Best of North East India Tours

06 Nights / 07 Days

06 Nights / 07 Days

true beauty, Victoria Memorial (Closed on Mondays), since 1921 this structure has been considered a symbol of Kolkata. White marble surrounds the wonderful garden, housing a museum that contains memorabilia connected to Queen Victoria during the British Raj. A great place to walk in the morning, light and sound shows care also held here in both English and Bengali.

DAY 1 - ARRIVE KOLKATA (PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS CALCUTTA)

Arrive Kolkata. Upon arrival meeting, assistance at the airport & transfer to the hotel for check-in. Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 2 - IN KOLKATA

Morning after breakfast, enjoy full day sightseeing of Kolkata. Begin your tour with the Indian Museum (Closed on Mondays) located on Chowringee road you will find this amazing structure housing a wealth of knowledge. Standing tall since 1877, this aesthetically pleasing Italian style of architecture is hard to miss. Peruse various collections of exhibits, unique fossils, Buddhist Gandharan art and many more exciting spectacles. Be sure to check out St. Paul’s Cathedral, her gothic style stained glass windows and Florentine frescoes are quite amazing. Constructed in the early 1800s, this is the largest cathedral in the city, located right next to the Birla Planetarium. A true beauty, Victoria Memorial (Closed on Mondays), since 1921 this structure has been considered a symbol of Kolkata. White marble surrounds the wonderful garden, housing a museum that contains memorabilia connected to Queen Victoria during the British Raj. A great place to walk in the morning, light and sound shows care also held here in both English and Bengali. Later visit Eden Gardens, where you can find Kolkata’s cricket stadium. Named after Lord Auckland’s sister, this serene garden contains a tiny Burmese pagoda at a small lake. You may notice that one of the important spectacles that frame the skyline of the riverfront is Howrah Bridge. Head over and discover a peaceful ambiance, much can be seen from this great structure. Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 3 - KOLKATA – BAGDOGRA (BY FLIGHT AI 721 @ 1355 / 1455 HRS) BAGDOGRA – DARJEELING (APPROX 95 KMS / 03 HRS DRIVE)

Morning after Breakfast, day free. Later on time transfer to Kolkata Airport to connect flight for Bagdogra. On arrival in Bagdogra, drive further to Darjeeling, which is at an altitude of 2134m facing the Himalayas dominated by Mt. Kanchenjunga was the summer resort of the British, and now one of Eastern India's most popular Hill stations. Upon arrival check-in at the Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 4 - DARJEELING

Early morning visit Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery. Tiger Hill :- It is 13 kms from Darjeeling and one can see beautiful sunrise and Himalayan Range like Kanchandzonga , Mount Everest etc. One can see the horizon changing colors just before sunrise and then the entire Himalayan range turn golden. It is truly a majestic sight. Tiger Hill Tiger Hill Ghoom Monastery:- This is oldest Monastery in the area which was built in 1875 and one can see the image of Mythey Buddha 15ft. height on the way back from Tiger Hill. Return to the hotel for breakfast and proceed for toy train ride up to Ghoom and return by jeep. TOY TRAIN The spectacular landscape unfolds as the 2-foot gauge Darjeeling Himalayan railway, opened in 1881, labours at about 10 mph criss-crossing the road. It has tiny 4-wheel locomotives (some over 100 years old) like living legends. One can experience the sound, smell and romance of a bygone era. DHR is a work of genius and technological achievement of 1881. It has social and cultural importance. It is beautiful and has outstanding universal app eal. Based on its unique features, it is considered to be of lasting significance to mankind. Afternoon proceed for city tour. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute/Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park :- The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was started in Darjeeling when Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest to give training to learn Mountaineering and other adventure sports related to mountaineering and in that Institute one can see equipment etc.used by Mr. Tenzing Norgay and Everest Museum having complete details on Everest attached to institute one can visit Himalayan Zoological Park where one can see Himalayan animals like Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black Bear and several varieties of birds. Tibetan Self- Helf Centre Or Refugee Centre:- This institute is run by Tibetan Refugees to preserve their handicrafts and one can see making of Tibetan Carpets, Leather work, Paintings and Wooden work etc. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 5 - DARJEELING– GANGTOK (APPROX 117 KMS / 5 HRS DRIVE) GANGTOK:

At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid 19th century and has undergone rapid development since then.The downtown area is dominated by huge government buildings decorated with traditional Buddhist symbols. Gangtok is also a resting ground for people traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a travellers delight. On arrival, check-in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 6 - GANGTOK

Breakfast at the hotel and full day city tour of Gangtok. Rumtek Monastery: -24 Kms. from Gangtok is the awe -inspiring Rumtek Monastery, the world Dharma chakra Centre and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the main monastery is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies, which attracts students from the world over. Op posite the entrance to the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten the Golden Stupa, which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness the xvi Gyalwa Karmapa. According to legend, it is believed that after years of meditation, the first Karmapa was said to have been visited by ten thousand fairies who came to congratulate him each of whom offered a strand of her hair as a gift. These were said to have been woven into a black hat, which was passed down and is still at the Rumtek Monastery today. It is said that unless held on to by the wearer (who of course, cannot be anyone else but the Karmapa) or kept in a box, the hat would fly away. Enchey Monastery Enchey Monastery The Enchey Monastery: -Perched on a ridge above Gangtok, the Enchey Monastery is nestled within lush woods with a spectacular view of Gangtok town. Built in 1910 on the site of the hermitage of the great tantric saint, Lama Drutob Karpo, who was renowned for his powers of levitation, this monastery houses the monks of the Nyingmapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology: -Amidst a serene surrounding of oak, birch and ash lies the unique organization established in1958. Built in traditional style, the namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes research in Mahayana Buddhism and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has one of the world’s largest collections of rare books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. The Institute also has a retail outlets where related books and commercially produced religious art and craft of Tibet can be bought. Adjacent to the institute are two exquisite stupas, the Do Drul Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the Jhang Chub Chorten, built in the memory of Thrukshik Rinpoche, an ardent devotee, a great spirtualist and interpreter of Buddhism. Near the Chorten are housed two giant statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim. Directorate Of Handloom And Handicrafts: -This Directorate was set up to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Exquisitely carved wooden friezes, intricate bamboo work, along with beautiful hand woven carpets and handlooms are on exhibit here. Visitors can not only purchase these items here but also see the artisans at work. Among others, a favourite item here is the choktse a wooden table with carved panels that can be folded into a portable pack. Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 7 - GANGTOK – BAGDOGRA (APPROX 80 KMS / 03 HRS DRIVE) BAGDOGRA – KOLKATA (BY FLIGHT 722 @ 1545 / 1645 HRS) KOLKATA – DEPARTURE

Morning after breakfast, drive further to Bagdogra. On arrival, connect flight for Kolkata. On arrival in Kolkata, remain at the transit area to connect flight for onward destination.