15 Days | 14 Nights

Discover the soul of Eastern India on this extraordinary 15-day expedition. This journey bridges the colonial grandeur of Kolkata with the mist-covered tea estates of Darjeeling, the sacred Buddhist monasteries of Sikkim, and the untamed wilderness of Assam. From the rare one-horned rhinoceros to the living root bridges of Meghalaya, this itinerary captures a side of India defined by emerald landscapes and ancient tribal traditions.

Route: Kolkata – Darjeeling – Rumtek – Gangtok – Kalimpong – Kaziranga – Shillong – Guwahati

🗺️ Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – 2: Kolkata: The City of Joy Arrive in the intellectual capital of India. On Day 2, take a deep dive into “Old Calcutta.” Visit the marble Victoria Memorial, the hauntingly beautiful Park Street Cemetery, and the glittering Jain Temples. Explore the banks of the Hooghly River and the ancient Kali temples to witness the city’s intense spiritual devotion. Overnight: Kolkata

Day 3 – 4: Darjeeling: Tea & Transitions Fly to Bagdogra and drive into the clouds. Spend Day 4 exploring the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, and the lush Tea Gardens. Don’t miss the Batasia Loop, where the historic Toy Train performs a scenic 360-degree feat of engineering. Overnight: Darjeeling

Day 5: Tiger Hill Sunrise & Sikkim Rise at 4:00 AM for the legendary sunrise at Tiger Hill, where the peaks of Everest and Kanchenjunga glow in the dawn light. Later, drive into Sikkim to Rumtek, a quiet sanctuary of emerald rice paddies facing the capital. Overnight: Rumtek

Day 6 – 7: Gangtok & The Tibetan Border Explore Rumtek Monastery, the largest in Sikkim, before heading into Gangtok. Visit the Institute of Tibetology and Ganesh Tok. On Day 7, take a high-altitude excursion to Tsongo Lake (3,753m) near the Indo-Tibet border, where you can ride a decorated yak along the shoreline. Overnight: Rumtek

Day 8: The Nurseries of Kalimpong Drive to Kalimpong, a hill station famous for its orchid nurseries. Visit Deolo Hill for panoramic views, the handmade paper factory, and Dr. Graham’s historic Children’s Home. Overnight: Kalimpong

Day 9 – 11: The Wilds of Kaziranga Fly from Bagdogra to Guwahati and drive to Kaziranga National Park. This UNESCO site is the world’s most successful sanctuary for the One-Horned Rhino. Spend two days on jeep safaris, tracking rhinos, wild elephants, water buffalo, and the elusive Bengal tiger. Overnight: Kaziranga

Day 12: Into the Abode of Clouds (Shillong) Journey to Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Visit bustling tribal markets where the local Khasi people trade, and soak in the “Scotland of the East” atmosphere. Overnight: Shillong

Day 13 – 14: Cherrapunjee & The Deep Gorges Take a spectacular day trip to Cherrapunjee, once the wettest place on earth. Explore ancient limestone caves and view the dramatic waterfalls plummeting into deep tropical gorges. On Day 14, visit Elephant Falls and enjoy a final view of the plateau from Shillong Peak. Overnight: Shillong

Day 15: Return to Kolkata & Departure Fly from Shillong back to Kolkata to connect with your international flight.

💬 Why This Journey is Unique

• Wildlife & Botany: You move from the world’s most famous tea gardens to the world’s premier rhino sanctuary.
• Cultural Contrast: Witness the transition from the Bengali intellectualism of Kolkata to the Buddhist serenity of Sikkim and the matrilineal Khasi culture of Meghalaya.
• The Living Root Bridges: For active travelers, we can extend the Cherrapunjee day to include a trek to the world-famous “Double Decker” living root bridges.