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Northeast India & Darjeeling by Rail
13 days, Calcutta to Delhi
Itinerary
Day 1Calcutta
Arrive at any time.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Calcutta/Jalpāiguri
Visit the Victoria Memorial and explore Mother Teresa's House. Enjoy free time later and opt to explore the Indian Museum. In the evening, board an overnight New Jalpaiguri Kamrup Express train to New Jalpaiguri.
Victoria Memorial Visit
Enjoy a visit to this palatial white marble building, built in the beginning of the 20th century. It is dedicated to Queen Victoria and has a lush green "maidan" (lawn) in front of it. The Victoria Memorial is architecturally impressive; it combines British and Mughal design, along with elements of Venetian, Egyptian, Islamic, and other architecture.
Mother Teresa's House Visit
Visit Mother Teresa's house, now often referred to as "Motherhouse." See the local chapel, the tomb of Mother Teresa, and the modest room she called home for almost 50 years.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Indian Museum
500INR per personGain a deeper understanding of the history of this country with a walk back in time at the Indian Museum. The largest and oldest museum in India, explore the rare collections ranging from six different sections: art, archaeology, anthropology, geology, zoology and economic botany.
Day 3Jalpāiguri/Darjeeling
Arrive at New Jalpaiguri and continue onwards by van to Darjeeling. Take an orientation tour of the town before enjoying free time with the rest of the evening.
Famous for the black tea grown amongst the tea plantations, enjoy the scenic views of Darjeeling. Set upon the foothills of the Himalayas, expect the climate to be much different from the plains.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Relax with a free evening in this picturesque hill station.
Day 4Darjeeling
Watch the sunrise at Tiger Hill, visit a tea estate and explore the Mahakal Temple. Later, travel the World Heritage-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway on a vintage steam engine train. Continue with a visit to the Peace Pagoda.
Please note that occasionally the cooking demonstration may be moved to Varanasi to better suit the day's schedule.
Tiger Hill Sunrise Visit
Wake up early for a drive up to the top of Tiger Hill. The early start will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Mt Everest and Mt Kangchenjunga, the first and third highest mountains in the world. Make it there in time for sunrise to see the mountains bathed in pink light.
Tea Estate Visit
Visit the Tukvar Tea Estate, first planted by the British in 1852. This is the oldest tea estate and produces the world-famous Darjeeling tea, known as the champagne of tea. Enjoy a cup!
Mahakal Temple Visit
Enjoy a visit to this charming temple is situated on top of a hill. Inside, you'll find a cave designated as a holy site for worshippers of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction. Previously the location of a Buddhist Monastery, it continues to be an important site for pilgrims.
Peace Pagoda Visit
Visit this beautiful pagoda built with guidance from a Buddhist monk from Japan. As with other Peace Pagodas around the world, its aim is to unite peace seekers to create the calm they hope for.
Toy Train
Climb aboard and grab a seat aboard this charming narrow-gauge train.
Day 5Darjeeling/Gangtok
Continue by private van to Gangtok and take an orientation tour of the town. Take in the stunning scenery of the Himalayas surrounding this quaint town.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Day 6Gangtok
Start the day with an orientation walk, then enjoy a free day to explore this scenic town.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Enjoy a full day to explore the stunning town of Gangtok.
Day 7Gangtok/Kalimpong
Continue by private vehicle to Kalimpong. Stop along the way at Rumtek Monastery. Embark on an orientation walk of the town of Kalimpong then enjoy the rest of the day to explore at leisure.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Take the afternoon to explore the scenic views throughout Kalimpong.
Day 8Kalimpong to New Jalpaiguri
Drive to New Jalpaiguri Station with a stop en route at Deolo Hills to take in views of the mountainous scenery. Catch the overnight train to Varanasi.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Deolo Hill Visit
Visit Deolo Hills, home to the highest point in Kalimpong, and enjoy views of the mountain scenery.
Overnight Train (beds)
Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
Day 9Mughal Sarāi/Varanasi
Arrive to Mughal Sarai in the morning and continue by van to Varanasi. Enjoy an evening visit to the ghats and watch the prayer sessions.
Ghats Visit
Walk along the ghats (waterfront steps) leading into the sacred River Ganges in Varanasi. The ghats are all used for different purposes -- some for bathing, some for puja (prayer) ceremonies, and others for cremation.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 10Varanasi
Take a sunrise boat trip on the Ganges. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Sarnath and the city of Varanasi.
Morning Ganges Boat Tour
Catch the sunrise from a boat cruising the sacred Ganges River, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Witness locals participating in dawn rituals of bathing and burning at the river.
Free Time
Enjoy some more time in this holy city.
Day 11Varanasi/Lucknow
Take a morning Varanasi-Lucknow Intercity train. In the afternoon, visit the Bara Imambara.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Bara Imambara Visit
Visit the famous Shia Muslim shrine located in Lucknow. With ornate Mughal architecture, this massive shrine is a striking sight to behold.
Day 12Lucknow/Delhi
Spend most of the day exploring Lucknow. Opt to explore The Residency and be immersed in colonial era history. In the afternoon, board the Swarna Shatabdi Express train to Delhi, with dinner provided on board. Enjoy the night in the bustle of Delhi.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Free Time
Get out and explore.
Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow
The Residency
200INR per personAlso known as the British Residency, this colonial era Residence has been in numerous battles. Find the bullet marks still scarring the walls or walk the gardens and observe the ruins.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 13Delhi
Depart at any time.
With extra time, you can book our 'Agra Independent Adventure' including accommodation, transport, and a guided visit to India's most famous sight, the Taj Mahal.