High Himalayas & Land of the Rhino

Day 1  Fly to Kolkata    

Days 2-3  Kolkata  
Welcome to Kolkata, upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Explore the former capital of the British Raj with a tour of its grand colonial buildings and the famous Howrah Bridge.    

Day 4  Kolkata to Kaziranga NP          
Today, fly to Guwahati and transfer by road to Kaziranga National Park.          

Days 5-6  Kaziranga NP  
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives as you search for the park’s most famous residents – the one-horned rhinos. Other wildlife to look out for are buffalos, elephants, tigers, sloth bears and a variety of birdlife.              

Day 7  Kaziranga NP to Darjeeling      
Head back to Guwahati and fly to Bagdogra. From here, enjoy a scenic drive up to Darjeeling in the heart of India’s most celebrated tea growing district. A popular summer retreat during the days of the Raj, this atmospheric hill station is set against a stunning Himalayan backdrop.              

Days 8-9  Darjeeling  
Start today with a tour of the town’s many colonial buildings, a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway ‘toy’ train and a visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and its fascinating museum. Later visit a tea garden to taste Darjeeling tea – the ‘Champagne’ of the tea world! Rise early and drive up to Tiger Hill to watch the sun rise over Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak. On a clear day you may even be able to spot Mount Everest which is only 150 miles away. The rest of the day is at leisure to further explore the delightful town or simply sit back and relax.              

Day 10  Darjeeling to Pelling          
Continue higher into the Himalayas to Pelling, a charming town renowned for its magnificent views. Visit one of the area’s oldest and most important monasteries, Pemayangtse and stop at the Rabdentse ruins, set on a ridge above the valley.        

Day 11  Pelling to Gangtok      
Drive to the region’s capital Gangtok, an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site.      

Day 12  Gangtok      
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Gangtok including a visit to the beautiful Rumtek Monastery, the largest of its kind in the state of Sikkim. There is also time to shop for traditional Tibetan style crafts.    

Day 13-14  Transfer to Bagdogra and fly home