Destinations Covered: Delhi - Dibrugarh - Guwahati - Bagdogra - Darjeeling
Tour Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport of New Delhi, you'll be met by our tour representative at the hall meeting area, who'll brief you about the tour. Thereafter, he'll assist you to the hotel pre-booked by you. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
After your breakfast in the morning, our representative will meet you and explain sightseeing tour scheduled for the day. The major places of attraction in New Delhi include Qutub Minar - a 13th century minaret and one of the tallest towers of its time, Humayun Tomb - forerunner to the Taj Mahal, and Laxminarayan Temple (popularly known as Birla Mandir). The impressive India Gate, colossal President House, and other Government buildings will be followed right after. A tour of Old Delhi will occupy you for the rest of the day. The glistening Red Fort - an ultimate symbol of the powerful Mughal Empire, Jama Masjid - one of the biggest mosques in India, the lively and royal bazaar of Chandni Chowk, and Raj Ghat - the cremation side of the Father of India, Mahatma Gandhi are the prominent tourists spots here. Drive back to the hotel in the evening for an overnight stay.
Day 03: Delhi - Dibrugarh
Soon after breakfast, you'll be transferred to IGI Airport to embark the flight to Dibrugarh. By noon you'll arrive at Dibrugarh Airport and will be escorted to the hotel. Spend the evening over a cup of afternoon tea and watch the audio visual presentation on Assam variety "Camellia Assamica" tea and its origin, history, and cultivation techniques. Thereafter, a local cultural program is lined up late in the evening. Overnight stay will be at the tea bungalow.
Day 04: Dibrugarh
Your journey to discovering the origin and history of tea begins on day four. Get ready for a guided tour of a Heritage Tea Garden, followed by a trip to a tea factory to observe the whole manufacturing process of CTC (Crush, Tear, and Curl). At noon, you'll return to the tea bungalow for lunch. Move out for another tea exploration excursion to the Mancotta Tea Estate, popular for producing the finest traditional variety of tea. Evening will be at your disposal to spend it at leisure or indulge in other activities. Overnight stay will be at the tea bungalow.
Day 05: Dibrugarh - Guwahati
You'll proceed to another tea garden in the wee hours of the morning and watch the tea pluckers go about their daily chores by collecting the tea leaves. You can either opt for a horseback ride through the garden or drive there and take a walk to the destination. Return back to the tea bungalow and move to the airport to board a flight to Guwahati. Upon arrival, you'll be accompanied to the pre-booked hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 06: Guwahati - Bagdogra - Darjeeling
Your day starts with an early visit to one of the most respected Shakti Shrines in India, the Kamakhya Temple, which is also a major center of tantric practices and a fine example of Assamese sculptural work. The temple is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva and Daksha Yagna. The morning trip completed with a visit to CTC Tea Auctioning Center and Tea Brokerage Firm to learn more about tea tasting and determining its quality. By noon, you'll be driven to Guwahati Airport to board the flight to Bagdogra. Upon your arrival, you'll be right away journeyed to Glenburn Tea Estate in Darjeeling, about 90 km from the airport, to capture breathtaking views of the towering Mount Kanchenjunga. Check in at the tea bungalow for an overnight stay.
Day 07: Darjeeling
Start your day seven with an audio visual presentation of the history of Glenburn and a brief overview on the growth, manufacturing, and tasting of tea. This will be followed by a drive around the tea estate, visiting plantations, nurseries, and witnessing how the famous Darjeeling tea is nurtured. A drive to the tea factory to observe how different types of processes such as withering, handling, fermenting, drying, and sorting take place is on the cards next. The trip for the day will end with a tea tasting session, comprising of discovering different types of teas, how they are flavored and blended, from India and other parts of the world. Return back the tea bungalow to spend the night.
Day 08: Darjeeling
Day eight will commence with an early morning drive to Tiger Hill to witness one of the most enthralling experiences of your life - sunrise. Here, you'll be a spectator to the changing light of the sun rising from behind the incredible Kanchenjunga mountain range. Subject to a clear day, you can also view the summit of Mt. Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse. Proceed to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Everest Museum, and Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park to capture the Snow Leopard, Red Panda and Tibetan Wolf, later in the morning. The afternoon will occupy you with the Darjeeling Heritage Railway (toy train) ride, wherein you'll board the train from Darjeeling and reach Ghum Railway Station. Visit the Ghum Monastery and return back to the tea bungalow for overnight stay.
Day 09: Darjeeling - Bagdogra - Delhi
Drive back to Bagdogra Airport after an early morning meal to reach in time to board the flight that will transfer you to New Delhi. You'll be greeted by our representative who'll escort you to the hotel. Spend the night at the hotel.
Day 10: Delhi Departure
On the final day of the tour, you'll be transferred to the IGI Airport to catch your flight for onward travel.
