Day 1: Arrive Kolkata (Calcutta)
Upon your arrival at Kolkata Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and escorted to your hotel for 2 nights stay.
Day 2: Day in Kolkata
After breakfast, proceed for a city tour of Kolkata visiting Jain temple, Kali temple, Victoria Memorial, Fort William and Secretariat buildings.
Day 3: Kolkata to Bagdogra / Darjeeling
In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Bagdogra. Upon arrival at Bagdogra, drive to Darjeeling, often called the “Queen of the Hills”, famous for its breathtaking views of snow-capped mountain peaks.
Enjoy an evening at leisure at this picturesque town in the foothills of Eastern Himalayas.
Day 4: Day in Darjeeling
Today, enjoy an early morning excursion to Tiger Hill to view the spectacular sunrise over Mt. Kanchenjunga. The viewing tower here also provides unparalleled 360° views of the Himalayan panorama, Mt. Everest.
Return to hotel for breakfast. Then, board the century old Toy Train to visit the Ghoom Monastery, located at the highest railway station of the world (subject to operation of the train & availability of the seats). In the afternoon visit tea plantations in the foothills of Himalayas and / or the Tibetan Refugee Centre (subject to seasonality and time availability).
Day 5: Darjeeling to Pemayangste
After breakfast, embark on a leisurely drive to Pemayangtse in Sikkim, your first stop in the land of the Yeti or abominable snowman. In the afternoon visit the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the state's oldest and most important monasteries.
The monastery is a three-storey structure, filled with wall paintings and sculptures. On the third floor lies the Zandog Palri, a wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche, complete with rainbows, angels and the whole panoply of Buddha’s and bodhisattvas.
Day 6: Pemayangste to Gangtok
After breakfast, embark on a leisurely drive to Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. In the afternoon visit the Enchey monastery with its collection of exquisite images and religious objects.
Day 7: Day in Gangtok
After breakfast proceed for a city tour of Gangtok which includes a visit to Cottage Industries Institute (showcasing the beautiful Sikkim souvenirs like carpets, hand carved tables and traditional handicrafts), Research Institute of Tibetology (internationally acclaimed centre of Tibetan Studies & Research houses a vast collection of rare Buddhist books, manuscripts and over 200 Buddhist icons) and Do-Drul Chorten (Stupa).
Later, take a short drive to Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre and nearby Rumtek Monastery. Also enjoy magnificent view of Mt Kanchenjunga, 3rd highest mountain peak in the world.
Day 8: Gangtok to Kalimpong
After breakfast, embark on a drive to Kalimpong, the beautiful hill station town, which is a meeting point of the ‘three closed lands’ and was once on the trade route between Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan.
In the afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of the town, which includes a visit to St. Theresa's Church, Deola viewpoint & Lake, and the Kalimpong Bazaar. Kalimpong is noted for traditional handicrafts, woodcarvings, Thankas paintings, metal crafts, Tibetan jewellery, wooden masks etc.
Day 9: Drive to Bagdogra; Fly to Kolkata
Today, drive to Bagdogra to catch your return flight to Kolkata. Upon arrival at Kolkata airport, catch your connecting flight to onward destination.
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