TOUR TO MESMERIZING EAST INDIA

Duration : 15 NIGHTS/16 DAYS

Cities Covered : CALCUTTA-BAGDOGRA-RUMTEK-GANGTOK-DARJEELING-GUWAHATI-KAZIRANGA-BHUBANESHWAR-PURI-CALCUTTA

Highlights : This tour takes you to the "City of Joy-Calcutta" and to the famous Sun temples of Bubhaneshwar, Konark. A memorable journey through the hilly tea estates of Darjeeling coupled with glimpse of finest Buddhist culture of Sikkim Himalayas.

Day 01 : CALCUTTA/KOLKATA

Arrive Calcutta/Kolkata. Meeting and transfer to hotel (Check in time 12 noon). Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 02 : CALCUTTA/KOLKATA

Morning city tour visiting the Jain Temple, Zoological Gardens, Victoria Memorial, Drive past Howrah Bridge, dalhousie Square, Fort William, Secretarial Building and Old Court House Street. Rest of the day free. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 03 : CALCUTTA/BAGDOGRA/RUMTEK

In time transfer to the airport to board flight IC 721 for Bagdogra (Flight operates on: Monday/Wednesday/Fridays). Arrive and transfer by car to Rumtek. Check in at Mattam Village Resort - a unique experience amidst the breathtaking and tranquil countryside of East Sikkim in the Foothills of the Himalayas. The resort overlooks a beautiful valley of rich terraced paddy fields, bounded by forest-covered hills. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 04 : RUMTEK

Morning visit Rumtek monastery (24 Kms one way). The original Rumtek monastery built by the 4th Chogyal was damaged in an earthquake and was rebuilt. The 16th Gyalwa H.H. Karmapa, after he escaped from Tibet, settled and lived in this monastery till completion of the Dharma Chakra centre nearby. Later drive to gangtok for a sightseeing tour visiting the Enchey monastery a 200 years old monastery. The site was blessed by the great tantric master, lama Druptab Katpa, known for his flying powers. It is the site of religious dances held in the 12th month of the Tibetian calender. Research Institute of Tibetology: famous in the world for research activities on the language and culture of Tibet. It has a liberary with a large collection of rare books on Buddhism and a attached museum with a rare collection of antiques, coins and Tibetian paintings (Thankas), Phurba-Chorten:it has one of the most important Stupa in Sikkim and its golden apex is visible from many points in Gangtok, Orchid Sanctuary: it has over 200 species of orchids amidst beautiful landscape and Deer Park: a popular view point has deers and Red Panda and other animals. A big statue of Buddha adorns the park and is replica of the image in Sarnath and drive past the colourful local bazar. Late in the afternoon stroll around the village to get glimpse of rural life in hills. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 05 : RUMTEK/KALIMPONG/DARJEELING

Morning depart by coach for Darjeeling enroute visit Kalimpong, famous for its arts & crafts.
Visit the monastery thereafter, proceed for Darjeeling. Arrive and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 06 : DARJEELING

Morning city tour visiting the most beautiful Hill Station in Eastern India, which has the highest Race Course in the World, the Lablong village, the Mountaineering Institute and House of Tenzing Norgay, the first Everest Hero. Later drive to Ghoom Monastery, one of the oldest in the area that enshrines an enormous gilded statue of maitery Buddha. The monastery belongs to the yellow sect and has several valuable Tibetian manuscripts. Late in the afternoon "Tea Garden Tour" where you would get an opportunity to see the famous Tea Gardens and an insight into the aspects of Tea making. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 07 : DARJEELING/BAGDOGRA/GUWAHATI

In time transfer to Bagdogra airport (98 Kms) to board flight IC 879 for Guwahati (Flight operates on: Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday). On arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 08 : GUWAHATI/KAZIRANGA

Morning depart by coach for Kaziranga National Park. Arrive and check in at Wild Grass Resort. Overnight at resort.

DAY 09 : KAZIRANGA

Morning visit the wild life sanctuary on elephant back. The sanctuary is known for one-horned Great Indian Rhinoceros which squelches and browses contentedly and there are herds of wild buffalo with sweeping horns. Particularly impressive are the large herds of swamp deer moving against the backdrop of the hills. Elephant back is the best way of exploring this lush sanctuary. Afternoon Jungle excursion by jeep. Overnight at resort.

DAY 10 : KAZIRANGA

Morning Jungle excursion on elephant back. Afternoon boat ride on Brahmaputra river or visit to a tribal village. Overnight at resort.

DAY 11 : KAZIRANGA/GUWAHATI/CALCUTTA

Morning transfer to the Guwahati airport to board flight for Calcutta/ Kolkata. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 12 : CALCUTTA/BHUBNESHWAR

Morning transfer to the airport to board flight for Bhubneshwar. Arrive and transfer to hotel.
Afternoon city tour visiting Lingraj Temple, Rajrani Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, Parsurameshwar and Brahmeshwar Temple. These temples are some of the best specimen of the Orissa Temple Architecture. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 13 : BHUBNESHWAR/KONARK/PURI

Morning depart by coach for Konark (70 kms). Enroute visit Artisan's village at Pipli. Visit Sun Temple in Konark. Thereafter, proceed for Puri (30 Kms). Rest of the day free. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 14 : PURI

Morning city tour visiting one of the great pilgrimage centres of India. Visit the renowed jagannath Temple built in the 15th century A.D. and crowned with Vishnu's wheel and flag dominates the landscape of Puri. The temple with its elaborate carvings and mouldings is a vry fine example of orissa architecture. Rest of the day free. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 15 : PURI/BHUBNESHWAR/CALCUTTA

Morning depart by coach for Bhubneshwar (77 kms). Enroute visit Artisan's village at Raghurajpur. Later board flight for Calcutta. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 16 : DEPART CALCUTTA/KOLKATA

In time transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Note: Train schedule subject to change.