Aroma of East

1. Day 1 Arrive Kolkata

   Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are transferred to our hotel. Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta is a compelling, effervescent city, teeming with life. Under East India Company and later under the British Raj, Kolkata served as the capital of India until 1911. 
2. Day 2 Kolkata

   In the morning after breakfast we start the tour of our cultural city with a visit to the famous Malik Ghat flower market beneath the Howarh Bridge. This is the place where the cities floral retailers buy their fresh merchandise. Next we visit Howrah Bridge, iconic symbol of modern Kolkata followed by visit to Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramkrishna Mission founded by Swami Vivekanand. The temple is notable for its architecture that features Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs as a symbol of unity of all religions. Later we visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple.  Our afternoon concentrates on the British Calcutta, visiting St. John's Church, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Victoria Memorial, with its formal gardens and water courses, conceived by Lord Curzon to commemorate the British Empire at its peak.

   Please Note: Victoria Memorial is closed on Monday for visitors
    

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
3. Day 3 Kolkata - Guwahati by flight

   Today we are transferred to airport to board the flight for Guwahati. Enroute we visit the Kamakhya Temple, the Shakti Temple of mother Goddess Kamakhya situated on the top of Nilachal Hills. On arrival check in to our hotel. If time permitting, evening go for one hour river cruise on the mighty river Bhramaputra.

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
4. Day 4 Guwahati – Kaziranga National Park (Drive 230 Kms – 4 & ½ hrs)

   Today morning after breakfast, transfer to the famous Kaziranga National Park - a paradise for greater Indian one horn Rhinoceros as well as a birdwatcher’s delight. Check into a Resort/Lodge. In the afternoon, post lunch, take a jeep safari inside the park. Return to your lodge by dusk. Evening is at leisure.

   It is a world heritage site, the park hosts two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned rhinoceros. It also boasts the highest density of tigers among the protected areas in the world and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. Though sighting of tigers are difficult because of the tall grasses that provide excellent camouflage, their presence can be felt everywhere by way of pug marks, kills and territorial markings. The park is home to large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo and swamp deer and also an important bird area. It is also home to a variety of migratory birds, water birds, predators, scavengers, and game birds.
    

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Lunch
   • Dinner
5. Day 5 Kaziranga National Park

   Morning take another jeep safari ride inside the park. Return to Lodge for breakfast. Post lunch take another jeep safari ride inside the park. Return to your lodge by dusk. Evening is at leisure.

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Lunch
   • Dinner
6. Day 6 : Kaziranga National Park – Guwahati (Drive 230 Kms – 4 & ½ hrs) Guwahati – Bagdogra by Flight Bagdogra – Darjeeling (Drive 70 Kms / 3 & ½ Hours)

   Early morning transfer to Guwahati Airport for our flight to Bagdogra. On arrival we are driven to Darjeeling. The remainder of the day is free to relax. 

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner
7. Day 7 Darjeeling

   Before sunrise, we get into our 4 x 4's and proceed to Tiger Hill to view an incredible sun rise from behind the huge lofty mountain peaks. This photo experience and on a clear day we can view also Mt. Everest and Kunchunjung, makes this a photographers dream come true. With bird chirping we return to our hotel for the most awaited breakfast. As if that was not enough for the day, we visit one of the most unusual of the world Heritage Sites – the Toy Train. We not only see the Toy Train, but actually take a ride on it and also visit the Ghoom Monastery. The monastery, built in 1875, houses one of the largest statues of the Maitreya Buddha. Next stop is the Himalayan Zoo, home to Himalayan fauna such as the Red Panda, Black Bear, Yaks and Tigers in their natural habitat. We end the day with a visit to the Natural History Museum, which has a fine collection of preserved butterflies, birds, reptiles and insects of the Himalayas.

   Please Note: Himalayan Zoological Park & Natural History Museum remains closed on Thursday for visitors.
    

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner
8. Day 8 Darjeeling

   Today we visit a local tea estate where we get an opportunity to see how the tea is cultivated and also we get a chance to buy the world famous Darjeeling tea. Day is free to relax. 

   Please Note: Tea Garden remains closed on Sunday for visitors.
    

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner
9. Day 9 Darjeeling – Gangtok (Drive 98 kms/04 Hrs)

   In the morning after breakfast we drive to Gangtok. This small but beautiful land lies almost hidden in the eastern Himalayas, Sikkim or Denzong - "The Hidden Valley of Rice", is a paradise of natural beauty believed to be the abode of Gods. Mount Kanchenjunga (8686 meters- Third highest mountain of the world) is revered by the people of Sikkim as their protective deity. Religion forms an integral part of the daily Lives of the people of Sikkim. More than 200 Buddhist Monasteries can be found around this tiny Himalayan State, the 22nd state of India. We visit Dharma Chakra Centre, the famous Rumtek Monastery, one of the most important seats of the Kagyu lineage outside Tibet. In the early 1960's, His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa founded this seat near the 300-year-old Kagyu monastery. 

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner
10. Day 10 Gangtok

    After breakfast we visit Enchey Monastery - 3 kms from Gangtok town. This monastery is an important seat of the Nyingrna order. This 200 years old monastery has in its premises Images of Gods, Goddesse and other religious objects. The Dodrul Chorten is one of the Largest Stupas in Sikkim and a very sacred icon to the Buddhists. Later we visit the famous Rumtek Monastery also known as Dharma Chakra Centre. This monastery is one of the most important seats of the Kagyu lineage outside Tibet. In the early 1960's, His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa founded this seat near the 300-year-old Kagyu monastery. Rest of the evening is free to rest or explore the town. Later visit the Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology (SRIT) - This institute was established to promote research on the language and traditions of Tibet as well as the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. There are about 30 thousand volumes, mostly xylographs, (xylographs are Documents that are printed using wooden slabs that have the matter embossed on them in The reverse) translations of the original teachings of the Lord Buddha, and treatises by Distinguished Buddhist scholars from different parts of the world. The museum at the Institute consists of rare collection of antiques like statues, coins and thangkas. This institute is a premier institute in the world.

    Please Note: Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology remains closed on every 02nd & 04th Saturday and Sunday of every month for visitors. 
     

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
11. Day 11 Gangtok – Kalimpong (Drive 85 Km / 03.00 Hrs)

    In the morning after breakfast we drive to Kalimpong passing though small villages. The town of Kalimpong is situated at an altitude of 1,250m. Owing to its rich flora; Kalimpong is a blaze of colours throughout the year. The orchids of this region in particular are famous for their infinite variety as well as their delicate lint's. Afternoon, visit Durpin Darea which means “binoculars” which is at an altitude of 1402 meters and five kilometers away from the town. From here we get breathtaking views of the Himalayas including the whole Chola range of Sikkim and the Jelepa pass. On the northwest we can see the panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range. On the Southern horizon loom the famous Tiger Hill (Sunrise view point) of Darjeeling and the Tista valley. Down below we see the confluence of the Relli, Riang and Teesta Rivers. 

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
12. Day 12 Gangtok – Kalimpong (Drive 85 Km / 03.00 Hrs)

    In the morning after breakfast we drive to Kalimpong passing though small villages. The town of Kalimpong is situated at an altitude of 1,250m. Owing to its rich flora; Kalimpong is a blaze of colours throughout the year. The orchids of this region in particular are famous for their infinite variety as well as their delicate lint's. Afternoon, visit Durpin Darea which means “binoculars” which is at an altitude of 1402 meters and five kilometers away from the town. From here we get breathtaking views of the Himalayas including the whole Chola range of Sikkim and the Jelepa pass. On the northwest we can see the panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range. On the Southern horizon loom the famous Tiger Hill (Sunrise view point) of Darjeeling and the Tista valley. Down below we see the confluence of the Relli, Riang and Teesta Rivers. 

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
13. Day 13 Kalimpong

    After breakfast we visit Tharpa Choling Gompa established in 1922, the Gompa belongs to the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, founded in the Tibet in the 14th century and to which the Dalai Lama belongs. Afterwards visit Dr. Graham’s House, which was founded in 1900 on the lower slopes of Deole Hill. The school was established to educate the children of tea workers. There are now 1300 students and the grounds cover 193 hectares. Kalimpong produces 80% of India's gladiolas and is an important orchid - growing area; flowers are exported from here to many cities in northern India. The Sri Ganesh Moni Pradhan Nursery and the Udai Mani Pradhan Nursery are among the most important in the area.

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
14. Day 14 Kalimpong – Bagdogra – Kolkata by drive and flight (From Kalimpong to Bagdogra – Drive: 75 Km/03:00 Hrs)

    Today we are transferred to Bagdogra airport to board our flight to Kolkata. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel. Overnight: Hotel in Kolkata 

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
15. Day 15 Kolkata – Home by flight

    Today we are transferred to airport to board our flight for onward destination. 

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast

* DENOTES UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES INCLUDED