Itinerary
- Day 1
Kolkata
You'll arrive in Kolkata and meet your tour leader at the hotel by 5pm for a welcome meeting, with dinner available if you're interested. If you get there early, there's time to check out the historic Kalighat area and its ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Kali.
Optional Activities
- Stroll around the Kalighat area and visit the temple dedicated to the goddess Kali
- Dinner with tour group
Landmarks/POIs Kalighat - Day 2
Kolkata
This day covers Kolkata's main attractions starting with St John's Church and the historic Raj buildings at Dalhousie Square. You'll also see Jain and Kali temples, then head to the Victoria Memorial to appreciate its mix of European and Mughal design. Later, you'll walk through the clay modeller's village of Kumartuli where artisans craft colorful idols for the annual festivals.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of St John's Church
- Visit historic Raj buildings around Dalhousie Square
- Visit Jain and Kali temples
- Visit Victoria Memorial
- Visit clay modeller's village of Kumartuli
Landmarks/POIs St John's Church Dalhousie Square Victoria Memorial Kumartuli - Day 3
Kolkata
Start early at the vibrant flower market filled with marigolds, then drive to Belur Math on the sacred Ganges River. After exploring the tranquil site and its unique Ramakrishna temple designed to reflect multiple religions, you'll take a boat across the river to Dakshineswar Kali Temple, built by the wealthy widow Rani Rasmani in the 19th century.
Included Activities
- Visit colourful flower market
- Visit Belur Math on the banks of the Ganges
- Visit Ramakrishna temple
- Boat ride across the river
- Visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Landmarks/POIs Belur Math Ramakrishna Temple Dakshineswar Kali Temple - Day 4
Kolkata to Sundarbans
Following breakfast, you'll leave Kolkata for the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site with one of the planet's largest mangrove forests and Royal Bengal tigers. A short cruise brings you to Sundarban Tiger Camp, where you'll stay for two nights. After lunch, you'll head out by boat to the Sajnekhali Tiger project area to visit its museum, watch tower, and nearby heron sanctuary.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cruise to Sundarban Tiger Camp
- Visit Sajnekhali Tiger project area
- Visit museum at Sajnekhali
- Access to watch tower for wildlife spotting
- Visit heron sanctuary
Landmarks/POIs Sundarbans Sajnekhali Tiger project area - Day 5
Sundarbans
You'll start early with boat cruises through winding creeks and dense mangrove forests searching for Royal Bengal tigers. The day includes a visit to Dobanke Watch Tower with a canopy walk through the treetops and a stop at the spotted deer rehabilitation centre. In the afternoon, you'll visit local villages to learn about life alongside Bengal tigers and the region's unique challenges.
Included Activities
- Boat cruises through mangrove forest
- Visit Dobanke Watch Tower
- Canopy walk in the treetops
- Visit spotted deer rehabilitation centre
- Visit local villages
Landmarks/POIs Dobanke Watch Tower - Day 6
Sundarbans to Kolkata to Darjeeling
Take a final cruise to Sudhanyakhali Watch tower, then have lunch at the Tiger Camp before returning to Kolkata by afternoon. That evening you'll have a meal in the city, then board the Darjeeling Mail overnight sleeper train to experience authentic Indian train travel and meet locals during the journey.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Final cruise in Sundarbans
- Visit Sudhanyakhali Watch tower
- Lunch at Tiger Camp
- Overnight sleeper train to Darjeeling
Optional Activities
- Evening meal in Kolkata
Landmarks/POIs Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower - Day 7
New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling
The train arrives at New Jalpaiguri at 8am. After breakfast, you'll drive to Darjeeling at 2134m on a mountain ridge. You can relax after the journey, then take an afternoon orientation walk with chances to see tea plantations. On clear days, you'll get views of snowy Himalayan peaks from the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at New Jalpaiguri
- Drive to Darjeeling
- Afternoon orientation walk of town
- View tea plantations
Landmarks/POIs Darjeeling - Day 8
Darjeeling
You'll head to Tiger Hill at 2590m for a dawn excursion to see the sunrise over Kanchenjunga at 8586m and other eastern Himalayan peaks. On exceptionally clear mornings, Mt Everest may be visible. The rest of the day is free, so you can explore Darjeeling, visit the Mountaineering Institute with its Everest Museum, or check out the Tibetan Refugee centre.
Included Activities
- Dawn excursion to Tiger Hill
Optional Activities
- Visit Mountaineering Institute and Everest Museum
- Visit Tibetan Refugee centre
- Explore smaller walks around town
Landmarks/POIs Tiger Hill Kanchenjunga Mountaineering Institute Tibetan Refugee centre - Day 9
Darjeeling
You'll ride the famous Toy Train, a narrow-gauge railway, to Ghoom Gompa monastery eight kilometers south of Darjeeling. Weather permitting, there's an option to walk back to Darjeeling along the scenic ridge track via Allobari village.
Included Activities
- Toy Train ride to Ghoom Gompa
Optional Activities
- Two-hour walk back to Darjeeling along scenic ridge track via Allobari village
Landmarks/POIs Ghoom Gompa - Day 10
Darjeeling to Pelling
An eight-hour drive takes you to Pelling as you cross into the former Kingdom of Sikkim, annexed by India in 1975. On arrival, there's an optional one-hour walk each way to the Sanga Choling monastery if you're interested.
Included Activities
- Drive to Pelling
Optional Activities
- Walk to Sanga Choling monastery
Landmarks/POIs Sanga Choling monastery - Day 11
Pelling
You'll visit Kecheopelri, known as the Wishing Lake and considered the holiest lake in Sikkim. Buddhists and Hindus come here as pilgrims, and you'll have a picnic lunch by the water before returning to Pelling. In the afternoon, you'll explore Pemayangste Monastery, the second oldest in Sikkim, established in the 8th century and devoted to Tantric Buddhism.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch at Kecheopelri)
Included Activities
- Visit Kecheopelri (Wishing Lake)
- Picnic lunch at the lake
- Visit Pemayangste Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Kecheopelri Pemayangste Monastery - Day 12
Pelling to Gangtok
Another eight-hour drive along mountain roads takes you through semi-tropical forests, cardamom plantations, and small villages. You'll stop at Rabdentse, the former capital of Sikkim, before continuing to Gangtok, the present capital. The town sits on a ridge flanking the Ranipul River with views of the Kanchenjunga range.
Included Activities
- Visit Rabdentse, former capital of Sikkim
- Drive to Gangtok
Landmarks/POIs Rabdentse Gangtok - Day 13
Gangtok
You'll explore Gangtok starting with the Drodul Chorten and its 108 prayer wheels. Next, visit the Institute of Tibetology to see rare books, manuscripts, religious paintings, and statues. Spend time at the Tashi Handicraft Centre, which supports Tibetan refugee women making traditional ornate tapestry, knitting, and embroidery. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Included Activities
- Visit Drodul Chorten
- Visit Institute of Tibetology
- Visit Tashi Handicraft Centre
Landmarks/POIs Drodul Chorten Institute of Tibetology Tashi Handicraft Centre - Day 14
Gangtok to Kalimpong
You'll drive to Rumtek Gompa on the other side of the Ranipul Valley, the headquarters of the Kagyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This monastery was built in the 1960s as a replica of Tsurpu monastery in Tibet, and you can observe religious murals still being added. From there, you'll continue to the bazaar town of Kalimpong, once an important trading post for Tibetan wool merchants.
Included Activities
- Visit Rumtek Gompa
Landmarks/POIs Rumtek Gompa Kalimpong - Day 15
Kalimpong to Phuentsholing
A seven-hour drive brings you to the Bhutanese border town of Phuentsholing, passing through vast tea estates of the Gangetic plains of Bengal. About one-quarter of India's tea grows in West Bengal state. You'll meet your Bhutanese local guide on arrival and have time to wander through town.
Included Activities
- Drive to Phuentsholing
- Meet Bhutanese local guide
Optional Activities
- Explore Phuentsholing town
Landmarks/POIs Phuentsholing - Day 16
Phuentsholing to Thimpu
You'll drive towards Thimpu along winding roads, passing paddy fields, apple orchards, pine forests, and small hamlets protected by sculptures of the eight auspicious signs. Thimpu sits in a fertile valley formed by the Wang Chu River. On arrival, you'll take a sightseeing tour to see Tashichho Dzong, the religious and political centre of Bhutan.
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Thimpu
- Visit Tashichho Dzong
Landmarks/POIs Tashichho Dzong - Day 17
Thimpu to Punakha
The drive to Punakha climbs through oak, pine, and rhododendron forest to reach Dochu La Pass at 3050m with views toward Gangar Pensum at 7541m, Bhutan's tallest mountain. You'll drop into the valley where Punakha's warm climate allows orange and banana groves to flourish. Your accommodation consists of walk-in tents with thick mattresses on the banks of the Mo Chu River, with traditional hot stone baths available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Bhutanese meal)
Included Activities
- Drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass
Optional Activities
- Traditional hot stone bath
Landmarks/POIs Dochu La Pass Gangar Pensum Mo Chu River - Day 18
Punakha to Paro
You'll visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 on a sandbank where the Mochu and Phochu rivers meet. This sacred dzong served as the seat of Bhutanese government until 1960 and shows traditional Bhutanese monastic architecture with tiered buildings and golden spires. In the afternoon, you'll drive west to Paro, a journey of around five hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Drive to Paro
Landmarks/POIs Punakha Dzong - Day 19
Paro
You'll climb up to Taktsang, known as Tiger's Nest Monastery, which clings to a cliff face. Local legend says Guru Rinpoche, who founded the Drukpa Sect and brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a tigress. In the afternoon, you'll visit a local farm to try yak butter tea and hear from the farm host about life there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Climb to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery)
- Visit local farm
- Yak butter tea tasting
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery) - Day 20
Paro to Kathmandu
You'll fly to Kathmandu, the bustling Nepalese capital. On arrival, take a walking tour through the bazaar and Durbar Square, the centre of old Kathmandu. You'll see fruit and vegetable sellers, potters making household bowls, small shrines tucked among winding alleyways, and sacred cows wandering through the daily activity.
Included Activities
- Flight to Kathmandu
- Walking tour of bazaar
- Visit Durbar Square
Landmarks/POIs Durbar Square - Day 21
Kathmandu
The tour ends today at your hotel in Kathmandu with no activities planned. You're free to depart at any time, and luggage storage is available if your flight leaves later in the day.
