On arrival, you will be met by our representative & escorted to your hotel.
Kolkata (formally Calcutta), situated on the eastern bank of Hoogly River, was once the capital of British India, and is now the capital of West Bengal. It is the gateway to eastern India.
Conceived in 1686 it has had a turbulent history. Now the largest city in India it displays glaring contrasts: a curious blend of the old and the new, wealth and poverty, partly feudal, partly born out of growing urbanisation, partly un-definable. It is a medley of east and west, of a European city grafted on the Asian landscape that gives Kolkata its bewildering charm, confusion and excitement. Being just about 300 years old, Kolkata has few great historical monuments.
Check in at the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure (No vehicle for local use). You will meet your tour director and the other members of the touring party at some stage of the evening.
Dinner in the hotel
Overnight in Kolkata
Breakfast at your hotel.
Later proceed on a sightseeing tour of Kolkata which includes Dalhousie Square (covering Raj Bhavan, St. John’s church, High Court, GPO, Town Hall, Writer’s Building and other important colonial buildings), Flower Market, Howrah Bridge, Kumartuli (The Potter’s colony), Jain Temple, Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral, South Park Street Cemetery & Mother House.
Dalhousie Square was the administrative centre for British India. On one side is the General Post Office, a majestic specimen of Edwardian architecture. It is built on the site of the original Fort William. On the other side stands the “Writers Building”, a massive Gothic structure dating from 1880. It remains a government building, today the centre of the West Bengal Government administration.
Flower Market: This famous flower market is set at the foot of the massive Howrah Bridge. The garlands of roses and marigolds, the smells, the voices and the intense activity make it a fascinating and totally unique place.
Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu): A miracle of engineering skill, the Howrah Bridge is a huge cantilever bridge supported by two piers 82 metres high from road level. The span between the piers is 460 metres while the total distance between the two sheet anchors is 645 metres. There are eight traffic lanes and two footpaths on the 22 metre wide bridge.
St. Paul’s Cathedral: Constructed between 1839 and 1847 in Gothic style with stained glass windows and two Florentine frescoes, the cathedral is the largest in the city and next to the Birla Planetarium. It was consecrated in 1874.
Indian Museum: The history of the origin and the growth of the Indian Museum is one of the remarkable events towards the development of heritage and culture of India. Founded in 1814 at the cradle of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (at the present building of the Asiatic Society, 1 Park Street, Kolkata), the Indian Museum is the earliest, and the largest, multi-purpose Museum not only in the Indian subcontinent but also in the Asia-Pacific region of the world (Closed on Mondays & National Holidays)
Victoria Memorial: The memorial was built between 1906 and 1921 on the lines of the Taj Mahal, in memory of Queen Victoria. Topped with a moving angel, this memorial faces the Kolkata Maidan, and houses paintings, manuscripts and other objects of historic value in its Museum and Art Gallery. Two regular sound and light shows are held in the evening. (Closed on Mondays)
Mother House: Mother Teresa’s house is located in the buildings of the Missionaries of Charity. It houses the work of the Missionaries, and the life of Mother Teresa (Closed on Thursdays).
Overnight in Kolkata
Today you have an early morning, check out and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Guwahati, in Assam.
Sector Flight Flight No Departure Arrival Class
Kolkata / Guwahati Indigo 6E-623 0625 hrs 0740 hrs Economy
On arrival at Guwahati airport, you will be met and driven to Kaziranga.
After lunch, proceed on a jeep Safari inside the Kaziranga National Park
This World Heritage site hosts two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned rhinoceros. It is also known for the highest density of tigers among the protected areas in the world and of course swamp deer (barasingha), elephant and wild water buffalos too. The rhinos generally mind their own business and munch absentmindedly on the grass, only moving off when you come in for a closer look. They are prone to doing funny and inexplicable things.
Even showier are the birds, Kaziranga harbours several large, easily-visible species, including Adjutant storks, bar-headed geese and eagles of all varieties. The water birds stand elegantly in shallow ponds, while otheres posture regally upon bare branches and circle above with languorous ease. You will find squawking groups of vultures feasting on carcasses, a few among them standing with bored or stated expressions. You might find an otter doing a very bad job of fishing, plunging in and out of the water until a tormented fish jumps out, only to land in the waiting beak of a fishing pond heron. Elsewhere, you hear bands of Alexandrian parakeets go pop-crackle-crunch on richly – endowed berry trees.
Dinner & Overnight in Kaziranga
Taking a packed breakfast with you, you have an early morning start today for an elephant ride in the park. (The elephant ride is subject to availability from the Forest Dept.) . From the back of an elephant you should have the opportunity to view the Indian rhino and many other species'
Rich in birdlife, these wetlands are among the most productive habitats in all India.
Continue with jeep safari inside the park. (Morning)
Post Lunch, proceed on a jeep safari inside the park. (Afternoon)
Return to your lodge by dusk and your evening is at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight in Kaziranga
After an early breakfast, check out and drive to Kohima.
On your arrival at the camp, located at the foothills of the gigantic Japfu Mountain, soak in the serenity of the surroundings as you are accorded the traditional welcome of the tribes of Nagaland.
You will then be accompanied to your superlative luxury tent, where the check-in formalities will be completed by our Guest Relations hostess.
Spend the evening relaxing in the peaceful environs of the camp. Enjoy a drink by the campfire followed by a feast skillfully created by our Chef, as you sit down to your first night’s dinner in the lap of nature and luxury.
Overnight at Kohima Camp, Nagaland
After breakfast this morning head out to the Hornbill festival. Enjoy the festivities with the tribes as they enthrall everyone with their distinct costumes and perform traditional Naga dances and ceremonies.
Following lunch, if a little relaxation is in order, spend the afternoon at leisure in the tranquility of the camp. Or you may wish to explore the charming Kigwema village, just a few kilometers drive away.
Kigwema is a quaint old village of the Angami tribe. Literally ‘inheritance of the house’, it is believed that many other Angami villages originated from here. In 1944, the Japanese forces came to Kigwema on their way to attack Kohima, and were provided shelter by the villagers. Walk through the lanes of the village seeing the traditional houses with their impressive wooden pillars, arriving at a local house to experience the Angami way of life over a cup of traditional tea.
Later this evening, you have the option to enjoy the cultural festivities in Kohima for the last time. Return to the camp sated from the exhilarating experience at the festival, with memories to last a lifetime!
At dinner sit back and reflect on the Naga way of life whilst the chef indulges you in an exquisite meal.
Overnight at Kohima Camp, Nagaland
After breakfast, drive to the Kisama village for the spectacular Closing Ceremony at the Hornbill Festival. Revel in this marvelous riot of color as you watch all 16 tribes of Nagaland show off the rich fare of diverse cultures and traditional arts that is Nagaland.
You can witness the attire, folk music and dance forms, headgear, cuisines, paintings, handicrafts, and other intricacies of the varied tribes and sub-tribes of the state.
The highlight of the festival is not only the music and dance, whether traditional or contemporary; but also the display of exquisite handicraft and handloom, which is bound to leave you enchanted.
Adding to the excitement is a motor rally, traditional sports like wrestling and archery, a literary fest, and fun events like climbing a greased bamboo pole or chili eating contests.
Having built up an appetite, you return to camp for a sumptuous lunch after which you can choose to relax in its serene surroundings OR arrange to visit Kohima City.
Overnight at Kohima Camp, Nagaland
After breakfast, you check out and will be driven to Dimapur Airport in time to catch the flight to Kolkata.
Sector Flight Flight No Departure Arrival Class
Dimapur / Kolkata Air India AI-710 1330 hrs 1450 hrs Economy
Upon arrival in Kolkata, connect with your onward flight home or elsewhere in India.
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