Unravel the colonial history of Bengal on a walking tour of Kolkata and watch tea trading at an auction house. Travel north and take the ‘toy train’ in Darjeeling gazing out at its cliff-hanging tea estates. Cross the border into the tiny Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim and wander through its alpine forests, catching a glimpse of Kanchenjunga, India’s highest peak. Witness monks pouring over ancient Buddhist scripts in monasteries, before returning to Bengal and end your trip cruising the waterways of the Sunderbans, the world’s largest mangroves.
Kolkata - Victoria Memorial - Darjeeling - Pelling - Pemayangtse Monastery - Khecheopalri Lake - Gangtok - Rumtek Monastery - Sunderbans
Arrive in Kolkata, where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. After check in, the rest of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure. Overnight in Kolkata.
Overnight in Astor Hotel, Kolkata
Meal plan: n/a
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Kolkata, visiting many of the city's most impressive temples and churches. Start your day with a walking tour of Dalhousie Square. Later visit the Kalighat Kali Temple, St, Andrews Church, St Paul's Church and end at the Victoria Memorial (closed on Mondays). Overnight in Kolkata.
Overnight in Astor Hotel, Kolkata
Meal plan: Breakfast
After breakfast, explore the 'Black Town' in the north of Kolkata. Visit the Jain Temple Complex, Marble Palace (closed on Mondays & Thursdays), Kumartuli, College Street book market and Tagore Museum (closed on Mondays). Overnight in Kolkata.
Overnight in Astor Hotel, Kolkata
Meal plan: Breakfast
Enjoy some free time before being transferred to the airport to connect with your flight to Bagdogra. On arrival you will be transferred to Darjeeling. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Overnight in Windamere Hotel , Darjeeling
Meal plan: Breakfast
Early morning visit Tiger Hill – 11 kms from Darjeeling. Witness the magnificent sunrise, it also offers panoramic views of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga (subject to clear weather) and Ghoom Monastery. The 19th century Goempa, one of the oldest in the area, enshrines an enormous gilded statue of the Maitreya Buddha and also houses valuable Tibetan manuscripts.
After breakfast enjoy a ride on the Heritage Toy Train, from Darjeeling to Ghoom and back.
Afternoon visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursdays) - the Institute was started in Darjeeling by Tenzing Norgay following his ascent of Everest to impart training in mountaineering and other adventure sports related to mountaineering. and Tibetan Refugee Centre (closed on Sundays) - established in 1959, it comprises a home for the elderly, an orphanage, school, clinic and craft workshops. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Overnight in Windamere Hotel , Darjeeling
Meal plan: Breakfast
Today you will visit the Tukvar Tea Estate, the very first tea estate in Darjeeling. Observatory Hill - Like most other hill stations in India, Darjeeling also has a Mall Road and atop the Mall is the Observatory hill. The hill hosts the famous Mahakal temple and the original shrine of Bhutia Basti monastery, making it a place of religious significance for Hindus and Buddhists alike. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Overnight in Windamere Hotel , Darjeeling
Meal plan: Breakfast
After breakfast, drive to Pelling. The evening is free to enjoy at your leisure. Overnight in Pelling.
Overnight in Elgin Mount Pandim Hotel, Pelling
Meal plan: Breakfast
After breakfast you will spend the day visiting Khangchendzonga waterfalls, Rimbi waterfalls and Khachoedpalri lake. Later, explore Pemayangtse monastery, one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Sikkim. Overnight in Pelling.
Overnight in Elgin Mount Pandim Hotel, Pelling
Meal plan: Breakfast
You will be transferred to Gangtok. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure. Overnight in Gangtok.
Overnight in Elgin Nor Khill Hotel , Gangtok
Meal plan: Breakfast
After breakfast enjoy a guided tour of Gangtok. Sites include Ranka Monastery, Enchey Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, Ban Jhakri Falls and Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. Overnight in Gangtok.
Overnight in Elgin Nor Khill Hotel , Gangtok
Meal plan: Breakfast
Drive to Bagdogra and transfer to the airport to connect with your flight to Kolkata. The rest of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure. Overnight in Kolkata.
Overnight in Astor Hotel, Kolkata
Meal plan: Breakfast
In the morning you will be transferred to Sunderbans. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy at your leisure. Overnight in Sunderbans.
Overnight in Sunderban Tiger Camp, Sunderbans
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Board a cruise boat towards the Dobanke Watch Tower, passing through creeks and dense forests. Breakfast will be served on board. Experience the thrill of the Canopy Walk, which provides 360 degree views of the forest. Visit the spotted deer rehabilitation centre before returning to Sunderbans Tiger Camp for lunch. In the afternoon, walk through the village of Dayapur, observing local life. End the day with dinner at the reserve. Overnight in Sunderbans.
Overnight in Sunderban Tiger Camp, Sunderbans
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Morning cruise through the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve in search of the elusive tiger. Breakfast will be served on board. After an early lunch you will be transferred to Kolkata to connect to your onward flight.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.
A newly-refurbished heritage house just a short walk away from Victoria Memorial, Astor Hotel is a blend of old-world charm and boutique luxury, showcasing traditional colonial architecture from 1900. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, free WiFi and modern amenities, and guests are welcome to enjoy the range of Indian and continental cuisine served in the onsite restaurant, Kebab-e-Que.
Windamere Hotel was established in the 19th century as a boarding house for British tea planters - it has since become a comfortable, colonial-styled hotel for visitors exploring the Darjeeling region. The hotel is located on 'Observatory Hill', which provides it with spectacular views across the Himalayas. The hotel bar and restaurant serves both continental and Indian cuisine to guests, who can also relax in the communal lounge spaces several lounge areas, or choose to browse in the hotel's boutique store.
Mount Pandim is a peaceful mountain retreat, set in 8 acres of stunning gardens and lush forest. It is a great location for rare bird watching and has mountain bikes available to rent. All rooms have stunning views over the Singalila range and modern facilities including wireless internet access, LCD televisions and an electronic safety deposit box.
The Elgin Nor Khill Hotel is situated amongst the beautiful mountainous scenery of the Himalayas in Gangtok. Surrounded by gardens and valleys, the hotel is the perfect spot to relax after a day of exploring. Its elegant decor and furnishings are influenced by the region's rich heritage. The bedrooms are decorated in a typical Sikkimese style, providing guests with modern comforts, along with scenic views across the Himalayas. The hotel restaurant serves a variety of local, Indian or Continental dishes - also offering the chance to enjoy high tea in the gardens.
Sunderban Tiger Camp is a delightful lodge, nestled in stunning surroundings close to the Sunderbans mangroves forest - one of the largest such forests in the world. The interior of the cottages have been delicately hand painted by a local artist, which provides guests with an insight into authentic rural Bengal. The camp is also fitted with modern amenities to provide guests with a comfortable stay.
Remote villages & jaw-dropping scenery
On the tiger trail through Bandhavgarh and Kanha
Marvel at India's most incredible forts and palaces
Discover colonial Kolkata and the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve
A real life Jungle Book.
Ideal extension to Bhutan
Travel across the spectacular Himalayan Highway
After exploring the busy cities, there's no better place to relax than one of India's paradisiacal beaches
Himalayan treks, village walks and more
Escape the city and unwind among some of the most breathtaking mountain and hill scapes the world has to offer.
Visit the must-see sights and the hidden depths of India's most vibrant cities.
Travel through the Himalayan foothills via Shimla & Amritsar to Ladakh
Himalayan mountains, unseen tribes & amazing wildlife
Experience Bhutan's rich culture, colonial Kolkata and rural life in Assam
Travel India's Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh
Golden Triangle and the Himalayas
Textile tour of Gujarat & Rajasthan including the Mewar Festival
Experience the flavours and exotic spices of South India
Mighty sea fortresses, rock-cut cave temples, and verdant hill stations
Experience the culture and landscapes of India & Bhutan
Wildlife, tribes & rural life in Assam and Nagaland
Spot tigers, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhino & elephants
Aoling Festival, wildlife in Assam & natural beauty of Manipur
Discover Rajasthan's forts, palaces and rural villages
Idyllic backwaters, tropical forests & ancient temple towns
Perfect mix of classic sights and off-beat places for first-timers to India
Track the Himalayan brown bear & snow leopard on a once-in-a-lifetime trip
Diverse wildlife in Assam and the Sunderbans
Wildlife, diverse cultures & rural life in hidden North East India
Uncover the regal wildlife of Rajasthan
Experience dramatic Himalayan scenery, Buddhist and Islamic cultures
Take in the highlights of central India
Discover the huge diversity of North India's cuisine
Tribal villages, temples, salt flats & the world's last Asiatic lions
Discover Karnataka's stone temples, wildlife and coffee farms
Temple towns of Tamil Nadu to backwaters of Kerala
Remote tribal cultures in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Nagaland
Visit remote tribal villages of Orissa & Chhattisgarh
Colonial Kolkata, Darjeeling toy train & Buddhism
Charming towns, spice plantations & idyllic backwaters
Explore this UNESCO biodiversity hotspot on foot
Rural villages, grand forts & wildlife
Gujarat's Asiatic Lions, Salt Flats & Textile Villages
Once in 12 years - the largest gathering of humanity on earth
Track India's tigers, leopards & lions
Expert-led trip through Kashmir and Ladakh
Set foot in Ladakh's hidden Himalayan valleys
Attain lofty heights over soul-soothing Ladakh
Golden Triangle, tigers & exotic Kerala
Discover the forts, palaces, villages and desert of Rajasthan
Waterfalls, hills and living bridges in North East India
Tea, spices, backwaters & beaches
Joan Edmunds (USA) , Tailormade IndiaI have been on 3 tailor made trips with Travel The Unknown and have found them to be knowledgeable and reliable. We`ve stayed in some wonderful places and have had some unusual and satisfying experiences that go beyond the standard tours.
Tracey & Gary , Tailormade IndiaI would highly recommend Travel the Unknown to anyone visiting India. The service we received both prior to, during and following our travels was always timely and excellent. We were able to customize our trip to our liking and to enjoy a wide variety of activities. The guides in every location were outstanding! Honestly. Having travelled through much of the world I can truly say that we have never been more impressed with the quality of the guides arranged for us in each location, as well as the service we received. Similarly, the hotels were excellent and allowed us to live very comfortably while, at the same time, enjoy an authentic Indian experience. If you haven`t already booked your trip with Travel the Unknown, then either do so now....or at least give them a chance to show you what they can offer.
Hazel Fairall , Tribes of North East India, IndiaThanks for organising such a great trip to NE India Rahul - everything went seamlessly! We loved the fact that we could book an individual tour but still have flexibility with our itinerary once we were there, enabling us to take in the Si Donyi Festival at Daporijo and also be the first guests to stay overnight in a local village hut with our hosts in Papi, which was fantastic. Our guide was super. He had a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humour! It’s hard to pick a highlight as the whole trip was both fascinating and at times, humbling. We’ll never forget the amazing people, scenery & culture we experienced whilst there and are glad we had the opportunity to visit such an intriguing part of the world. We would certainly consider travelling with you again in the future.
Anupy Singla Gupta , Taste of South India, IndiaI just took the Food Tour of Kerala and Malabar Coast and it was purely unforgettable. The accommodation was superb as was the food and hospitality. I essentially came back feeling like a baby hippo - that should tell you you NEED to take this tour ASAP!
Anupy is the author of best-selling Indian cookery book - The Indian Slow Cooker - which is available for purchase on Amazon.
Nigel & Margaret Turner , Tailormade India Wildlife & Birding tourThis trip was very well put together and ticked all the boxes that we had requested. The accommodation throughout the tour was of a high standard and our experiences in the national parks was wonderful spotting many different animals including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, lions, jungle cat plus countless number of birds. Thank you Rahul for tailoring this trip to our requirements.
Rachel , Spirit of South India, IndiaWe went on the Spirit of South India Tour and had a great time on our honeymoon. There was a good variety of places visited and the hotels, drivers and guides were all very good. We would definitely recommend this tour.
Keith Lewis , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, IndiaThis was my first experience of using Travel the Unknown having enjoyed small group adventure holidays for many years. I was attracted to the company because it seeks out the more unusual and lesser known areas of a country and I was not disappointed by my visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. There is a clear contrast between the people and the scenery of these two regions and we saw very few western tourists particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. The tour was well organised with plenty to see and do.
Richard Williams , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, IndiaThis was a very varied and interesting trip to a forgotten part of India. If you like off the beaten track travel it is definitely worth the effort but go with an open mind and keep a smile on your face.
Vik , Kerala Calling, IndiaThank you for organising our holiday in Kerala. I certainly wouldn`t have had the time or the knowledge to put together such a trip. Munnar was my favourite and the accommodation throughout was excellent.
Ann Holgate , Tailormade IndiaA really well planned trip. We experienced life in Northeast India in just the way we wanted to. We loved the game reserves and saw a rock python which thrilled our guides as it is even rarer than the tiger! We visited villages and were able to interact with local people and loved the busy markets in Delhi and Calcutta. A special highlight was the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland; shown to us by our very own Naga guide Kezo. Kezo accompanied us for 15 days of our trip and ensured that we had many very special experiences - even taking us to the home of one of his Aunts where we spent a couple of hours sitting by the bonfire chatting.
Penelope Smith , Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival, IndiaWhat an excellent service! Rahul adapted, extended and improved our trip so many times without a qualm and we ended up with the trip of a lifetime. The destinations are unusual and interesting but everything has been checked out by the team and works brilliantly. I can`t wait to do another trip.
Elaine & Neil Smith , Delicacies of North India, IndiaThe tour was an amazing experience for our first visit to India. The country, its people and its cuisine were friendly,delightful, colourful and exceeded all our expectations. Travel the Unknown have put together a superb unique package that we have no hesitation in recommending to anyone with an interest in food and culture.
