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11-Day Culture Tour of Bengal and Sikkim

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Overview

India is filled with diversity, and this trip will show you just a small part of it.

Starting in Kolkata, you'll travel higher and higher, taking time to trek and hike around tea garden and through Singalila National Park in West Bengal where you'll be able to see the peaks of Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet before stopping in Darjeeling to adjust to the climate a little more and to learn about life at such a high altitude.

Your India culture tour finishes in Sikkim, a state in India that is landlocked by Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. You'll learn about Gangtok, a cosmopolitan town with an energetic vibe. With its positioning comes a unique culture, approach to life, and history with many Tibetan Lamas coming through Gangtok and establishing monasteries here.

This is a challenging journey that will have you leaving with amazing memories of the spectacular views and experiences of this trip.
Culture & Arts
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature
Hiking & Trekking
Cruising
Community Giving
Food & Drink

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kolkata

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Arrival in Kolkata

On your arrival at Kolkata International Airport, you will be greeted warmly by our representative, who will give you a short brief on your India culture tour and the city. We take you to your pre-booked hotel and assist you with check-in. Choose to have lunch at your hotel or go to the city centre and explore the traditional Bengali cuisine in the Esplanade area. A must-try is famous Bengali fish – Ilsha or Vetki. After lunch, you can go for a stroll around and absorb the city around you.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Peerless Inn4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in KolkataOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport to The Peerless Inn Kolkata

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kolkata

Day 2

Festival Day in Kolkata

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Festival Day in Kolkata

Durga Puja is the most awaited holiday of the Bengalis. The city shines like a queen with the designer lights on every single street; the rhythmic sound of dhaaks (drums) and mantras (chanting) resonating from every nook and cranny, and people thronging the roads with their vibrant clothes on make this a very special occasion. You'll finish the day with an evening cruise on the Ganges to the highly revered Belar Muth to catch the evening prayer.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Peerless Inn4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Durga Puja Festival in Kolkata

    Evening Cruise to Belur Math

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kolkata

    Howrah

Day 3

City Tour and Train

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City Tour and Train

After breakfast, we will cover most of the prominent landmarks of the old heritage city, starting with Howrah Flower Market, the largest in Asia! Then you'll cross Howrah Bridge and head to Victoria Memorial, dedicated to Queen Victoria with a rare collection of British and Indian historical scripts. Then visit St John's Church and finish in Dalhousie Square, the city's administrative centre. After lunch, take the train to Siliguri, arriving late at night to check into your hotel and rest.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sinclairs Siliguri3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Kolkata City Tour

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Kolkata to Siliguri

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kolkata

    Siliguri

Day 4

Chamong Tea Estate

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Chamong Tea Estate

This morning you'll be taken straight to Chamong, within a 2-hour 30-minute drive, we arrive at Chamong, a tea country resort in the valley of Darjeeling Hills. The pure air, the crisp breeze, and mist is where the tea grows better than anywhere else in the world. After lunch, we go for a short walk in the nearby village and meet the locals. Have a relaxed evening in Chamong and enjoy a barbecue bonfire in the garden.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Chamong Chiabari Mountain Retreat & Spa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Chamong Nature Trail

    Bonfire and Barbecue at Chamong ChiabariOptional Activity: AU$ 21 per person

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Siliguri to Chamong

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Siliguri

    Simana Basti

    Chamu Tea Garden

Day 5

Chamong Tea Garden Tour

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Chamong Tea Garden Tour

Today, go on a guided tea garden tour in Chamong. Start by walking to a small Shiva temple near the resort, which is located on a hilltop with a birds-eye view of the surrounding valley. Walk on the pathway through the garden with the morning sun. You also have the option to visit a tea factory during harvest time, where the garden manager will explain the various processes of tea manufacturing, this will be followed by a tasting. In the afternoon, you can use the resort spa and relax.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Chamong Chiabari Mountain Retreat & Spa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Chamong Tea Garden Tour

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Simana Basti

    Chamu Tea Garden

Day 6

Singalila National Park Hiking Day

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Singalila National Park Hiking Day

Have a very early breakfast and drive to Singalila National Park. From Manebhanjang, we change to a 4WD to reach Tonglu. At 10,000ft above sea level, Tonglu looks out at the greater Himalayan Ranges including Kunchenjungha in Sikkim, Mt Everest in Nepal, and Chola in Bhutan. Hike the beautiful trails to Kalepokhri as the jeep follows then, drive to Sandakphu – the highest part of Singalila at 11,800ft and take in the mesmerizing view.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Cedar Inn4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hiking and Driving in Singalila National Park

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Off-Road from Chamong to Darjeeling

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Simana Basti

    Singalila Forest

    Darjeeling

Day 7

Darjeeling City Tour

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Darjeeling City Tour

Discover the beauty of Darjeeling, starting with an early rise to watch the sunrise above the mountains. Then, head back into the town to grasp a little of the history as you navigate temples, monasteries and railway lines. With a little understanding of the religious side of town, you'll then go to the Tibetan Self-Help Centre, understanding perhaps support the refugees who have come to live here. Stop off at the mountaineering centre before you finish the day with a little shopping.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Cedar Inn4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tiger Hill

    Yiga Choeling Monastery

    Mahakal Temple

    Darjeeling Heritage Steam Train Ride

    Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre

    Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

    Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

    Chowrasta DarjeelingOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Darjeeling

    West Bengal

    Ghoom

    Pandam Tea Garden

Day 8

Darjeeling to Gangtok

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Darjeeling to Gangtok

Leave tea country behind as you journey to Gangtok, the capital of state of Sikkim, known for its mountainous beauty and unique blend of cultures, landlocked by Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. The city is a great tourist destination in India for those wishing to explore the magical landscape of remote Himalayan terrain and to understand a little more about the unique Buddhists' school here. This is a buzzing town with a fusion of modern and traditional culture

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lemon Tree Hotel, Gangtok4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    GangtokOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Darjeeling to Gangtok

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Darjeeling

    Gangtok

Day 9

Full-Day Tour in Gangtok

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Full-Day Tour in Gangtok

Start the day at Tashi Viewpoint, the highest point in the city, offering an excellent view of the Kanchenjunga Peak along with a vast valley into Gangtok. Then, head to the cottage industry and handicraft centre, promoting the traditional handicraft and art skill of Sikkim. Visit the Tibetology Institute before going for a walk around a neighbouring village with a stop for a local lunch. From here, visit Rumtek Monastery, one of the most important in Sikkim and finish the day at the market.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lemon Tree Hotel, Gangtok4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tashi Viewpoint

    Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

    Handicraft and Handloom Centre

    Rumtek Monastery

    Lal Bazaar Market

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Gangtok

    Rumtek

Day 10

Journey back to Kolkata

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Journey back to Kolkata

Today we check out from Gangtok hotel and transfer to Pakyong airport established in 2018, which is the only airport in Sikkim. Being a small airport in the mountain, the airport currently has limited flights connecting with Kolkata and Guwahati. On arrival in Kolkata, we take you to a hotel close to the airport. Spend the rest of the day at your own. You may go to the city to explore and have dinner in a city restaurant.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Holiday Inn Express Kolkata Airport4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in KolkataOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Gangtok to Pakyong

    Plane from Pakyong to Kolkata

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Gangtok

    Kolkata

Day 11

Farewells in Kolkata

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Farewells in Kolkata

After breakfast in your hotel, we will say our goodbyes and transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from The Peerless Inn Kolkata to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kolkata

Included in Price

  • 10 nights accommodation
  • 18 activities
  • 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Trekking permits

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
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