Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival / Delhi
cycle rickshaws
Now these are 3-wheel cycles with a sofa seat at the back. The Rickshawalla (Rickshaw driver) sits on a small cushion in the front and two passengers on the sofa seat behind. This is a remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the colour of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a laughing set of dentures. The ride would be accompanied by peals of laughter both from the passengers as well as the onlookers.
guided tour of New Delhi
New Delhi, India’s capital territory, is a massive metropolitan area in the country’s north. It is also a municipality and district in Delhi and serves as the seat of Government of Delhi. Here, we will be visiting many fascinating sights such as Humayun’s Tomb (1586) - a bright testament to the brilliant craftsmanship of the Mughal architect & their creativity. The Qutab Minar - 72 meters high and one of the perfect tower in the Persian world. The Iron Pillar which has survived the vagaries of weather for over 1500 years. We will continue our discoveries, with a drive through the Embassy area, the Government buildings (1921-1930) and Connaught Place, the heart, the soul, and main shopping district of the capital. We will also witness the majestic India Gate – a powerful tribute to our brave soldiers.
guided tour of Old Delhi
Old Delhi is one of the best places to observe the great colossal of cultural and social convergence of old and new. In one corner you might witness a group of oldies sharing their past experiences, sometimes laughing (perhaps over a joke on their spouses!!) - all happy within themselves. In the opposite corner, you might see a bunch of youngsters singing new and old Bollywood songs – Time somehow stands still in the streets of Old Delhi. Besides, on the tour, we will visit the Jamma Mosque (1650) and drive through the fabled area of Chandni Chowk (aptly translates to Moonlight Square) where the throngs of shoppers and vendors meet in the oldest area of Delhi. Later, we will visit the Raj Ghat and nearby ghats where the founder of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi and thereafter Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated.
Meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car.
Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you. (Though Check-in time is 2 PM, every effort would be made to ensure an as early as possible check-in – subject to availability)
Welcome to India, or as we say ‘atithi Devo Bhava’ (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!
After rest and relaxation, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi.
Later, we cross the city and into the walled gates of the Old City for a guided tour of Old Delhi.
The highlight of this tour would be a ride on cycle rickshaws.
Overnight at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Mayur Vihar, (Superior Room) (No Meals)
Day 2 : Delhi / Bagdogra (AI 897 – 1110 / 1315 Hrs) Bagdogra / Kurseong (40 Kms) (01 Hrs Drive)
Cochrane Place seems to be stuck in time.
A 19th-century bungalow located 30 kilometers south of its more glamorous neighbor, Darjeeling. This heritage stay is a charming mishmash of cozy wooden cabins, expensive art, and tea-themed whatnots. Here, you will also relish the whiff of the Colonial culinary delights as well as to enjoy the rustic simplicity that piques your taste in the kitchen, of this heavenly place.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Bagdogra
Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Bagdogra, we will drive to Kurseong, leisurely drive up to Cochrane through scenic Pankhabari road - you will witness picturesque tea estates along the way.
Upon arrival, check into Cochrane Place Hotel – Perched on a ridge, Cochrane Place seems to be stuck in time.
Arriving at Cochrane Place with Welcome tea
The rest of the time is at Leisure, or, you can walk through the Castleton tea estate to get a first-hand feel of the tea gardens.
Overnight at Hotel Cochrane Place (Deluxe Room) (B, L & D)
Day 3 : Kurseong
Local sightseeing in Kurseong
We will visit Eagle's Craig, Dow Hill, Pine Forest & Park, as well as the great freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Museum.
complimentary tea tasting/sampling session
Here, we will try a variety of Darjeeling, Assam and the other blends that are offered at award-winning café Chai Country.
Following breakfast, we will Visit the Makaibari Tea Estate factory followed by a drive through to the Ambootia tea estate.
We will return to our hotel and have our lunch. Following lunch, and after a little rest and relaxation, we proceed for a Local sightseeing in Kurseong.
Following our return to the hotel, we will indulge in a complimentary tea tasting/sampling session.
Overnight at Hotel Cochrane Place (Deluxe Room) (B, L & D)
Day 4 : Kurseong / Darjeeling (35 Kms) (02 Hrs Drive) (Toy Train)
Darjeeling
Darjeeling, a place of the Thunderbolt often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as alluring with its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a narrow gauge railway track. Surrounded by World Famous Tea Gardens and snow capped mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the most exotic destinations. Graeme Westlake in his book ‘An introduction to hill stations on India’ refers to Darjeeling as having “A view Scarcely Unrivalled on Earth”.
Toy Train
One of the important aspect of our tour is to bring to you the world heritage train tides on the hills of Darjeeling, Ooty, and Shimla. The trains have a unique zigzag motion of gaining height while climbing the hills. During the course of a journey, please do not be surprised to see a bicycle or a swift walker overtake your train! We are not travelling in a hurry, but, to make for a once in a lifetime journey where incredible of natural beauty become available to the traveler at every twist and turn. The stations on the way are typical, and, display a unique character of their own. An encroaching reminder of the days of the Raj.
As per availability toy train from Kurseong to Darjeeling (This train is operating with Diesel Engine – Toy Train is subject to the operation of this train & availability of the seats)
Upon arrival in Darjeeling, check into your hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Windamere (Superior Room) (B, L & D)
Day 5 : Darjeeling / Kurseong / Goomtee
Tiger Hill
It is 13 kms from Darjeeling and one can see beautiful sunrise and Himalayan Range like Kanchandzonga , Mount Everest etc. One can see the horizon changing colors just before sunrise and then the entire Himalayan range turn golden. It is truly a majestic sight.
Ghoom Monastery
This is oldest Monastery in the area which was built in 1875 and one can see the image of Mythey Buddha 15ft. height on the way back from Tiger Hill.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
To encourage the youngsters to learn Mountaineering and other adventure sports related to climbing, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was started in Darjeeling. This institute is dedicated to Tenzing Norgay, the first one to climb the Everest. This inspiring institute also houses a Museum that has various equipments that was by Tenzing Norgay while climbing the Everest. Also, one can visit the Himalayan Zoological Park next to the institute where one can see Himalayan animals like the Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black Bear and several varieties of birds.
Early morning visit Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery.
Later we return to the hotel for breakfast.
The afternoon we proceed for city tour:
First, we will visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute/Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (closed on Thursday). Following our visit to Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, we will visit the Tibetan Self- Helf Centre Or Refugee Centre (closed on Sunday).
Overnight at Hotel Windamere (Superior Room) (B, L & D)
