East India: Nature and Wildlife Tour

East India: Nature and Wildlife Tour
12 Nights/13 Days
Itinerary: Kolkata – Darjeeling – Pelling – Gangtok – Kalimpong – Guwahati - Kaziranga – Kolkata
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Kolkata
A Yatra representative will meet you at a location convenient to you in Kolkata and transfer you in an air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel of stay. Check-in at your pre-booked hotel.

In the afternoon, you will be taken on a sightseeing tour of the city and shown around the major tourist attractions of Kolkata, including Shaheed Minar (tower of the martyrs). Formerly known as Ochterlony Monument, the tower was erected to commemorate Major General David Ochterlony, commander of British East India Company’s main force in the Gurkha War of 1816. An English-speaking guide will accompany you on this tour. Return to your hotel and spend the night.

Day 2: Kolkata – Bagdogra - Darjeeling
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to the airport for a flight to Bagdogra and then transferred overland to Darjeeling. On arrival in Darjeeling, check-in at a pre-booked hotel. You are at leisure for the rest of the day to soak up the beauty of this hill station. Spend the night at your hotel.

Set amidst the rolling mountains with the snow-capped Kanchenjunga standing sentinel over the clear blue sky, Darjeeling offers a peaceful retreat in the lap of nature. The sprawling tea gardens, the world heritage Himalayan Railway, brilliant mountain scenery, wild flowers, make this hill station a haven for trekkers and holidaymakers.

Day 3: In Darjeeling
After an early breakfast, travel to Tiger Hill to see the sun rise over Kanchenjunga. Visit Ghoom Monastery, home to the Gelukpa or ‘Yellow Hat’ Buddhist sect. Later, board the narrow-gauge ‘Toy Train’ and enjoy a ride on the plains and up the mountain, taking in views of plunging gorges, undulating valleys and sprawling tea estates. After the train ride, return to your hotel and spend the night.

Day 4: In Darjeeling
After breakfast, you will be taken to the Tukvar Tea Estate for a private lunch. You can engage in optional activities for the rest of the day or set out on a long stroll. Return to your hotel and spend the night.

Day 5: Darjeeling - Pelling
After a hearty breakfast, set out on a scenic drive to Pelling, situated about 6,800 feet from the sea level. Enjoy magnificent views of the snow-covered pinnacles of Kanchenjunga from this quaint little town. On arrival in Pelling, check-in at a pre-booked hotel and relax for a while. Then, take a tour of the famous Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Sikkim. Browse this lovely three-storied structure for its impressive collection of wall paintings and sculptures. Further on, proceed to the Rabdentse Ruins.
After a day of exploring the sightseeing landmarks of Pelling, return to your hotel and spend the night.

Day 6: Pelling - Gangtok
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Gangtok about 132 kilometers from Gangtok. On arrival at Sikkim’s capital city, check-in at a pre-booked hotel. You are at leisure for the rest of the day to explore on your own. Spend the night at your hotel.

Day 7: In Gangtok
After breakfast, take a full-day excursion of Gangtok and explore the major sightseeing attractions including the inspiring Rumtek Monastery. It offers a peaceful atmosphere, and comprises a beautiful shrine temple and a monastery for the monks. The monastery is especially popular among the Tibetan Buddhists.
After exploring the important tourist landmarks of Gangtok, return to your hotel and spend the night.

Day 8: Gangtok - Kalimpong
After breakfast at the hotel, travel overland to Kalimpong. On arrival, check-in at a hotel and relax for a while. In the afternoon, you will visit nurseries, home to a plethora of exotic flowers. Conclude your trip with a visit to Kalimpong's oldest monastery. Further on, return to your hotel and spend the night.

Kalimpong is a beautiful hill station between Siliguri and Gangtok. As you drive into this pretty town, you will pass through one of the most scenic routes in the country, with the Teesta River gushing parallel to the road. At an altitude of 1250 meters, Kalimpong offers brilliant views of Kanchenjunga and other frosty Himalayan peaks.

Day 9: Kalimpong - Guwahati - Kaziranga
After a sumptuous breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for a flight to Guwahati. Later, drive to Kaziranga, home to Kaziranga National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival, check-in at a hotel and spend the night. You are at leisure for the rest of the day to enjoy the surrounding greenery.

Day 10 and 11: In Kaziranga
You will enjoy two days of morning and evening games drives by either elephant or jeep in Kaziranga National Park. The park is home to the great one-horned rhinoceros, besides a thriving population of tigers, elephants, water buffalos and swamp deer among others. Keep your binoculars handy all along your safari; you could catch glimpses of animals grazing with gay abandon. Traverse the vast expanse of tall elephant grass and marshland, and just keep an eye-out! Spend the nights at your hotel in Kaziranga.

Day 12: Kaziranga - Jorhat - Kolkata
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to the Jorhat airport for a flight to Kolkata. On arrival in Kolkata, check-in at a pre-booked hotel for your overnight stay. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or shopping traditional handicraft.

Day 13: Departure from Kolkata
After breakfast, you will be dropped at the international airport or any location in Kolkata convenient to you for your onward journey.

Note:
- Standard check-in/check-out times at all hotels will be 12 noon.