DAY 01

India Gate

WELCOME TO INDIA – One Nation, countless destinations. A land of rich heritage that’s ancient. The mystique of India, its history of 5000 years, philosophy, religions, fabulous historical monuments all add to its bewildering diversity to create a unique and colorful mosaic. This is the wonder that is India, come, enjoy and experience it.

Reception on arrival at International airport and transfer to hotel.

In the afternoon, commence a sightseeing tour of New Delhi, visiting the Qutub Minar a 72 m high tower built in The Persian style and Emperor Humayun’s Mausoleum. Continue the tour to visit the Mutiny Memorial where a huge ammunition dump was blown up by British soldiers to prevent it from falling into the hands of rebel Indian forces and the St James’ church, which is Delhi’s first Church. The tour ends with a drive through Lutyen’s Dehi, along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and President's Estate.

OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL.

DAY 02

Taj Mahal

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer from hotel to the Railway Station in time to board train to Agra

Leave: Delhi at 0600 hours by SHATABDI EXP

Arrive: Agra at 0755 hours

Reception on arrival, and transfer from Railway Station to hotel.

Agra – An ancient city, once the capital of Mughal Empire in the 16^th and 17^th century, Agra today depicts a gorgeous panorama of majestic architectural creations and a rich tradition of art and culture. Agra is home to one of The Seven Wonders of the World, the marble symphony of Emperor Shah Jahan - The Taj Mahal. Discover the dazzling creations of craftsmen in other architectural marvels in Agra, the quintessential mughal city.

Afternoon, proceed for a city tour where you will experience the TAJ MAHAL (closed on Fridays). An extravagant marble monument of love built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble took 22 years and 22000 craftsmen to build. Continue your tour to the Agra Fort, the original red sandstone fort built by Emperor Akbar in 1565. The Forts maze of courtyards, its marble mosque and lavish private chambers reflect the grandeur of the Mughal Empire.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning is at leisure to explore Agra on your own

Late afternoon transfer from hotel to the Tundla Railway Station (22 kms, 40 minutes) in time to board train for Lucknow

Leave: Tundla at 1740 hours by Gomti Exp

Arrive: Lucknow at 2250 hours

(Train operates daily except Sunday)

Reception on arrival and transfer from Railway Station to hotel.

DAY 04

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Lucknow, the city of Nawabs and Begums. Visit the Hussainabad Imambara, a monument built by the Nawab only to provide employment to his people. The city is dotted with monuments and landmarks which narrate the story of its strong association with the British Raj, the most significant being the ‘Residency’ where British soldiers & their families took refuge for nearly three months during ‘The Mutiny’ when rebel Indian forces laid siege in 1857. The tour concludes with a visit to the La Martinere School (subject to permission) which is a fine example of Gothic architecture.

Rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 05

Victoria Memorial

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer from hotel to the airport in time to connect flight for Kolkata:

Lv: Lucknow at 0850 hours by S2-6125

Ar: Kolkata at 1120 hours

Reception on arrival and transfer from airport to hotel.

Kolkata (Calcutta) – The capital of West Bengal, sprawls along the eastern banks of the River Hooghly . Calcutta’s, 300 years history traces back to the landing of Robert Clive on the banks of the Hooghly. Calcutta know called "Kolkata" was the first headquarters of the East India Company – the British trading establishment which later formed the foothold of the British Empire in this country. Kolkata has several monuments from the colonial past which include The Victoria Memorial, Dalhousie Square, Fort William etc. The city is home to the Missionaries of Charity, an order of nuns founded by the now beatified Mother Theresa.

Afternoon is at leisure.

DAY 06

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Kolkata. The Tour begins from the Victoria Memorial whose foundation was laid in 1906 by The Prince of Wales (later King George V) and opened in 1921 by the Duke of Windsor. Visit the famous Indian museum (closed on Mondays), built in 1875, with a vast collection of priceless relics of ancient civilizations. Other attractions include St. Paul’s Cathedral, built between 1839 and 1847 and a drive past the British Army ‘Cantonment’ - Fort William completed in 1781(Visitors not allowed) from where you can also view the Howrah Bridge, a 705 mtr long bridge (the 3^rd longest cantilevered bridge in the world) spanning the River Hooghly and built in 1942. Continue to drive past the Raj Bhawan (Governor’s Estate) built between 1799 and 1805 by Marquis Wellesley and The High Court completed in 1872 which has a tower 55 meters high ( a copy from the Staadhaus at Ypres, Belgium). Finally the tour concludes at The Chaitanya Ashram, the home of "The Missionaries of Charity", founded by Mother Teresa in 1950 as a home for the destitute.

DAY 07

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer from hotel to the airport in time to connect flight for Bagdogra

Leave: Kolkata at 1220 hours by 9W-617

Arrive: Bagdogra at 1320 hours

Reception on arrival at the airport and drive to Darjeeling (90 kms/3 hours).

While driving uphill, it is also possible to board the historic Toy Train, a narrow gauge train that ambles alongside the road. The car will drop travelers at a local Toy Train Station and fetch them a short while later at a subsequent station

Darjeeling: A quaint town nestled on the Hilly slopes of the Himalayan Mountains, Darjeeling straddles an ancient trade route between Tibet, Sikkim and The Kingdom of Bhutan and provided an important link to the towns and cities along the plains to the south. Tea Estates dot the lower slopes of the mountains which are world famous for its Darjeeling Tea. A great part of the character of Darjeeling comes from the Tea Estates in the region. Most of these Tea estates were owned and managed by British companies through residential plantation managers.

On arrival check-in at hotel.

DAY 08

Tea Plantation.

Early morning (at 0400 hrs), drive to Tiger Hill from where one can glimpse spectacular sun rises over the snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas. On a clear day Mount Kanchenjunga can be seen. Mount Kanchenjunga is the world’s third highest peak at 28,156 feet. While driving back to the hotel, visit the famous (Tibetan) Ghoom Monastery.

Breakfast at the hotel and later drive by jeep to a nearby tea estate where one can see the world famous ‘"Darjeeling Tea" being processed.

Afternoon is at leisure.

DAY 09

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive from Darjeeling to Kalimpong (51 kms/2.5 hours).

On arrival check-in at hotel.

Lunch at the hotel.

In the afternoon, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Kalimpong to visit the Zan-dog-phati-Fo-brang monastery with its debating chambers and the Thanka painting workshop. Continue the tour to visit a local Flower Nursery & Market where one gets a rare opportunity to see a wide variety of orchids.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive from Kalimpong to Bagdogra (79 kms/3 hours) airport in time to board flight for Delhi:

Leave: Bagdogra at 1240 hours by 9W-602

Arrive: Delhi at 1630 hours

This is a hopping flight stopping at Guwahati enroute.

Reception on arrival at the airport and transfer to city center.