Home : Discover India : Taj and Himalayas Tour

Taj and Himalayas Tour

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Duration : 12 Nights / 13 Days
Places Covered : Kolkata - Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong - Bagdogra - Agra - Delhi

Day 01 : Arrival at Kolkata
Executives of India Tourism Travel will warmly welcome you on arrival at Kolkata airport on the first day of your Taj and Himalayas tour and lodge you in a comforting hotel in the city center. Rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Day 02 : Kolkata
Kolkata, earlier known as Calcutta, is also known with the sobriquets "The City of Joy", "The Cultural Capital of India" and "The City of Processions". This capital city of West Bengal has been the cradle of Communist Movement in India. It is the birth place of celebrated poet Rabindra Nath Tagore and the work land of Mother Teresa who spent her lifetime hereserving the poor and destitute. We will visit the following destinations of Kolkata on the day:
Victoria Memorial - Spread over 64 acres, the imposing monument was designed by Sir William Emerson in 1921. The memorial is dedicated to Queen Victoria and has a rich collection of historic photographs and paintings related to imperial period. It is open for public visit from 10.00 am to 06.00 pm except Mondays. A spectacular Light Show is held in its premises at 07.30 pm that showcases the rich heritage of Kolkata.
Fort William - The importing Fort William was built in 1781 in honor of King William III. It was the focal point of many Eastern operation of Indian Army during eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It has an octagonal shape and houses St. Peter's Church which was constructed in 1928. It is now under control of the Indian Army and entry for the visitors is restricted.
Howrah Bridge - The historic bridge has become identical with Kolkata city. Officially known as Rabindra Setu, the 705 m long bridge serves as Gateway to Kolkata. Constructed over Hoogly River, the 8 lanes wide bridge has been the face of Kolkata for the outside world for decades. Most of the ships entering Kolkata Port sail through it. At night, it is illuminated well that provides a delightful sight to the people.
Marble Palace - It is an Art Gallery, situated near Chorbagan. The beautiful palace was constructed in 1835 by Rajendra Mallick. The art gallery has good collection of paintings and masterpieces of celebrated artists like Reuben, Van Gogh, Reynolds and Rembrandt.

Other attractions of Kolkata are: Indian Museum, The Botanical Gardens, Birla Planetarium, Eden Gardens, Kali Temple, St. Paul's Cathedral and Nakhoda Mosque.

We will have our overnight stay at a hotel in Kolkata.

Day 03: Kolkata - Bagdogra (By Flight) - Darjeeling (85 km / 05 hrs)
Bagdogra is a beautiful town situated in Darjeeling district of Kolkata. From here, tourists can have an amusing view of the Great Himalayas. The region has vast expanses of Tea plantations where heritage tours are conducted for travelers. We shall visit the following attractions of the region during the day.
White Water Rafting - Bagdogra is a nice place to enjoy adventure sports and trekking. River Teesta flows close to the town where adventure buffs can enjoy white water rafting in its turbulent rapids.
Pelling - The hill station is situated in Sikkim. It is situated at the foothills of Kanchenjunga Mountains and has several Buddhist monasteries that are revered a lot by the people. Nearby Siliguri region is an excellent destination for trekking and nature walks.
Trekking - Bagdogra has thick cover of vegetation where you enjoy trekking or a casual ramble. Aroma of tea plantations will be something that you will experience everywhere in the region. We will drive to Darjeeling at evening and have our overnight stay at Darjeeling hill station.

Day 04 : Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a lovely hill station of West Bengal. It has a flourishing tea industry and Darjeeling Tea is world famous which is exported to numerous countries the world over. Rolling hills, mountain streams, lush greenery and deep valleys add to the charm of the landscape of Darjeeling. Tea, cardamom and orange plantations are visible everywhere in Darjeeling. We shall visit the following attractions of Darjeeling on the fourth day of our Taj and Himalayas tour.
Darjeeling Toy Train - The historic train chugs through awe inspiring landscape of Darjeeling at a slow speed. It starts from New Jalpaiguri and reaches Darjeeling in 08 hours' time. Darjeeling Toy Train has a seating capacity of 30 persons and it has been accorded the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is run and maintained by Darjeeling Himalayan Railways.
Kanchenjunga - With an elevation of 8586 m, Kanchenjunga is the world's third highest peak of the Great Himalayas range of mountains. Observatory Hills is a vantage point from where one can have a magnificent view of Kanchenjunga Mountains. You can also enjoy camping and trekking in the region.
Tiger Hill - It is a mountain peak from where you can have a panoramic view of Kanchenjunga Mountains. The hill has peak elevation of 2555 m and you can view Mount Everest, the highest peak of Great Himalayas from here on a clear day. Run rise happens here at 4.00 am, which is a memorable experience for the tourists and a great visual delight as mountains change their hues slowly and slowly during sunrise.
Passenger Ropeway - The 5 km long ropeway is India's oldest and first ropeway. It runs over Ranjit River, and connects Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar. It starts from North Point and its cable car can take six passengers at a time. It is a good option for pleasure seeker who can enjoy bird's eye view of the surrounding lush greenery and tea estates during their short but exciting ride.

Other attractions of Darjeeling are: Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Zoo, Aloobari Gompa, Badmantan Tea Estate and Snow Leopard Breeding Center.

We shall enjoy our overnight stay at a tourist lodge in picturesque Darjeeling.

Day 05 : Darjeeling - Gangtok (100 km / 04 hrs)
After having our luscious breakfast with aromatic Darjeeling Tea, we shall drive to Gangtok. The incomparable hill resort is the capital of Sikkim. The scenic city is situated 110 km form Siliguri and one can have a beautiful view of Kanchenjunga Mountains from the city. Gangtok has broad roads, fast food centers and posh markets. We shall visit the following attractions of Gangtok:
Enchey Monastery - The 200 year old historic monastery is situated close to the city center. It was constructed with the blessings of Tantrik Guru Lame Druptab Karpn. There are beautiful images of gods and goddesses in the monastery.
Kanchenjunga - This virgin peak of Great Himalayas is the world's third highest mountain peak. Its summit has an elevation of 28,155 ft. One can have a great view of Kanchenjunga from Darjeeling.
Do Drul Chorten - It is the most revered Buddhist Stupa in Sikkim. The big stupa was built in 1945 with the blessings of Trusishi Rimpoche, a revered monk. The stupa has a gold plated steeple and there are 108 prayer wheels in it.
Trekking - Visit to Gangtok would be fruitless without exploring its lovely natural bounties. The dense vegetation of Gangtok provides ample options for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts for trekking. There are good trekking trails in Rumtek, Pemayangtse, Yaksum and Dzongri.

We will have our overnight stay at a hill resort in Gangtok and continue our sightseeing of this beautiful hill station for one more day.

Day 06: Gangtok sightseeing
Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary - The sanctuary is situated 20 km from Gangtok. Several varieties of plants like Champa, ferns, bamboo and Kimbu are found in it. It is home to some rare species of animals like Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, bearcat etc. Tinjure has an elevation of 7,000 ft and there is an Observation Tower in Tinjure from where you can have a great view of the sanctuary.
Rumtek Monastery - Also known as Dharma Chakra Centre, it is located 24 km from Gangtok. Golden Stupa is the prime attraction of the monastery which has mortal remains of his Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa. The monastery is situated at an altitude of 5800 ft. and is the most visited monastery of Sikkim.
Tsomgo Lake - Situated 35 km from Gangtok on Gangtok-Nathula Highway, the tranquil waters of the lake add to the serenity of the ambience of the region. During winters, it remains frozen. There are beautiful pine trees and flowering plants around the lake.
Tashi Viewpoint - The viewpoint presents great view of Kanchenjunga Mountains, Phodong monastery and Labrang monastery. It was built by King Tashi Namgyal. It is a popular hangout destination for travelers.
Other attractions of Gangtok are: Rabdentse Ruins, Saramsa Garden and Tashiding Monastery.

Day 07 : Gangtok - Kalimpong / 80 Kms - 03 Hrs
Kalimpong - The lovely Kalimpong hill station is situated 50 km off Darjeeling and 80 km from Bagdogra, at the foothills of Shivalik Mountains, overlooking the verdant Teesta Valley. The hill station has dense tea plantations where you can enjoy trekking and an exciting day out. It has bustling flower markets and there are several Buddhist monasteries and renowned educational institutions in the region.
We shall visit the following attractions of Kalimpong during the day:
Zong Dhog Palri Fo Brang Gompa (Monastery) - Also known as Durpin Monastery, it was consecrated in 1976 by Dalai Lama. It houses all 108 volumes of the sacred Kunguyar texts which were sanctified here by Dalai Lama during his exile from Tibet.
Thongsa Gompa - Also known as Bhutanese Monastery, it was founded in 1692 and is considered to be the oldest monastery in the region. It was built under the supervision of Bhutanese King and several activities for spiritual elevation of devotees are undertaken here.
Neora National Park - The 88 sq km sanctuary is situated near Lava town in Kalimpong. The park has rich varieties of plants like bamboo, pines and ferns. You can also spot Himalayan Griffon, Golden Headed Finch, pit viper, blind snakes, wild dogs and King Cobra in Neora National Park.
St. Theresa Church - The church resembles a monastery and is built in Tibetan style of architecture. There are beautiful pictures of Biblical themes on its walls.
We will stay overnight at a tourist lodge in Kalimpong and continue our sightseeing of the region tomorrow also.

Day 08: Kalimpong sightseeing
Samco Ropeway - The 1.5 km long ropeway runs over the rivers Teesta and Relli. The ropeway is located 120 m above the water level of the river and provides a good access to the lovely Samthar Valley and adjoining areas. A joyride on the ropeway will provide an unforgettable experience to the travelers.
Crockety - It is a bungalow with exquisite architecture and beautiful surroundings. It is the reminiscent of the British legacy in India.
Catholic Church - Built in 1890, it is the biggest church in the region. It was designed by British architect Hardy in 1890. It attracts faithful from the nearby settlements.
Lava - It is the Gateway to Neora National Park. Located at an altitude of 2350 m, the place offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan range of mountains.

Other attractions of Kalimpong are: Morgan House, Galingka, Samthar Plateau and Galingka. Besides this, one can also enjoy hiking, trekking and river rafting in Kalimpong.

Our overnight stay will be at a tourist bungalow in Kalimpong where you will be served delicious hilly region delicacies.

Day 09: Kalimpong - Bagdogra (By Flight)
We will take flight to Bagdogra from Kalimpong after our breakfast. From Bagdogra, you will be boarded on a flight to Delhi in the afternoon. Once you arrive at Delhi, you will be lodged in a comforting hotel in the city center. Rest of the day will be all yours. We will start our sightseeing of Delhi's attractions the next day.

Day 10 : Delhi
Delhi, the capital city of India is an amalgamation of traditions and modernity. While Old Delhi has several historically important monuments, New Delhi has new attractions for tourists, most of them crated during imperial rule and after Independence of India. We shall visit some of the prominent landmarks of Delhi like:
Qutub Minar - The 234 ft high minaret was founded in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak, though he could not complete its all 5 storey during his lifetime. His descendant Shamsuddin Iltutmish completed the construction of the huge minaret by adding top 3 floors to it. It is open for public from 09.00 am to 06.00 pm except Mondays.
India Gate - The 42 m high War Memorial is situated on Rajpath in the heart of New Delhi. There are breezy fountains and clear water channels near India Gate where you can enjoy pedal boating. It is a popular weekend and picnic destination.
Jantar Mantar - It is a set of five huge astronomical observatories that were built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1724. It is situated at a walking distance from the city center and is a national heritage site.
Akshardham Temple - The magnificent temple is situated at the banks of River Yamuna in Delhi. It is spread over an area of 100 acres and it was open to the public in 2005 by then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam. The main shrine of the temple houses the statue of Lord Swaminarayan.
Other worthwhile attractions of Delhi are: Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, President House, Lotus Temple, Lodhi Gardens, ISKCON Temple, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Jama Masjid.

Our overnight stay will be at a hotel in Delhi.

Day 11: Delhi - Agra (220 km / 4.5 hrs)
We shall drive to Agra in the morning. The historic city is situated in Uttar Pradesh. It has been the capital city of some powerful dynasties of North India including the Moguls and the Lodhis. It is situated on the banks of River Yamuna. We shall see the following attractions of Agra on eleventh day of our Taj and Himalayas tour.
Taj Mahal - It is the most prominent landmark of Agra and a great draw for tourists worldwide. The flawless building in white was founded in the year 1653 by Emperor Shah Jahan. Great Persian architect Ustad Isa was the chief architect of this wonderful monument. It took 22 years to thousands of laborers to complete this great mausoleum. It houses the mortal remainsof Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The monument has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Taj Mahal is best viewed on the night of full moon when its white brilliance provides a captivating charm to the viewers. It is open to the public from 06.00 am to 07.30 pm daily except Fridays.
We will enjoy our sightseeing of Taj Mahal till 02.00 pm. We shall have our lunch and thereafter we will proceed for the sightseeing of Agra Fort.
Agra Red Fort - Also known as Agra Fort, the imposing fort was built by Emperor Shah Jahan near Taj Mahal. Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Moti Masjid and Nagina Masjid are main attractions of the fort. It is now occupied by Indian Army and entry to the fort is restricted for the visitors.
Mehtab Bagh - The 25 acre garden was built in 1635 on the western bank of River Yamuna, aligned with the symmetry of Taj Mahal. One can have a great view of Taj Mahal from its lush green environs.
We shall have our overnight stay at Agra where you will be served delicious dinner. We shall continue our sightseeing of Agra attractions for one more day.

Day 12 : Agra sightseeing
Fatehpur Sikri - It is situated 40 km from Agra. The city was founded by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in 1585 to honor the great saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. The architecture of city's historic monuments is a blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture styles. It is a popular tourist attraction.
Buland Darwaza: The huge Gateway was constructed by Emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Khandesh Kingdom. The 40 m high gateway has inscriptions from Quran inscribed on its walls.
Sikandra (Akbar'Tomb) - Though Akbar himself started the construction of his tomb during his lifetime; it was completed in 1605 by his son Jahangir. It is built in red stone with glossy white marble finish. There are big gateways in the tomb and multi-colored mosaics with beautiful patterns.
Itimad-ud-daula's Tomb - The tomb was built by Queen Noor Jahan in the memory of his father. It is situated at the center of a beautiful Persian Garden. It is also known as Baby Taj as the architectural style of Taj Mahal has close resemblance to it. Over overnight stay will be at Agra.

Day 13 : Agra - Delhi - Departure
This will be the last day of your Taj and Himalayas tour. You will be driven to Delhi Airport from where representatives of India Tourism Travel will board you on flight back to your home. Tags : Taj and Himalayas Tour, Taj Tours, Himalaya Tour, Darjeeling Tours, Gangtok Tourism

Taj and Himalayas Tour ends with sweet memories!!