North East Discovery

 

Kolkata	Taj Bengal	2 nights
Kurseong	Cochrane Place	1 night
Darjeeling	Mayfair Hotel	2 nights
Pemayangtse	Mount Pandim	1 night
Gangtok	Mayfair Hotel	2 nights
Kalimpong	Silver Oaks	1 night
Kolkata	Taj Bengal	1 night

Click on the name of the hotel for details

12 days from £1398

excluding international flights

A superb journey incorporating tea country, spectacular mountains, Sikkim and memories of the Raj

Important: when comparing prices bear in mind that the World Discovery itinerary includes FULL BOARD in every destination except Kolkata (see 'The price includes' below).

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Depart UK. Recommended flight from London: Air India from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrive Kolkata (Calcutta).

On arrival in Kolkata in the afternoon you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free.

DAY 3 - Kolkata.

Your World Discovery India holiday begins this morning when your guide meets you at your hotel and takes you on a full day sightseeing tour of Kolkata.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

KOLKATA: UPGRADE TO THE OBEROI GRAND

For a taste of Victorian glamour and luxury there is the option of upgrading to the venerable Oberoi Grand Hotel,  which has welcomed guests to the city for more than 125 years.  We would be pleased to give a quote for the additional cost.

 

DAY 4 – Fly to Bagdogra. Continue to Kurseong.

In the morning take the short flight by Kingfisher Airways to Bagdogra.  Here you will be met and driven into the foothills of the Himalaya to reach the small hill station of Kurseong, located at an altitude of 1,458m/4,864ft.  The rest of the day is free.  There are lots of gentle walking trails close to your hotel with commanding views of the mountains, including Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5 - Visit an organic tea estate.  Take the 'Toy Train' to Darjeeling.

After breakfast set off for a gentle walking tour of the surrounding district, including a visit to one of the region's foremost bio-dynamic organic tea estates to learn about the entire manufacturing process.  Kurseong is one of the main stations on the narrow-gauge (just 2 feet!) Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, affectionately known as the 'Toy Train', and this afternoon we climb aboard for the unforgettable 3 hour journey to Darjeeling.  On a clear day the views of the Himalayan peaks is breathtaking.  On arrival in Darjeeling you will be met and taken to your hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

NOTE: Diesel locomotives (rather than steam trains) are used for the most part on the Kurseong to Darjeeling line.  Steam haulage is used only when the diesel locomotive is unavailable.

DAY 6 - Darjeeling.

Darjeeling - 'Queen of the Hills' - was one of the most famous summer retreats of the British, a place to escape the fierce heat of the plains. It has recently been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.  Today you will rise early to view (weather-permitting) the sunrise over the Himalayan peaks (left), followed by a day of sightseeing in Darjeeling that will give you a fascinating overview of this atmospheric mountain retreat.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 7 - Drive to Pemayangtse (Sikkim).  Pemayangtse.

Sikkim has long been regarded as one of the last 'Shangri-las' because of its remoteness, spectacular mountain terrain, varied flora and fauna, and its wealth of ancient Buddhist monasteries. This former British Protectorate has only been part of India since 1975 and a permit is required to enter its territory. Your World Discovery representative will organise this for you during your stay in Darjeeling. A 4 hour scenic drive this morning will bring you to Pemayangtse (Pelling), where your hotel is located.  In the afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of the impressive monastery of Pemayangtse and other nearby places of interest.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 8 - Drive to Gangtok, capital of Sikkim.

After breakfast leave Pemayangtse for the journey to Gangtok.  The scenery on this 5 hour drive is commanding: lush green forests, rice terraces, lofty snow-capped peaks, tumbling streams, villages tucked on hilly slopes, and monasteries that appear to balance precariously on mountain crests.  We reach Gangtok in the early afternoon. Sikkim's capital is set on a ridge above the Ranipul River at 1,547m/5,075ft.  Your stay is at the colonial-style Mayfair Hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 9 - Gangtok.

A full day of sightseeing in Gangtok, including the marvellous Rumtek Monastery (pictured left) and the unique Research Institute of Tibetology.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 10 - Drive to Kalimpong.

Today you will bid farewell to Sikkim and enjoy a 3 hour to the quiet former British hill station of Kalimpong.  In the afternoon, after taking a look at the Bhutanese monastery of Thongsa Gompa, you will visit one of Kalimpong's excellent flower nurseries; the climate here is perfect for growing orchids, gladioli and dahlias, as well as cacti, palms and ferns.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 11 - Return to Kolkata.

Drive out of the hills to Bagdogra for the early afternoon flight by Jet Airways to Kolkata.  The rest of the day is free.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 12 – Depart for UK.

In the morning transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights.

The only direct flights to Kolkata are with Air India from London Heathrow. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Kolkata. Depart at 21.30; arrive Kolkata at 15.35 (next day)
Kolkata/Heathrow. Depart at 10.10; arrive Heathrow at 18.55

India Holidays: North East Discovery (Tour Reference: WDIN019)
2012/13 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Daily departures	Price
2012
May	£1398
Oct, Nov, Dec*	£1580
2013
Jan to 15 Apr	£1580

* Supplements will be charged during the Christmas and New Year period.

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled domestic flights from Kolkata to Bagdogra (and v.v.), including airport taxes.
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• 10 full breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation throughout.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees.
• The services of private English-speaking drivers throughout.
• The services of private guides for the included sightseeing.
  

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• Optional sightseeing.
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter.
• An Indian Visa. This should be obtained before departure from the United Kingdom. Applications should be made online through VFS Global, the official representatives of the High Commission in London - http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your India holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.