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West Bengal Holidays to Calcutta and Darjeeling Sundarbans Gangtok

India Holidays, West Bengal: Darjeeling + Gangtok + Kaziranga + Andamans + Kolkata

West Bengal: Darjeeling + Gangtok + Kaziranga + Andamans
India Holidays, West Bengal: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Kaziranga Andamans
18 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,611
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
IRU18C
• India Holidays, West Bengal
• Darjeeling
• Kalimpong
• Tea Factory
• Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
• Kaziranga National Park
• Gangtok
• Kolkata
• Andamans Island

Enquire about our incredible India holidays to West Bengal, visiting the tea-producing region of Darjeeling & riding the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.  Also visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, a Tea factory and a Tibetan Refugee Centre. Then visit Rumtek Monastery in Gangtok, experience the wildlife of Kaziranga National Park and bustling Kolkata, before relaxing in the stunning Andamans islands, with its world-class diving.

Day 1
You will be met at Delhi Airport by your driver and transferred to your airport hotel in this ancient capital of kingdoms and empires that is now a sprawling metropolis.
 
Delhi's strategic location was one of the main reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power and today it is a conglomerate of seven cities. The division between the old walled city and New Delhi marks a division in lifestyles, with the old city retaining its past traditions whilst New Delhi strives to match the pace of the 21st century.
Day 2
Transfer to Delhi Airport for your flight to Bagdogra, where you will be met and transferred 3-hours to Darjeeling, ascending up a winding mountain road into the foothills of the Himalayas, with some hairpin bends along the way.
 
Situated in the lesser Himalayas at an altidude of 6,710 ft (2,050 m), this town was the summer capital of British India when it was governed from Calcutta, due to its pleasant climate. Today it is famous for its distinctive black tea and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
 
It is also well known for its cultural diversity, as it is home to many Tibetan refugees and descendants of Nepali and Bihari labourers, brought to work on the tea plantations.
Day 3
This morning enjoy a half day guided walking tour of Darjeeling.
 
We start with a visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute where Tenzay Norgay, who together with Sir Edmund Hillary first ascended Mount Everest, was director of field training. There is a memorial to him here and an interesting small museum.
 
We continue to the Zoological Gardens which has some rare species in captivity - including the red panda, sloth bear, white tiger and snow leopard.
 
Afterwards we walk to the town square, with its local vendors and bazaars. If the weather is clear, you can also enjoy views of the Himalayas.
 
The balance of your day is free to relax in Darjeeling.
 
Note: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is closed on Thursdays.
Day 4
This morning we board the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, one of India's five famous narrow-gauge Toy Trains built by the British to access its hill stations and today a World Heritage Site. Enjoy a fascinating ride on this old steam train that weaves its way through local villages to Ghoom, sharing the same narrow mountain road as other vehicles, with a short stop at the Gurkha War Memorial along the way.
 
On arrival we disembark and visit Ghoom Monastery, a mountain monastery housing rare Buddhist manuscripts and a priceless 15-ft statue of Maitreya Buddha (the Coming Buddha). Here the monks fly prayer flags in the Tibetan tradition.
 
After returning to Darjeeling by road we visit the Tibetan Refugee Centre, established as a self-help scheme for Tibetans who trekked across the Himalayas following the dramatic escape of the Dalai Lama, when China invaded Tibet (closed on Sundays).
 
We also visit a Tea Plantation to see how aromatic Darjeeling tea is grown and processed to produce one the world's favourite drinks.
 
Note: The small Toy Train is has no facilities, so be prepared for an interesting cultural experience (not a luxury journey). There is no tea processing on a Monday. Tea plucking & processing is closed from November to March, when you will visit the gardens only.
Day 5
Rise early this morning to visit a Tea Garden, before leaving Darjeeling and transferring 3.5 hours to the hill town of Kalimpong.
 
Perched on a ridge above the Teesta River, Kalimpong is home to colonial-era buildings such as MacFarlane Memorial Church, which was named after a Scottish missionary.
 
Check in to your hotel situated in the magnificent Himalayan foothills.
Day 6
Today enjoy a full day private sightseeing tour of Kalimpong, which has many colonial-era buildings such as MacFarlane Memorial Church, named after a Scottish missionary.
 
We start with a visit to the Tibetean monastery located on Durpin Dara Hill. From here you can enjoy magnificent views of Kalimpong and Kanchenjunga. We then visit Dr Graham's Homes School, a missionary educational institution opened by him in 1900 and one of the best schools in India. It has beautifully manicured flower gardens.
 
In the afternoon we explore the Cactus Nursery, with its huge collection of cacti and decorative plants and the Lepcha Heritage Museum, which displays various articles of worship, original Lepcha musical instruments, handicraft items and manuscripts.
Day 7
Today leave Kalimpong and transfer 3-hours to Gangtok in the eastern Himalayas.
 
Gangtok is the capital of the state of Sikkim and a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning. On arrival relax in this city that is wreathed in clouds.
Day 8
This morning we visit the beautiful Rumtek Monastery, with its intricately painted exterior and priceless Buddhist manuscripts.
 
We then explore the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, a centre for Mahayana Buddhism with rare statues and embroidered scrolls charting the intertwined Buddhist cultures and histories of Sikkim and Tibet. Here we can learn more about their religion, history, language, arts and culture (closed Sundays).
 
You can view the impressive Do-Drul-Chorten, an imposing stupa (shrine) ringed by prayer wheels, and visit cottage industries making traditional handcrafts. You can support the local people by buying some of their wares. We also visit Srama Gardens, a sanctuary with a collection of over 454 species of orchids.
Day 9
Transfer 5-hours to Bagdogra Airport for your flight to Guwahati.
 
You will be met at Guwahati Airport and transferred to your hotel in this sprawling city, set along the Brahmaputra River in the northeastern state of Assam. The city is known for holy sites including the hilltop Kamakhya Temple, which has shrines to the Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu. Umananda Temple is dedicated to Shiva and covered with engravings. It stands on Peacock Island in the river. To the east, the 18th century Navagraha Temple is an astronomical centre with planetary shrines.
Day 10
This morning your driver will take you to Nabagraha Temple, an ancient centre of astrological and astronomical research. The temple is enshrined with nine Shiva Lingam (symbols of the Hindu god Shiva), representing the nine planets, with one in the centre symbolising the sun.
 
We then board a country boat across the Brahmaputra River to visit the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island – a Shiva shrine built by an Ahom king in 1594. We also visit Kamakhya Temple, a famous Hindu pilgrimage site.
 
Afterwards we leave Guwahati  and travel 4.5-hours to the moist deciduous forests of Kaziranga National Park in the foothills of the eastern Himalaya Mountains. Kaziranga is a biodiversity hotspot situated on the southern banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River and is home to two thirds of the world's remaining population of severely endangered one horned rhinos, as well as wonderful bird life. Check into your lodge situated near the entrance to the park.
Days 11 To 12
This morning rise early to explore the wildlife of Kaziranga National Park on a 4-hour private jeep safari.
 
This reserve, which covers an area of over 145 sq.miles (380 sq.km), is particularly rewarding, as it combines outstanding viewings of the endangered one-horned rhino and large breeding herds of wild Asian elephants, with high species diversity. There is good visibility across the flood plains and expanses of tall elephant grass, as well as tropical broadleaf forests that are criss-crossed by four major rivers.
 
Kaziranga is also home to four types of barasingha (swamp deer), sambar deer, barking deer, hog deer, water buffalo, wild boar, Assam macaque, Rhesus macaque, smooth-coated otter, Hoolock gibbon, Bengal monitor lizard, spotted pond turtle, Malaysian giant squirrel, and Burmese python. Sloth bears, tigers and leopards are also present, but sightings of these particular mammals are rare due to the dense vegetation of their habitat.
 
The flora and fauna add to the beauty of this park, which is also a very important birding habitat. Birds you can hope to see here include the iconic Great hornbill, Wreathed hornbill, Spotted owlet, Pallas' fish eagle, Grey-headed fish eagle, Lesser and Greater adjutant storks, Black-necked stork, Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Green bee-eater, Blue-tailed bee-eater, Black redstart, Yellow wagtail, Crested serpent eagle, Jungle fowl, Asian pied starling, Indian common mynah, Rose-ringed parakeet, Alexandrian parakeet, Indian roller, Emerald dove, Kalij pheasant, Eurasian kestrel, Indian flying fox (fruit bat), Red-breasted parakeet, Lesser whistling duck, Indian spot-billed duck, Bronze-winged jacana, White throated kingfisher and Dollar bird. You will also see pelicans and many butterflies.
 
In the afternoon enjoy another 3-hour private jeep safari into the park.
 
Note: In the winter months wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle. This reserve is closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (June to October).
Day 13
Transfer 1-hour to Tezpur Airport for your flight to Kolkata, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in this bustling city.
 
Kolkata is the third largest city in India and the capital of West Bengal. Formerly known as Calcutta, this city was originally developed by the British East India Company and became the capital of the British Empire in India until 1911, when the capital was relocated to Delhi.
Day 14
This morning enjoy a half day tour of Kolkata, a city of palaces situated on the east bank of the River Hooghly and the principal commercial, cultural and educational centre in eastern India. Kolkata is also noted for its revolutionary history, ranging from the Indian struggle for independence to the leftist Naxalite and trade union movements.
 
There are many interesting sites in this city and you can discuss your preferences with your guide. We usually start our day with a visit to the Mother Teresa Mission, which works amongst one of the poorest communities in the world. We then drive past BBD Bagh Garden (formerly Dalhousie Square), named after three freedom fighters and now the office hub of the city. The impressive colonial buildings here date back to when this city was the capital of British India. You can see Raj Bhavan (Government House), St John's Church, the High Court, Post Office, Town Hall and beautiful Writers Building. You can also visit the Flower Market and drive across the impressive Vidyasagar Setu Bridge.
 
Other places of interest include St. Paul’s Cathedral, Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Marble Palace, the beautiful Dakshineswar Kali Temple, the Jain Temple and the traditional potters quarters in Kumartuli in northern Kolkata.
 
After lunch (own account) enjoy a boat ride on the Hooghly River that links Calcutta with Howrah.
 
Note: The Mother Teresa Mission is closed on Thursdays & public holidays. The Victoria Memorial & Indian Museum are closed on Mondays.
Day 15
Transfer to Kolkata Airport for your flight to Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman Islands.
 
You will be met at Port Blair Airport and transferred to the jetty for the 1.5-hour ferry to Havelock Island.
 
Check in, settle in and relax on this secluded island that is part of the Ritchie's Archipelago within the Andaman Islands.
Days 16 To 17
At leisure to relax at your lodge on Havelock Island.
 
This small island offers excellent diving and unspoiled beaches. Crescent-shaped Radhanagar Beach is a popular spot to swim in the sea and watch the sunset. On the island’s east side, rocky sections mark the long tree-lined Vijaynagar Beach.
 
You can take an optional guided marine walk, or a night walk in the surrounding forest where you can hope to see several specias of crabs, including hermit crabs, as well as lizards, tree snakes, scorpions and other small creatures. When migrant birds visit, the forest is home to over 270 different species -106 of which are endemic.
 
Note: Remember to pack insect repellent.
Day 18
This morning transfer 2-hours by ferry to the Port Blair jetty.
 
Here you will be met and transferred to Port Blair Airport for your flight to Delhi, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel conveniently situated near the airport.
 
Note: Most flights make a technical stop in Kolkata, with one hour on the ground.
Day 19
Transfer to Delhi Airport for your flight home.