After breakfast, leave the hotel for sightseeing.

The cantilevered Howrah Bridge over the wide waters of the Hooghli River is perhaps Kolkata’s most iconic and oft photographed landmark. An engineering marvel, the 25000 tonnes of steel that make the Howrah Bridge are held together only by rivets, and its foundations sink to a depth of 31.41 and 26.53 meters below the ground on either side. On the other side of the bridge is the iconic red facade of Howrah Station, the world’s largest railway station and in its heydays, one of the most important ports of call of the British Empire.

The 19th Century Neo-Gothic Calcutta High Court, with its distinctive arches, tall columns and high ceilings is India’s first high court and a highly recommended stopover for the Kolkata leg of your luxury holiday in the Indian subcontinent.

Built in the late 18th Century, the magnificent Raj Bhavan started off as Government House, the seat of British Imperial Power, its sprawling green lawns witness to decision-making that affected the destiny of much of the known world. Today it serves as official residence of the Governer of the state of West Bengal.

The extraordinary potters’ community of Kumartuli on the banks of the Hooghli is said to be older than the city itself. All through the year, artisans work in makeshift shelters, creating exquisite religious idols fashioned from the clay from the nearby riverbed. The idols and artisans of Kumartuli are the other highly photographed icon of Kolkata.

The magnificent Eden Gardens is among India’s premier sports stadia and can house over 100,000 screaming fans on match day. Tha adjacent garden has a beautiful Burmese pagoda and a lake.

Later visit the Mother Teresa Mission where this modern day saint lived an extraordinary dedicated life alleviating the suffering of thousands of India’s underprivileged.

Overnight at Kolkata.

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing.

The Shobhabazaar Rajbari (Palace) is with its tall Tuscan columns and imposing arches, Built by Raja Nabakrishna Deb in the 18th century, it was the cultural heartspring of Bengal at the time. It was Nabakrishna Deb who started the tradition of Durga Puja - Kolkata’s riotous, carnivalesque annual religious festival - ironically as a means to entertain British officials and business associates who missed the social life they enjoyed back home in England.

Also of interest in Central Kolkata are the 19th century Bethel and Magen David synagogues maintained by the Archeological Survery of India as well as the century old Zoroastrian Fire Temple on Metcalfe Street with its eternal flame.

The Indian Museum on Chowringhee is an imposing Roman structure erected in 1875. The largest museum in the country, it houses a fine collection straddling art, archeology, anthropology, zoology and geology. Hundreds of local visitors throng the museum every day to visit the museum’s famed Egyptian mummy and marvel at the gigantic blue whale jawbone that greets visitors at the entrance of the zoology section.

Designed in Indo-Saracenic style in the early 20th Century, the white dome of Victoria Memorial bears a suspicious resemblance to that of the much larger grander Taj Mahal and is a tribute to the memory of Queen Victoria. The building houses a museum with oil paintings depicting scenes from the empress’s life as well as a rich and diverse visual and documentary record of the British in India as well as the history of Kolkata. The outside lawns are 64 acres of lush manicured greens that look out into the maidan, the expansive rolling green tree-lined British-era parade ground that serve as the lungs of Kolkata.

On the Northern end of maidan stands the white tower of Shahid Minar or Martyr’s Monument. Originally named after General David Ochterlony, the hookah-smoking robe-wearing sahib-gone-native warrior who won for the Empire the crucial Anglo Gurkha War of 1812, the monument was rechristened with its current name in 1969.

In the Northern, old part of the city, lies the famed Thakur Bari, the two hundred year old ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore. The mansion houses the Rabindrabharati Museum. On display is a wealth of photographs, writings and original paintings by the Nobel Laureate and his artist nephew Abanindranath, one of the pioneers of the Bengal School of Art. The area was also home to Kaliprasanna Singha whose adaptation of the Indian epic Mahabharat and biting satirical writings that he wrote under the pseudonym of Hutom Pyancha or Barn Owl are among the finest examples of 19th century Bengali writing. The area served as incubator for the Bengal Rennaissance, a unique cultural experiment that married Western progressive thought with the ideals of nationalism and self-rule, eventually laying the foundation of the Indian Nationalist movement.

Overnight at Kolkata.

Today as per the flight timing you will be transferred to airport to board the flight for Chennai.

Arrive at Chennai and drive to Pondicherry en route visiting Mamallapuram.

Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) was once the main seaport of the Pallava Empire and is famous for its medieval sculptures, in particular, a series of spectacular freestanding boulders on the beach, carved to resemble small temples and animals.

According to legend, Mahabalipuram was such a beautiful city that envious gods sent down floods to submerge six out of the seven pagodas the city was known for, leaving behind only the structure known today as the Shore Temple. Onlookers swear that when the seawaters receded just before the tragic 2004 tsunami, the lost pagodas of Mahabalipuram became visible for a few moments before disappearing under the rush of oncoming tidal waves. While there is no scientific evidence to corroborate their claim, initial explorations have revealed the possibility of underwater ruins off the coastline.

Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO designated world heritage site and one of the highlights of your luxury holiday in exotic South India.

Continue drive to Pondicherry.

A French colony until 1950, Pondicherry (now Puducherry) is markedly different from the rest of Tamil Nadu state in architecture and town planning. Modelled after towns in the French Mediterranean, Ville Blanche or White Town is dotted with colonial villas, while more Indian style buildings populate Ville Noire or Black Town. Today, unlike in the past, both halves of Pondicherry is open to all residents of the city. Use of French is still common in Pondicherry.

Visit the fishing village.

Enjoy the walk around the promenade in the evening and watch the colorful culture (lot of French influence).

Overnight will be at Pondicherry.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Proceed for sightseeing in Pondicherry.

Founded by nationalist turned mystic Sri Aurobindo, Aurobindo Ashram is a commune housing followers from the world over. The ashram aims to disseminate the philosophy of Aurobindo’s “integral yoga”, a synthesis of ancient mystical thought and modern science.

Designed by architect Roger Anger, Auroville is a unique urban experiment in communal living where men and women of various races and nationality attempt to live together in peace and harmony. In the words of its founder Mirra Alfassa or The Mother, “The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity."

Aurobindo Ashram generates a substantial income through services and goods produced by the Ashram’s inhabitants. Aurobindo Hand made Paper factory is one of its leading commercial ventures and its hand made paper is exported worldwide.

Located in the former French Administration building, the Pondicherry Museum has an enviable collection of rare bronze and stone artifacts from the Chola and Pallava eras, as well as objects excavated from Arikamedu some of which are Roman in origin, indicating extensive trading links between the Rome and the ancient cultures of South India.

The 300 years old Manakkula Vinayagar Temple is famed for its golden spire and forty beautiful likenesses of Lord Ganesh.

On Subbiah Salai, the white and brown neo-gothic Sacred Heart church is one of Pondicherry’s finest Catholic churches. Beautiful stained glass panels depict incidents from Jesus Christ’s life. ‘

Drive to Chennai after completing your sightseeing tour.

The city of Chennai, formerly Madras and originally Madrasapattinam, has its roots in a warehouse built by the British on the beachfront in 1639. In 1654, the Fort St. George was established and eventually, village after neighbouring village was added to the territory to form the modern city we know today. In the days of the British Raj, Madras served as the capital of all of South India.

Overnight at Chennai.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Spend the day at leisure. (Vehicle and driver will be at your disposal)

Overnight will be at Chennai.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Morning will be at leisure. Later in the afternoon we will transfer you to the airport to board the flight for Bengaluru.

According to legend, King Ballala of the Hoysala dynasty was once wondering in the woods, lost and hungry, when he came across an old woman. The woman’s humble offering of a bowl of boiled beans satiated the king’s hunger, and to commemorate her kindness, he named the region Bende Kaalu Ooru, the Village of Boiled Beans.

Over time, as dynasties rose and fell, the area came under the rule of the Vijayanagara kings, the Bijapur Sultanate, the Marathas, the Wodeyars of Mysore and finally the British under whom flourished the city of Bangalore or Bengaluru as we know it today.

Post independence, Bengaluru metamorphosed rapidly from a sleepy colonial town favoured by retirees to a buzzing hi tech metropolis, the cradle of India’s information technology boom. With its temperate climate, greenery, lush public parks, natural lakes, malls, bookshops, multiplexes, live music and cafes, Bengaluru is highly popular with India’s burgeoning expat workforce and is your gateway to the wonders of South India.

Overnight at Bengaluru.

After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing of Bangalore:

Vidhana Soudha is the seat of the legislative assembly of the state of Karnataka. The foundations of this magnificent neo-Dravidian building were laid in 1951 by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. However, the structure’s spiritual father remains Kangal Hanumanthaiah, chief minister of Mysore state. Hanumanthaiah visited the great capital cities of the world, drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as the Capitol, the House of Commons and the Kremlin, and incorporated their myriad influences into the blueprint. The resulting building sports majestic columns, domes, pillars and high ceilinged cavernous chambers in a unique marriage of Western architectural styles with Dravidian forms.

The 240 acre Lal Bagh or Red Garden was commissioned in the 18th Century by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, and completed by his son, the warrior Tipu Sultan. Home to over 1000 species of flora, including rare exotic varieties, this unique botanical garden boasts of centuries old trees, an exquisite glass greenhouse modeled after London’s Crystal Palace and the famed Lal Bagh Rocks, among the earth’s most ancient rock formations and estimated to be about 3000 million years old.

The small but elegant fresco-adorned Tipu’s Palace is known for its teak pillars and stands in the crowded City Market area. The two storied wooden structure today houses a museum. Of note is a small replica of the famed Tipu’s Tiger, the lifesize original of which is on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The much-celebrated, if morbid, mechanized toy depicts a tiger (symbolizing the might of Tipu Sultan) in the act of devouring a flailing European, to the accompaniment of fearsome grunts from the tiger.

One of India’s oldest museums, the Government Museum of Bengaluru has 18 galleries featuring specimens, art, artifacts and relics from the Hoysala and Vijayanagara dynasties, as well as those from the ancient Mohenjo Daro Civilization that flourished in the valley of the Indus River more than 5000 years ago.

Near the Museum is the K.Venkatappa Art Gallery. Venkatappa was the court artist of the Wodeyar Kings, and the museum houses fine specimens of his work as well as memorabilia from his daily life.

The 300 acre Sri Chamarajendra Park, formerly Cubbon Park, in the heart of the city are the lungs of Bangalore. The park is home to over 6000 specimens of plant life, in an interesting combination of local and exotic flora. Don’t miss the silver oaks near the tennis pavilion and Jawahar Bhavan, with its toy train, fairgrounds and theatre.

Complete with arches, columns, spires and stained glass windows, St. Mary's Basilica is a Gothic Church established by French missionary Jean Dubois in 1811. 172 feet long and 50 feet broad, the church sprawls out in all four directions in the form of a crucifix. An exquisite sari-clad statue of Mary stands outside on the grounds. The chief object of veneration for locals of all faiths, the statue is said to possess miraculous powers.

End early and enjoy shopping or relax in one of the numerous modern pubs in the downtown area.

Overnight at Bangalore.

Today as per the flight timing you will be transferred to airport to board the flight for Jodhpur via Mumbai.

Rao Jodha, chief of the Rathore clan, founded the city of Jodhpur in 1459. Situated on the edge of Thar Desert, Jodhpur embodies the romance and feudal splendor of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also called the ‘Blue City’ from the blue houses that surround its most famous landmark, the majestic Mehrangarh Fort that sits on the top of a hill 125 meters above the city. The city itself is surrounded by high walls 10 kilometers long.

Our representative will receive you on arrival at Jodhpur airport and transfer to the Palace Hotel.

Overnight at Jodhpur.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Hewn out of solid rock atop the red sandstone cliff overlooking Jodhpur 400 feet above the city, the awesome 15th Century Mehrangarh fort spreads out over 5 kilometers and in the words of Rudyard Kipling, is the “work of angels and giants”. The fort’s defenses are impressive, with seven highly fortified gates to reach the fort, and massive, ornate cannons perched on the bastion walls. The view of the Blue City from the ramparts of the fort is breathtaking. In spite of the forbidding exteriors, the fort’s exquisitely latticed windows, carved panels, and ceiling with radiant glass tiles reveal another more artistic side to its warrior inhabitants. Batman fans might remember Mehrangarh Fort from an iconic scene in Chris Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises.

Jaswant Thada, the white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II is known for its highly intricate lattice-work. The marble used in the structure is translucent and in the day time, the interior walls glow from the sunshine outside. Jaswant Singh II was known for his innovative irrigation projects and to this day, locals throng to Jaswant Thada to pay their respects to the benevolent king whose touch once healed their arid land.

Designed by the British Royal Institute of Architects, the Umaid Bhawan is one of world’s largest private residences with over 300 rooms, lavish theaters, banquet halls and a ballroom. A part of the palace has been converted to a museum with an impressive collection of royal memorabilia and weaponry.

Visit a Bishnoi village.

The Bishnoi tribe have been steadfast conservationists centuries before conservation became fashionable. Much like the Native American people, the Bishnois have a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all species and believe that the continued survival of mankind is only possible if mankind takes steps nurture and preserve every species of plant and animal that populates our planet. So much so, that it is common to spot, completely unafraid herds of blackbuck grazing right inside the Bishnoi villages. A visit to the Bishnoi Village gives one a rare and intimate insight into the daily life of this ancient, enlightened tribe.

Overnight at Jodhpur.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Later drive to Jaipur, stopping en route for lunch at a royal camp next to the man made Chattrasagar Lake. Alternatively, you could visit the Pushkar, known for its lakeside Brahma Temple at the edge of the desert.

Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’ from the facelift it received in 1853 to celebrate a visit by Prince Albert, is dotted with havelis (traditional mansions), bazaars, opulent palaces and rugged majestic forts that showcase the glorious past of its rulers, the Rajputs.

The Rajput princes were fierce warriors some of whom declared loyalty to the invading Mughals and proved to be formidable allies of the empire. Among them was King Jai Singh II, whom the Mughals gave the title Sawai Maharaja, or “King and a quarter”. Jaipur gets its name from this valiant king.

Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight at Jaipur.

Proceed for sightseeing after breakfast.

Situated on the top of a hill, the magnificent Amber Fort Palace offers a panoramic view of the old city. Established in 1592, its rugged exteriors believe the delicate architecture inside, a rare fusion of traditional Rajasthani and Islamic styles. Reach the fort the old fashioned way, atop a ceremonial elephant along a cobbled path up that opens into several havelis, step wells, courtyards and temples. Visit Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors, Jas Mandir with its ornate ceilings and latticework and the stunning Shila Devi temple with its intricately carved silver door.

The sprawling City Palace has been home to the rulers of Jaipur since the 18th century. The architecture of the palace is a blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The City palace Museum is located here and houses various items from Jaipur’s princely and warrior past.

The scientific-minded King Jai Singh II, an astronomy enthusiast, commissioned five observatories named Jantar Mantar around West Central India in the early 1700s. The one in Jaipur is the largest and the best preserved. The massive architectural instruments are constructed out of local stone and marble some of which are still in use. We shall walk through and explore this surreal maze of giant geometric objects.

The exquisite outer facade of Hawa Mahal, the "Palace of Winds," resembles a manmade honeycomb and is one of Jaipur’s most iconic and oft photographed sights. Designed to facilitate maximum air circulation and cross ventilation, the five-storied Hawa Mahal is made of lime and mortar, and decorated with impossible intricate trelliswork. From the privacy of its ornate jharokhas (traditional Rajasthani windows), the ladies of the court could gaze out at life in the streets below.

Also recommended is an evening visit to the Birla Temple. A stunning white marble structure, the three towers of the Birla Temple stand for three different approaches to religion. Carvings on the ornate pillars celebrate Hindu gods and goddesses along with Christ, Virgin Mary and St. Francis of Assissi. Don’t miss the hypnotic evening Aarti, the ritual lighting of oil lamps.

Jaipur is famous for its shopping, particularly gold and silver jewellery, blue pottery, tie-dye materials, silk, saris, wooden handicrafts and carpets.

You are free to relax in the daytime or explore the city at your own pace. A vehicle will be at your disposal. In the evening, take fly to Kolkata.

Overnight at Kolkata.

With Bhutan’s only international airport, the town of Paro nestled by waters of the river Paro Chhu is your gateway to the Land of the Thunder Dragon, a fascinating Himalayan nation that measures progress not by GDP or per capita income but by Gross National Happiness and has among the highest human development indices scores in the region. Surrounded by rolling hills and dotted with dzongs, fortress-monasteries unique to Bhutan, Paro Valley offers great insights into traditional Himalayan Buddhist life practically untouched by the modern age.

Overnight will be at the hotel.

At an altitude of 2248m above sea level, quiet, laidback and beautiful Thimpu is the capital city of the erstwhile forbidden kingdom of Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon. Surrounded by rolling hills and nestled by the Wang Chuu River, Thimpu is perhaps the only capital city in the world without a single traffic light.

Thimpu has had some habitation as well as its own dzong (fortress-monasteries unique to Bhutan) since the 12th century but it remained not much more than a scattering of hamlets until in the 1960s when it was declared the capital city of Bhutan.

Thimpu is your gateway to the unique cultural traditions of this fascinating Himalayan nation that measures progress not by GDP or per capita income but by Gross National Happiness and has among the highest human development indices scores in the region.

The elaborate National Memorial Chorten was erected in memory of the late Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third king of the Wangchuck dynasty who began the process of opening up Bhutan to the outside world. Locals circumambulate the shrine all day. Don’t miss the paintings and engravings that adorn the chorten.

A must-visit quirky spot in Thimpu is the Takin Reserve. According to Bhutanese lore, a Buddhist master known for his fits of madness took the head of a goat and stuck it to the torso of a cow to produce the Takin, the large, shaggy goat-antelope that’s Bhutan’s national animal. An early morning visit is ideal for observing these lumbering, hirstute animals as they crowd near the reserve fences to feed.

Located on the west bank of Wang Chu, the Trashi Chhoe Dzong (also Tashichhodzong or Tashichho Dzong) houses the secretariat, the king’s office and throne room, and is also the site for spectacular masked dances during the annual Tsechu festival. Look out for stunning painted mandalas on the ceilings, images of Buddhist masters and the guardian kings on the north east entrance. The original structure dates back to the 17th century although much reconstruction work has happened in the late 19th and early 20th century to repair damage caused by earthquakes and fire.

Simtokha Dzong is the town’s oldest dzong, dating back to 1627. The dzong also houses one of the country’s leading language and culture institutes.

The Changangkha Lhakhang is one of Thimpu’s oldest temples and is known for its thousand-armed eleven-headed Bodhisattva, its beautiful black and gold prayer wheels and stunning views. Considered the patron temple of the vallay’s children, the temple is usually crowded with parents seeking blessings for their new-borns.

Interact with the nuns at Zilukha Nunnery, originally Drubthob Goemba or Thangtong Dewachen after its founder Thangtong Gyalpo. The nunnery has a chorten well worth investigating, as well as great views of the surroundings from its perch atop Gaden Lam.

The picturesque National Library was established primarily to preserve and showcase Bhutan’s rich wealth of Buddhist texts in Tibetan as well as Bhutanese Dzongkha. Along with centuries old block-printed and handwritten manuscripts are a European language books that make up the library’s small foreign section. Don’t miss the 7 foot tall photography book exhibited in the ground floor, reputed to be one of the world’s largest books.

The Institute for Zorig Chusum is a state-sponsored training school for the 13 traditional arts of Bhutan. Straddling a wide variety of disciplines including traditional thangka paintings, masks, embroidery, sculpture and so on, the institute is known for the breath-taking demonstrations of skill it sometimes puts together for visitors. A must-visit.

Also worth a visit are the Folk Heritage and Textile Museums both of which give the visitor a detailed insight into traditional life, livelihoods and handicrafts of Bhutan and a way of living that may soon disappear in the face of rapid modernization.

The National Institute of Traditional Medicine is the production center for traditional medicine made from Bhutan’s wealth of medicinal herbs. The institute is also a training center for young future practitioners of the field.

Dechen Phodrang is Thimpu’s oldest dzong and is currently a monastic school. On display are rare 12th century traditional paintings and a giant statue of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Tibetan Buddhist master who unified Bhutan.

Overnight at Thimpu.

Breakfast will be served at the resort. Later, drive to your resort in Paro and relax. Overnight at Paro.

High on a 3000 foot high forested cliff, buffeted by the winds, resonating with Buddhist chants, the stupendous Taktsang Monastery clings to its hilltop perch in a seemingly gravity-defying feat. According to a Buddhist legend that gives Taksang or Tiger’s Nest its name, the Guru Padmasambhava flew in from Tibet to the site of this monastery on the back of a tigress and meditated for three years, three months and three days. The temple complex itself dates back to the 17th Century. A fire destroyed much of the original structure which has been painstakingly reconstructed since. The climb to the monastery is arduous so please inform your guide in advance if you need horses arranged for the ascent.

From the trailhead, climb 350m to the cafetaria which offers a great view of the monastery. The rest of the trail must be negotiated on foot and we recommend you pack proper hiking boots for this stretch. Ascend past the cafeteria for another 45 minutes until you reach a 3140m high observation point marked by a chorten. The view of Taktsang from this point is stupendous. The monastery is now on the other side of a deep gorge and will take about 30 minutes to reach. Descend from the observation point along a flight of sheer steps past a waterfall and negotiate the final climb to the monastery complex.

Inside are the monks’ quarters and several shrines and chortens. Enjoy the fresh air and the majestic silence broken only by birdsong and the hypnotic chanting of the monks.

Nearby are other monasteries and temples, most notably the Zangto Pelri and the 16th century Ugyen Tsemo. The latter sits on top of the ridge above Taktsang and is home to stunning frescos depicting the Guru Padmasambhava.

The 7th Century Pagoda style Kyichu Lhakhang temple is said to have been visited by the Guru Padmasambhava himself and is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Built by King Songtsen Gampo, the temple is, according to local lore, among the 108 temples erected in a single day by the king to pin down a giant demoness who had lain down across the Himalayas to prevent the spread of Buddhism across the region. Standing over the heart of the demoness, Kyichu Lhakhang is the most important of the 108. The museum next door is also well worth a visit.

Overnight at Paro.

A short but scenic drive from Paro will reach you to Chele La Pass. At an altitude of 3900m (13000 feet) above sea level, Chele La offers breathtaking views of Paro Valley on one side and the pristine, unspoilt vista of Haa Valley on the other. The last bit of the climb will have to be negotiated on foot, and we recommend you pack proper hiking boots for this stretch. The panorama from the pass is stupendous on clear days and you may look forward to breath taking views of Himalayan peaks, in particular the Chomolhari Summit. Our short hike will bring you to tiny hamlets precariously perched on sheer rockfaces, and a nunnery that is home to fifty nuns.

During the return journey from Chele La, visit the Dzongdrakha Monastery. Built on a high escarpment, that monastery complex is very similar to the famed Taktshan, but relatively easier to reach. Dzongkha was established in the 16th Century by King Chogay Dragpa and according to local legend, is built around a levitating monument to prevent it from flying away.

Enjoy a panoramic view of Paro Valley from top. Later visit a typical Bhutanese village home where a cookery demonstration will introduce you to the pleasures of the traditional butter tea and Ema Datsi, a popular Bhutanese preparation of potatos, cheese and chillies. Overnight at Paro.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Later a Compass representative will drive you to the international airport for your flight to Guwahati. Board the RV Charaidew for your Brahmaputra cruise.

Overnight aboard RV Charaidew.

The Brahmaputra begins its life in Southern Tibet as Tsang Po and flows in an easterly direction along the Great Himalaya Range. Near the Indian state of Arunachal, it takes a dramatic U turn, reversing its course to enter India. Passing through Assam in a Southwesterly direction, the Brahmaputra meets the Ganga and empties itself in the Bay of Bengal on the southern fringes of West Bengal and Bangladesh. The resulting Ganga-Brahmaputra delta is one of the most fertile places on earth. The Brahmaputra is a sacred river and is the lifeblood of Assam state.

We’ll spend the day cruising up the river, taking in the roolling hills on either side, making a brief stop at scenic Ganesh Pahar to explore the sererne forested surroundings.

Overnight aboard RV Charaidew.

Today the landscape changes, the hilly country giving way to giant sandbanks on either side. We’ll stop en route to visit a remote village for an intimate glimpse into traditional rural life on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River Valley. At night, your cruise ship will anchor in an otherworldly stretch of the river punctuated by undulating sand islands. If the skies are clear, we may look forward to a stunning view of the Himalayas.

Overnight will be RV Charaidew.

Our representative cum escort will receive you on arrival at Bagdogra airport and transfer to beautiful hill station Darjeeling.

Originally a part of the former Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim, the area around Darjeeling was given to the British East India Company on lease to build a sanatorium in 1835. Soon after disagreements broke out with the Chogyal King of Sikkim and after a minor war, Darjeeling was annexed permanently by the British by the 1860s. Commercial cultivation of tea had already begun by then, causing large numbers of British settlers to relocate to Darjeeling. Soon, it was the official summer capital of the Bengal Presidency and in no time, Darjeeling had transformed into the quaint colonial hill station we know today. Movie buffs may be interested to know that actress Vivien Leigh of Gone with the Wind fame was born in Darjeeling to British settler parents and spent much of her early childhood here.

Check in at Glenburn Tea Estate Plantation. Overnight at Darjeeling.

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing.

In Darjeeling, all roads lead to the Mall, or as it is called locally, Chowrasta (crossroads). Ascend along a hilly road until you arrive at a relatively flat area. Quaint benches are placed all around the edges looking out at the surrounding hills. Do remember though that some of the benches are reserved beforehand by families of macaques who sometimes drop by to admire the view, which on clear days extends all the way to the magnificent Khangchendzonga (alt: Kangchenjunga or Kanchanjunga) massif, the third highest mountain peak in the world.

The Padmaja Nehru Himalayan Zoological Park is famous for its Tibetan wolves, snow leopards, Red Pandas and Amur (Siberian) Tigers and is renowned worldwide as a highly successful snow leopard and Red Panda breeding centre.

Established in 1954, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) is one of the premier training centers in the world for mountaineers, counting as faculty a highly experienced team of multiple Everest summiteers. The legendary Tenzing Norgay was associated with the institute till the end of his days. The institute runs excellent courses at both beginner and advanced levels for Indian citizens and foreign nationals alike at highly subsidized rates, as well as the only mountaineering programme in India designed especially for the visually impaired. Located on a ridge, the institute commands a great view of the Khangchendzonga. The HMI museum has a wonderful collection of books, documents, photographs, paintings, route maps and historical artifacts like a 1920 letter from His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama granting permission to the first British expedition in Tibet, original equipment used by the fateful 1924 Mallory-Irvine Everest Expedition as well as the successful summit attempt in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary.

Shrubbery Park on a hilltop overlooking the zoo is yet another viewpoint in Darjeeling, commanding views of Khangchendzonga and the Singla Valley alike.

Observatory Hill overlooking the Chowrasta is known for its Mahakal Temple and Buddhist shrine. Located side by side, the two places of worship are yet another example of the intertwined nature of the two faiths all over the Himalayas.

Overnight will be at Darjeeling.

Proceed for sightseeing after breakfast.

The 4620 foot wide Darjeeling-Rangit Passenger Ropeway takes you from 7000 feet above sea level at Darjeeling’s North Point down to about 800 feet at Rangit Valley in a six-seater boxcar. Great views of the valley and surrounding plantations, but not for the fainthearted.

The tucked away Lover’s Road too has great views and is one of Darjeeling’s curiosities, as are the natural rock formations named after Tenzing Norgay and Nawang Gombu, the latter being the first mountaineer to summit Everest twice. The Tenzing and Gombu rocks are used by HMI trainees for climbing practice before they move on to more challenging things.

The charming 50 acre Lloyd’s Botanical Garden is home to alpine plants both indigenous and imported. Of particular interest is the Orchidarium that houses over 50 rare species of orchid, numbering over 2500 specimens.

The UNESCO World Heritage Toy Train (the Darjeeling leg of Mountain Railways of India) negotiates the Batasia Loop near Ghoom to reduce its angle its descent. Designed in 1919, the loop offers a tremendous 360 degree view of the neighbouring hills. The best way to experience the loop is to take a ride on the Toy Train, a narrow gauge steam locomotive that provides an unbelievably scenic commute from Siliguri to Darjeeling, providing a close up view of the scenery, local flora and village life. On steep inclines the train goes slowly enough for locals to be able to hop off and on. You’ll often find regular commuters stretching their legs by walking alongside the train on picturesque mountain trails. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway came into being in the late 19th century and all these years later remains the preferred mode of travel for most visitors to Darjeeling. Batasia Loop is also known for its Gorkha Memorial in honour of soldiers who gave their lives for India.

The other highlights of your visit to Darjeeling is without doubt the dawn or dusk visit to Tiger Hill, an 8500 foot high viewpoint that offers the finest view of the Khangchendzonga massif from the region. As you wait in the bitter cold for the haze to lift, your breath will mist over, your teeth will chatter but you will never forget the sight of the mountain in the morning sun.

Other sights of interest are the Rock Garden and the Happy Valley Tea Plantation.

Overnight will be at Darjeeling.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Later, proceed to Gangtok.

The former capital of the Chogyal Kings of Sikkim, Gangtok was made the state capital when Sikkim acceded to India in 1975. Sikkim is known for its temperate weather, terrific views of the Khangchendzonga (alt: Kangchenjunga or Kanchenjunga) massif and also as an important centre of Tibetan Buddhist learning.

Overnight at Gangtok.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Afterwards, enjoy a 1 short mountain flight for breath-taking views of the great Himalayan summits.

Later proceed for an excursion to the 18th century Rumtek Monastery, one of Sikkim’s most visited spots. Sprawling over an entire hillside, adorned with stunning murals, frescoes and intricate woodwork and resonating with hypnotic chants, Rumtek transports the visitor to another place, another time. Rumtek is the official seat of His Holiness the Karmapa.

Later visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology that is documenting and digitising of a treasure trove manuscripts, paintings and photographs scattered across monasteries around the state.

High on a ridge above Gangtok city, the 19th century Enchey Monastery is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimages in Sikkim and is adorned by exquisite traditional carvings and paintings. The monastery houses idols of deity, a small but well-stocked library and commands magnificent views of the Khangchendzonga.

Overnight at Gangtok.

Originally an archipelago of seven islands on the Arabian Sea, Mumbai was named after Mumba Devi, patron goddess of the Koli fishermen indigenous to the area. In the 19th century, reclamation work joined up the islands in a long, narrow strip of land that is the Mumbai we know today. This bustling metropolis is India’s commercial capital and home of Bollywood, the world’s largest movie industry. A city of contrasts, Ferraris and Porsches stand shoulder to shoulder on Mumbai roads with strikingly retro Premier Padmini cabs, and glitzy malls stocking super luxury brands co-exist side by side with buzzing local markets.

In the evening you could visit the local beach.

Overnight at Mumbai.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

The day will be free to explore Mumbai city. (Vehicle will be at disposal with English Speaking Driver).

Overnight at Mumbai.

Early morning our representative will transfer you to Mumbai International airport to board the flight back home.