Explore North East of India

Places to visit : Delhi - Bagdogra - Darjeeling - Gangtok – Kalimpong - Bagdogra - Guwahati - Shillong - Kaziranga Nationak Park - Dibrugarh

Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days

Day 01 : Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi , meet and greet at the airport and transfer to hotel . overnight at Hotel

Day 02 : Delhi
Morning tour of historic city of Old Delhi to include magnificent Red Fort, The Jama Masjid , India`s largest mosque, Rajghat - memorial of Mahatma Gandhi & a Rickshaw ride past through the silver street in Chandani Chowk .

Afternoon sightseeing in New Delhi to include Humayun`s Tomb, Bhai Temple , Qutab Minar , India gate and Government buildings . overnight at hotel

Day 03 : Delhi - Bagdogra - Darjeeling
Morning transfer to airport to connect flight to Bagdogra at 1010 hrs , arrive at bagdogra at 1355 hrs and drive to Darjeeling ( 90 kms / 3 hrs ) , on arrival check in at hotel . Rest of the day at leisure .

Day 04 : Darjeeling
Early morning excursion to Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monasery , after breakfast city sightseeing in Darjeeling visiting Himalayan Mountaineering Institute , Zoological Park , Tibetan camp and local bazaar , afternoon at leisure . overnight at Hotel

Day 05 : Darjeeling
Morning excursion to Happy Valley Tea Estate , afternoon Toy train ride . Overnight at Hotel

Day 06 : Darjeeling - Gangtok
Morning drive to Gangtok , spectacularly located along a ridge overlooking the Kanchenjunga Mountains, the mountainside capital of the tiny state of Sikkim. Looking like something out of a fairy tale. Gangtok`s houses balance precariously on steep mountain slopes above incredible scenic panoramas. Pagodas have painted turquoise roof, and busy bazaars are filled with elegantly costumed smiling faced people, adding to the magic of this scene . Overnight at Hotel

Day 07 : Gangtok
Morning excursion to Rumtek Monastery & Institute of Tibetology. Afternoon sightseeing in Gangtok to include Cottage industry, Enchey Monastery , local bazaar. Overnight at Hotel

Day 08 : Gangtok – Kalimpong
Morning drive to Kalimpong , afternoon sightseeing in Kalimpong. Kalimpong famous for its abundant flowers. Amoung the sights you will see are Raja Dorje Market and the Tibetan Monastery. This peaceful and scenic town includes a number of houses bearing testament to the town`s heritage and gracious living in the early 1900s . Overnight at Hotel

Day 09 : Kalimpong - Bagdogra - Guwahati
Morning after breakfast drive to Bagdogra ( 80 kms / 3 hrs ) to connect flight to Guwahati at 1250 hrs . Arrive in Guwahati at 1340 hrs and transfer to hotel .

Arrive Guwahati. Received at the airport and transferred to a Hotel (20 kms/ 45 mins). In the evening, visit Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra (15kms/ 30 mins) – a multi-art complex highlighting the cultural diversity of Assam and other north-east India. Overnight at Hotel Dynasty or similar.

Guwahati – the capital city of Assam, is considered to be the gateway to North East India. It is situated on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River. Srimanta Shankerdeva Kalashetra - a multi-art complex portrays the rich cultural diversity and life of Assam as well as that of the North-east. This art complex has been named after the greatest Vaishnava saint and the integrator of the Assamese society, which is why it is chosen as the venue for many cultural activities.

Day 10 : Guwahati - Shillong
Drive to Shillong (100kms/3 hrs/1496 M) – “the land of Clouds”. Enroute visit the Kamakhya temple – the main centre of Tantrikism in ancient era. Evening, visit the Shillong peak and Elephant waterfalls. Overnight at Tripura Castle.

Guwahati is home to the famous Kamakhya Temple, a centre of Tantricism, which dates back to the Vedic and Puranic times. One of the best known temple of Guwahati is Kamakhya, situated on Nilachal Hill, 8kms west of the city. This temple honour Goddess Kamakhya, the essence of female energy. It is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Durga. Legend has it that Kamakhya came into existence when Lord Shiva was carrying the corpse of his wife Sati, and her "yoni" (female genitalia) fell to the ground at the spot where the temple now stands. The temple is a natural cave with a spring. Down a flight of steps to the bowel of earth, is located a dark, mysterious chamber. Here, draped with a silk sari and covered with flowers, is kept the “matra yoni”.

Shillong - Meghalaya is best known as the ‘Scotland of the East’ for this pretty hill station. Meghalaya’s natural beauty is most conducive for extended holidays with the hill station of Shillong continuing to be a hot favourite. The scenic Khasi Hills resembles the Scottish Highlands amidst smoky blue hills thick with pine and orchids, singing brooks and crashing waterfalls. The Shillong Peak (1965mtrs) offers breathtaking views of the city spread out against its glorious hill slopes. Amongst the popular waterfalls, close to the town is the Elephant Falls.

Day 11 : Shillong
Full day excursion in and around Shillong. Visit the Butterfly museum, DBCIC museum and Ward’s lake. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Tripura Castle.

The Butterfly Museum is worth visiting as it has an excellent collection of the winged beauties, many of which are facing extinction. The tiny Museum, based in the home of Mr. Wankhar, in the Riatsamthiah area, holds an extensive collection of (dead) rare butterflies and moths from all over the world. Since 1939, Mr. Wankhar has run a breeding farm in the Khasi hills to the south, shipping eggs and cocoons all over the world. In the afternoon, visit the DBCIC (Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Culture). Evening, go for a walk around the serene Ward’s Lake.

Day 12 : Shillong - Kaziranga Nationak Park

Drive to Kaziranga National Park (280kms/7hrs). Overnight at Bonhabi lodge.

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK - a World Heritage Site is the oldest park in Assam. It lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River. It has 65% of the total world’s population of the Great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros, 50% and 55% of the world’s population of Wild Buffaloes and Swamp Deer respectively along with Asiatic wild Elephants, Hog Deer, Jungle cats, Tigers, Leopards. This National Park also has a variety of about 480 different species of birds. Some notable birds are Spot Billed Pelican, Greater Adjutant Stork, Black necked Stork, Purple Heron, Mallard, White eye Pochard, Crested Serpent Eagle, Osprey, Bengal Florican, Khaleej Pheasant, King Vulture, Marsh harrier, Great Indian Hornbill, Pheasant Tailed Jacana, Scarlet Minivet.

Day 13 : Kaziranga National Park
Early morning go for an elephant safari in the central range of the Park, followed by a jeep safari after breakfast. Visit the Western Range of the park in the Afternoon. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 14 : Kaziranga - Dibrugarh
Drive to Dibrugarh (240kms/6hrs). Enroute visit palaces and temples of the medieval period of Assam at Sivasagar. In the evening enjoy a cultural programme performed by an ethnic Assamese dance group. Overnight at Chang Bungalow.

Sivasagar - the ancient capital of Assam and Ahom rulers, who came from Thailand through Northern Myanmar during 12th century and established the Ahom Kingdom that ruled a large part of Assam for six centuries. The Rang-ghar, Tolatol-ghar, Sivadaul – the tallest Siva temple in the world, will be the high lights of your visit to Sivasagar.

DIBRUGARH is the gateway to the “Hidden Land” of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh and Northern Myanmar. The Ahoms from Thailand came through Northern Myanmar through this area in the 13th century to establish their Empire which thrived in the ancient land of Assam. It is the “Camellia” town of Upper Assam, an undisturbed haven, with its rich tea gardens resembling a lush green carpet.

When the British established their tea plantations in the mid-19th century they quickly built comfortable bungalows designed to make life as pleasant as possible in what, was to them, a hostile and strange land. One of the main features of these buildings has given rise to their name – CHANG BUNGALOWS. Chang in the local language means “raised on stilts” and the design served multi purposes; to keep the house cool by allowing the breeze to blow underneath and to keep both water and animals out! Experience and enjoy the richness of these tea gardens while staying at the Heritage Chang Bungalows. These are constructed on stilts and are situated in a serene atmosphere free from pollution.

BIHU is the most popular folk dance of Assam. The people of Assam are very proud of its unique position among all other such dances of India. Except Bhangra (the popular folk dance of Punjab), no other folk dance in India can compete with the rhythmic exuberance of the Bihu dance. ‘Bihu’ performed by young men and women reflects youthful passions and joys rejuvenating life during the spring season, accompanied by songs woven around the theme of love and physical yearning. The dance is performed by all irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

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