East India Odyssey Tour

OVERVIEW OF YOUR INDIA TOUR

Bains Travel is proud to be your India Tour Specialists since 1951!  Book an East India Odyssey Tour with us or any other India Tour and we can help with your flights, transfers, insurance, and anything else you may need to make your India Tour the trip of a lifetime.

Our India Tour specialists are available for in-person discussions in Vancouver, Surrey, Abbotsford, and Mississauga (serving the Toronto area).  Or, just pick up the phone from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada and one of our India Tour Specialists will customize any India Tour package just for you!  Interested in putting a group together? No problem, we are your one-stop-shop for everything India!

All of our India tours feature a chauffeur-driven vehicle, superior accommodations, select meals, and a local guide. Choose from 4-star or 5-star accommodations and a range of vehicles including compact cars, luxury sedans, and SUVs. Every tour can be tailored to your specific preferences. Contact us for pricing and availability.

DAY 1 - ARRIVE KOLKATA

Arrival transfer from Kolkata airport to city hotel. Afternoon starts for half day city tour including – Victoria Memorial (Closed on Mondays), Fort William (drive pass), Eden Garden (drive pass), and Birla Planetarium.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 2 - TO BAGDOGRA & DARJEELING

Today you will get an on-time transfer to the airport for to board a flight for Bagdogra.

Upon arrival, you will drive straight towards your hotel in Darjeeling, located about 100 km from Bagdogra which is the nearest airport. Darjeeling at an altitude of 2134m facing the Himalayas dominated by Mt. Kanchenjunga, was the summer resort of the British, and is now one of Eastern India’s most popular Hill stations.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 3 - IN DARJEELING

Start early morning around 0400 hrs. for an excursion to Tiger Hill, to witness the beauty of the sunrise over the Himalayas. On the way back visit Ghoom Samten, Chholing Monastery & Darli Monastery. After late breakfast, leave for a guided tour of Darjeeling town visiting the Mountaineering Institute, Zoo, Rope Ways, Tenzin Rock, Tibet Handicraft Centre, and the Tea Gardens.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 4 - DARJEELING TO KALIMPONG

After breakfast drive to Kalimpong.  Stunningly situated between two ranges of hills, Kalimpong’s natural setting is enhanced by the many nurseries that flourish amidst this rich climate. Visit Zangdophelri monastery, with its elaborately carved 3D mandala, or model of the universe. Also, visit Dr. Graham’s Home, started in 1900 by a Scottish missionary, who along with his wife, dedicated their lives to building up this beautiful complex for the education & care of orphans & other deprived children, the Thapa Choling monastery, Thongsa monastery and Durpin Dara which towers over Kalimpong & affords a breath-taking view of the plains rolling down to Siliguri. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 5 - KAMLINGPONG TO PEMYANGTSE

Drive to Pelling. Pelling – Sikkim’s early capital, dominated by a magnificent monastery. Located in the western part of Sikkim, Pelling is a small but important Buddhist pilgrim centre. It is a beautiful place surrounded by the natural splendour of the Eastern Himalayas. Pelling offers fascinating views of the mighty Kanchenjunga Peak that overlooks the town. For adventure lovers, there are many hiking and trekking trails in the vicinity of Pelling. The region around Pelling was once the stronghold of the Nyingamapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism which established the state of Sikkim with major centres near present-day Pelling. At that time, the kingdom of Sikkim included, besides the modern state of Sikkim, areas of Tibet, Bhutan, and some areas in the Himalayan foothills including Darjeeling. That power is not there now, but the remnants of this glorious past are enough to signify its importance. Pelling enjoys a pleasant Alpine climate with short and mild summers and cold winters.

Visit Kundragling, Sikkim’s only Bon monastery: Bon is the pre-Buddhist faith of the Himalayas that is still practiced in some regions.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 6 - PELLING

A part of the Eastern Himalayas, Pelling is rich in natural beauty as well as in the cultural and religious wealth acquired over centuries. The Pelling Monastery is the seat of the Nyingamapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. Sangacholing Monastery, another monastery in Pelling, is a 40-minute walk up the town.

Also, visit Khecheopalri Lake – located 24 km from Pelling, this lake is also known as the Wishing Lake. This unusually calm lake, located in a dense forest is considered to be very holy and no water sport or other activities besides prayers are allowed around it. The vicinity of the lake is an ideal place to find the Lepcha Houses and their communities. Later visit Pelling – situated around 3 km from Pelling at an altitude of around 2,100 metres above sea level, Pelling is an important tourist destination of Sikkim. The place offers some great views of mountain ranges.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 7 - PELLING TO GANGTOK

Proceed by road to Gangtok. The capital of Sikkim is a thriving center of Tibetan Buddhism, with several active monasteries that can be visited. Sikkim is also a world-class center for the cultivation of exotic orchids. Visit the Rumtek monastery en route. The ancient Rumtek monastery was built in 1717 but didn’t survive for long. It was built again by Gyalwa Karmapa in the year 1960 and followed the architectural designs of the monastery in Tibet, from where the Karmapa had come. The monastery is also characterized by the structure covered with murals, Tibetan paintings, Tankhas and frescoes. The monastery is also the largest in Sikkim, sprawling over a wide area. Continue to drive to Gangtok and check-in at the hotel upon arrival. The rest of the day is at leisure and free. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 8 - IN GANGTOK

After breakfast at the hotel proceed with a sightseeing tour of Gangtok visiting the Research Institute of Tibetology, Dodrul Chorten – one of the most important stupas in Sikkim, Sa-ngor Chos-Tsog Centre – a Tibetan refugee monastic institution, Directorate of Handicrafts & Handlooms, Tashi Viewpoint – offering a superb view of Kanchenjunga, Enchey monastery, Ganesh Tok & Hanuman Tok. Later, return to your hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 9 - IN GANGTOK

After breakfast proceed with a short excursion tour to Phodong Monastery. Located at a distance of 28 kilometres North of Sikkim, the Phodong Monastery is another must-visit during your excursion. This is regarded as the most beautiful monastery in Sikkim. It has around 260 monks and some old mural paintings. Many people come here to visit the temple during the festival time. Later, return to your hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 10 - TO KOLKATA

Today you will get an on-time transfer to Bagdogra airport to board your flight to Kolkata.

Upon arrival, you will get a transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure and free for independent activities.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 11 - DEPART KOLKATA

In time transfer to the airport to board flight for onward destination. End of our services.

CONTACT US

To learn more about this tour, or any India Tour contact us at 1.844.844.9704 or fill out the form below and we will get back to you ASAP!