Day, 01 Wed – Depart Home (Enroute)
Room blocked from 12 noon for immediate occupancy.
Day, 02 Thr – Arrive Kolkata
Met on arrival and transferred to hotel.
Welcome To India - One Nation, countless destinations. A land of rich heritage that's ancient. The mystique of India, its history of 5000 years, philosophy, religions, fabulous historical monuments all add to its bewildering diversity to create a unique and colorful mosaic. This is the wonder that is India, come, enjoy and experience it.
Afternoon enjoy sight seeing of "City of Joy" visiting the Jain Temple, Zoological Gardens, Victoria Memorial & drive past Howrah Bridge, Dalhousie Square, Fort Williams, Secretariat Building and Old Court House Street.
Day 03 Fri – Cruise To Sunderban
Morning at leisure.
Later you will be transferred to Jetty to board the Cruise.
1330 hrs Check in at the Millennium Park Jetty.
1400 hrs Depart by M.V. Paramhamsa
The cruiser set sail along the beautiful Ganges towards the South, passing through the various heritage sites for seven hours to reach Namkhana, a fisherman's cove and the Gateway to Sunderbans. The guests can unwind, relax, soak in the beauty of the river; read books in the library; interact with artisans or take an ayurvedic massage.
The busy fishing harbour will give an insight into the lifestyle of the fisherman. The cruiser enters Sunderbans to navigate through the narrower creek of Hatania - Doanina. The guests will have the first glimpse of the dense mangrove and the vast river system with several creeks flowing into the main rivers.
In the evening, the guests will have several choices - watching wildlife film shows or a talk with the naturalist followed by gala dinner with music from modern and traditional Bengal.
The cruiser will drop anchor at Namkhana for the night.
Day 04 Sat On Board
Early morning witness the spectacular sunrise, while cruiser sails towards the east. This day the guests will experience the lifestyle of Sunderbans, their traditions, culture along with the rich Bio diversity of the region.
After breakfast enjoy the canopy walk at some of the islands - Boni Camp, Nethidopani, Dobanke, Sajnekhali, along with a naturalist
Later in the evening before the sunsets, the vessel will anchor at a beautiful Sunderban village. The guests will see farming, paddy being husked, collected honey being packed, fishing, prawn culture and various occupations of the region.
Evening enjoy a traditional dance drama Bon Bibi phala, a rich folklore performance of Sunderbans followed by a traditional Bengali meal while the folk songs of Bengal mesmerize the night.
Day, 05 On Board
The cruiser will almost make a circmbulance of Sunderbans on its journey back to Kolkata. The vessel will sail south and then towards the west, through wide rivers which are almost like sea.
Stop at Lothian Island or to Bhagavatpur crocodile project, which are on the opposite banks. At Lothian, there is an interesting forest trail and at Bhagavatpur, there is a breeding center of the estuarine crocodiles.
Evening enjoy the dinner with live music on board.
Day, 06 End Cruise at Kolkata
After breakfast enjoy the cruise back to Kolkata.
The vessel reaches Kolkata in the forenoon depending on the tide.
Day, 07 Kolkata - Bagdogra - Darjeeling
After breakfast you will be transferred to airport.
1210 hrs - Depart by Jet Airways flight # 9W 617 to Bagdogra.
1310 hrs - met on arrival and drive to Darjeeling (03-04 hrs).
Rest of the day at leisure.
Darjeeling owes' its grandeur to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, the smiling resilient people for whom it is a home. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling's best gift to it's' visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken first with a tentative peeking of the sun. A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom, or an invigorating walk up a steep incline, leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill. The air is chilly with darkness and damp.
Darjeeling is one of the most beautiful Hill Stations in Eastern India and has the highest Race Course in the World. Place worth visiting are the Lablong village, the Mountaineering Institute and Tenzing Norgay House - The first Everest Hero.
Day, 08 Darjeeling
Early morning tour of Tiger Hill & Ghoom Monastery. At the Tiger Hill, the early morning Sun rise displays a panorama of colours and sunsets are purple and gold. Beyond in the distance are the Himalayan Peaks. Return via the famous Ghoom Monastery.
Breakfast at hotel.
You could explore the town walking in the bazaars or visiting one of the Tea gardens. Darjeeling tea is known world over for its fine flavor.
Day, 09 Darjeeling - Gangtok
After breakfast drive to Gangtok (05-06 hrs).
Rest of the day at leisure.
Gangtok, the "Lofty Hill" or the "Hill made flat to build the Gangtok monastery in 1716". Gangtok is a city, which, till one sees it, one would believe exists only in picture-story books.
In the mystery-laden mists prayer flags whip in the breeze; wheels spin in the hands of Lamas mumbling invocations to God, in the distance are the snows, on the streets amidst brightly painted pagoda roofed houses, lined with friendly smiling people are silver, silk and spice and jewellery to gladden an maiden's heart, from across the seven seas are gadget and goods to delight the collector of "imported goods', while directly overlooking the city is the hill Lukshyma, the 'Mother of Pearl' citadel of the magic mountain, Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga.
Day, 10 Gangtok
Morning city tour of. Gangtok - The capital of Sikkim and a city of great scenic beauty, is surrounded by green forests. There are a number of monasteries in and around Sikkim, each a symbol of Himalayan Buddhism.
Afternoon at leisure.
Day, 11 Gangtok - Bagdogra - Kolkata
After breakfast drive to Bagdogra airport (04-05 hrs) to connect flight to Kolkata.
1345 hrs - Depart by Jet Airways flight # 9W 618 to Kolkata.
1445 hrs - Arrive Kolkata, met on arrival and transferred to the International airport to board flight back home or for onward destination.
(Please note, the check in time for international flight is three hours prior to the departure).
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