Colonial Cities, Tea Estate, Monasteries & Caves 13 days

Day 1 Arrive in Kolkata

On arrival at Kolkata Airport assistance & transfer to the hotel (standard hotel check-in time noon).

Day 2 Kolkata (B)

City tour of Kolkata. Visit Fort William one of 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 the 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`s 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 one of the most popular bridges in India, was 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 River Hooghly, 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 hotel.

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

Transfer to the airport to board a flight for Bagdogra. Arrival transfer from Bagdogra airport to Darjeeling check-in at hotel. Darjeeling the Queen of India`s hills, 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 free to relax and explore The Mall. Overnight at 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 Center (closed on Sunday), Happy Valley Tea Garden (outer view) and Lioyed Botanical Garden. Enjoy a toy train ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit a Tibetan village & Buddhist monasteries Chholing & Darli. Evening free to explore the market. Overnight at hotel.

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

Drive to Pelling and 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 Rivers. Sanga Choeling Monastery built in a Tibetan style of architecture 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 waterfalls formed over Rimbi River, a beautiful place where you can lighten, unwind and enjoy quality time. Overnight at 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. On arrival check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Gangtok (B)

Excursion to Tsongmo Lake a paradise for bird lovers. It hosts some 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 Himalayan Zoological Park known as Bulbuley. Government Institute of Cottage Industries, which produces crafts in authentic Sikkimese designs. Explore Lal Bazaar, various ethnic groups from different villages gather here to haggle, bargain & gossip about their wares. Overnight at hotel.

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

Visit Rumtek Monastery a three stories high standout most imperative and noteworthy monastery of the Black Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Bakthang Waterfall an eye-catching attraction flowing from Ratey Chu a broad waterfall that creates a soothing environment. 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, and colourful buntings surrounding the temple. Enchey Monastery is a 200-year-old monastery which was initially established as a small gompa by a tantric artist and renowned exponent among highlander Buddhists, Lama DrupthobKarpo. Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom here you can buy majestic artefacts such as Thanka paintings, 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)/ Mumbai (B)

Visit MacFarlane Memorial Church named after a Scottish missionary & Dr. Grahams 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 Durpin Hill is famous for its Tibetan wall paintings. It also has a religious debating society along with a school of Tibetan medicine. Later transfer to Bagdogra airport to board a flight to Mumbai. Arrival transfer to hotel, check-in & overnight at hotel.

Day 10 Mumbai (B)

City tour of Mumbai. Drive via Marine Drive one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city to reach Gateway of India. Board a ferry from here to reach Elephanta Caves (Monday closed). A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill where caves are located. Afterwards, cruise back to Gateway of India and then a city tour. Drive past CST & Parliament House. Visit Dhobhi Ghat to see the city's famous open-air laundry in action. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay, a grade I Heritage Building of the city counted amongst one of the most prominent museums of India. The complex exhibits a myriad collection of ancient artefacts, artwork and sculptors of the country which give a unique insight into our past. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 Mumbai - Aurangabad (B)

Transfer to the airport to board the flight for Aurangabad. On arrival transfer to hotel. Excursion to visit Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar Temple & Daulatabad Fort. Also Visit Bibi ka Maqbara, the white marbled monument, a son loving tribute to his mother. Panchakki, which means water mill. An artificial waterfall has been created near the mill, through which this water is discharged onto the wheel to power the flour mill and grind grain for the pilgrims. And Aurangabad Caves the twelve rock-cut Buddhist shrines located on a hill running roughly east to west, close to the city of Aurangabad. The first reference to the Aurangabad Caves is in the great chaitya of Kanheri Caves. The Aurangabad Caves were dug out of comparatively soft basalt rock during the 6th and 7th centuries. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 Aurangabad (B)

Excursion to Ajanta (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by British officers in 1819 while hunting tigers. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between AD 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora which date from about 200 BC to 650 AD. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha`s life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Places of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided into two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves. Drive back to Aurangabad for an Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 Aurangabad - Departure (B)

Transfer to the airport to board the flight for Mumbai/Kolkata.