Exotic East

• Day 1: Arrive Kolkata

  You will be received at the Kolkata Airport by a Trans India Holidays representative and he will escort you to The Oberoi Grand Hotel and will assist you with the check in formalities. Kolkata -Kolkata is situated on the East bank of the Hooghly River. Kolkata is seen as the land of various scholars. It was the capital of British India before Delhi expected this position. People in Kolkata were politically very aware and followed communism. From a small fisherman’s village Kolkata developed to become one of the major cities in the World. The city stands for originality and ardor with all the modern facilities available. Though Kolkata has altered itself to the modern trends and techniques of the world but it hasn’t cast off the laid back lifestyle and the calm of it’s hey days. It is a city that has an everlasting beauty and also a city that induces extreme emotions. Kolkata besides being an extremely populous city, it is also the city where Mother Teresa worked tirelessly for the poor and the homeless and the city where Rabindranath Tagore wrote his famous books. The Oberoi Grand :Affectionately, The Oberoi Grand is called as the ‘Grande Dame of Calcutta’. The Oberoi Grand’s neo-classical exteriors and the magnificent pillared entrance mark a successful combination of Classical and Traditional Indian style and reflects the city’s colonial heritage. The Oberoi Grand is situated in Chowringhee, the heart of Kolkata’s commercial and shopping center. The hotel makes an impressive, luxurious and convenient base for leisure or a business trip. The services provided by hotel Oberoi Grand is flawless, it has a fine dining in Indian and Thai specialty restaurants, a World class Banyan Tree Spa, state-of-the-art fitness center and the 21st century communication makes The Oberoi Grand the number one hotel in Kolkata. Overnight stay in Kolkata.

• Day 2: Fly Kolkata - Bagdogra and drive to Darjeeling (90 kms/ 3 hrs)

  After a relaxing breakfast at the hotel, you will be met by our representative and he will assist you with the check out formalities and will escort you to the airport to board flight for Bagdogra. You will again be met by our representative at Bagdogra Airport and he will drive you to Darjeeling, the next stop on your Exotic East tour. Darjeeling -Darjeeling is a very beautiful hill resort and a charming place. Darjeeling is often referred to as the ‘Queen of the hills’. It lies on the brink at the height of 2134m with a panoramic view on the mighty Kanchenjunga Cluster. Darjeeling attracts many visitors to enjoy the cool and the healthy climate of the mountains. The colonial British administration set up a ‘Hill Sanitarium’ to escape from the heat, humidity and stress of the North Indian plains. Darjeeling and tea goes hand in hand. The Darjeeling tea is very famous for its aroma and the rarity of taste. It is also known as the “Champagne of the East” On your arrival at the Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling, you will be met by our representative and he will assist you with the check in formalities. Windamere :The Windamere hotel was found in the 19th century as a cozy boarding house for the English bachelors and the Scottish tea planters. Just before the outbreak of the Second World War, this place was converted into a hotel. A celebrated travel writer of the Windamere hotel said that it is “one of the three Jewels of the Raj”. Windamere has been the subject for many leading stories in the International media because of its exclusive ambience and beauty. It is one of the original Heritage Hotels of the Himalayas. This hotel is divided into two halves; the first is “The Windamere” which is furnished in traditional colonial style. This section of the hotel also has a honeymoon cottage. “Little Windamere”, on the other hand has all the modern amenities and décor. This hotel has been for several years the favorite accommodation spot for the tourists visiting Darjeeling. Overnight stay in Darjeeling.

• Day 3: In Darjeeling

  Very early this morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and will be taken for an excursion to the Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery. Excursion to Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery : To view the sunrise over the world’s third highest peak – Kanchenjunga (28156 ft.). And then to the Ghoom Monastery to see one of the largest statues of the Maitreya Buddha. Return hotel for a relaxing breakfast. Later, sightseeing tour of Darjeeling. Tour includes visits to the following places of interest: Himalayan Zoological Park –The Himalayan Zoological Park is the home to India’s only Siberian Tiger. This park also has some rare species such as the Red Panda and it is renowned for successfully breeding in Snow Leopards. The Exotic East tour also includes the visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Gumbu Rock Site and the Tibetan Refugee self-help center as well as the neighboring tea gardens. Overnight stay in Darjeeling.

• Day 4: In Darjeeling

  This day is free for you. Spend the day relaxing and enjoying the facilities of the hotel or explore the city on your own. Overnight Stay in Darjeeling.

• Day 5: Drive Darjeeling - Gangtok (120 kms /04 hrs)

  After a relaxing breakfast, you will be met by our representative and he will assist you with the check-out formalities. You will then start your drive to Gangtok, the next destination on your Exotic East tour. Gangtok - Gangtok is the gateway to Sikkim; it is the last Shangri-La. Gangtok occupies an ascending hill and the Himalayas serve as scenery to the town. With a backdrop of the Himalayas, Sikkim offers a beautiful panoramic view, vibrant way of life, Buddhist sacred places, adventure and water sports, all close to the capital. Gangtok has beautiful flora and fauna, which includes hundreds of different varieties of butterflies. Many efforts are on to expand tourism to other areas. The availability of accommodation in Darjeeling has rapidly increased. Apart from the government accommodation in various places, Darjeeling is swarming up with varieties of hotels and lodges. Delimited by Tibet, Bhutan, West Bengal and Nepal, Sikkim was a realm and appeared as the 22nd Indian state in the 1970s. Gangtok is expanding to the status of a city. On your arrival, check-in at the Norkhill Hotel. Norkhill: Norkhill is the best place to stay in Gangtok. It is a heritage construction, just a short walk from the city center. Norkhill was constructed in1932 by the King of Sikkim, as his Royal Guest House, the place where he received and entertained the Heads of States and dignitaries. Norkhill still welcomes all the important guests to the Capital. It has hosted many esteemed personalities, from his Holiness the Dalai Lama to the US Ambassador of India His Excellency John Galbriath, many Heads of States and movie stars. Norkhil has 32 rooms, each of which is being designed in a way to display the striking colors and elements that surrounded the royalty of the past. Almost all the areas of construction give you a perfect view of the Eastern Himalayas. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the facilities of the hotel. Overnight stay in Gangtok.

• Day 6: In Gangtok

  After a relaxing breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and will be taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Gangtok. Tour includes visits to the following places of interest: The place where the former Chogyal or ruler of Sikkim would pray,Tsuk la Khang or the Royal Chapel, the Institute of Tibetology which sponsors research into Tibetology, the Memorial Chorten whose gold peak is observable from all the parts of Gangtok, the Orchid sanctuary where one can see many of the 454 species of Orchids found in Sikkim. Proceed to the place where one can buy traditional Sikkimese crafts, the Institute of cottage industries. The last stop on your tour is the 200-year-old Enchey monastery. The rest of the day is free for you. You can either relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the surroundings. Overnight stay in Gangtok.

• Day 7: In Gangtok

  This day is free for you. Spend the day relaxing and enjoying the facilities of the hotel or explore the city and the surroundings. Overnight stay in Gangtok.

• Day 8: Drive Gangtok -Kalimpong ( 90 kms/3 hrs)

  After a relaxing breakfast, you will start your drive to Kalimpong, the next destination on your Exotic East tour. Kalimpong -Kalimpong is an isolated hill station set in the foothills of the gorgeous Himalayas. It is located at a moderate altitude of 1250m creating a triangle with its more eminent neighbors Darjeeling and Gangtok. Kalimpong is an excellent spot to tour in West Bengal.It is very famous for its Orchids and other flowers that grow in abundance. It is also known for its Handicrafts and monasteries. Kalimpong has a subtle climate that ranges from 16 to 27 degrees in summer and 2 to 15 in winter. The perfect time to visit Kalimpong is from March to June and September to November. It was a part of Sikkim before coming under the control of Bhutan in 1706. On your arrival in Kalimpong, check in at the Silver Oaks Hotel. Silver Oaks :Silver Oaks is the best place in Kalimpong to stay in. It was once the dwelling place of a leading British Jute Magnate. Relaxing in the landscaped gardens in a plethora of colors, one is treated to the heart stopping view at Silver Oaks, Kalimpong. When the sky is clear, the magnificent peaks of Kanchenjunga range are something to be witnessed. The Silver Oaks is suggestive of something of the British Raj, the chamber maids are dressed in frilled checked aprons, the hot water bags in your bed, the bed tea served with tea cozies and cookies. The teak and the Oak floor boards take you to a gone back era. The Antique wall hangings and the Lithographs are the noticeable features of the hotel. All the rooms are bright and sunny and give you an outstanding view of the Mountains and the landscaped gardens. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the facilities of the hotel or exploring the city. Overnight stay in Kalimpong.

• Day 9: In Kalimpong

  After a relaxing breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and will be taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Kalimpong. The tour begins with a visit to the Zong Do Palri Fo Brang Monastery, blessed by the Dalai Lama, the Thongsa Gompa, the oldest monastery in Kalimpong, the Sericulture Institute where one can in fact see the weaving of silk and also the flower nurseries where cut flowers are shipped throughout the world. The rest of the day at leisure, you can explore the surroundings or relax at the hotel and enjoy the facilities. Overnight stay in Kalimpong.

• Day 10: Drive Kalimpong –Bagdogra (80 kms / 2 hrs) and fly to Kolkata

  After a relaxing breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Bagdogra airport to board flight for Kolkata. You will be met at the Kolkata airport by our representative and he will escort you to The Oberoi Grand Hotel and will assist you with the check-in formalities. Overnight stay in Kolkata.

• Day 11: Depart Kolkata

  After a relaxing breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for a guided sightseeing tour of Kolkata. Tour includes visits to the following places of interest: Victoria Memorial - A fine example of British architecture, this building was constructed in memory of Queen Victoria. And in 1921 Victoria Memorial was inaugurated by Prince of Wales. Birla Planetarium – Birla Planetarium is the oldest planetarium in India, with its neoclassical design, which resembles Roman architecture. St Paul's Cathedral -St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most prominent Western-style constructions in Kolkata. The construction of this building took eight years to complete. In 1847, the gates to this church were open for the British public in Kolkata. After the Canterbury Cathedral’s bell tower, the tower of St. Paul’s Cathedral was molded. St. Paul’s Cathedral and the rest of the buildings were mainly designed and planned by a military engineer, William Nairn Forbes. With the neo-gothic style of construction, the cathedral was constructed with beautifully tinted glass windows. Indian Museum -In 1878, the Indian Museum was established in Kolkata. The Indian Museum is considered as the largest museum in the country and one of the best in Asia. The construction of this museum was done in the Italian architectural style. Later in the afternoon, you will be met by our representative at your hotel and he will assist you with the checkout formalities. He will then escort you to the airport in time for your flight back home.

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