Hill Stations of the Himalayas
A floating hotel in Calcutta, the tea plantations of Darjeeling and Sikkim
In Brief
| Flight - 1 night. Kolkata - 2 nights. Darjeeling - 2 nights. Pelling - 2 nights. Gangtok - 2 nights. Kolkata - 1 night. Flight - 1 night. |
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow or London Gatwick via Dubai to Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) arriving the following morning.
Day 2 Transfer to the 4-star Hindustan International for a two-night stay (Floatel Oct 2010-Feb 2011).
Day 3 Morning visit to the flower market, Belur Math and a boat across the Ganges to the Dakshinashwar Temple. In the afternoon, visit the Jain temple, the Kalighat Temple and the book market.
Day 4 Morning flight to Bagdogra and a steep uphill drive to Darjeeling (2,100m). Spend two nights at Hotel Cedar Inn. Transportation from Bagdogra is by 4-wheel drive.
Day 5 Early morning visit to Tiger Hill for sunrise over the Himalayas. Continue to Ghoom Monastery before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Later that morning travel by ‘toy train’ to the highest railway station in India. One of only three railways in the world to be granted World Heritage status, the locomotives were made in Manchester. Afternoon tour of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the zoo and snow leopard breeding centre (when available).
Day 6 Leave Bengal for Sikkim, one of India’s smallest states. En route visit a tea garden. Spend two nights at Norbu Ghang Resort at Pelling (2,100m). All guest rooms enjoy views of the mountains.
Day 7 Full-day tour to Khecheopalri Lake, the Pemeyangste Monastery and the ruins of Rabdentse, Sikkim’s second city.
Day 8 Travel eastwards to Gangtok, the modern-day capital of Sikkim. Stay two nights at the family-run Rhenock Villas, located in an elevated position overlooking Gangtok. Visit Rumtek Monastery en route to the hotel.
Day 9 Enjoy spectacular scenery on this short drive to Tsomgo Lake at an altitude of 3,300 metres and not far from the India-China border.
Day 10 Drive from Gangtok to Bagdogra for an early afternoon flight to Kolkata and a final night at the Hindustan International (Floatel in 2010).
Day 11 Morning sightseeing includes Victoria Memorial, Dalhousie Square, St. John’s Church, Howrah Bridge and a panoramic drive around colonial Calcutta. Transfer to the airport for the return flight to London via Dubai.
Day 12 Morning arrival into Heathrow or Gatwick.
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