Travelmarvel China, Travel Brochure, Yangtze River Cruising, Asia Holidays, Vietnam and Cambodia Tours
Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/685440
82 14 Days Day 1. Arrive Kolkata Arrive into Kolkata, one of India's largest, bustling and most captivating cities. Formerly known as Calcutta, this magnificent metropolis is the capital of West Bengal. Be met at the airport and transferred to the 5-Star Oberoi Grand Hotel which is housed in a palatial villa that dates back to the 1880s. This evening you will enjoy a Welcome Dinner and get to meet your fellow travellers. Two Nights: Kolkata, Oberoi Grand Hotel. D Day 2. Kolkata Early this morning, enjoy a real treat with a visit to Kolkata's lively flower market, where the streets are transformed in an explosion of bright colours. Afterwards, visit Mother Theresa's House, here, learn about her extraordinary life and pay respects at her grave. Then visit the striking Victoria Memorial – its grand interior is filled with mementoes of British rule. This afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour. Visit the fascinating Heritage Railway Museum, then continue through the maze of backstreets, to the 'Potter's Village' where locals painstakingly sculpt statues to sacrifice at the nearby temples. Later, take the circular railway train to Prinsep Ghat, which provides a colourful insight into local life. BD Day 3. Kolkata, Siliguri After a morning at leisure, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the station, to board your train. On arrival in New Jalpaiguri, transfer to the town of Siliguri, located in the foothills of the Himalayas, and once an important railway and trading hub for the British East India Company. Stay: Siliguri, Royal Sarovar Portico. BLD Day 4. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Today you will climb almost 2,150 metres into the Himalayas as you enjoy an enthralling journey on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Loved and used by locals, the line is World Heritage-listed. Board the narrow-gauge train in the heart of the town and for a while the train runs directly through the noisy centre of the street before climbing into the verdant surrounding forest. After pausing for lunch at a hill station, rejoin the train. Pastel- painted houses are stacked almost on top of each other on the approach to the town of Darjeeling. Upon arrival check in to your hotel for a three night stay. You may also have the opportunity to see the Red Panda at Darjeeling Zoo. Three Nights: Darjeeling, Hotel Windamere or similar. BD Day 5. Darjeeling, Tiger Hill, Ghum A magical start today with a visit to Tiger Hill viewpoint, to watch the sunrise from behind Kanchenjunga, India's highest mountain. Later, travel on the steam-hauled Joy Train to Ghum – the highest hill station in the area. Once here, visit the town's Buddhist monastery. In the afternoon, visit Darjeeling's Mountaineering Institute, the final DARJEELING & THE LAST HIMALAYAN KINGDOM Kolkata Return Kolkata n Silguri n Darjeeling Bhutan YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES ✓ 13 nights in quality accommodation ✓ The services of a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager ✓ 32 meals – 13 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L) and 13 dinners (D) ✓ All sightseeing, excursions and entrance fees as specified ✓ Airport transfers and tipping INSIDER EXPERIENCES Visit Kolkata's Flower Market and Mother Theresa's House Discover Kolkata's colonial past on a sightseeing tour Visit the Heritage Rail Museum and ride the circular train to Prinsep Ghat Ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway See the sun rise over India's highest mountain from Tiger Hill Travel on the steam-hauled Joy Train to Ghum Visit Grassmore Village and meet tribal communities In Bhutan, enjoy traditional evening entertainment Travel across the Dochula Pass in the Himalayas