Kolkata Heritage Tour: This 2 hrs cycle tour starts from St. John’s Church and covers 15 historic colonial buildings surrounding the city square and ends at Kumartuli – the hub of the potters and clay idol-makers of Kolkata.

Later in the evening proceed to Millennium Jetty, to board your dinner cruise from (7pm till 10pm). Transfer back to City Hotel. Overnight at Kolkata.

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Morning free till departure, transfer to NSCB Airport to connect your flight to Bagdogra. Welcome on arrival at Bagdogra and transfer to Kurseong (55Kms / 02 Hrs). Overnight at Hotel. 

Kurseong is locally known as “Kharsang”, which in Lepcha means ‘the Land of White Orchids’, referring to the small white orchids prolific here.  The serenity and tranquillity 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 are enchanting. 

Later after freshen up & check in at Hotel, proceed for a cycling tour to Gidda Pahar View Point & back to watch the sunset. Gidda Pahar is a picturesque little village located just on the outskirts of Kurseong. (12 Kms / 04 Hrs approx.)

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Morning after an early breakfast enjoy 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. Lunch at Cochrane Place followed by transfer to the Kurseong Toy Train Station to connect Toy Train (Train 9D / STD 15.00Hrs) to Darjeeling (30Kms / 03Hrs). This unique Mountain Railway’ project was first started in 1878 by the initiative of Sir. Ashley Eden and is now a World Heritage. Overnight at Darjeeling.

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.

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Breakfast at the Hotel followed by a cycling tour covering Happy Valley Tea Estate via Zoo, HMI & Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre along the way covering the Lebong Cart Road & back (13 Kms / 06 Hrs approx.).

Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday) which was founded in Darjeeling on 4^th November by Pandit Nehru. HMI has the oldest mountaineering Museum of the country established in 1957.

Also visit the Tibetan Refugee Self-help Center (Closed on Sunday) established in 1 October, 1959, following the dramatic escape of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, thousands of Tibetans leaving hearth and home, fled into the neighbouring countries to live as free human beings. Evening enjoy a short walk across the Mall and Local Market (Closed on Thursday).Overnight at hotel.

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Early morning start for Tiger Hill to watch the spectacular sunrise and it’s amazing effects on the Mt. Kanchendzonga (Worlds 3rd highest peak), Visit Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop War Memorial while returning to the Hotel. Breakfast at the hotel followed by transfer to Pemayangtse, (128kms/5hrs).  Located at an altitude of 6,800 ft, Pemayangtse is the nearest motorable point from Mt. Kanchendzonga – worlds 03rd highest peak, offers a good sunrise and all day long view of the entire Eastern Himalayan range.

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After an early breakfast at the Hotel, take a short 03kms drive to the entrance of the Rabdentse Palace Ruins the 2nd capital of Sikkim. From here enjoy a 500 meter thrilling walk through the dense forest to the ruins of the palace which was founded by the 2nd Chogyal of Sikkim Tensung Namgyal in the year 1670 and subsequently destroyed by the invading Nepalese army in 1814. The view from this place is breathtaking.

Walk back and visit the Pemayangtse Monastery (02Kms) – the oldest monastery of Sikkim established by Lhatun Chempo, one of the revered Lamas to have performed the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal (Religious Monarch) of Sikkim.

Further proceed for a cycling tour to the small village of “Yuksom” – the first capital of Sikkim which is situated at an altitude of 5500ft (24 Kms/4-5 Hrs approx.), mostly down-hill & back by car.

Three great Buddhist monks from Tibet arrived here around four hundred years ago and eventfully they enthroned the first King by name Phintsog Namgyal in the year 1641 which marked the beginning of the Namgyal dynasty which ruled Sikkim for almost 332 years. Cycle around and explore this Himalayan village that takes you back in time. Enjoy a hot lunch at a local restaurant (cost not included),

Visit the Khecheodpalri Lake (approx, 7kms from the village) & later driver back to Pemayangtse. The lake is the most holy and wish fulfilling. Return to the hotel at Pelling, Overnight.

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Morning transfer to Gangtok (123kms/5.5 hrs) – The capital of the state of Sikkim is a beautiful and clean town promising of the best monasteries and landscapes. Evening walk around the city to appreciate the new culture you are in. Overnight at hotel.

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Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Ranipool & further from Ranipool, start your cycling tour of Rumtek Monastery (12kms 01 way), i.e. one of the largest Monastery of Eastern Himalaya. It was constructed by His Holiness the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa in 1960. It is the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim. Also visit “The Dharmachakra Centre, a place of erudition and spiritual accomplishment, the seat of the glorious Karmapa.”

Further 10 Kilometers, cycle your way along the quaint ethnic Lepcha village of Rey Mindu nestled below the Fhambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary where traditional farming and its age-old cultural practices still continue. Enjoy cycling across the lush paddy fields of the village and re- discover the 100 years old Traditional Lepcha houses along with the Karma Karthen Namgayling Monastery and The Lyakhyang (Medicinal water pond). You might enjoy a traditional Lepcha Dance by the local artists followed by a traditional lunch. (Optional). Later drive back to Gangtok.

Also visit the Chorten or Stupa built by the venerable Truslhik Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism, in 1945. Institute of Tibetology (Closed on Sunday) established in 1958 which is a treasure trove of vast collection of rare Lepcha, Tibetan, Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and rare Thankas with over 200 Buddhist icons. Further visit the Institute of Handicrafts and handlooms (Closed on Sunday) while returning to the hotel, overnight.

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Breakfast at the hotel followed by a half day Jeep Safari to Tsomgo lake (12400ft), which is only 32kms from Gangtok City, the lake is almost about 1Km long, oval in shape and 15Mt deep. The lake is considered sacred by the local people. Visit Enchey monastery while returning to the hotel. The ancient Monastery is almost 200 year old and was built by Lama Druptob Karpo. Evening free for leisure and individual activity and leisure, overnight at Hotel.

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Breakfast at the hotel & further drive to Kalimpong (80kms /02Hrs) – a quiet hill resort in eastern Himalaya, Kalimpong is famous for its Orchids & Nurseries where some of the rarest cacti and orchids can be seen.Check in at hotel and proceed for lunch. Evening free for individual activity & leisure. Dinner & overnight at hotel.

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Morning after breakfast experience the small Himalayan town by starting cycling up to the Durpin Dara (Hill Top] – a beautiful view point from where small town and the surroundings hills can be enjoyed followed by Zong Dong Palri Fo-Brong Monastery situated beside which belongs to the Gelukpa sect. Cycle along &proceed to visit the Orchid Nursery followed by a visit to the famous Gangjong Paper Industry which is a Handmade Paper Factory. Hand – made paper making is an ancient craft of in the Himalayan hills which are seen mainly in local areas for religious printings of Buddhist scripts. This paper is environment friendly and produced from Daffney Flower which are widely found in abundance in the Eastern Himalayan region.  (3.5Hrs / 18 Kms approx.)

After visiting the Hand Made Factory, drive to St Teresa’s Church for a quick look at a chapel built in 1929 resembling a Buddhist Monastery and overlaid with Tibetan Motifs. From this point we proceed for a walk tour through the local market (Hath Bazaar) where you can experience the colorful life of the local inhabitants of this tiny Himalayan Town. Return back to City Hotel. Dinner & Overnight at Hotel.

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This morning after late breakfast transfer to Bagdogra Airport (65kms/02hrs) to connect your return flight to Kolkata. Welcome on arrival at Kolkata and transfer to hotel. Evening free for individual activity and leisure, overnight at Hotel.

Kolkata is the city of Joy, contrast and culture. 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.

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East Kolkata Wetland Tour: This 2 hour’s bicycle tour takes you through the wetlands of the eastern part of the city covering fishing ponds, green patches through rugged roads.

Further after breakfast start exploring the city of Joy with an introduction about the glory of Bengal, visit the Flower Market – a unique wholesale market of flowers which is situated in 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 visit the famous Kalighat 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 Mother House – the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity. Overnight at hotel. 

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Early morning departure transfer to NSCB Airport to connect flight for journey towards onward destination. TOUR ENDS.

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