Colonial Kolkata, Tea Estate & Buddhist Monasteries 9 days

Day 1 Arrive Kolkata

On arrival at Kolkata Airport, assistance & transfer to the hotel (standard hotel check-in time 12 pm). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Kolkata (B)

City tour of Kolkata. Visit Fort William, one of the most enduring Raj-era edifices built during the early years of the Bengal Presidency of British India, on the eastern banks of the River Hooghly. Victoria Memorial is an immaculate white memorial bounded by verdant greenery and broad roads dedicated to Queen Victoria. Inside the memorial, there is a museum where you can see the dresses of the queen as well as different kinds of weapons used during that era. Netaji Bhawan is a building maintained as a memorial and research centre to the life of the Indian nationalist Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The house, built by Bose`s father in 1909, is owned and managed by the Netaji Research Bureau and includes a museum, archives and library. Howrah Bridge is one of the most popular bridges of India, built on the river Hooghly. It is one of the major Kolkata attractions, and people from different parts of the country come here especially to witness this amazingly structured bridge. Dakshineswar Kali Temple is one of the major pilgrimage centres dedicated to Goddess Kali. Located on the bank of the River Hoogly, the temple compound maintains a large courtyard with rooms along the boundary walls, twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, a bathing ghat on the river and a shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Kolkata - Bagdogra/ Darjeeling (62kms) (B)

Transfer to the airport to board the flight for Bagdogra. Arrival transfer from Bagdogara airport to Darjeeling, check in at the hotel. Darjeeling, the Queen of India`s hills, is a Victorian town of old world charm surrounded by fragrant tea gardens which seem to flow over the layered slopes like emerald swells on a rough sea. Rest time is free to relax and explore The Mall. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Darjeeling (B)

Early morning, 4 am pick up for visiting Tiger Hill to witness the first rays of sun hitting the twin peaks of Kangchenjunga, along with a panoramic view of Everest peeping through the peaks standing by its side, then Tiger Hills make for a perfect sunrise for you. You can see Kurseong to the south, along with multiple rivers flowing down. On the way back, visit Ghoom Monastery & Batasia Loop. After breakfast, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park (closed on Thursday), Tenzing Rock, Ropeway viewpoint, Tibetans Refuge Centre (closed on Sunday), Happy Valley Tea Garden (outer view) and the Lioyed botanical garden. Enjoy a toy train ride on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit a Tibetan village & Buddhist monasteries, Chholing & Darli. Evening free to explore the market. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 Darjeeling & Pelling (75kms) (B)

Drive to Pelling, check in at the hotel. Later, visit Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest and premier monasteries. Rabdentse Ruins is one of the best historical places, surrounded by dense forest. Tashiding Monastery of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism is located on top of the hill rising between the Rathong Chu and the Rangeet River. Sanga Choeling Monastery, built in a Tibetan style of architecture it preserves various ancient paintings, accessories and clay statues. Entry into the inner sanctum of Sanga Choeling Monastery is strictly restricted to the Bhutia and Lepcha communities. Rimbi Water Falls is formed over Rimbi River, a beautiful place where you can relax, unwind and enjoy quality time. Overnight at the hotel.Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 Pelling & Gangtok (120kms) (B)

Drive to Gangtok via NH 31A passing through Temi, Taraku, Singtam, Rangpo & Ranipool. The journey is surrounded by lush green forests and Tea Gardens with an eye-catching, picturesque view. On arrival, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Gangtok (B)

Excursion to Tsongmo Lake, a paradise for bird lovers. It hosts several migratory birds, prominent among them are Brahminy ducks, a large number of Blue Whistling Thrush, Redstarts & Fork tails. Next visit Do Drul Chorten, two exquisite Stupas built to commemorate the victory of good over evil. Also, visit the Himalayan Zoological Park known as Bulbuley. The Government Institute of Cottage Industries, which produces crafts in authentic Sikkimese designs. Explore Lal Bazaar, where various ethnic groups from different villages gather here to haggle, bargain & gossip about their wares. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 Gangtok - Kalimpong (75kms) (B)

Visit Rumtek Monastery, a three-story high standout, the most important and noteworthy monastery of the Black Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Bakthang Waterfall is an eye-catching attraction flowing from Ratey Chu, a broad waterfall that creates a soothing environment. From Tashi Viewpoint, you can observe the glorious Himalayas' snow peaks from here. Ganesh Tok is an ancient temple of Lord Ganesha that has a pleasant aura, with colourful buntings surrounding the temple. Enchey Monastery, a 200-year-old monastery which was initially established as a small gompa by a tantric artist and renowned exponent among highland Buddhists, Lama Drupthob Karpo. Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom, here you can buy the majestic artefacts such as Thanka painting, traditional carpets, wooden carved and colourfully painted sculptures and much more. Later, drive to Kalimpong, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 Kalimpong - Bagdogra (75kms)/ Kolkata (B)

City tour of Kalimpong, perched on a ridge above the Teesta River. It`s home to colonial-era buildings like MacFarlane Memorial Church, named after a Scottish missionary & Dr. Graham's Homes, a missionary of the Church of Scotland. Also visit Durpin Monastery, which contains sacred Buddhist scriptures. Deolo Park, the landscaped garden, offers views of the town and surrounding hills. Thongsa Gompa, the oldest monastery in Kalimpong founded in the year 1692. Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa on the Durpin hill is famous for the Tibetan wall paintings. It also has a religious debating society along with a school of Tibetan medicine. Later, transfer to Bagdogra airport to board the flight for Kolkata.