Welcome on arrival in Kolkata by Singapore Airlines and transfer to the hotel. Kolkata is the city of joy, contrast, and culture. Once the capital of British India – now the capital of West Bengal. A visit to kolkata will bring visitors in touch with a combination of a rich 400 years old heritage, vibrant modern life, and different cultures.

Welcome on arrival at Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, famous for the “sangai – the brow-antlered deer”, which is just native to Manipur. Its name is derived from the term “yumphal”, which means the land of many villages, and so rightly that defines Imphal because its landscape is all but a mix of hills, valleys, forests & several rivers. Imphal has good connectivity with major cities such as that Guwahati, Kohima, Agartala, etc. Check-in at the hotel.

After freshen up, proceed for half-day sightseeing covering “kangla palace” – which was earlier situated on both sides (western & eastern) of the bank of the “Imphal river”. But only the ruins remain now on the western bank of the river. Kangla means “dry land” in the old matter. It was the traditional seat of the past “meitei” rulers. Later proceed to visit “ima keithel” – the largest market run by women only. In Manipuri, “ima“ means “mother” & “keithel” means “market”, hence it is known as the mother’s market. This showcases the strong foothold the Manipuri women hold in society. Most of the items found in the market are locally made, and it covers every essential product that one needs, ranging from Manipuri dolls, scarves, and other handmade decorative items to vegetables, fruits, etc.

Later in the evening transfer back to the city hotel. Overnight at Imphal.

The morning after breakfast proceed for an excursion trip to loktak lake & keibul lamjao national park & en-route visit the ina museum (the Indian national army war museum in the ina memorial complex in the morning is the only official museum dedicated to the second world war in Manipur as of today). Loktak lake is the largest freshwater lake in northeast India, which is located in the bishnupur district just 50kms from Imphal & is famous for its circular floating swamps or “phumdis” or the heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil & organic matter at various stages of decomposition floating over it. The term “lok” means “stream” & “tak” means “the end”; the lake plays an eminent role in hydropower generation, irrigation & drinking water supply. Later also visit the “keibul lamjao national park”, located in the bishnupur district of the state of Manipur, its specialty being the only floating national park in the world. It comprises 40 sq. Km. Of wetland overgrown with 1.5m deep floating vegetation called the “phumdis”. Loktak lake – is the largest freshwater lake in the world, a large portion of it falls within the park making it the only floating national park in the world. Later in the evening transfer back to the city hotel. Overnight at Imphal.

The morning after breakfast transfer to Kohima (140kms/06hrs). Check-in at the hotel. Evening free for individual activity & leisure. Overnight at Kohima.

Kohima is perched at an altitude of 4,738 ft, a pretty hill station, with panoramic views of the rugged Naga hills. It is unspoiled and replete with interesting things to see and do. Nagaland is inhabited by 16 tribes, out of which the Angami naga tribe – is one of the major tribes in Nagaland. They are known for terraced wet rice cultivation. Angamis were traditionally warriors, in the past, the Angami men spent the majority of their time in warfare with hostile villages and talking heads. Kohima had witnessed the fiercest fighting of the second world war a fifty day-and-night non-stop fight portraying the valour of the daring naga tribes that is unmatchable with any, bearing testimony to which stands an epitaph at the war cemetery in Kohima – which reads “when you go home, tells them of us: that for their tomorrow, we gave our today”.

The morning after breakfast, visit the kisama naga heritage complex. This pavilion serves as a window to Nagaland & aims at showcasing the state in a single platform, through which one can have a peep into the naga heritage.

Kisama Naga heritage complex is famous for hosting the referred “hornbill festival”. Later on, drive to khonoma village known for its valour and courage. The khonoma gate tells the story of British infiltration into the naga hills. After lunch, a late afternoon visit to the famous war cemetery, a symbolic memorial was raised as a citation for the supreme sacrifice made by the officers and men of the allied forces during world war ii.

Pm visit state museum (closed on Mondays).

A look at the Nagaland museum in the state capital can give the visitor an idea about the legacy of the nagas. Located at bayavü hill, about 1½ km from the main town, it houses a rare collection of artifacts of each naga tribe.

Transfer back to city hotel. Overnight at Kohima.

The morning after breakfast transfer to Jorhat (196kms/6.5hrs) & later transfers to any one of the heritage tea bungalows. Jorhat – also reckoned to be the cultural capital of Assam, Jorhat owes much to its history. It was the

Last capital of the home kingdom. Today Jorhat has the largest tea research station in the country and therefore it is now known as the tea capital of India.

Later proceed to visit one of these lush green & tranquil tea estates. Be a part of the uniqueness that this part of India has to offer & savor the very best.

See the colorful women pluckers as they chatter and sing while meticulously plucking the freshest two leaves-and-a-buds from the bushes. Enter the factory and get first-hand knowledge of how tea is made. Learn the art of tea-tasting from the masters. A fascinating story that begins in the bush and ends in your cup! Further, these tea estates also have golf courses attached to them. Most of them are 9 hole golf courses. The guests can also have post-golf sessions at some of the classic clubhouses.

The morning after early breakfast proceeds to majuli (approx 40 minutes by road to nimati ghat, further on 1 hour by ferry), the world’s largest river island situated in the midst of river Brahmaputra. The island had a total area of 1,250 square kilometers at the beginning of the 20th century but now only has an area of 352 square kilometers as of 2014, having lost considerably to erosion. You will be transferred to nimati ghat, near Jorhat, from where you will take a boat ride in an individually hired local boat to reach majuli.

Majuli is a hub of Assamese neo-vaishnavite culture, initiated around the 15th century by the revered Assamese saint srimanta sankardeva and his disciple madhavdeva. Later take the return ferry to nimatighat and drive to Kaziranga (approx. 3 hours).

Kaziranga – – was declared a national park in 1974 and UNESCO declared Kaziranga a world heritage site in 1985. The park hosts two-thirds of the world’s population of rhinos. Rest for the day. Overnight stay at Kaziranga.

Early morning go for an elephant ride in the park. (elephant riding time: 1st ride- 5.15-6.15 am; 2nd ride: 6.30-7.30 am) apart from the rhino, other species found are hog deer, swamp deer, wild buffalo, elephants, and if you are lucky, the tiger. It is virtually a paradise for bird watchers, with a variety of migratory and resident birds. It is also home to pelicans, storks, and darters as there are several water bodies inside the park.

After breakfast at the hotel, you can visit tea plantations and rubber plantations. Afternoon enjoys jeep safari in the central range. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Kaziranga.

The morning after breakfast checks out for transfer to Guwahati (225kms / 5hrs). Welcome on arrival at Guwahati. Situated on the south bank of the river Brahmaputra, this is the largest city of Assam, a major riverine port city, and one of the fastest-growing cities in India. Many ancient Hindu temples are in the city, giving it the name “City of temples” the most important being the kamakhya temple. Transfer to city hotel. Check-in at the hotel. Later proceed to visit “sankardeva kalakshetra” – a cultural institution in the Panjabi area, named after the medieval poet-playwright and reformer srimanta sankardev. Evening experience the river cruise on the river Brahmaputra. Overnight at Guwahati.

The morning after breakfast departure/transfer to the airport to board your flight for the onward journey to Bagdogra, welcome on arrival at Bagdogra & later transfer to Darjeeling (95kms/03hrs). Darjeeling is a land of infinite variety and charm. Dorje, the mystic thunderbolt of the lama religion was the origin of the name Darjeeling, which was first discovered by a British captain Lloyd in the year 1829. Surrounded by tea gardens; this little town faces some of the highest peaks of the Himalayas and used to be the summer retreat of the European officers in Bengal. Evening free for individual activity and leisure, overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel followed by half-day local sightseeing covering Padmaja n. The zoological garden (closed on Thursday) was established on August 14, 1958. It specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions.

Himalayan mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursday) was founded in Darjeeling on4th November by pandit Nehru who said that “the institute trains young men not only to climb Himalayan peaks but also create in them an urge to climb peaks of human endeavor.” hmi has the oldest mountaineering museum of the country established in 1957. Tibetan refugee self-help center (closed on Sunday) was established on 1 October 1959, following the dramatic escape of his holiness the Dalai Lama, thousands of Tibetans leaving their hearth and home, fled to the neighboring countries to live as free human beings. The production of Tibetan handicrafts is the center’s main activity.

Evening enjoys a short walk across the mall and local market (closed on Thursday). Overnight at the hotel.

The morning after breakfast transfer to kurseong (30kms/02hrs). Check-in at the hotel. Evening free for individual activity and leisure. Overnight at the hotel. Kurseong is locally known as “charting”, which in Lepcha means ‘the land of white orchids’, referring to the small white orchids prolific here. The serenity and tranquility of this place are what attract people. On the outskirts of the main town of kurseong is Cochrane place, a recreated and restored stately British colonial home of its previous resident, Percy john Cochrane, mbe. The stunning view of the tea garden along with the mountains and the foothill forests of the eastern Himalayas from this tea resort is enchanting.

The morning after an early breakfast enjoys a tour of the makaibari tea factory and plantation to interact and discover the charming character, rich culture, and history with the friendly people of the tea estate. Also visiting the ani gompa in kurseong, formerly known as kunsamnamdoling gompa, stands out for being the only woman running the monastery, the Buddhist nuns are known as the “ani’s”. Later transfer to Bagdogra airport to board connecting flight to kolkata.

Welcome on arrival at kolkata and transfer to the city hotel. Kolkata is the city of joy, contrast, and culture. Once the capital of British India – now the capital of west Bengal. A visit to kolkata will bring visitors in touch with a combination of a rich 400 years old heritage, vibrant modern life, and different cultures.

The morning after breakfast start exploring the city of joy with an introduction to the glory of Bengal, visit the flower market – a unique wholesale market of flowers which is situated on the bank of river Ganges near the famous Howrah Bridge and drive by the heritage buildings of Dalhousie square. Explore the college street book market by a hand-pulled rickshaw and enjoy a cup of hot coffee at the famous “Indian coffee house” which is running since 1942. Enjoy a traditional Bengali lunch at the famous “aaheli” at the peerless inn. After lunch visits the famous kali ghat kali temple – one of the 52 shakti peethas in India. In between, you might also enjoy a short tram ride in the crowded streets of kolkata. Explore st. Paul’s cathedral, the first ‘episcopal cathedral church’ in an oriental country followed by the victoria memorial also referred to as the taj of the raj. This splendid white marble structure was built in memory of queen victoria between 1906 and 1921 and was formally inaugurated by the prince of wales, who later became King Edward viii of England. Your city experience will end at the motherhouse – the headquarters of the missionaries of charity. Overnight at the hotel.

Book market visit: the knowledge street walk across the book market of college street – the intellectual hub of the city with a coffee break at the historical coffee house.

Or

Kolkata heritage tour: this tour starts from st. John’s church covers 15 historic colonial buildings surrounding the city square and ends at Kumar Tuli – the hub of the potters and clay idol-makers of kolkata.

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Food walk tour: going by the popular saying that food is where the heart is, the notion is that nothing else connects you to a place than its food. Kolkata is known for having invariable and incredible tastes owing to the many influences that it has taken over through decades and thus leading to inventions that food connoisseurs so love. Its called a melting pot having within its seam Chinese influences at Loretta Bazar (old china town), to Awadhi cuisine that made its way when Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Oudh was exiled to kolkata in the mid-1800s, thus leading to the birth of the famous kebabs & lastly but not the least, the subtle Bengali cuisine. Kolkata is called the gastronomical capital of India, a peek into the food practices & cultures, will forever be etched in your memory.

Early morning departure transfer to nscb airport to connect flight for the journey towards onward destination. Tour ends.