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Explore North East Himalaya, Tiger Reserve and Tribal Village

General information

DurationDestinationDeparture
16 days and 15 nights
India (Kolkata, Darjeeling, Pelling, Gangtok, Kalimpong, Guwahati, Kaziranga, Majuli, Benreu, Dzuleke, Khonoma)
India (Kolkata)

Description

Explore the grandeur of Eastern Himalaya dotted with Buddhist Monasteries, serene lakes, tea gardens, beautiful view points and ancient shrines. Experience the breathtaking view of sunrise at Tiger Hill & go for a ride in Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Enjoy safari in Kaziranga National Park home to tigers, elephants & the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses. Further explore Majuli the abode of the Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture and home to tribal communities. Further explore rural life and nature visit the traditional home of the Zeliangrong and Kuki tribes.

Category

 
3 Star Hotels (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 3 Stars
en
 
4 Star Hotels (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 4 Stars
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5 Star Hotels (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 5 Stars
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Program

Day 1:
Kolkata

On arrival at Kolkata airport assistance & transfer to hotel (check in/out time 12pm).
Later 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 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 a building maintained as a memorial and research center 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 of India, built on the river Hooghly. It is one of the major Kolkata attractions and people from different part of the country come here especially to witness this amazingly structured bridge. Dakshineswar Kali Temple one of the major pilgrimage center dedicated to Goddess Kali. Located on the bank of 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 hotel.

Day 2:
Kolkata - Bagdogra/Darjeeling (70km) (B)

Transfer to airport to board flight for Bagdogra.
Arrival transfer from Bagdogara 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 3:
Darjeeling

Early morning 4am 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 way back visit Ghoom Monastery & Batasia Loop. After breakfast visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park (closed on Thursday) Tenzing Rock, Ropeway view point, Tibetans Refuge Center (closed on Sunday), Happy valley Tea Garden (outer view) and Lioyed botanical garden. Enjoy 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 hotel.

Day 4:
Darjeeling - Pelling (75km) (B)

Drive to Pelling check in at hotel. Later visit Pemayangtse Monastery one of the oldest and premier monasteries. Rabdentse Ruins one of the best historical places surrounded by dense forest. Tashiding Monastery of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism 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 formed over Rimbi River, beautiful place where you can lighten, unwind and enjoy quality time. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5:
Pelling - Gangtok (120km) (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 eye catching picturesque view. On arrival check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 6:
Gangtok

Visit Rumtek Monastery a three stories high standout most imperative and noteworthy monastery of 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 an ancient temple of Lord Ganesha that has a pleasant aura, colourful buntings surrounding the temple. Enchey Monastery a 200 years 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 the majestic artefacts such as Thanka painting, traditional carpets, wooden carved and colourfully painted sculptures and much more. Also visit the Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom & The Mall. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7:
Gangtok - Kalimpong (75km) (B)

Drive to Kalimpong check in at hotel. 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. 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 the Durpin hill famous for the Tibetan wall paintings. It also has a religious debating society along with a school of Tibetan medicine.

Day 8:
Kalimpong - Bagdogra (75km)/ Guwahati (B)

Transfer to airport to board flight for Guwahati.
Arrival transfer to hotel check in. Evening enjoy a magnificent sunset over the majestic Brahmaputra River on a cruise. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9:
Guwahati - Kaziranga NP (200km) (B,D)

City tour of Guwahati, visit Kamakhya Temple one of the most venerated Shakti shrines. Navagraha Temple dedicated to the nine planets in the solar system. Umananda Island the smallest river island in the world. Umananda Island the smallest river island in the world, here man and the wilderness co-habit in peace and serenity. Umananda Temple a Shiva Temple built in 1594, by the Ahom King of Assam.
Drive to Kaziranga check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 10:
Kaziranga NP (B,L,D)

Gypsy safari in the Kaziranga National Park. Early morning explore central Range good for water birds, followd by eastern range and then in afternoon Western Range preferred for seeing big game like Rhinos, Tigers and Water Buffaloes. Kaziranga a vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests, crisscrossed by four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, and numerous small bodies of water is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kaziranga hosts two-thirds of the world Great One-horned Rhinoceroses. Kaziranga boasts the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world and a declared Tiger Reserve. Kaziranga is home to large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Kaziranga is recognized as an important bird area by Birdlife International for conservation of avifaunal species. Located on the edge of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, the park combines high species diversity and visibility and has achieved notable success in wildlife conservation. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11:
Kaziranga NP - Majuli (150kms) (B,L,D)

Drive to Majuli till Nimathi-Ghat to connect a ferry to reach Kamalabari-Ghat by crossing mighty Brahmanputra river with co-passengers on board.
From Kamalabari-Ghat transfer to your lodge check in. Majuli, perhaps the largest river island is a treasure of cultural heritage of the region. The founder of Eka Naam Dharmas Srimanta Shankardeva took shelater in Majuli in the 15th century and ever since that Majuli has emerged as the crowning glory of Vaishnavaite culture in Assam. Majuli has a unique treasure of natural & cultural attractions and a melting point of various tribes. The influence of the Neo-Vaishnavite culture on the island restricts killing animals has resulted in great tolerance for wildlife and respect for the environment. The Majuli island with its fertile floodplains and highly productive wetlands forms ideal habitat for a variety of resident & migratory birds including some uncommon & endangered species. More than 250 species of birds have been recorded, these include many endangered species. Later explore village of Mishing tribe, meet the local, have tea or local rice beer at their place. Overnight homestay.

Day 12:
Majuli - Benreu (260kms) (B,L,D)

Transfer to Kamalabari ghat to connect ferry to reach Nimathi-Ghat. From here drive to Benreu village which is a Zeliang Naga village. The drive is experience rough/broken narrow road, enroute brief stop at Peleke village. Evening stroll in the village and bon-fire with your host family. Overnight homestay.

Day 13:
Benreu (B,L,D)

Visit good luck wild animal hunters, meet them listen to their hunt expedition! Visit traditional morung which is an informal institute where history, tradition and cultures are passed from generation to generation. Hike to Mt. Pauna which will be about 2/3 hours each way half moderate and half tough. Hike back & evening participate in cooking dinner with your host. Overnight homestay.

Day 14:
Benreu - Poilwa - Dzuleke (B,L,D)

Walk down through the village for about half an hour, meet your car and drive on to Poilwa village (25km about 2hrs). From here hike through jungle to reach Dzuleke village (2hours).
On arrival get introduced to your host along with a cup of tea. You may stroll around the village with your host. Overnight at homestay.

Day 15:
Dzuleke - Khonoma (B,L,D)

Walk & drive to Khonoma village the first green village of India. Khonoma is well known for its valour and prowess and was more popularly known as vanguard for many neighbouring villages in the past! Later go for Nature walk, collect wild vegetables with which you may partake in cooking dinner. Overnight at homestay.

Day 16:
Khonoma - Dimapur (95kms) (B)

Drive to Dimapur airport to board flight for Kolkata.

Price includes

• Assistance on arrival at airport.
• 15 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.
• Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)
• Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
• 2 Time safari in Zaziranga National Park.
• English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
• Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
• Bottled drinking water in car.
• Government taxes.
• Service of forest department naturalist during the safari.

Price does not include

• Any air fare
• Camera charges at monuments
• Main Meals, Lunch or dinner unless mentioned
• Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
• Or anything not mentioned above.
• Gratuities (optional).

Itinerary

Day Overnight Itinerary highlights
1 Kolkata   Kolkata - Kolkata Airport
2 Darjeeling
3 Darjeeling
4 Pelling
5 Gangtok
6 Gangtok
7 Kalimpong
8 Guwahati
9 Kaziranga
10 Kaziranga
11 Majuli
12 Benreu
13 Benreu
14 Dzuleke
15 Khonoma
16   Dimapur - Dimapur Airport

Accommodations provided in each place

Place3 Star Hotels4 Star Hotels5 Star Hotels
KolkataThe Astor/ Lytton Hotel or similarThe Sonnet/ HHI or similarITC Sonar, a Luxury Collection/ The Lalit Great Eastern or similar
DarjeelingCentral Heritage Resort & Spa/ Omega Residency or similarElgin Hotel/ The Royal Plaza or similarMayfair/ Windamere Hotel or similar
PellingGreen Leaf Resort/ The Pelling Resort or similarElgin Mt. Pandim/ Chumbi Mountain Retreat & Spa or similar
GangtokTamarind Hotels/ Hotel New Orchid or similarElgin NorKhill/ Saramsa Resort or similarMayfair Spa Resort & Casino/ WelcomHeritage Denzong Regency or similar
KalimpongKalimpong Village Retreat/ Summit Barsana Resort & Spa or similarElgin Silver Oaks/ Sinclairs Retreat or similarMayfair Himalayan Spa Resort/ Morgan House Tourist Lodge or similar
GuwahatiCygnett Park Meghna/ Hotel Palacio or similarLandmark Hotel/ Hotel Lily or similarVivanta Guwahati/ Radisson Blu Hotel or similar
KazirangaInfinity Resorts/ Wild Grass Lodge or similarBorgos Resort/ Hotel Ivora or similar
MajuliPrashanti Prashanti Cottages or similar (Basic Property) or similar
BenreuHomestay/ community cottage or similar
DzulekeHomestay/ community cottage or similar
KhonomaHomestay/ community cottage or similar