimpong. A remote and exotic hill station, Kalimpong lies at a distance of 75 km from Gangtok. Bounded by exotic mountain scenery, exquisite oak forests, and profusion of flowers, Kalimpong is a fabulous wonder to be at. As soon as you arrive at this place, our representative will help you check into the hotel. Thereafter, the day is at your service. You can either wander around in the locality or unwind at the hotel. In the evening, you will visit the Kalimpong Market. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 11: Kalimpong
You will be served a delectable breakfast at the hotel, after which you'll visit The MacFarlane Church, a living example of the Scottish influence in India. Dr. Graham's Home will be your next destination which is an educational institution on Deolo Hill. An ideal scenic spot, the institution provides a perfect place to study, thanks to the placid and tranquil surroundings. Durpin Dara is another tourist attraction here. This observatory point offers spectacular and fascinating views of the entire Himalayan range. Time to put your camera on work here! Next, you'll be visiting the Pedong Monastery, built by the Bhutanese, followed by the historical fort of Damsang. Kalimpong Arts & Craft Center is the last stopover for the day, wherein you can check out a number of crafts, such as carpet weaving, tailoring, leather craft, carpentry, dyeing, and painting, being taught. Drive back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Kalimpong - Bagdogra - Kolkata
Post breakfast at the hotel, our representative will accompany you to Bagdogra Airport and help you complete the formalities. From here, you'll board the flight to Kolkata. Our tour guise will receive you at Kolkata Airport, to be transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel and call it a day.
Day 13: Kolkata Departure
After an early morning breakfast, you would now be driven to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport to catch a flight to your respective destination.
