Kolkata

KOLKATA

Best Viewed at 800 X 600, Site Designed, Hosted and Maintained by Inter-Graph Technologies

(13 nights / 14 days)

Day 01

Welcome to India. On arrival at Kolkata airport, you will be greeted by our local representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02

Breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed for a city tour of Kolkata, the capital of the British Raj in 1772. Visit St. John's Church, which dates back to 1787, the Marble Palace, a private mansion housing a collection of statues and paintings, and Pareshnath Jain Temple. See Raj Bhawan, the old British Government house, Orchterlony Monument and Eden Gardens. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03

Morning, transfer to Gangtok. On arrival at Gangtok, transfer to Hotel Silver Oaks (3-Star). Gangtok offers spectacular views of the entire Kanchenjunga range. It has many ancient temples, palaces, monasteries and narrow, colourful bazaars. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04

Before dawn, leave for Tiger Hill situated at an altitude of 2590 m for spectacular dawn views of the eastern Himalayan peaks to catch a glimpse of the Kanchenjunga at dawn. Breakfast. Later, visit the Goom monastery and the Observatory hill. After lunch, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Botanical Gardens and shop in the colourful markets. The adventurous could also try a ride on the famous Toy Train (optional trip) - now a World Heritage Monument. Evening at leisure. Overnight.

Day 05

Morning, transfer to the airport to connect flight to Bagdogra.

Kolkata - Bagdogra
IC 721 (Frequency: Mon/Fri/Sat)	- Dep : Kolkata 1105 Hrs
	- Arr : Bagdogra 1200 Hrs
9W 617 (Frequency: Mon/Fri/Sat)	- Dep : Kolkata 1110 Hrs
	- Arr : Bagdogra 1340 Hrs

You will be met on arrival and transferred by surface to Darjeeling, a pleasant hill station. The 3½ hour ascent drives through spectacular mountain scenery; parallel to the road the miniature railway loops its way up the steep mountain sides. On arrival, check into your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06

After breakfast, take an excursion to visit the Monastery. The Rumtek Monastery is the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, head of Kagyu-pa order of Tibetan Buddhism. The main monastery has been built in strict accordance with Tibetan designs. The mural work of Tibetan style religious paintings is exquisite. Overnight.

Day 07

Morning, drive to Kalimpong (3 hours), a busy little town in West Bengal set at 1250m. Stay at the Hotel Himalayan (3-Star), an old house converted into a hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight.

Day 08

Morning, after breakfast, sightseeing tour of Kalimpong.
Visit the Thapa Choling Monastery, a 40-minute uphill walk at the edge of the town. The monastery belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism that was founded in the 14th century and to which the Dalai Lama belongs. Kalimpong is an important flower-growing area due to the climate. Kalimpong makes an ideal base for treks. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09

After an early breakfast, proceed to Phuntsholing. At the border, get your Bhutan visa endorsed. Lunch enroute. Arrive at Phuntsholing and check in at the hotel. Overnight.

Day 10

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the late King, His Majesty Jigma Dorji Wangchuk; the handmade paper factory and the Archery Ground where Bhutan's national sport of Archery can be witnessed. Lunch, dinner and Overnight.

Day 11

Early morning, drive over the 1000 ft Pass of Dochula to view the stunning scenery of the Himalayan Ranges. Descend to the old winter capital of Punakha; visit Wandiphodrang valley. Lunch, dinner and overnight.

Day 12

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. En route, visit the Thimphu General Post Office, School of Thangka painting and mask-making, traditional crafts in silver and gold. After lunch continue to Paro. Dinner and overnight.

Day 13

After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Paro includes a visit to the northern part of the valley to Drukgyel Dzong ruins (Monastery Fortress); visit the famous Kyichu Lhakhang - one of the `08 sacred Lakhangs. Visit the district Dzong called Rinpung Dzong - fortress of a mountain of jewels, the Natural History Museum at Ta Dzoong is one of the finest in Asia. Lunch, dinner and overnight.

Day 14

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to connect flight to Kolkata and then back home.

Bagdogra - Kolkata
IC 722 (Frequency:Mon/Fri/Sat)	- Dep :Bagdogra 1240 Hrs
	- Arr : Kolkata 1335 Hrs
9W 512 (Frequency: Mon/Fri/Sat)	- Dep :Bagdogra 1800 Hrs
	- Arr : Kolkata 2130 Hrs

Leave Kolkata with fond memories of your vacation to the East India