Welcome on arrival at Kolkata and transfer to 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.

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). Evening free for leisure. 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.

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. 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 is now a World Heritage. Overnight at Darjeeling.

Darjeeling is a land of infinite variety and charm. Dorje, the mystic thunderbolt of Lama Religiongion 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 is followed by a half-day of local sightseeing covering Padmaja N. Zoological Garden (Closed on Thursday) 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 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 Endeavour.” HMI has the oldest mountaineering Museum in other countries 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 homes, fled to the neneighboringountries 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.

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

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 Campo, one of the revered Lamas to have performed the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal (Religious Monarch) of Sikkim. This monastery is meant only for ta – sang (pure) lamas. Lhatsun Chhembo is believed to have described “pure monks” thus| monks of pure Tibetan race, celibate and without any physical deformities. To the present day, it is only monks from Pemayangtse who can enjoy the title “ta-sang”.

Drive (35Kms / 1.5Hrs) to the small village of “Yuksom” – the first capital of Sikkim which is situated at an altitude of 5500ft. Three great Buddhist monks from Tibet arrived here around four hundred years ago and eventfully they enthroned the first King by the name Phintsog Namgyal in the year 1641 which marked the beginning of the Namgyal dynasty which ruled Sikkim for the almost 332 years. Walk and explore this Himalayan village along with the coronation throne with a great Stupa and the remaining palace. Enjoy hot lunch at a local restaurant (cost not included),

Visit the Khecheopalri Lake while driving back to Pemayangtse which is about 7kms from the village. The lake is the holiest and wish-fulfilling. According to Buddhist belief, the lake is the emanation of goddess Tara blessed by Guru Rempoche. The miraculous part of the lake is that surface of the lake remains clean despite it being surrounded by thick forest. Return to the hotel at Pelling, Overnight.

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

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Roomtek Monastery (24Kms) one of the largest Monastery in Eastern Himalayas. It was constructed by His Holiness in the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa in 1960. It is the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim, “The Dharmachakra Centre, a place of erudition and spiritual accomplishment, the seat of the glorious Karmapa.” A Golden Stupa contains the relics of the 16th Karmapa. Opposite that building is a college, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies.


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

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, and 15Mt deep. The lake is considered sacred by the local people. Visit Enchay monastery while returning to the hotel. The ancient Monastery is almost 200 years old and was built by Lama Druptob Karpo. Evening free for leisure and individual activity and leisure, overnight at Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel drive to Kalimpong (80kms /02Hrs) – a quiet hill resort in the eastern Himalayas, Kalimpong is famous for its orchids & Nurseries where some of the rarest cacti and orchids can be seen.

Check in at the hotel and proceed for lunch. Afternoon experience the small Himalayan town starting from Durpin Dara (Hill Top] – a beautiviewpointoint from where small town and the surrounding hills can be enjoyed followed by Zong Dong Palri Fo-Brong Monastery situated beside which belongs to Gelukpa sect. After that proceed to Orchid Nursery followed by a visit to Guangdong Paper Industry which is a Handmade Paper Factory. Hand–made paper making is an ancient craft of the Himalayan hills which is seen mainly in local areas for religious printings of Buddhist scripts. This paper is environmentally friendly and produced from Daffney Flower which is widely found in abundance in the Eastern Himalayan region. After visiting the Hand Made Factory we proceed 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 walking tour through the local market (Hath Bazaar) where you can
experience the colorful life of the local inhabitants of this tiny Himalayan Town. Return to hotel and free till dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning after late breakfast transfer to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (65kms/02hrs). On arrival at Malda town station transfer to Jetty and board ship. Overnight on Cruise.

This morning’s cruise is along a straight canal section to Jangipur, where the afternoon is free to explore this small country town on foot. Experience the full-day excursion by road to Gaur, near the town of Malda, or English Bazar. Explore the rich tapestry of historical influences in the region, traveling from 12th-century Hindu rule to the Muslim capital of Eastern India in just one, quiet and deserted spot. The remains of mosques, palaces, and gateways tell the tale of what was once one of India’s great cities. You rejoin the ship in the evening near Jangipur.

Set sail down the Lower Ganges, a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Moor at Baranagar for the night.

This morning you’ll visit the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar and take a tranquil walk through fields to visit three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples. This is certainly rural India at its most idyllic.

Continue on down past Azimganj, boasting some fine riverside mansions, to Murshidabad where the Nawab’s great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect in 1837, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Carry on to visit the great Katra Mosque before driving out to see the Katgola Palace. Built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the ‘White Mughal’ period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion. Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town.

Sail downstream a short distance then walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden enclosing the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Return to the ship and continue downstream past the old British cantonment of Berhampur. You’ll moor at a rural spot close to the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah to change the course of Indian history. You can walk through the fields to the commemorative obelisk before cruising on to a mooring near Katwa, a market town with narrow bustling bazaars..

Enjoy breakfast onboard the vessel and transfer to the hotel.

Wash and change and start exploring the city of Joy with an introduction about the glory of Bengal, drive through the famous Howrah Bridge and experience a short heritage walk tour around the 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.

After lunch visits the St. Paul’s Cathedral, the first ‘Episcopal Cathedral Church’ in an oriental country, and 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.

Visit the Mother House – the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity and the interesting Kalighat Kali Temple – one of the 52 Shakti Peethas in India, devotees from all over the country come to visit this holy temple. In between, you can also enjoy a short Tram Ride in the crowded streets of Kolkata. Overnight at Hotel.

Continue on to the country town of Kalna. Take cycle rickshaws to see some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 shrinelets. Sailing on, you leave the fields behind and arrive at the outskirts of bustling Kolkata where you land at Hooghly to visit the imposing Imambara. With verses from the Koran written on its walls, the Imambara is an opportunity to step back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal. Sail downstream past fine waterfront buildings and the old Dutch settlement at Chinsura to moor at Chandernagore.

At Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950, you’ll visit the 18th century church and Dupleix Palace, former residence of the Governor-General of French India, before continuing down to Barrackpore. Land and take a walk through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House – to get a better understanding of India’s journey to independence. Subject to river tide, cruise under the Howrah Bridge to reach central Kolkata.

Morning after an early breakfast, Disembark and transfer to central Kolkata or the airport. TOUR ENDS.