High Himalayas & Land of the Rhino

Day 1  Calcutta    
Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.    

Day 2  Calcutta    
Explore Calcutta, former capital of the British Raj (officially renamed Kolkata), with a half day tour of its grand colonial buildings and the famous Howrah Bridge.    

Day 3  Calcutta to Kaziranga NP    
Fly to Guwahati and transfer by road to Kaziranga National Park.    

Days 4-5  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 6  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.    

Day 7  Darjeeling    
Start today with a half day tour of the town’s many colonial buildings, a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway ‘toy’ train and a visit to the Himalayan MountaineeringInstitute and its fascinating museum. Later visit a tea garden to taste Darjeeling tea – the ‘champagne’ of the tea world!    

Day 8  Darjeeling    
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 with a delicious cuppa!    

Day 9  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 10  Pelling to Gangtok    
Drive to the region’s capital Gangtok, an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site.    

Day 11  Gangtok    
Enjoy a half day 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 12  Gangtok to Bagdogra    
Transfer to Bagdogra airport.