Colonial Cities, Tea Estate, Monasteries & Caves

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Kolkata

Pass By: Kolkata (Calcutta), Kolkata (Calcutta), Kolkata District, West Bengal
On arrival at Kolkata airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to room’s availability). Rest time free for personal activities relax.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel

Day 2: Kolkata

Stop At: Kolkata (Calcutta), Kolkata (Calcutta), Kolkata District, West Bengal
Breakfast at hotel, full day city tour of Kolkata. Visit Fort William built during the early years of the Bengal Presidency of British India, Extends over an area of 70.9 hectares on the eastern banks of the River Hooghly one of most enduring Raj-era edifices. Victoria Memorial the immaculate white memorial bounded by verdant greenery and broad roads is dedicated to Queen Victoria. Inside the memorial there is a museum where you can see the dresses of the queen as well as different kinds of weapons used during that era. Netaji Bhawan a building maintained as a memorial and research center to the life of the Indian nationalist "Netaji" Subhas Chandra Bose. The house, built by Bose's father in 1909, is owned and managed by the Netaji Research Bureau and includes a museum, archives and library. Howrah Bridge one of the most popular bridges of India also known as the gateway of Kolkata. Built on the river Hooghly it is one of the major Kolkata attractions and people from different part of the country come here especially to witness this amazingly structured bridge. Dakshineswar Kali Temple one of the major pilgrimage center in the city that is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Located on the bank of River Hoogly, the temple compound maintains a large courtyard with rooms along the boundary walls, twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, a bathing ghat on the river and a shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Kolkata - Bagdogra (flight) / Bagdogra – Darjeeling (62kms/ 2hrs Approx)

Pass By: Darjeeling, Darjeeling, Darjeeling District, West Bengal
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Bagdogra. On arrival at Bagdogra airport meet your driver and proceed to Darjeeling check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Darjeeling

Stop At: Darjeeling, Darjeeling, Darjeeling District, West Bengal
Early morning around 3:45 AM pick up from your hotel and drive to 8000 feet / 2440 meters through primitive forests of oak, to Tiger Hill to view sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak (subject to clear weather). On the way back visit Ghoom Monastery, Peace memorial & Batasia Loop. Return to hotel from breakfast. Thenafter breakfast next round of city tour which includes Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday), Ropeway, Tensing Gumpo Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center (Closed on Sunday), Tea Estate, Natural History Museum (Sunday Closed) & Peace Pagoda. Toy Train Joyride on Darjeeling Himalayan Rail track (UNESCO World Heritage Site) operate from Darjeeling to Ghum and back via Batasia Loop covering a total distance of 14kms, roughly 2-hour round trip. Overnight stay at Darjeeling. Evening free to explore the market.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Darjeeling – Pelling (75kms/ 3hrs Approx)

Stop At: Pelling, Pelling, West Sikkim, Sikkim
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Pelling check in at hotel. Later city tour visiting beautiful Rimbi water Falls, Rimbi Rock Garden, Kechopalri Lake this high altitude lake is one of the holy Buddhist lake and it is believed that any wish in front of the lake comes true. Myth is that when a leaf falls on the placid clear water surface, it is picked by a bird and thus the water surface is always free of leaves. Kechopalri Monastery and Kanchenjunga water Falls. Rest time to explore the sight of you interest.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Pelling – Gangtok (120kms/ 4hrs Approx)

Stop At: Gangtok, Gangtok, East Sikkim, Sikkim
Breakfast at hotel drive to Gangtok passing thru Temi, Taraku, Singtam, Rangpo & Ranipool. The journey is surrounded by lush green forests and Tea Gardens with eye catching picturesque view. On the way stop and have a sip of local Sikkimese tea. Gangtok is brims with awe-inspiring natural wonders, from mighty snow-capped mountains to enchanting lush green forests. Arrive and check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Gangtok

Stop At: Gangtok, Gangtok, East Sikkim, Sikkim
Breakfast at hotel, excursion to Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir, nearly 40kms / 2hrs drive along the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, the home to the red panda and the blood pheasant with Rhododendron and other alpine trees along the road situated at an elevation of 3753 meters / 12310 feet. The Lake is oval shaped nearly 50 feet deep, generally covered in snow for most of the year and a home to the Brahmini ducks & many migratory birds. Nearby is the sacred Baba Mandir known to be a very holy site for all. Back to Gangtok, evening free to roam around M G Road (The Mall).
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Gangtok – Kalimpong (75kms/ 2hrs Approx)

Stop At: Gangtok, Gangtok, East Sikkim, Sikkim
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Rumtek Monastery a three stories high standout amongst the most imperative and noteworthy monasteries, and a must visit in Gangtok. The religious community takes after the school of Tibetan Buddhism and is particularly eminent for its Kagyu lessons. Bakthang Waterfall an eye-catching attraction that no tourist ever want to miss. Flowing from Ratey Chu, it is a broad waterfall that creates a soothing environment for the visitors to enjoy. Tashi Viewpoint you can observe the glorious Himalayas from Tashi Viewpoint that will be your binocular to scrutinise the seeking view of snow peaks. Ganesh Tok an ancient temple of Lord Ganesha that has a pleasant aura, colourful buntings surrounding the temple. Enchey Monastery a 200 years old monastery which was initially established as a small gompa by a tantric artist and renowned exponent among highlander Buddhists, Lama DrupthobKarpo. Enchey Monastery literally means “the Solitary Temple” which now is home to almost 90 monks. Tourists are quite fascinated by the place because it accommodates a number of religious objects and presents Tibetan culture in a beguiling manner. Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom here you can buy the majestic artefacts such as Thanka painting, traditional carpets, wooden carved and colourfully painted sculptures and much more.

After sightseeing drive to Kalimpong check in at hotel.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Kalimpong – Bagdogra (75kms/ 2hrs Approx) / Bagdogra - Mumbai (flight)

Stop At: Kalimpong, Kalimpong, Kalimpong District, West Bengal
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Kalimpong perched on a ridge above the Teesta River. tt’s home to colonial-era buildings like MacFarlane Memorial Church named after a Scottish missionary & Dr. Graham's Homes founded in 1900 a missionary of the Church of Scotland who settled in Kalimpong and worked with the local community for several years during the turn of the 20th century. Also visit Durpin Monastery which contains sacred Buddhist scriptures. Deolo Park the landscaped gardens offers views of the town and surrounding hills.

Later transfer to Bagdogra airport to board flight for Mumbai. On arrival at Mumbai airport assistance and transfer to hotel.

Mumbai is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre, music & gourmet restaurants offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Mumbai

Stop At: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Gateway on India. From here cruise by motorboats to Elephanta Caves (Monday closed). A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC. Afterwards in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway of India and then city tour drive thrught Marine Drive one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city. Parliament House the Maharashtra State Assembly (view from outside), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (view from outside). Visit Dhobhi Ghat the city's famous open-air laundry in action, Prince of Wales Museum (Monday closed) a heritage museum comprises of a number of ancient artifacts. Mani Bhawan a Museum, Gandhi laid the foundation for many independence movements from here. Mount Mary Church, an ancient church, built in 1640 and then rebuilt in 1761, The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount an important religious place in Mumbai. In the evening, visit Iskcon Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, The architectural splendour of the ISKCON Temple is adorned with murals and sculptures. If time permits visit to Bandra and Juhu area where bollywood celebrity houses are located like Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan etc. (can be seen from outside).
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Mumbai – Aurangabad (flight)

Stop At: Aurangabad, Aurangabad, Aurangabad District, Maharashtra
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad. On arrival assistance and transfer to hotel.

Later excursion to visit Ellora, a UNESCO World heritage sites (Tuesday closed). It houses 34 monasteries and temples with some exclusive uninterrupted sequence of monuments that date back from 600 to 1000 AD. The temples of Ellora are dedicated to Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It also has some of the excellent stonework depicting the legends related to Lord Shiva.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The temple is an important pilgrimage site in Shaivism tradition of Hinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light).

On way back visit Daulatabad Fort one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan. The defence system that made Daulatabad virtually impregnable comprises fortifications with double and even triple rows of massive walls.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel

Day 12: Aurangabad – Ajanta (105kms/ 2 hrs approx one way)

Stop At: Ajanta Caves Road, Ajanta 431001 India
Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Ajanta Caves (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by the British officers in 1819 while tiger hunting. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between A.D 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora, which date from about 200 B.C to 650 A.D. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha's life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Place of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided in two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves.
After sightseeing drive back to Aurangabad.

Visit Bibi ka Maqbara Built by Azam Shah in 1678, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a son's loving tribute to his mother. Due to its similar design standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds, fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument is popularly known as the mini Taj of the Deccan. Panchakki which literally means 'Water Mill'. It receives water from an underground channel, with its source being 6 km away in the mountains. An artificial waterfall has been created near the mill, through which this water is discharged on to the wheel to power the flourmill and grind grain for the pilgrims.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Aurangabad – Mumbai / Kolkata (flight)

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai / Kolkata. From there board connecting flight for onward destination.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.