CLASSIC EAST INDIA

Day 01: Arrive Kolkata

Day 02: Kolkata

Day 03: Kolkata/ Mayapur/ Kolkata

Day 04: Kolkata – Puri (Train)

Day 05: Puri - Jagannath Temple - Satpara/Chillika Lake

Day 06: Puri - Konark Sun Temple – Bhubaneswar

Day 07: Bhubaneshwar – Patna (Flight)

Day 08: Patna

Day 09: Patna – Nalanda – Rajgir – Bodhgaya

Day 10: Bodhgaya - Varanasi

Day 11: Varanasi

Day 12: Varanasi

Day 13: Varanasi – Delhi (Train)

Day 14: Delhi

Day 15: Delhi / Departure 

Day 01: Arrive Kolkata

In the evening arrive at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of India's West Bengal state. Founded as an East India Company trading post, it was India's capital under the British Raj from 1773–1911. Today it’s known for its grand colonial architecture, art galleries and cultural festivals. It’s also home to Mother House, headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, whose tomb is on site.

On arrival, meeting & assistance by our representative and transfer to hotel. Where our executive will explain the travel plan in detail and hand over the essential documents (Tour programme, hotel’s vouchers, feedback report etc) to you. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 02: Kolkata

After breakfast at hotel enjoy full day city tour. Visiting - Mother Teresa's House to view her tomb and then to Nirmal Hriday. It is this place where Mother Teresa lived with her sisters to serve people. Our next trip is to the famous Howrah Bridge, also known as the Rabindra Setu. It is the third longest bridge in the world and remains busy almost throughout the day. Built over the sacred Ganges, the river looks beautiful from the bridge. Now we move towards the oldest building of the British rule in the city, the St. John’s church. Near the church lies the grave of Job Charnock, who is the founder of the city. It is a stone and brick structure with beautiful interior; built of wood and marble. You can see the large paintings of the Last Supper on the walls. It is also significant as it contains the round table on which the Charter of Calcutta was signed.

Our next trip is to the exquisitely designed Marble Palace. Lying in the midst of a lush green meadow with artistic sculptures, this building is a treasure house of antiques, like curios from China and paintings of Ruben.

Our trip ends with a visit to the majestic Victoria Memorial; a marble structure built in memory of Queen Victoria. It is a blend of Mughal and British architecture. At present it is a museum which exhibits paintings, miniatures, statues and books, through which people can get an in depth knowledge of Indian history.

Later in the, evening free to explore local markets. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 03: Kolkata - EXCURSION TOUR TO MAYAPUR

After breakfast at hotel enjoy excursion tour to Mayapur.

Mayapur is a holy city located on the banks of the Ganges river, at the point of its confluence with the Jalangi, near Nabadwip, West Bengal, India, 130 km north of Kolkata (Calcutta). The headquarters of ISKCON are situated in Mayapur and it is considered a holy place by a number of other traditions within Hinduism, but is of special significance to followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism as the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, regarded as a special incarnation of Krishna in the mood of Radha. It is visited by over a million pilgrims annually. Later in the evening return back to Kolkata. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 04: Kolkata – Puri (Train)

After breakfast & checkout from the hotel, transfer to railway station to board on train to Puri.

Puri - One of the four celebrated religious centers of India, Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath needs no introduction. The sunny beach at Puri is one of the finest in the world. Watching the sunrise in a symphony of colours is a wonderful experience. It is one of the most popular sea-side resorts where visitors from any part of the globe can comfortably relax.  On arrival meeting, assistance at railway station by our local representative and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 05: Puri - Jagannath Temple - Satpara/Chillika Lake

After breakfast at hotel visit for Darshan at Sri Jagannath Temple (from outside), Gundicha Temple, Lakshmi temple, Loknath temple, Daria hanuman and Sonar Gouranga temple and Ardhasani temple, Swargdwar beach.

Later in the afternoon depart for the Satpara & Chillika. The Fancy Land of Irwadi Dolphins. Entire Day Sightseeing of Satpara.  Evening return back to Puri. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 06: Puri - Konark Sun Temple – Bhubaneswar (70 Kms / 1.5 hrs)

After breakfast & checkout from the hotel drive to visit Konark.

Konark - The magnificent Sun Temple at Konark is the culmination of Orissan temple architecture, and one of the most stunning monuments of religious architecture in the world. The poet Rabindranath Tagore said of Konark that 'here the language of stone surpasses the language of man', and it is true that the experience of Konark is impossible to translate into words.

Visit - Chandrabhaga Beach & Ramchandi Temple. Sighseeing of tribal museum, Khandagiri & Udaigiri Jain caves (oldest rock cut caves, the caves arijjre reminiscent of influence of Buddhism and Jainism in Odisha (Orissa)

Later continue drive toward Bhubaneshwar. Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, is also popularly known as the "Temple City of India". Being the seat of Tribhubaneswar or 'Lord Lingaraj', Bhubaneswar is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot the landscape of the Old Town, which once boasted of more than 2000 temples. Bhubaneswar is the place where temple building activities of Orissan style flowered from its very inception to its fullest culmination extending over a period of over one thousand years.

Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 07: Bhubaneshwar – Patna (Flight)

After breakfast & checkout from the hotel visit Dhauli (the peace pagoda) 108 Shivling Temples, Pipli, Lingra Temple.

Later in time, transfer to airport to board on flight to Patna. Patna once called Patliputra the capital of Bihar, is among the world's oldest capital cities with unbroken history of many centuries as imperial metropolis of the Mauryas and Guptas imperial dynasties.

On arrival, check-in at hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure activities. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 08: Patna

After breakfast at hotel visit famous places & temples in city. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 09: Patna – Nalanda – Rajgir – Bodhgaya (110 Kms/2.5 Hrs)

After breakfast & check out from the hotel drive to Bodhgaya, en-route visits Nalanda & Rajgir.

Nalanda was a Mahavihara, a large Buddhist monastery, in the ancient kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar) in India. The site is located about 95 kilometres (59 mi) southeast of Patna near the town of Bihar Sharif, and was a centre of learning from the fifth century CE to c. 1200 CE. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rajgir is an ancient city in the northeast Indian state of Bihar. Surrounded by hills, it's known for its holy sites. Remains of the Cyclopean Wall, which encircled the city centuries ago, still stand in the center. Close by, Venu Vana park was once home to a monastery built for Buddha. The shield-shaped Japanese Temple contains a huge Buddha statue. Nearby there are hot springs believed to have medicinal properties.

Later continue drive to Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya It was here that Siddhartha meditated for 48 days under a "Bodhi tree" and was enlightened on the 49th day and became Buddha, the enlightened one!!!

On arrival, check-in at hotel. After wash and change at hotel visit Mahabodhi temple with the tree, below which Buddha was enlightened, the footprints of Buddha & the monastery. Vishnupad Mandir, Pind-Daan & Ratnaghara. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 10: Bodhgaya - Varanasi (258 Kms / 5.5 hrs)

After breakfast & checkout from the hotel drive to Varanasi.

Varanasi situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has been a centre of pilgrimage and learning for over 2000 years and is considered to be one of the oldest surviving cities in the world.

On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 11: Varanasi

After breakfast at hotel enjoy excursion tour to Sarnath - After the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, he came to Sarnath. Here in the Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon or set in motion the Wheel of Law (Maha Dharmachakra Pravartan.)

Later check-in at hotel. Evening see AARTI at river Ghat. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 12: Varanasi

Early morning enjoy boat ride to watch the sunrise over the Ganges when hundreds of people are worshiping & taking bath. Later return back to hotel & enjoy delicious breakfast.

After breakfast at hotel, visit famous temples and Kashi Hindu University where more than fifty thousand students from all over the world are learning. Evening free to explore local markets. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 13: Varanasi – Delhi (Train)

Morning breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day, free at your own. Later in time transfer to railway station to board on train to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 14: Delhi

Morning breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day free at your own. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 15: Delhi / Departure

Morning breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day free at your own. Later in time transfer to airport to board your homebound flight with the happy memory of our incredible nation.

Note: This is just a suggested itinerary indicative of what could be possible. We tailor holidays for your specific needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we could tailor a holiday to suit your need for an unforgettable India tour