Itinerary
- Day 1
Kolkata
You'll arrive in Kolkata and get settled at your hotel. Your tour leader meets you at 5pm for a welcome meeting with optional dinner afterward. If you get there earlier, the Kalighat area is worth a walk through to see the ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Kali and get a feel for the historic neighborhood.
Optional Activities
- Explore Kalighat area
- Dinner with tour group
Landmarks/POIs Kalighat - Day 2
Kolkata
This morning you'll explore Kolkata's major sites with your tour leader, heading through Dalhousie Square to check out the historic churches and Raj-era buildings. You'll also visit ancient temples and see the Victoria Memorial before making your way to Kumartuli, where local potters create colorful idols and clay figures for upcoming festival celebrations.
Included Activities
- Visit St John's Church
- Tour Raj buildings around Dalhousie Square
- Visit Jain and Kali temples
- Visit Victoria Memorial
- Visit Kumartuli clay modeller's village
Landmarks/POIs St John's Church Dalhousie Square Victoria Memorial Kumartuli - Day 3
Kolkata
Start early at the colorful flower market with its bright marigolds, then drive to Belur Math on the sacred Ganges riverbanks. The Ramakrishna Temple has a unique design that resembles a temple, mosque and church from different angles. After that, take a short boat ride to visit the historic Dakshineswar Kali Temple, built by Rani Rasmani in the 19th century.
Included Activities
- Visit flower market
- Visit Belur Math
- Visit Ramakrishna Temple
- Boat ride across Ganges
- Visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Landmarks/POIs Flower Market, Kolkata Belur Math Ramakrishna Temple Dakshineswar Kali Temple - Day 4
Kolkata to Sundarbans
After breakfast you'll travel to the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage mangrove forest home to Bengal tigers, crocodiles and diverse birdlife. Cruise to Sundarban Tiger Camp for lunch and settle in for two nights. Later, head out by boat to explore the Sajnekhali Tiger project area, climb the watch tower to spot wildlife, and visit the nearby heron sanctuary.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Travel to Sundarbans
- Cruise to Sundarban Tiger Camp
- Visit Sajnekhali Tiger project area
- Visit watch tower
- Visit heron sanctuary
Landmarks/POIs Sundarbans Sajnekhali Tiger Project Area - Day 5
Sundarbans
Start early cruising through winding creeks and dense mangrove forests looking for Royal Bengal tigers, fishing cats, leopard cats, macaques and various birds. Visit Dobanke Watch Tower for a canopy walk through the treetops and check out a spotted deer rehabilitation centre. In the afternoon, visit local villages to learn how people live alongside Bengal tigers in this unique environment.
Included Activities
- Early morning wildlife cruise in Sundarbans
- Visit Dobanke Watch Tower
- Canopy walk
- Visit spotted deer rehabilitation centre
- Visit local villages
Landmarks/POIs Dobanke Watch Tower - Day 6
Sundarbans to Kolkata to Darjeeling
Take a final morning cruise to Sudhanyakhali Watch tower, have lunch at Tiger Camp, then head back to Kolkata. After dinner in the city, you'll board the Darjeeling Mail overnight sleeper train. You'll sleep in a second or third class compartment as you travel through India toward Darjeeling.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Final cruise to Sudhanyakhali Watch tower
- Return to Kolkata
- Board Darjeeling Mail overnight sleeper train
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Kolkata city
Landmarks/POIs Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower - Day 7
New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling
You'll arrive at New Jalpaiguri station at 8am, stop for breakfast, then drive to Darjeeling. Perched at 2134m on a mountain ridge with near-vertical streets, this hill station offers magnificent views of Himalayan peaks on clear days. After settling in, take an afternoon orientation walk through town and visit some local tea plantations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at New Jalpaiguri
- Drive to Darjeeling
- Afternoon orientation walk
- Visit tea plantations
Landmarks/POIs Darjeeling - Day 8
Darjeeling
Head out before dawn to Tiger Hill at 2590m to watch the sunrise over Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain, and possibly spot Mount Everest if visibility is clear. Weather and local vehicle restrictions may affect this visit. If that's not possible, you can explore the Mountaineering Institute with its Everest Museum or visit the Tibetan Refugee Centre instead. The afternoon is free to wander through town and take smaller walks.
Included Activities
- Optional dawn visit to Tiger Hill
Optional Activities
- Visit Mountaineering Institute and Everest Museum
- Visit Tibetan Refugee Centre
- Explore Darjeeling town
- Afternoon walks around town
Landmarks/POIs Tiger Hill Kanchenjunga Mount Everest Mountaineering Institute Tibetan Refugee Centre - Day 9
Darjeeling to Ghoom
Ride the narrow-gauge Toy Train to Ghoom Gompa monastery, eight kilometres south of Darjeeling. While traditional steam trains service this route, many now run on diesel. After visiting the monastery, you have the option to walk back to Darjeeling along the scenic ridge track via Allobari village, weather permitting, taking about two hours.
Included Activities
- Toy Train ride to Ghoom Gompa
- Visit Ghoom Gompa monastery
Optional Activities
- Two-hour walk back to Darjeeling via Allobari village along ridge track
Landmarks/POIs Toy Train Line Ghoom Gompa Allobari village - Day 10
Darjeeling to Pelling
You have a long drive today, around eight hours, crossing into the former Kingdom of Sikkim as you head to Pelling. On arrival in town, there's an optional walk to Sanga Choling monastery, approximately one hour each way, if you have the energy after your journey.
Included Activities
- Drive to Pelling
Optional Activities
- Walk to Sanga Choling monastery
Landmarks/POIs Sanga Choling Monastery - Day 11
Pelling
Visit Kecheopelri, the holiest lake in Sikkim, sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. You'll enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake before returning to Pelling. In the afternoon, explore Pemayangste Monastery, the second oldest in Sikkim and one of only 60 still active, established in the 8th century by Padmasambhava.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch at Kecheopelri Lake)
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 long drive today, around eight hours along mountain roads through semi-tropical forests, cardamom plantations and small villages. You'll stop to visit Rabdentse, the former capital of Sikkim, before continuing to Gangtok, the present-day capital. Gangtok sits on a long ridge with vistas of the entire Kanchenjunga range.
Included Activities
- Visit Rabdentse, former capital of Sikkim
- Drive to Gangtok
Landmarks/POIs Rabdentse Gangtok - Day 13
Gangtok
Start exploring Gangtok with the Drodul Chorten, built to commemorate good over evil and surrounded by 108 prayer wheels. Visit the Institute of Tibetology to see rare Buddhist manuscripts, paintings and religious artwork. Spend time at the Tashi Handicraft Centre, which supports Tibetan refugee women with traditional tapestry, knitting and embroidery work. The rest of the day is yours to relax and soak up the city's atmosphere.
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
Drive to Rumtek Gompa on the other side of Ranipul Valley to visit the headquarters of the Kagyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, built in the 1960s as a replica of Tibet's Tsurpu monastery. Religious murals are still being added to today. Continue to Kalimpong, a historic bazaar town that was once an important wool trading post for merchants from Tibet.
Included Activities
- Visit Rumtek Gompa
- Travel to Kalimpong bazaar town
Landmarks/POIs Rumtek Gompa Kalimpong - Day 15
Kalimpong to Phuentsholing
Drive around seven hours through vast tea estates of West Bengal's Gangetic plains toward the Bhutanese border town of Phuentsholing. Approximately one-quarter of India's tea is grown in this region. On arrival, meet your Bhutanese local guide and you'll have time to explore the border town.
Included Activities
- Drive to Phuentsholing
- Meet Bhutanese local guide
- Explore Phuentsholing town
Landmarks/POIs Phuentsholing - Day 16
Phuentsholing to Thimpu
Drive toward Bhutan's capital Thimpu along winding roads, passing paddy fields, apple orchards, pine forests and small hamlets decorated with sculptures of the eight auspicious signs. Thimpu sits in a fertile valley formed by the Wang Chu River. On arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour to see Tashichho Dzong, the religious and political centre of Bhutan.
Included Activities
- Drive to Thimpu
- Sightseeing tour of Thimpu
- Visit Tashichho Dzong
Landmarks/POIs Tashichho Dzong Thimpu - Day 17
Thimpu
Spend the full day at Thimpu's annual festival, one of the largest celebrations in Bhutan. Watch colorful traditional chhams dances performed in elaborate masks to ward off evil spirits. Locals see the festival as both a break from daily life and an opportunity to receive blessings and pray for health and happiness in the year ahead.
Included Activities
- Attend Thimpu Festival
- Watch traditional chhams dances
- Observe festival celebrations
Landmarks/POIs Thimpu Festival Grounds - Day 18
Thimpu
Continue enjoying Thimpu's colorful annual festival with its celebrations, dances and overall excitement. Spend the day taking in the full festival experience. In the afternoon, you'll have some free time to relax in the capital.
Included Activities
- Continue festival celebrations
- Watch festival dances
Optional Activities
- Free time to relax in Thimpu
- Day 19
Thimpu to Punakha
Travel toward Punakha, climbing through oak, pine and rhododendron forest to reach Dochu La Pass at 3050m. Weather permitting, you'll see magnificent views across the mountains toward Gangar Pensum at 7541m, Bhutan's tallest mountain. Drop down into Punakha's benign climate where orange and banana groves flourish with Himalayan peaks in view. Tonight, camp in two-man walk-in tents with thick mattresses and bedding, enjoying traditional Bhutanese meals and a campfire.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Bhutanese meal in dining tent)
Included Activities
- Cross Dochu La Pass
- Drive to Punakha
- Camp experience with traditional meals
Optional Activities
- Traditional hot stone bath
Landmarks/POIs Dochu La Pass Gangar Pensum Punakha - Day 20
Punakha to Paro
Visit Punakha Dzong in the morning, built in 1637 on a sand bank where two rivers meet. This sacred dzong served as the seat of government until 1960 and showcases fine Bhutanese monastic architecture with tiered rectangular buildings and golden spires. In the afternoon, drive around five hours back to Paro.
Included Activities
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Drive to Paro
Landmarks/POIs Punakha Dzong - Day 21
Paro
Climb up to Taktsang, the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery clinging to a cliff face. According to local legend, Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan and founded the Drukpa Sect, flew here on the back of a tigress to establish the first monastery. In the afternoon, visit a local farm to sample yak butter tea and enjoy a group talk with the farm host.
- Meals
- Lunch (Yak butter tea at local farm)
Included Activities
- Climb to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery)
- Visit local farm
- Sample yak butter tea
- Group talk with farm host
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang - Day 22
Paro to Kathmandu
Fly the short distance to Kathmandu, Nepal's bustling capital. On arrival, take a walking tour of the bazaar and Durbar Square area, the heart of old Kathmandu. Explore the winding alleyways filled with fruit, vegetable and spice sellers, and potters making bowls and temple offerings. You'll spot small shrines and sacred cows wandering through the lively streets.
Included Activities
- Flight to Kathmandu
- Walking tour of bazaar
- Visit Durbar Square area
Landmarks/POIs Durbar Square Kathmandu Bazaar - Day 23
Kathmandu
Your tour ends today with no activities planned, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, the hotel can store your luggage.
