10 Days of Tea with Himalayas

Arrive at Kolkata International airport. Meet our representative who will assist you for transfers to your hotel.

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of India's West Bengal state. Founded as an East India Company trading post, it was India's capital under the British Raj from 1773–1911. Today it’s known for its grand colonial architecture, art galleries and cultural festivals. It’s also home to Mother House, headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, whose tomb is on site. On arrival check in to hotel, leisure and overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Kolkata

After breakfast, We will also be visiting the Victoria Memorial (Closed on Monday) The delightful marble building of Victoria Memorial exhibits some of the finest collections of paintings from the colonial era. From images of famous people to paintings of Indian princes and rulers, the collection displays a range of collection.

Later, we will also visit the St. Paul’s Cathedral, known as the first Episcopal Church of the eastern world. Besides, being a religious site, the cathedral is also an architectural delight. St. Paul‘s Cathedral is 247 feet in length, 81 feet in width and 114 feet at transept.

Visit Kalighat Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Sthals of India, is one of the most visited Kali temples in India. The spot is where the toes of Sati's right foot fell during Shiva's Rudra Taandav naach.

Indian Museum, Kolkata (Closed on Monday):- The ninth oldest museum of the world and largest in India, the Indian Museum is located in the old city of Kolkata. The foundation stone of the Indian Museum was laid down in the year 1814 and has been a centre of multidisciplinary activities ever since. Popularly known as 'Jadughar', it exhibits some of the finest collection of historical importance ranging from contemporary paintings and a sacred relic of Buddha to Egyptian mummies and ancient sculptures. In addition to these, the Indian Museum boasts of some of the most exquisite collections of ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armours, and stunning Mughal paintings.

Visit Mother House (Closed on Thursday) :- The Mother House in Kolkata is the Missionaries of Charity’s main House. It is a holy place of pilgrimage and reverence to the selfless Mother. The blessed Mother Teresa founded the house in 1950 with the purpose of selfless service to mankind. She dedicated her entire life to help the plagued humanity. She loved the unwanted and showed the society the path to salvation.

We will then visit the College Street Book Market, Kolkatans are well-known for their passion for books and this area is a treasure for the book lovers of the city - you can find of them every day spending hours reading new books or bargaining for buying an old book. Some of the Kolkata‘s most famous academic institutions like Kolkata University, Presidency College, Kolkata Medical College and Sanskrit College are also located in this street. Closed on Sunday & National Holidays.

Our next stop is at the Indian Coffee house and get engaged in an informal chat with university students. Also known as "Albert Hall", this is the most favourite gathering place for the writers, thinkers, artists and students for many decades. Casual chatting for hours about any issue is the most favourite social activity of any Bengali and here in this large historical and legendary coffee house you can find hundreds of Kolkatan's discussing about their favourite issue over a cup of coffee.

Overnight at Hotel in Kolkata

After early breakfast, check out from hotel and get transferred to Kolkata airport and fly to Bagdogra.

Arrive at Bagdogra airport. Meet our representative and get transferred to Darjeeling by AC Vehicle. (Distance of 69km 3 to 4 hours travel time by car)

DARJEELING: Standing high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2134m, ‘Dorje Ling’, or place of the Thunderbolt, offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountain peaks, with the Kanchendzonga rising higher than all the others. Often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as alluring with its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a narrow gauge railway track. Surrounded by World Famous Tea Gardens and snow capped mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the most exotic destinations. Graeme Westlake in his book ‘ An introduction to hill stations on India’ refers to Darjeeling as having “A view Scarcely Unrivalled on Earth”. On arrival, check in to hotel.

Overnight at Hotel in Darjeeling

Breakfast at the hotel and go to Enjoy toy train ride.

Toy Train

The spectacular landscape unfolds as the 2-foot gauge Darjeeling Himalayan railway, opened in 1881, labors at about 10 mph criss-crossing the road. It has tiny 4-wheel locomotives (some over 100 years old) like living legends. One can experience the sound, smell and romance of a bygone era. DHR is a work of genius and technological achievement of 1881. It has social and cultural importance. It is beautiful and has outstanding universal appeal. Based on its unique features, it is considered to be of lasting significance to mankind.

After breakfast, go for sightseeing tour of Darjeeling.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute/Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: (closed on Thursday)- . The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was started in Darjeeling when Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest to give training to learn Mountaineering and other adventure sports related to mountaineering and in that Institute one can see equipment etc. used by Mr. Tenzing Norgay and Everest Museum having complete details on Everest attached to institute one can visit Himalayan Zoological Park. Where one can see Himalayan animals like Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black Bear and several varieties of birds.

Also visit Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda- The temple is also known as the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple. The two storied white building was built in a traditional Japanese style in the year 1972. Close to the temple is the Peace Pagoda that showcases four avatars of Lord Buddha.

Our tour also includes a visit to the Mall road, Botanical Garden & Bhutia Busty while our time in Darjeeling. Later we will drive back to our hotel.

Overnight at Hotel in Darjeeling

Early morning go for a Hike to Tiger Gill.

You will be picked and driven to Tiger hill 14km morning at 4am It will take about an hour to reach Tiger hill.

Tiger hill is the highest point in Darjeeling hills at an altitude of 8482 feet (or 2590 meters) and 11km (6.8 miles ) away from Darjeeling town. The view of Kanchenjunga pick from Tiger hill is very clearly seen if the weather is clear with blue sky and the scenery is breath-taking.

After having the breath-taking view from tiger hill, start your hike towards to Jorbanglow about 4 km and visit a famous Buddhist monastery called Yiga Choeling Monastery since 1850 is 150 Year Oldest Monastery in Darjeeling. After visiting monastery back to Jorbanglow trek through Alubari road which is 7 km back to Darjeeling. On the way visit another monastery named Alubari monastery, the actual name of the monastery is Yolmowa Mak Dhog Monastery which was build in the year 1914. Later we continues your hike to Darjeeling via Tenzing norgay Road in local language call Alubari road (Alu means Potato - Bari Means Land so you finish your hike at Churasta meaning four road meeting point.

(Hike Duration: 03 hours approx. )

After breakfast, Spend some time at leisure.

Visit to the Ghoom Monastery:- This is oldest Monastery in the area which was built in 1875 and one can see the image of Mythey Buddha 15ft. height on the way back from Tiger Hill.

Afternoon, visit Tibetan Refugee Centre (closed on Sunday) – Established in 1959, this refugee centre includes a Tibetan Buddhist temple, workshops producing carpets, woodcarvings, wool and woollen items, plus a home for the aged, a kindergarten and a clinic. Visitors are welcome to wander through the workshops.

Visit Happy Valley Tea Estate and learn all that goes in to processing tea.

Evening, We walk along the Observatory Hill that offers nice views of the mountains and the town below. The walk climaxes at the Chowrasta where 4 paths meet. It would be lovely to amble along the bazaars and restaurants. A favourite spot would be the 1st floor of the Keventers Restaurant that serves typical English food. Also great views of the downtown are to be had from here.

Bhutia Basti – An unusual blend of Tibetan-Nepalese architecture, Bhutia Basti Gompa is a storehouse of rare artefacts that include the ancient Buddha texts. The oldest monastery in Darjeeling, it was earlier built on Observatory Hill in 1765. The Nepalese sacked it in 1815 and then this revered structure found a place near St. Andrews Church in 1861. Finally, it was moved to Bhutia Basti which is its present location in 1879.

After breakfast, check out from hotel and drive to Pelling.

PELLING- Located at a distance of 120 kms from Gangtok Pelling is another serene, mountain village which lies in the western districts of Sikkim. This village is situated at an altitude of 2000 mts(approx) and the distance from this village to the mount Kanchandzonga, as a crow flies…is 26 kms approx.

On arrival, check in to hotel, leisure and overnight at hotel.

Overnight at Pelling

Early in the morning – walking tour (45 min walk from Pelling) to the Sangacholing Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim

After breakfast visit PEMEYANGSTE MONASTERY.

2.5 Kms. from Pelling and standing at 2085m. The Perfect Sublime Lotus, perched on a wooded hilltop, commands the most sublime view of the Khangchendzong.

Built during the late 17th century, it is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism in Sikkim. To the present day, it is only the monks of this monastery who enjoy the title of ‘Tasang’ or pure monks. The importance of this monastery grew with time and reached its peak when only monks from this monastery could anoint the reigning sovereign of the land with holy water.

Pemayangtse monastery follows the Mindroling tradition besides holding the lineage of Lhatsun Chenpo. Mindroling monastery was founded by Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje whose famous daughter Jetsun Migyur Paldon lived near Pemayangtse and taught there during her exile. Her stone throne is still to be seen in this monastery, which has 108 monks. The main attraction of the monastery is the wooden replica of Zangdog Palri; the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava built by Serdup Lhundrup Dorje Rinpoche in 1971. The annual chaam (monk dance) is held here on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar.

Visit Khecheopalri Lake Khecheopalri Lake is a Holy Lake for Buddhists in West Sikkim, in Sikkim, the tiny Himalayan former Buddhist Kingdom in eastern India, now a part of the democratic republic. Khechipalri is also considered as a wish fulfilling lake and has thousands of non-Buddhist believers who pray here. The real name of the lake is Sho Dzo Sho, meaning “Oh Lady, Sit Here”, but is commonly known as Khachoedpaldri lake because it sits on the lap of Khachoedpaldri, a very sacred hill.

Rabdentse- Sikkim’s second capital. The ruins of Rabdantse are worth exploring. The winding track through the forest brings you to a small set of ruins of the early town and eventually on the ruins of the palace with Chorten (stupa) nearby. Farther afield are the Changay Falls.

Overnight at Pelling

After early breakfast, check out from hotel and travel to Gangtok.

GANGTOK: At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid 19th century and has undergone rapid development since then. The downtown area is dominated by huge government buildings decorated with traditional Buddhist symbols. Gangtok is also a testing ground for people traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a travellers delight. On arrival at Gangtok, check in to hotel, leisure and overnight at hotel. On arrival, check in to hotel, leisure and overnight at hotel.

Overnight at Gangtok

After early breakfast, proceed for full day sightseeing of Gangtok.

Rumtek Monastery: -24 Kms. from Gangtok is the awe -inspiring Rumtek Monastery the world Dharma chakra Centre and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the main monastery is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies, which attracts students from the world over. Opposite the entrance to the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten the Golden Stupa, which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness the xvi Gyalwa Karmapa.

The Do Drul Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the Jhang Chub Chorten, built in the memory of Thrukshik Rinpoche, an ardent devotee, a great spirtualist and interpreter of Buddhism. Near the Chorten are housed two giant statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim.

Directorate Of Handloom And Handicrafts: -This Directorate was set up to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Exquisitely carved wooden friezes, intricate bamboo work, along with beautiful hand woven carpets and handlooms are on exhibit here. Visitors can not only purchase these items here but also see the artisans at work. Among others, a favourite item here is the choktse a wooden table with carved panels that can be folded into a portable pack.

Visit Hanuman Tok- Hanuman Tok is a very famous temple of Gangtok which is named after Lord Hanuman and is a maintained by the Indian Army. The temple also gives an amazing view of the Kanchenjunga peak which is the third highest peak in the world.

MG Marg- MG Road is the heart of Gangtok and its most happening place. It is the central shopping hub of this beautiful state capital with various shops, restaurants, and hotels lined up along both sides. It's an open mall or boulevard square. The area is widely regarded to be the town centre and is the best shopping destination for tourists. This is a great place for the tourists to take a leisurely stroll or just sit on the benches and revel in the eclectic ambience.

Overnight at Hotel in Gangtok

After breakfast, check out from hotel and proceed to Bagdogra airport to board your flight to your native place.