Amazing Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet

Luxury tours to 

 Assam, Kolkata & Sundarbans

Exit Bhutan in the south-eastern corner of the country. Visit the State of Assam in north-east of India. Venture upstream along the mighty Brahmaputra River to Kaziranga National Park, one of the most impressive of India's wildlife parks, to see one-horned rhino and the elusive tiger. Fly to Kolkata and tour the heritage sites of this remarkable city and then take a boat cruise up the River Hoogly. Last journey to Sunderbans National Park, the world's largest mangrove forest in the river delta of the mighty Ganges and Brahmaputra, and a home to the largest population of Royal Bengal tigers on the Indian subcontinent.

*You can also do the itinerary in reverse, starting in Kolkata and the Sunderbans, and finish in Guwahati -- you can also consider continuing from there to Bhutan entering in the south east corner of the country.

Kaziranga National Park, Kolkata Heritage & Sundarban Tiger Camp Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Pickup at Bhutan / Assam border and transfer to Kaziranga National Park ( 230 Km / 4 ½ Hrs).
Checkin at Wild Grass Resort. Overnight
Includes: Dinner

Day 2: Kaziranga NP safari
Elephant ride 1 hour 6.30 am. Return to lodge by 8 am. After breakfast proceed to the Western Range of the Park. It takes 25 minutes by jeep to reach the entrance of this range. The route traverses the southwest portion of the park. This range is covered in short grass areas and is the optimum habitat for Rhino and Water Buffalo. Representative perennialox-bow lakes surrounded by marshy Haemarthia compressa stands can be seen. Part of the drive is also through Low Alluvial Savannah Woodland. Colonization of grassland by Lagerstroemia parviflora can be seen. A round of the entire circuit is around 20 km. High herbivore densities around these wetlands are characteristic of the habitat.

Return for lunch and at 2 PM start on another safari in Kaziranga Range. This drive covers central region of the park and is an ideal introduction to the park and its ecology as the route passes through the entire spectrum of habitat types prevalent in the area. There is a possibility of sighting elephants as well as the other mega herbivores, including Swamp Deer. The process of plant succession can be observed at various seral stages. Fine birding in a wide range of habitats, and good sunset pictures. Takes 15 minutes to reach the entry point. Entire circuit approximately 35 km.

Day 3: Kaziranga NP safari
Early morning visit to the Panbari woodland. This is a patch of woodland that is technically part of continuous belt of wilderness with successive Reserve Forests (Dolamara RF) and proposed Sanctuaries (East Karbi Anglong, North Karbi Anglong), all in the hills. Panbari is categorized a semi-evergreen forest type situated in an alluvial plains highland. It is fragmented from Kaziranga by a patch of paddy and homestead land but is representative of the Kaziranga eco-system and forms the highland cover for animals during high flood. It serves as an effective corridor for those elephants whose range includes Kaziranga's grassland. Excellent place for encountering tiger, birding especially for woodland birds, and it also has a significant population of Hollock Gibbon, the only ape found in India.

Return for late breakfast (or early lunch and then proceed to the Eastern (Agaratuli) Range. Situated towards the eastern part of the park. The area is excellent for birding. Includes nesting of the globally threatened Pallas's Fish Eagle and a colony of Spot-billed Pelicans. Migrant waterfowl may be observed at Sohola Beel. Various woodland birds can be seen along the drive through very scenic Dillenia Swamp Forest. Elephants may be encountered, as well Water Buffalo and Swamp Deer. Takes 40 minutes to reach. Safari route approximately 26 km.

Day 4: Kaziranga / Guwahati / Kolkata
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Guwahati airport to board flight to Kolkata. ( Departure: 12 Noon Arrive: 1.10 P.M.)

Arrive Kolkata airport. On arrival, our representative will meet and transfer you to the hotel.

Possibly the most loved and most maligned city in the whole world, fascinating Kolkata has always enjoyed a love-hate relationship with its visitors. A city rich in art and culture, the former British capital of colonial India, the seat of freedom struggles and revolutionary movements, the inspiration for poets and movie-makers, this city has so much history and romance that it’s hard to know where to begin its story.

Look for the remnants of the British Raj in the lovely old Colonial-style architecture, the clubs and the famous restaurants on Park Street. Home to celebrities like the poet Tagore and moviemaker Satyajit Ray, the city teems with creative energy. Film-making, music, dance, literature and theatre play a vibrant role in the lives of this intensely political, passionate and cultured people.
 

Your guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and you'll commence a half day tour of Kolkata:

Visit to The Missionaries of Charity Headquarters in Calcutta. This is where Mother Theresa lived and is buried. You can visit her tomb, and see the room used by her during her lifetime. There is also a picture gallery that gives a brief history on her life and achievements.

Next visit to a Textile Factory at Rangeen, the weaving, dyeing and printing unit for Weavers Studio in Calcutta, famous for their high quality cotton and silk garments. You will have a chance to watch the artisans at work weaving at their looms, dyeing using diverse techniques such as tie and dye, batik, Japanese Shibori and African Adire, block printing and stenciling on fabric, as well as hand painting, mud and screen printing. The Resource Centre also has a textile library and museum with a collection of antique fabric from around the world. The history of the world’s most popular natural dye – Indigo – weaves its story into the visit as well.
 

Day 5: Kolkata Heritage Walk
Early morning start Full day Heritage walk with your Guide:

 
6.45am Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby.

7am Heritage Walk of Dalhousie Square, now a World Heritage Site. The walk takes in the architecture and history of the city’s many unique and spectacular buildings without any traffic on the roads. There is an option to begin at The Flower Market on the River Hoogly – where it really “all” began. The walk then starts at the site of the terrible ‘Black Hole’… it takes you past the famous Writer’s Building, the former HQ of the infamous East India Company, around the square to, among others, the magnificent Governor’s House and the almost forgotten Charnock Mausoleum. The whole experience takes you back to the 18th and 19th century when the British ruled the entire subcontinent from Calcutta – at that time the most fashionable city in the world after London. It is also a chance to experience a special side of the city as it is waking up in the morning with many interesting city characters to interact with along the way.

10.30am “Breakfast at Bomti’s” offers a rare glimpse of the old Calcutta way of life, now sadly endangered. If available, Mr Surojit ‘Bomti’ Iyenger, an art collector and socialite, is delighted to welcome visitors to his charming flat in perhaps the most interesting heritage building on historic Chowringhee. Authentic and home-cooked Bengali cuisine served up with hot cups of fresh Darjeeling tea and stimulating insights into Bengali Art (with some for sale) and Modern Kolkata make up Bomti’s salon.

12.30pm You will visit the Park Street cemetery. This is where most of the grand old British tombs have been re-installed.

4pm Boat cruise up the River Hoogly. In a private river boat, you are able to discover a hitherto unseen side of Kolkata, with a ring-side view of the myriad happenings on the river’s ‘Ghats’. This was the view that greeted many a 19C adventurer as he stepped up to the Princep’s Ghat. You will sail past Belur Math, headquarters of The Ramakrishna Mission, as the city’s two huge and famous bridges, Howrah and Vidyasagar Setu pass overhead.

6.30pm Drop back to your hotel.

Day 6: Kolkata / Sundarban Tiger Camp
Breakfast at hotel. Then transfer to Sonakhali / Gothakali Jetty point ( 100 Km / 2 Hrs. )

Take a boat for Dayapur. Tea & Coffee served on boat.

Arrive at Sundarban Tiger Camp. Lunch at Camp.

At 3.30 PM, depart by boat for Sajnekhali Tiger Project Area.

5.30 PM Return to Tiger Camp. 6 PM: Evening tea / coffee & snacks, Panoramic view from watch tower.

Evening get together, bonfire and folk music by local artists. Dinner at 9 P.M.

Overnight at Sundarban Tiger Camp ( AC Cottage )

Day 7: Sundarban Tiger Camp
6.30 AM : Morning Tea. 8 AM: Thrilling boat cruise inside creeks and dense forest while visiting Dobanke Watch Tower with a chance of encountering the magnificent tiger. Breakfast on boat during cruise.

1 PM: Lunch.
4 PM: Stroll around the neighboring villages to interact with the local community, admire their art, culture and way of life.
5.30 PM: Evening tea / coffee & snacks, Dinner at 9 PM.

Overnight at Sundarban Tiger Camp ( AC Cottage )

Day 8: Sundarban Tiger Camp / Kolkata
6.30 AM: Morning Tea. 7 AM: Visit to Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower and cruise through the creeks and around the cluster of island of Sunderban Tiger project area.

Breakfast on boat during cruise. 11.30 AM: Lunch.
12 PM.: Transfer to Gothkhali jetty by boat. From here our vehicle will taker you back to Kolkata, approx. 2 hours. On arrival checkin your Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 9: Kolkata / Airport / departure
After breakfast, transfer to Kolkata International Airport to board your flight to next destination.
 

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