India Eastbound

We have a full day exploring Kolkata today. Following breakfast we travel across Howrah Bridge, visit the flower market, explore the College Street Book Market and enjoy a coffee at the famous ‘Indian Coffee House’. We then visit St Paul’s Cathedral and the Victoria Memorial, before continuing on to Mother House, and end the day at Kalighat Kali Temple.

This morning we drive to Shantiniketan, stopping enroute for lunch at Bishnupur and visiting Shyama Raya Temple and a walk through the bazaar full of terracotta artefacts.

This morning we visit Amar Kutir, meaning ‘my cottage’, a cooperative society for the promotion of village arts and crafts that produces leather goods, kantha stitched saris, bamboo crafts and batik. We then visit the Uttarayana Complex, home of Rabindranath Tagore, following a visit of Kala Bhavana (Institute of Fine Arts). After lunch we drive to accommodations in Murshidabad.

Following breakfast we’ll begin our day at the Hazar Duari (‘A Thousand Doors’), followed by a visit to the temple complex, Zamindar of Natore, and the Khoshbagh cemetery (Garden of Delight) situated on the opposite bank of the Bhagirathi. After lunch we make the four-hour drive to Malda where we will spend the night.

This morning we make our way to Saraswati Tea Resort near Siliguri. After checking into our accommodations we make our way to the beautiful ISKON temple to enjoy evening aarti.

This morning we take a walking tour of the working tea field, village and factory. After a leisurely breakfast we drive to the small hill station of Kurseong, surrounded by lush tea gardens and orange orchards. We’ll check into our hotel and then you are free to walk the beautiful trails or visit Cochrane Place for afternoon tea among the mountains.

This morning we board the Toy Train to Darjeeling, travelling through the beautiful mountains, before taking a walking tour through the town.

We have an early start today to make our way to Tiger Hill for sunrise. In the afternoon we visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tibetan Refuge Center, Tenzing Rock, Gomby Rock, Tibet Handicraft Centre and the landmark Tea Gardens of Darjeeling.

This morning we embark for Pelling homestay, stopping enroute to admire or photograph the scenery and snow capped mountains of Khangchendzonga. Our hosts give us a chance to experience the village life as well as the Sikkimese culture, language, rituals, custom and culinary experiences.

Today we enjoy another drive, this time from Pelling to Yuksom, where we enjoy a walk through the mountains to visit the 17th Century Dhubdi Monastery.

This morning we drive to Ravangla, stopping at the glorious Buddha Park before enjoying afternoon tea at Temi Tea Garden. The evening can be spent relaxing in or walking through the beautiful surrounds.

This morning we drive through Singtam to visit the Bermoik Monastery, and then make our way to Gangtok where you can spend the afternoon exploring the bazaar on MG Road.

If you are interested in another early morning, we’ll rise early to view the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga range from Tashi View Point. After breakfast take in the sights around Gangtok, including Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, and the Institute of Tibetology. Later visit the serene monastery at Rumtek. The contrast between the bustle of busy Gangtok and the quiet of the monasteries and gompas at Rumtek, is striking.

Today we have a beautiful excursion to Tsongo Lake, set in an area of spectacular scenic beauty. This is the closest point that westerners can access to the Tibetan border, some 20km further on. While there you can walk or ride a yak around the lake.

After breakfast we drive through the valley of the flowers, Yumthang, and visit the Rhododendron flower sanctuary and hot springs, staying in Lachung for the evening.

After arriving in Kalimpong, we spend the afternoon exploring the picturesque town including the Dello Hills, a small factory making paper by traditional methods, and flower nurseries.

This morning we venture to Gurumara National Park for Indian Rhinoceros spotting. In the afternoon we visit the monastery circuit of Kalimpong including Thapa Choling monastery, Thongsa monastery and Durpin Dara which towers over Kalimpong and offers a breathtaking view of the plains rolling down to Siliguri.

This morning we make our way to Bagdogra Airport for our sad farewells and the start to your journey home.