India · Religious & Spiritual

Colonial Kolkata, Tea Estate & Buddhist Monasteries

9 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in Kolkata. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Kolkata’s colonial-era landmarks, including Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge
  • 02 Watch sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill in Darjeeling
  • 03 Enjoy a Toy Train Joyride on the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
  • 04 Visit tea estates and scenic Himalayan hill towns
  • 05 Discover sacred Buddhist sites including Rumtek Monastery and Kechopalri Monastery
  • 06 See waterfalls, lakes, and mountain viewpoints across Pelling, Gangtok, and Kalimpong
  • 07 Excursion to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir from Gangtok
  • 08 Private transport, breakfast, monument entrances, and guided sightseeing included

Discover eastern India on a 9-day journey that blends colonial heritage, Himalayan scenery, tea country, and Buddhist culture. Begin in Kolkata with visits to landmark sights including Fort William, Victoria Memorial, Netaji Bhawan, Howrah Bridge, and Dakshineswar Kali Temple before flying north to the hills.

In Darjeeling, watch the sunrise from Tiger Hill, ride the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and explore monasteries, museums, a tea estate, and panoramic viewpoints. Continue through Pelling, Gangtok, and Kalimpong to experience sacred lakes, waterfalls, monasteries, mountain roads, and sweeping Himalayan views.

With breakfast, private transport, monument entrances, and guided sightseeing included, this itinerary offers a rich introduction to the history, spirituality, and natural beauty of Kolkata and the Eastern Himalayas.

Discover eastern India on a 9-day journey that blends colonial heritage, Himalayan scenery, tea country, and Buddhist culture.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Calcutta, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kalimpong, Pelling
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrive KolkataOn arrival at Kolkata airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to room’s availability). Rest time free for personal activities relax.Overnight at Hotel

2
Day 02

KolkataBreakfast at hotel, full day city tour of Kolkata. Visit Fort William built during the early years of the Bengal Presidency of British India, Extends over an area of 70.9 hectares on the eastern banks of the River Hooghly one of most enduring Raj-era edifices. Victoria Memorial the immaculate white memorial bounded by verdant greenery and broad roads is dedicated to Queen Victoria. Inside the memorial there is a museum where you can see the dresses of the queen as well as different kinds of weapons used during that era. Netaji Bhawan a building maintained as a memorial and research center to the life of the Indian nationalist "Netaji" Subhas Chandra Bose. The house, built by Bose's father in 1909, is owned and managed by the Netaji Research Bureau and includes a museum, archives and library. Howrah Bridge one of the most popular bridges of India also known as the gateway of Kolkata. Built on the river Hooghly it is one of the major Kolkata attractions and people from different part of the country come here especially to witness this amazingly structured bridge. Dakshineswar Kali Temple one of the major pilgrimage center in the city that is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Located on the bank of River Hoogly, the temple compound maintains a large courtyard with rooms along the boundary walls, twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, a bathing ghat on the river and a shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni.Overnight at hotel.

3
Day 03

Kolkata - Bagdogra (flight) / Bagdogra – Darjeeling (62kms/ 2hrs Approx)Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Bagdogra. On arrival at Bagdogra airport meet your driver and proceed to Darjeeling check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.Overnight at hotel.

4
Day 04

DarjeelingEarly morning around 3:45 AM pick up from your hotel and drive to 8000 feet / 2440 meters through primitive forests of oak, to Tiger Hill to view sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak (subject to clear weather). On the way back visit Ghoom Monastery, Peace memorial & Batasia Loop. Return to hotel from breakfast. Thenafter breakfast next round of city tour which includes Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday), Ropeway, Tensing Gumpo Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center (Closed on Sunday), Tea Estate, Natural History Museum (Sunday Closed) & Peace Pagoda. Toy Train Joyride on Darjeeling Himalayan Rail track (UNESCO World Heritage Site) operate from Darjeeling to Ghum and back via Batasia Loop covering a total distance of 14kms, roughly 2-hour round trip. Overnight stay at Darjeeling. Evening free to explore the market.Overnight at hotel.

5
Day 05

Darjeeling – Pelling (75kms/ 3hrs Approx)Breakfast at hotel, drive to Pelling check in at hotel. Later city tour visiting beautiful Rimbi water Falls, Rimbi Rock Garden, Kechopalri Lake this high altitude lake is one of the holy Buddhist lake and it is believed that any wish in front of the lake comes true. Myth is that when a leaf falls on the placid clear water surface, it is picked by a bird and thus the water surface is always free of leaves. Kechopalri Monastery and Kanchenjunga water Falls. Rest time to explore the sight of you interest.Overnight at hotel.

6
Day 06

Pelling – Gangtok (120kms/ 4hrs Approx)Breakfast at hotel drive to Gangtok passing thru Temi, Taraku, Singtam, Rangpo & Ranipool. The journey is surrounded by lush green forests and Tea Gardens with eye catching picturesque view. On the way stop and have a sip of local Sikkimese tea. Gangtok is brims with awe-inspiring natural wonders, from mighty snow-capped mountains to enchanting lush green forests. Arrive and check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.Overnight at Hotel

7
Day 07

GangtokBreakfast at hotel, excursion to Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir, nearly 40kms / 2hrs drive along the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, the home to the red panda and the blood pheasant with Rhododendron and other alpine trees along the road situated at an elevation of 3753 meters / 12310 feet. The Lake is oval shaped nearly 50 feet deep, generally covered in snow for most of the year and a home to the Brahmini ducks & many migratory birds. Nearby is the sacred Baba Mandir known to be a very holy site for all. Back to Gangtok, evening free to roam around M G Road (The Mall).Overnight at hotel.

8
Day 08

Gangtok – Kalimpong (75kms/ 2hrs Approx)Breakfast at hotel. Visit Rumtek Monastery a three stories high standout amongst the most imperative and noteworthy monasteries, and a must visit in Gangtok. The religious community takes after the school of Tibetan Buddhism and is particularly eminent for its Kagyu lessons. Bakthang Waterfall an eye-catching attraction that no tourist ever want to miss. Flowing from Ratey Chu, it is a broad waterfall that creates a soothing environment for the visitors to enjoy. Tashi Viewpoint you can observe the glorious Himalayas from Tashi Viewpoint that will be your binocular to scrutinise the seeking view of snow peaks. Ganesh Tok an ancient temple of Lord Ganesha that has a pleasant aura, colourful buntings surrounding the temple. Enchey Monastery a 200 years old monastery which was initially established as a small gompa by a tantric artist and renowned exponent among highlander Buddhists, Lama DrupthobKarpo. Enchey Monastery literally means “the Solitary Temple” which now is home to almost 90 monks. Tourists are quite fascinated by the place because it accommodates a number of religious objects and presents Tibetan culture in a beguiling manner. Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom here you can buy the majestic artefacts such as Thanka painting, traditional carpets, wooden carved and colourfully painted sculptures and much more.

After sightseeing drive to Kalimpong check in at hotel.Overnight at hotel.

9
Day 09

Kalimpong – Bagdogra (75kms/ 2hrs Approx) / Bagdogra - Kolkata (flight)Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Kalimpong perched on a ridge above the Teesta River. tt’s home to colonial-era buildings like MacFarlane Memorial Church named after a Scottish missionary & Dr. Graham's Homes founded in 1900 a missionary of the Church of Scotland who settled in Kalimpong and worked with the local community for several years during the turn of the 20th century. Also visit Durpin Monastery which contains sacred Buddhist scriptures. Deolo Park the landscaped gardens offers views of the town and surrounding hills.

Later transfer to Bagdogra airport to board flight for Kolkata. From Kolkata Board connecting flight for onward destination.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Kolkata. 5 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Breakfast
  • Assistance on arrival at the airport.
  • 8 Nights' accommodation (if option selected) in selected price category hotels.
  • Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
  • English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program
  • Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Bottled drinking water in the car.
  • Government taxes.

What's Not Included

  • Any flight ticket.
  • Camera charges at monuments if any.
  • Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet, etc.
  • Gratuities and optional activities.

Know before you go

  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Hotels used or similar Kolkata x 2 nights 3* - Regenta Orko's/ The Fern Residency 4* - The Peerless Inn/ The Fern Residency 5* - ITC Sonar, a Luxury Collection/ The Lalit Great Eastern Darjeeling x 2 nights 3* - Central Heritage Resort & Spa/ Omega Residency 4* - Elgin Hotel/ The Royal Plaza 5* - Mayfair/ Windamere Hotel Pelling x 1 night 3* - Green Leaf Resort/ The Pelling Resort 4* & 5* - Elgin Mt. Pandim/ Chumbi Mountain Retreat & Spa Gangtok x 2 nights 3* - Tamarind Hotels/ Hotel New Orchid 4* - Elgin NorKhill/ Saramsa Resort 5* - Mayfair Spa Resort & Casino/ WelcomHeritage Denzong Regency Kalimpong x 1 night 3* - Kalimpong Village Retreat/ Summit Barsana Resort & Spa 4* - Elgin Silver Oaks/ Sinclairs Retreat 5* - Mayfair Himalayan Spa Resort/ Morgan House Tourist Lodge

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Kolkata.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Kolkata.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Kolkata..

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