Tea Gardens & Eastern Himalayas...
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Tour summary
Itinerary
Prices
How to book

Tour Summary...

Group Tour (12 days)
Departs October to mid-June (mid-winter is very cold)

London - Kolkata - Darjeeling - Pelling (Pemayangtse) - Gangtok - Kalimpong - Kolkata - London

Holiday Highlights...

Vibrant Kolkata (Calcutta), former capital of the British Raj
Famous tea plantations of Darjeeling
Spectacular views of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga
"Toy" train ride in Darjeeling hills
Orchid nurseries, churches and Tibetan monasteries of Sikkim

Popular with those having past links with the region or those seeking the solitude of the Himalayas, the tour offers spectacular mountain vistas, rolling hills, lush rainforests, exotic orchids and tea plantations. Darjeeling and Kolkata evoke fond memories of the Raj, while Sikkim's astonishing topography (which includes the world's third highest mountain), cradles a Tibetan-Buddhist culture and numerous varieties of orchids. The extension to Kaziranga is extremely popular.

The tour uses the best available accommodation; in smaller places, the hotels are simple but comfortable and all have en suite facilities.

Internal travel is by plane, coach, car or jeep (air-conditioned in Kolkata). International flights are on direct (non-stop) services of British Airways from Heathrow; flying time to Kolkata is around 10 hours.

You travel with a small group, accompanied by one of our excellent hand-picked tour escorts.

Itinerary...

Day 1 London
Depart London on British Airways.

Day 2 Kolkata (Calcutta)
Arrive Kolkata early in the morning and transfer to the Oberoi Grand, a luxury period hotel, for three nights (room booked for immediate occupancy). After a relaxed morning we visit the city sights in the afternoon including the Victoria Memorial, St Paul's Cathedral and the Indian Museum, with one of the best collections of Indian art.

Day 3 Kolkata
Early morning we visit the flower market on the riverbanks in Howrah with the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening we are invited to dine with a local family at their residence.

Day 4 Darjeeling
A short flight in the morning takes us to Bagdogra. We drive to Darjeeling for 3 nights at the colonial Windamere Hotel or the elegant Hotel Mayfair. A favourite hill station of the British, Darjeeling is surrounded by tea gardens and has magnificent views of the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain peak in the world.

Day 5 Darjeeling
Early in the morning we drive up to Tiger Hill (9000 ft) to see the spectacular sunrise over Mt Everest and Kanchenjunga, visiting the Ghoom Monastery on our return. We later visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and a local tea garden.

Day 6 Darjeeling
The day is at leisure with the option of a ride on the "toy" train to Ghoom or Kurseong.

Day 7 Pelling
A scenic drive to the remote hamlet of Pelling where we stay the night at Norbugang Resort, offering comfortable but simple accommodation. In the afternoon we visit the Pemayangtse Monastery.

Day 8 Gangtok
We drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, and check into the Norkhill Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 9 Gangtok
This morning we visit the Rumtek Monastery, noted for its carved and painted woodwork. We later visit the Enchey Monastery and the Namgyalak Institute of Tibetology.

Day 10 Kalimpong
A pleasant drive to Kalimpong brings us to the delightful Himalayan Hotel. The day is free to visit the orchid nurseries, churches and monasteries.

Day 11 Kolkata
Transfer to Bagdogra airport for a short flight to Kolkata, where we stay the night at Taj Bengal, near the Alipore Race-course.

Day 12 London
Transfer to the airport to board the early morning return flight, arriving Heathrow in the afternoon.

Suggested Tour Extensions

Kaziranga (4 days) - On day 11 fly from Bagdogra to Guwahati and transfer to the Dynasty Hotel. You could visit the Kamakhya Temple in the afternoon. Next morning drive to Kaziranga National Park that lies on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra and is famous for its one-horned rhino. It is also home to the wild buffalo, swamp deer, tiger, wild elephants and the badger apart from being rich in bird-life. Stay three nights at the well run Wild Grass Resort and enjoy jungle activities including game drives and elephant safaris. Fly back to Kolkata for a night at the Taj Bengal, before the return flight to London on day 16. Meal Plan: Full board in Kaziranga, bed & breakfast in Guwahati, room only in Kolkata

Orissa (4 days) - On day 12 travel from Kolkata to Bhubaneshwar by train and transfer to the Trident Hilton for 3 nights. Visit Lingaraja Temple and other sights and enjoy a full day excursion to the world famous Sun Temple at Konark and the Jagannath Temple in Puri (entry restricted). On day 15 fly back to Kolkata and stay the night at the Taj Bengal. Fly back to London on day 16. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast, room only in Kolkata

Assam (4 days) - On day 11 fly from Bagdogra to Guwahati in Assam for a night at the Dynasty Hotel. Next day fly to Dibrugarh and transfer to the Mancotta Bungalow for the night. Explore the area including the oil town of Digboi and the tea country. Drive on to Jorhat via the Ahom capital of Sibsagar and stay 2 nights at the Thengal Manor. Enjoy a boat excursion to the Majuli Island, the largest riverine island in the world, and see the tribal villages. Fly back to Kolkata for a night at Taj Bengal before the return to London on day 16. Meal Plan: Full board in Assam except for Guwahati which is bed & breakfast; room only in Kolkata

Bhutan (4 days) - On day 11 a long drive to Phuntsholing. Overnight Hotel Druk. Next day drive to Thimpu and stay at Hotel Druk. Visit the sights. Drive on to Paro for 2 nights at Olathang Hotel (or Uma Paro - suppl.). Visit the sights including the Dzong and the Museum. Fly to Kolkata on day 15 for a night at the Taj Bengal before the return to London on day 16. Meal Plan: Full board in Bhutan, room only in Kolkata

Andamans (7 days) - Fly Kolkata to Port Blair on day 12 for 6 nights at the Bay Island Resort. At leisure until day 18. Fly to Chennai for overnight stay at Le Meridien with the chance of a city tour. On day 19 fly back to London early in the morning, arriving the same afternoon.Meal Plan: Full board in Andamans, room only in Kolkata

We are also happy to arrange extensions tailor-made to suit your requirements.

See below for price information for this tour

Prices...

Kaziranga

Orissa

Bhutan

For information on what the tour price includes, please read what is included in your booking and what is not included in your booking

How to book...

To check availability and make a booking please call our India Holidays specialist Dave on 0845 003 2211 or 01543 258631.  

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