Tea Gardens &
Himalayas
Duration – 10 Days
Destinations: - Calcutta,
Darjeeling,
Gangtok,
Kalimpong
Day 01: - Arrive
Calcutta, India
Arrive at Calcutta International Airport.
Calcutta - Calcutta is seen as the land of the intellectuals.
Communist in ideology and very politically aware and was the
capital of British India before Delhi assumed this position.
This city developed from a fishermens' village to become one
of the largest cities in the world. The city symbolises creativity
and vibrance with all the modern amenities available. It has
adapted to the modern trends and techniques of the world but
has not shed the leisurely life style and the calm of it’s
hey days. While Calcutta is a city of enduring charm, it is
also a city that evokes extreme emotions. So be ready to give
in to it or hate it completely. Calcutta , besides being an
extremely populous city of almost million inhabitants , is
also the city where Mother Teresa worked tirelessly for the
poor and homeless and the city where Rabindra Nath Tagore
wrote his famous books.
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our
representative who will present you with a welcome pack including
all necessary documentation and arrange for your transfer
to your hotel for check-in. No activity is scheduled today,
since most of the International flights arrive into India
close to midnight only. Overnight in Calcutta.
Day 02: Calcutta
This morning you are collected from your hotel for half-day
tour of Calcutta.
The tour includes the imposing Victoria Memorial - An splendid
example of British architecture, this building was built in
memory of Queen Victoria and was inaugurated by Prince of
Wales in 1921, Birla Planetarium – One of the earliest
planetariums in India, St Paul's Cathedral and the Indian
Museum - This museum in Calcutta was established in 1878.
The museum is built in Italian architectural style and is
considered as the largest museum in the country and one of the best in Asia.
Afternoon at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover
the city or its many restaurants on your own. Overnight in
Calcutta.
Day 03:
Calcutta – Bagdogra - Darjeeling
This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted
from your Hotel to the Calcutta airport in time for your flight
to Bagdogra (the nearest airport for Darjeeling).
Upon arrival in Bagdogra you will be met and transferred
to the New Jalpaiguri station for a picturesque ride on the
famed “Toy Train” to Darjeeling. The British-built
84-km long rail link connects the plains of north Bengal with
the Darjeeling hills and is a Unesco world heritage site.
Darjeeling - - Darjeeling is a popular hill-resort and fascinating
place. "The Queen of the Hills" lies perched at
a height of 2134m with a panoramic view on the mighty Kanchenjunga
Cluster. Darjeeling has attracted many generations of visitors
to enjoy the joys of the cool and healthy climate of the mountains.
It was the very first "Hill Sanitarium" developed
by the British to escape the heat, humidity and hassle of the North Indian plains. Also, "Darjeeling" and
"tea" have become synonymous. Tea drinkers all over
the world must constantly bless the memory of the person who
decided around 1840 that the climate of the Darjeeling region
was very conducive to the growth of tea. Darjeeling Tea became
so famous for its aroma and delicacy of taste that it was
soon named "Champagne of the East".
Upon arrival in Darjeeling, check in to your hotel and rest
of the day at leisure. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 04: Darjeeling
Early in the morning you are collected from your hotel to
visit Tiger Hill to view the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga
Peak. On way back to the hotel visit Ghoom Monastery to see
one of the largest statues of the Maitreya Buddha.
Later in the morning visit the Himalayan Zoological Park -
only zoo in India having the Siberian Tigers. Apart from these,
one can also watch the rare Red Panda. Also, visit Himalayan
Mountaineering Institute, Gumbu Rock site and Tibetan Refugee
self-help centre etc.
Evening visit the Tea Gardens. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 05: Darjeeling
- Gangtok
This morning you drive to Gangtok (115-kms/05 hrs.)
Gangtok - Gangtok is the gateway to Sikkim, the last Shangri-La.
It occupies a rising ridge of the state, the Himalayas serve
as a backdrop of the town. The gently swaying and elegant
costumes of the Sikkimese people, their smiling faces, the
unhurried pace of the ir life-style and the towering beauty
of Kanchenjunga ... all cast a magic spell on this delightful
location in the foothills of the grand Himalayas. It is a
picturesque clinging town with monasteries, parks, pagoda
styles houses and colorful bazaars.
Upon arrival in Gangtok, check in to your hotel and rest
of the day at leisure. Overnight in Gangtok.
Day 06: Gangtok
This morning you are collected from your hotel for half day
tour of Gangtok visiting Rumtek Monastery - the largest monastery
of its kind in Sikkim and the main seat of the Karma Kagyu
lineage.
Your tour also included visits to the Research Institute of
Tibetology - this internationally acclaimed centre of Tibetan
Studies & Research houses a vast collection of rare Buddhist
books, manuscripts and over 200 Buddhist icons. Also, visit
the the Orchid sanctuary, where one can see many of the 454
species of Orchids found in Sikkim.
Afternoon at leisure to perhaps to explore the colourful
bazaars. One can buy many attractive items like carved furniture,
dresses, Lepcha weave bags with intricate designs and colourful
decorations. Overnight in Gangtok.
Day 07: Gangtok
- Kalimpong
Morning at leisure, later drive to Kalimpong (90 kms/03 hrs.)
Kalimpong - Kalimpong nestles in West Bengal at a modest
altitude of 1250m. Forming a triangle with its more illustrious
neighbors, Darjeeling and Gangtok. Kalimpong is an excellent
spot for a restful and quiet holiday. It has a number of houses,
which speak of the town’s heritage and gracious living
in earlier decades of this century when it was the main trading
post between Tibet and British India. Today, it is a flourishing
floriculture center as the climate has proved to be extremely
conducive to this activity.
Upon arrival in Kalimpong, check in to your hotel and rest
of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kalimpong.
Day 08: Kalimpong
This morning you are collected from your hotel for half day
tour of Kalimpong visiting different 'Gompas' which are Tibetian-Buddhist
Monasteries.
Tharpa Choling 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.
Thongsa Gompa, of the Bhutanese Monastery, is the oldest monastery
in the area.
Flower nurseries-Kalimpong produces 80% of India's gladioli
and is an important orchid - growing area that are exported
from here to many cities in northern India.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kalimpong.
Day 09: Kalimpong - Calcutta
This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted
from your Hotel to the Bagdogra airport in time for your flight
to Calcutta.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Rest of the day at leisure to either relax,
or explore the city on your own, or perhaps indulge in some
last minute shopping. Overnight in Calcutta.
Day 10: Depart Calcutta
Met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to
the Calcutta airport in time for your flight home.
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