Darjeeling and the East

Reception and welcome at Kolkota airport followed by transfer to your hotel.

This afternoon, visit sights including the Victoria Memorial, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Indian Museum.

Fly to Bagdogra in the morning and drive on to the beautiful hill station of Darjeeling, ‘Queen of the Himalayas’ at an altitude of 7,000 feet. The bazaar is worth a visit in the evening.

Early morning excursion to Tiger Hill followed by a toy train ride from Darjeeling station to Ghoom Monestry. Visit the mountaineering institute in the evening.

This day is at Leisure. If you would like to, you could visit the tea gardens where the famous Darjeeling tea is grown.

Drive to the remote hamlet of Pelling. This afternoon visit the Pemayangtse Monestry.

Drive through pretty valleys to the mountainside capital of the tiny state of Sikkim

Visit Rumtek Monastery in the morning, later visit the research institute of Tibetology which houses nearly 30,000 volumes on astrology, magic, philosophy, etc; then the orchid sanctuary; the Buddhist monastery at the Palace; the residency, from where you can have an excellent view of the mountains.

Leave by road for Kalimpong in the morning – a remote hill station on the trade route to Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal. Visit two well-known 17^th century monasteries in the afternoon.

Transfer to Bagdogra airport this morning to connect your flight to Kolkota. On arrival in Kolkota, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. You may wish to visit the missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa later on in the day.

Transfer to the airport in time for your flight out.