Timeless Eastern India By World Journeys

Timeless Eastern India By World Journeys

17 Days/ 16 Nights from $11,120 Price Per Person

Sales from 01 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

**Day 1: Kolkata**
On arrival at Kolkata Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Kolkata, India’s former capital, is a city of colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and cultural richness.

Explore its bustling streets, heritage buildings, and riverside charm, where history and artistry are woven into everyday life. Literary, culinary, and artistic traditions abound, offering a rich and immersive introduction to eastern India. Enjoy an evening stroll or relax at your hotel, soaking in the city’s unique blend of tradition and modernity.

**Day 2: Kolkata**
Begin the day with a guided city tour along the Hooghly River. Visit Dalhousie Square, St. John’s Church, and the historic Writers’ Building, reflecting colonial heritage. Explore the Victoria Memorial, a striking marble monument dedicated to Queen Victoria, and St. Paul’s Cathedral with its Gothic architecture. Continue to the Indian Museum, home to treasures from ancient India, including Mughal paintings, sculptures, and fossils.

Later, wander the lanes of Kumartuli, where artisans craft clay deities for festivals. Conclude with a visit to the Marble Palace, a 19th-century mansion housing Western sculptures, antiques, and artworks, offering insight into Kolkata’s artistic legacy.

**Day 3: Kolkata > Bhubaneswar**
Transfer to Kolkata Airport for your flight to Bhubaneswar, the ancient temple city of Odisha. On arrival, begin your exploration of this spiritual hub. Bhubaneswar is dotted with hundreds of temples, showcasing intricate stone carvings and Kalinga architectural styles. In the afternoon, visit the Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves, carved as multi-storey residences for Jain monks by King Kharavela in the first century BCE. Discover their sculptural artistry and historical significance while learning about the region’s ancient rulers. Return to your hotel for overnight.

**Day 4: Bhubaneswar**
Journey through Bhubaneswar’s Old Town, exploring its remarkable temples and local life. Visit Lingaraj Temple, the largest Shiva temple in the city, and marvel at Bindusagar Lake nearby. Continue to Mukteshwar Temple, known for its ornate torana (arched-gateway) and Kalinga-style architecture, and Rajarani Temple, built from distinctive red and gold sandstone.

In the afternoon, drive to Cuttack to explore the ruins of Barabati Fort, the Silver Filigree Market, and the Netaji Birthplace Museum. Encounter local artisans, historical monuments, and bustling streets, gaining insight into Odisha’s spiritual, artistic, and cultural traditions before returning to Bhubaneswar.

**Day 5: Bhubaneswar > Guwahati**

Transfer to Bhubaneswar Airport for your flight to Guwahati in Assam. Upon arrival, visit the revered Maa Kamakhya Temple, a major Shakti Peetha, perched atop Nilachal Hill and famed for its rituals and festivals. Later, enjoy a sunset cruise along the Brahmaputra, watching the river glow against a backdrop of hills and wildlife. The combination of spiritual significance, scenic beauty, and cultural vibrancy introduces Assam’s charm. Return to your hotel for overnight.

**Day 6: Guwahati > Kaziranga National Park**
Drive to Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through lush Assam countryside. Check in at your lodge and meet your safari guides for briefing. Prepare for early morning safaris and the immersive wildlife experiences ahead, soaking in the unique ecosystem and tranquil beauty of this protected Indian wilderness.

**Days 7 & 8: Kaziranga National Park**
Over two days, experience Kaziranga’s wildlife on morning and afternoon jeep safaris. Spot one-horned rhinos, elephants, swamp deer, and diverse birdlife in the park’s lush forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Return to your lodge for meals, leisure, or gentle walks through surrounding landscapes. Kaziranga’s serene environment, combined with expert guidance, provides unforgettable wildlife encounters and opportunities to observe India’s natural heritage in its purest form. Each safari offers new perspectives on the park’s ecosystems, and evenings are perfect for relaxing and reflecting on this extraordinary UNESCO-protected region, where wildlife and nature coexist in remarkable harmony.

**Day 9: Kaziranga National Park > Guwahati**
Drive back to Guwahati along the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, stopping at Sualkuchi, the “Manchester of the East,” famous for silk weaving. Observe traditional artisans at work and learn about their centuries-old craft. Continue to Guwahati. Enjoy the evening at leisure, exploring the riverside or local markets.

**Day 10: Guwahati > Bagdogra/Siliguri > Darjeeling**
Transfer to Guwahati Airport for your flight to Bagdogra/Siliguri, followed by a scenic drive to Darjeeling. Nestled in the Himalayan foothills. Darjeeling is renowned for its tea plantations, colonial-era architecture, and the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overlooked by Mt. Kanchenjunga, the town offers stunning vistas, cool climate, and a blend of cultural influences from Tibetan, Nepali, and British traditions. Enjoy an evening at leisure, strolling through the bustling bazaar or relaxing in your hotel, taking in the serene mountain atmosphere.

**Day 11: Darjeeling**
Ride the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’s steam toy train to Ghoom, the highest station in India, passing Batasia Loop and War Memorial. Explore the Ghoom Monastery and its 15-foot Maitreya Buddha statue. Visit the Happy Valley Tea Estate for a guided walk and tasting session, learning about tea cultivation, and processing. In the afternoon, drive to Tiger Hill for sunset views of the Kanchenjunga range and glimpses of Mt. Everest. Return to your hotel. The day offers a blend of heritage, spirituality, scenic vistas, and hands-on cultural experiences, capturing the essence of Darjeeling’s charm.

**Day 12: Darjeeling > Pelling**

Drive to Pelling, surrounded by Kanchenjunga’s dramatic peaks. In the afternoon, visit Pemayangtse Monastery, a 17th-century Nyingmapa site with stunning hilltop views, and the Rabdentse ruins, former Sikkimese capital. Explore the local landscapes, ancient temples, and forests. Discover the spiritual heritage and architectural traditions of Sikkim while absorbing panoramic vistas of mountains and valleys. Return to your hotel, reflecting on the serene beauty and cultural richness of the region. Pelling’s blend of history, religion, and nature makes it a peaceful and captivating Himalayan destination.

**Day 13: Pelling**

Visit Khecheopalri Lake, a sacred lake surrounded by forest, followed by Rimbi Waterfalls, cascading through lush landscapes. Explore Sangachoeling Monastery, one of the oldest in Sikkim, and admire its ancient wall paintings and clay structures. Continue to the 41.1 metres Chenrezig Statue and the nearby Glass Skywalk, offering thrilling views over deep valleys and surrounding mountains. Experience spiritual rituals, scenic beauty, and immersive Himalayan landscapes. Return to your hotel.

**Day 14: Peeling > Ravangla > Gangtok**
Drive to Gangtok, visiting Ravangla’s Buddha Park, with its 130-foot Tathagata Tsal statue consecrated by the Dalai Lama, and Ralang Monastery en route. Check in at your hotel in Gangtok, perched at 1,750m. Surrounded by monasteries, gardens, and Himalayan views, the city offers a blend of spiritual traditions, vibrant local life, and colonial influences. Explore Gangtok’s bustling streets, temples, and cultural sites before returning to your hotel in the evening. Soak in the serene mountain ambience and Buddhist heritage that define Sikkim’s capital city.

**Day 15: Gangtok**
Explore Gangtok with visits to Rumtek Monastery, Do Drul Chorten, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Enchey Monastery, Orchadarium, and Banjhakri Waterfalls. Learn about Tibetan Buddhism, ancient manuscripts, and monastic life, while admiring sacred architecture and serene gardens. Stroll through orchid gardens and enjoy panoramic mountain views. The day combines culture, spirituality, and natural beauty, offering insight into Sikkim’s traditions, artistry, and religious practices. Later return to your hotel.

**Day 16: Gangtok > Kalimpong**
Drive to Kalimpong, a charming hill town at 1,250m. Visit Deolo Hill for panoramic vistas, Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery with its rare three-dimensional mandala, and the town’s renowned flower nurseries, cultivating orchids, lilies, and gladioli. Experience Kalimpong’s tranquil streets, colonial architecture, and relaxed atmosphere.

Explore spiritual, natural and horticultural highlights, learning about the region’s history as part of Sikkim and Bhutan before annexation to Darjeeling. Return to your hotel, enjoying the calm of the hills and the town’s cultural charm, a perfect introduction to its serene environment.

**Day 17: Kalimpong > Bagdogra**
Drive to Bagdogra Airport for your onward flight.

Tailor-made journeys: This itinerary can be tailor-made, with the number of days, places visited, and activities varied to suit you.

Inclusions

• • 16-nights’ accommodation
  • 16 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 10 dinners
  • Meet & Greet at all airports
  • Private transfers as per the itinerary
  • English-speaking local guides
  • Private sightseeing as per the itinerary
  • Three private jeep safaris in Kaziranga National Park
  • Entrance fees as per the itinerary
  • Economy class flights Koltaka > Bhubaneswar > Guwahati > Bagdogra
  • Goods & Services Tax (GST)