Today enjoy the guided tour of Calcutta, a city of palaces situated on the east bank of the River Hooghly and the principal commercial, cultural and educational centre in eastern India. Calcutta is also noted for its revolutionary history, ranging from the Indian struggle for independence to the leftist Naxalite and trade-union movements.

We drive past BBD Bagh Garden (formerley Dalhousie Square), named after three freedom fighters and now the office hub of the city. These impressive colonial buildings date back to when this city was the capital of British India. Here you can see Raj Bhavan (Government House), St John’s church, High Court, Post Office, Town Hall and beautiful Writers Building.

Other places we can visit include the Mother Teresa Mission, which works amongst one of the poorest communities in the world, the Belur Math Shrine that is the headquarters of the Rama Krishna Order, Victoria Memorial (closed Mondays), Indian Museum (closed Mondays), Marble Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Jain Temple and the beautiful Dakshineswar Kali Temple.

We can also visit the Flower Market and drive across the impressive Vidyasagar Setu Bridge, before enjoying a boat ride on the Hooley River that links Calcutta with Howrah. Return and stay overnight in the hotel.

This morning drive to Godhkhali, a journey of about 3 hrs. After obtaining requisite Forest permission we transfer you from Godhkhali jetty by motor boat to the tourist lodge located in the Sunderbans Islands. This journey would take you down the rivers Hogil, Gomar, Durgaduni and Gumdi in about one and a half hour. In the afternoon after lunch, set off on motor boat to the Sunderbans National Park and view wildlife from the Sajnekhali watchtower and visit the Sajnekhali Museum and Mangrove Interpretation Centre. This Watchtower provides one with an opportunity to view wildlife from close quarters.

After watching the sunset, we return you to your resort either to rest or if you are interested, you may enjoy an entertaining evening of Folk Dance “Banbibi Pala”(Optional). Dinner and night halt at the forest resort/boat.

After morning tea, a thrilling Boat Cruise inside creeks and dense forest (breakfast on boat during cruise) through numerous rivers while visiting Dobanke Watch Tower where the canopy walk inside the forest sends chills down your body (experience the life in which caged animals live in, while getting an all around view of the forest). Also visit the Spotted Deer Rehabilitation Centre. After which we cruise through Matla – Sea Face (the point from where Bay of Bengal can be seen) –Cruising back through the 5 river junction – to Pitchkhali.

Promenade around the Neighbouring villages to interact with the Local Community at a typical Sunderban settlement to understand their local Art, Culture and Way of Life (how man and tiger coexist in such a difficult terrain). In simple words a “Rendezvous with the Rural Bengal.”

Return and stay overnight in the lodge.

Meet your driver and head to Kolkata airport to board the flight to Bagdogra and start your tryst with the mystic hills of the Eastern Himalayas as you proceed to Gangtok. It is an extremely pleasant journey with rugged mountains for backdrop. Reach your destination and spend the evening at leisure.

Start the day visiting popular spots like the Botanical Garden, Institute of Tibetology, Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms, among others. After an eventful day, ride off to Pelling, the next stop on your intoxicating Sikkim tour. Upon reaching your hotel in Pelling, complete your swift check-in procedure and head to your room.

Today early morning at around 4 AM we head towards the famous Tiger hill to watch the mesmerizing sunrise view over the mountain top of Kanchenjunga. We spend some time here capturing beautiful shots and then return to the hotel, and on the way back we pay a visit to Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop, an engineering marvel, and also a memorial ground for Gorkha soldiers of the Indian Army who laid down their lives for Indian Independence in 1947.

Post breakfast it’s time to head out and get a feel of the Darjeeling locales such as The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & PNZ Zoological Park (both closed on Thursday) Tenzing Rock, Tibetans Refuge Centre (closed on Sunday), Tea Garden (outer view). Spending the evening around the famous Mall road to experience shopping and night life is highly recommended. Come back to the hotel in the evening for overnight stay.

Post breakfast we leave for another quaint town in the hills of North Bengal, called Kalimpong. It is a bustling bazaar town boasting great Himalayan views, colonial architecture and renowned for its nursery industry and indigenous cottage cheese industry. The small town with fresh air and greenery is good for leisurely walks around the military cantonment area .Check into the hotel and later during the day visit The Dello hills, Flower/Orchid Nursery, Dr. Grahams Home – oldest educational centre for the entire North East belt, Mangal Dham and Buddhist monastery. Come back to the hotel in the evening for overnight stay.