16 DAYS ~ FROM £2,735
Discover the beauty of the mighty Himalayas catching a glimpse of some of the world’s highest peaks. Chug leisurely up to the delightful Darjeeling Hill Station aboard the diminutive Toy Train. Visit the ancient Buddhist Monasteries hidden deep in the mountains. Later at Kaziranga National Park go on safari to see the irascible one–horned Indian rhino, wild elephants and rich bird life.
Kolkata • Darjeeling • Gangtok • Kalimpong • Guwahati • Kaziranga • Kolkata
Day 1. To Kolkata
Fly from Heathrow to Kolkata on direct British Airways flight.
Day 2. Kolkata
Arrive Kolkata early in the morning. Afternoon city sightseeing includes the beautiful Jain Temple, Victoria Memorial, National Museum and Mother Teresa’s Orphanage. Overnight at Hotel Kenilworth.
Day 3. On Board overnight train to New Jalpaiguri
Dawn visit to the gloriously scented flower market. Afternoon at leisure. Evening transfer to the railway station for overnight train in 1st a/c sleeper to New Jalpaiguri.
Day 4. To Darjeeling
Arrive New Jalpaiguri in the morning and connect to the delightful Toy Train to Darjeeling. The views are spectacular with a different vista around every winding bend. Three nights stay at the Windamere.
Day 5. Darjeeling
Dawn visit to Tiger Hill to view Mount Kanchenjunga and, on a clear day, the peak of Mount Everest. Also see Ghoom Monastery, where the 15 feet statue of the Maitreya Buddha is enshrined. After lunch visit the Botanical Garden, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Tibetan Refugee Centre.
Day 6. Darjeeling
Day at leisure. Explore the local handicraft shops or visit a local Tea plantation and factory.
Day 7. To Pemayangtse
Morning drive to Pemayangtse. En-route there are outstanding views of Mount Kanchenjunga. Visit the Pemayangtse Monastery, with its magnificent sculptures and graceful paintings adorning the first floor. The major attraction of the Monastery is, a seven-tiered painted wooden structure portraying Guru Rimpoche's Heavenly Palace 'Santopalri'. Overnight stay at Hotel Mount Pandim.
Day 8. To Gangtok
Morning drive to Gangtok. Rest of the day at leisure. Two nights stay at Hotel Norkhill.
Day 9. Gangtok
Morning excursion to Rumtek Buddhist Monastery, the largest in Sikkim and the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa. After lunch Gangtok sightseeing includes the Institute of Tibetology sheltering rare manuscripts, statues and Thanka paintings. Also see the beautiful Enchey Monastery.
Day 10. To Kalimpong
Morning drive to Kalimpong. Remainder of the day at leisure to explore the quiet Hill Station. Overnight stay at Hotel Himalayan.
Day 11. To Guwahati
Morning drive to Bagdogra airport for flight to Guwahati. Overnight stay at Hotel Vishwaratna.
Day 12. To Kaziranga National Park
Morning drive to Kaziranga National Park. Three nights stay at IORA – The Retreat.
Day 13. Kaziranga National Park
Early morning elephant safari. Late morning and afternoon jeep safaris, looking for the rich variety of wildlife including the awesome Indian rhino. Kaziranga is one of the main Parks in the world to see the one – horned rhino: a malevolent giant. Apart from various mammals, there are over 400 species of birds in the Park.
Day 14. Kaziranga National Park
Morning and afternoon game safaris. Kaziranga is a remarkable success story in the conservation of the one–horned Indian rhinoceros. Almost poached to extinction, the 2000 kg giants population has slowly recovered. In 2006 Kaziranga was declared a Tiger reserve.
Day 15. To Kolkata
Morning drive to Jorhat airport to board flight to Kolkata. Overnight at the Kenilworth.
Day 16. To Heathrow
Fly to Heathrow on direct British Airways flight.
If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you the cost of the holiday without international flights relevant to your travel dates.
Suggested extensions: Andaman Islands
(Various other extensions are available on request)
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