Eastern Delight
11 nights / 12 days
SKETCH ITINERARY
DAY 01: ARRIVE KOLKATA BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
DAY 02: IN KOLKATA
DAY 03: KOLKATA – BAGDOGRA BY: DOMESTIC FLIGHT
BAGDOGRA – DARJEELING BY: SURFACE
Day 04: IN DARJEELING
DAY 05: DARJEELING – GANGTOK BY: SURFACE
DAY 06: IN GANGTOK
DAY 07: GANGTOK – KALIMPONG BY: SURFACE
DAY 08: KALIMPONG - GOURUMARA BY: SURFACE
DAY 09: IN GOURUMARA
DAY 10: IN GOURUMARA
DAY 11: GOURUMARA – BAGDOGRA BY SURFACE
BAGDOGRA – KOLKATA BY: DOMESTIC FLIGHT
DAY 12: DEPART KOLKATA BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
DETAILED ITINERARY
(Kolkata * Darjeeling * Gangtok * Kalimpong * Gorumara * Kolkata)
DAY 01: ARRIVE KOLKATA BY AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
You will arrive at Kolkata’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a representative will meet you as you exit the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building after which you would be transferred to your hotel for check in.
Kolkata – a city on the Hooghly, retains the aura of days long gone, weaving the past and the present, the intense and the fun loving into a charming fabric. Home to four Nobel laureates - Ronald Ross, Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen, Kolkata is the nerve centre of intellect and human values, where many modern movements began in art, cinema and theatre, science and industry. India's quest for freedom began here. Kolkata is the gateway to Eastern India. It’s a city with a rich heritage, bustling streets and bewildering variety of facets.
DAY 02: IN KOLKATA
In the morning proceed for full day sightseeing of Kolkata.
The starts with a visit to Raj Bhawan, now the residence of the Governor; it was once the residence of the Governor-General Marquis of Wellesley, the building was modelled to resemble Lord Curzon’s ancestral home. Then visit Writer’s Building, which is now the seat of the West Bengal Government – this is where the early servants of the East India Company toiled. Visit the Metcalfe Hall, which was designed after the ‘Temple of Winds’ in Athens and once housed the Imperial Library. Howrah Bridge, which is the third largest bridge in the world and has over 2 million people crossing over it daily. Fort William situated between the River and the Maidan, it is an imposing fort and one of the most expensive forts of its time. It has a unique distinction of never having a gun fired in anger from its ramparts. Now it houses the local army headquarters. The Maidan with an open patch of huge dimensions was kept as a free field of fire for Fort William’s guns. Though truncated in recent years for Metro Rail construction, it is still a favourite area for thousands in the early mornings. Also visit the Victoria Memorial (closed on Mondays), an imposing and monumental dream in marble. It took 15 years to build and is treasure trove of Raj relics, offers tree-lined walks in splendid parks, `lakes’ and houses a number of superb statues including that of Queen Victoria.
Return to your hotel in the evening.
DAY 03: KOLKATA – BAGDOGRA By a Domestic Flight
BAGDOGRA – DARJEELING (90 kms / 4h30 drive)
Today morning you will be transferred to the Domestic Airport to board flight to Bagdogra.
Upon arrival, straightaway drive to Darjeeling and check-in at the hotel.
DAY 04: IN DARJEELING
Early morning visit to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise. Return to the hotel for Breakfast.
Later proceed for sightseeing of Darjeeling including a visit to Ghoom Monastery, Thuphen Choeling Sango Monastery, Batasia loop and Belvedere Railway Market.
In the afternoon visit Bhutia Busty Monastery. Evening is free at leisure.
DAY 05: DARJEELING – GANGTOK (98 Kms / 5h30 drive)
Start in the early morning today to reach Gangtok. Enroute stop at Rumtek monastery fort sightseieng.
Thereafter continue your drive to Gangtok. Upon arrival check in at the hotel.
In evening have a stroll around in the main market of Gangtok.
Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, a garden State, lying at the foot of the Kanchenjunga mountains. Rich in thick green forests, Sikkim abounds in birds and butterflies, varieties of orchids, rhododendrons and wild flowers and magnificent view of the Himalayas. Gangtok is literally the ‘lofty hill’ set amidst the clouds and mists of the splendorous Himalayas. The simple, ever-smiling hill people, colourful lamas, exotic monasteries and prayer flags fluttering in the wind combine to provide a fascinating holiday. The culture of Sikkim is rich in mythology and legends - one is the abominable snowman, the legendary Yeti. There are many legends of the sacred mountain, Kanchenjunga, all of which bring forth the divine nature of these mountains.
DAY 06: IN GANGTOK
Early in the morning depart for an excursion to Phodong Monastery (02 hrs drive one-way). Then visit Phar Sang Monastery nearby. Return to Gangtok by mid-day.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Gangtok including a visit to Institute of Tibetology Chorten and Enchey Monastery.
DAY 07: GANGTOK – KALIMPOMG (76 Kms / 4h00 drive)
Today morning drive to Rumtek Monastery. Upon arrival visit the Monastery from inside. Then drive to Jorthan. Stop enroute to see the hot springs of Lengship (from a roadside stop).
Later continue drive to Kalimpong. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel.
DAY 08: KALIMPONG – GORUMARA (65 Kms / 3h30 drive)
Morning sightseeing of Kalimpong including visits to various monasteries - Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery; Tharpa Choling Monastery; Thongsa Monastery etc.
Later walk in the Raja Dorjee Market of Kalimpong. Visit to this local market in the heart of the town on market days is a unique experience. All the villagers from the adjoining areas flock here to sell their wares, and the market wears a festive look with a feast of colourful people.
In the afternoon drive towards Gorumara National Park. Upon arrival check in to your Resort
Gorumara National Park is located in the Dooars plains of North Bengal. The Dooars or Duars are flood plains and the foothills of the eastern Himalayas that stretch across West Bengal and Assam, two states in East and North-East India, around Bhutan. Duar means door in both the Assamese and Bengali languages and they form the gateway to Bhutan. Situated at an altitude of 90 mts – 1750 mts, the haunting beauty of the region, with its mountain streams, tea gardens and forests, is an experience of a lifetime. The Gorumara National Park, comprising 80 kms of diverse forests, is famous for its natural population of the Great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros. Earlier a wildlife sanctuary, it was converted into a National Park in the year 1992 to protect its rare flora and fauna. Lying on the banks of the river Murti, the park has vegetation of riverine grasslands interspersed with savannah woodland. The most common and valuable trees found here are Teak, Simul, Siris, Khair, Sal etc. The park offers some breathtaking landscape with its rivers and mountain ranges. Besides the one horned rhinoceros, other major fauna of the park includes Indian Elephant, Indian Bison, leopard, and different species of deer, turtles, pythons, and monkeys along with more than 200 species of birds. The forest department has recently built several watchtowers inside and along the edges of the forests that offer a unique opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. The forest department has recently built several watchtowers inside and along the edges of the forests. These watchtowers are the best places to observe wildlife in their natural environment. Most important watchers are Khunia Watchtower, Jataprasad Watchtower, Rhino Observation Point and Chukchukia Watchtower.
NOTE: The National Park remains closed from mid-June to mid-September
DAY 09: IN GORUMARA
Proceed for an early morning Jeep safari into Gorumara National Park.
In the afternoon proceed for another Jeep Safari into Gorumara National Park.
DAY 10: IN GORUMARA
Proceed for another early morning Jeep safari into Gorumara National Park.
In the afternoon proceed for another Jeep Safari into Gorumara National Park.
DAY 11: GORUMARA – BAGDOGRA (90 Kms / 3h00 drive)
Today, you will be driven to Bagdogra Airport to board a flight to Kolkata.
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Rest of the day will be at leisure.
DAY 12: IN KOLKATA
Full day will be free for independent activities.
DAY 13: DEPART KOLKATA BY AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Today early morning, in time a representative will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the International airport to board your flight back home.
*** End of Tour ***