Exploration of Eastern India
Each state in India is unique in terms of culture, traditions, cuisine, landscape, wilderness, and in the experiences that they offer. In this journey, you shall explore 3 states in eastern India – West Bengal, Assam & Nagaland. We have carefully curated this journey to incorporate elements of art, architecture, some heritage, arts & crafts, textiles, tribal interactions, wildlife, community interaction, and culinary experience. In this program we want to give you an insight into the day-to-day lives of the communities living in these regions, we would like to showcase some of our rural tribes and the old way of life, a stunning diversity of wildlife along with the world-famous Darjeeling tea. Our journey will take us to Kolkata, villages around Kolkata, Kohima, Kaziranga, and the tea estate around Darjeeling.
Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site known for its success at protecting the one-horned rhinoceros and the flood plains of the mighty Brahmaputra as a landscape home to a diversity of wildlife which includes:
Mammals: Bengal tiger, leopard, Asiatic elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, wild water buffalo, soft ground Barasingha deer, hog deer, smooth coat otters, and the Hoolock Gibbon to name a few.
Birds: Great Indian hornbill, Adjutant stork, Oriental openbill stork, dusky eagle owl, crested serpent eagle, grey-headed fish eagle, Pallas fish eagle, a huge variety of migratory ducks and geese including the highest-flying of them all the bar-headed geese.
Suggested Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3 & 4
Day 5 & 6
Day 7, 8 & 9
Day 10
Day 11 & 12
Arrive in Kolkata. Our team will receive you at the airport. Your home in Kolkata will be the Glenburn Penthouse a discrete, elegant residence in the heart of historic Kolkata, with spectacular views of all her iconic landmarks; From Victoria Memorial to Eden Gardens, the lush green expanse of the Maidan, and the majestic bridges that cross the River Hooghly. Conceptualized and executed over a number of years, the team behind Glenburn Tea Estate's boutique hotel in Darjeeling has carefully amassed an exquisite collection of antique Bengal colonial furniture and artworks to create a haven of quiet luxury above the bustling streets of the city of Kolkata.
Kolkata has a lot to offer in terms of culture, customs, and heritage, thus late this afternoon we have planned a short excursion. We begin with a visit to Kumartuli or the Potters’ Market, where giant life-like religious idols are created for the city’s numerous festivals out of river clay, bamboo, and straw, and then adorned with elaborate jewellery and clothes, with beautifully painted features.
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On the way back into town we can visit the Motherhouse, Mother Theresa’s home, and the center of her Missionaries of Charity. Her modest tomb and the spartan room where she lived and died, embodies her life’s work, with its simplicity and dedication to only helping the poor and needy.
Overnight will be in Kolkata.
A full day of exploration is planned for today. We start early in the morning (around 0800) simply to beat the heat……and the traffic. There is no better time to walk through this vibrant and bustling city. As the city wakes up, we will witness the passage of humanity from the streets where her people live and work, to the great River Hooghly where they perform their early morning rituals to cleanse and purify themselves. Where better to witness this than in the colourful riverside flower market where all the city’s religious flowers originate.
In our mind, it is important to start our journey here, as this is really where it all began. On the banks of this grand river, the battles of Europe were fought in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Alongside Armenian and Portuguese churches, and Jewish synagogues, we embark upon a journey that started the British Raj in India, in and around Dalhousie Square, dating back to the time of the Black Hole, from where it transformed itself into a City of Palaces. The famous Writers’ Building – the former HQ of the infamous East India Company, the magnificent Governor’s House, and the almost forgotten Charnock. Boat cruise up the River Hoogly. In a private river boat, discover the 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. It is a wonderfully relaxing end to the day with a sumptuous tea menu comprising popular Indian snacks and refreshing Glenburn Darjeeling Tea. You should be back at the hotel by 1830.
Overnight will be at Kolkata.
This morning after breakfast we check-out and travel to the outskirts of Kolkata to learn more about the life in rural India. Our home here is a 300-year-old ‘zamindar’ home (landlord home) that has been elegantly converted into a luxury heritage property.
Some interesting experiences when at Rajbari Bawali are:
A rustic village walk: Breathe into the fresh scent of the early morning sun and let us take you into the heart of the village town of Bawali. Most of the people who work at The Rajbari are from the village that surrounds it. Feel their colourful lives as we take you around and you ingrain your minds with the beautifully rustic houses, the unperturbed ponds, and the smiling faces that greet you at every corner. Every step will take you closer to the core of Bawali. Welcome your morning as you breeze past the farms where the elders toil, to the playgrounds where the children soil, to the ponds where the mothers mingle over chores, and the temples where the families pray.
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Sandhya Aarti: Settle into your evening and treat your senses with an enchanting spectacle at the magnificent stairs and experience the Sandhya Aarti. A ritual traditionally performed only in Bengali households, prepare to be swept away, as the chants of the charming shlokas resonate across the walls of The Rajbari. The fusion of the lights from the flames of the diyas, energetic but graceful drumbeats and sweet smell of the incense sticks is bound to stimulate your senses. This surreal experience under the tease of the moonlight will surely nourish your spiritual side.
Culinary Demonstration: There is so much more to Indian cuisine than just ‘curry.’ Irrespective of the city you travel to, it is impossible to miss the variety of fresh organic fruits, vegetables, and aromatic spices prevalent in that particular region. But there are so many different influences on the food of a particular region, from the invaders who ruled to the geography of the land, and West Bengal is no exception. Freshwater fishes, prawns, mustard, poppy seeds, and rice form the staple Bengali Cuisine. Learn how these have been influenced over time alongside one of our chefs at the Rajbari Bawali. Discover the secrets of the Indian Masalas tampered to perfection and Mishti Doi, a classic Bengali Dessert.
Overnight will be at Rajbari Bawali.
This morning after an early breakfast transfer by road to Kolkata airport to catch a flight to Dimapur. We bid adieu to West Bengal (at least for the time being) and make our way the eastern state of Nagaland.
Nagaland is a land-locked state surrounded on three sides by Indian states and Myanmar on its eastern border. Agriculture is the most important economic activity, covering over 70% of the state's economy. Other significant economic activity includes
forestry, tourism, insurance, real estate, and miscellaneous cottage industries. The name Nagaland is derived from ‘Naga’ which are tribal people of this state. Prior to this region joining India, this land was occupied by various tribes which moved about and established their territories in these eastern mountains.
Before the arrival of European colonialism in South Asia, there had been many wars, persecution and raids from Burma on Naga tribes, Meitei people and others in India's northeast. The invaders came for "head hunting" and to seek wealth and captives from these tribes and ethnic groups. When the British inquired Burmese guides about the people living in the northern Himalayas, they were told 'Naka'. This was recorded as 'Naga' and has been in use thereafter.
The state of Nagaland is home to many tribes. Since these are largely agricultural tribes most of their festivals revolve around agriculture. To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. The first festival was held in 2000. The festival is named after the Indian hornbill, the large and colourful forest bird which is displayed in the folklore of most of the state's tribes.
Once you land at Dimapur you transfer by road to your hotel in Kohima. Please note that there are limited accommodations in the region, and they get occupied quickly thus we need to plan in advance for the same. A Naga heritage village is prepared for the festival which is where all the events take place. These events give you an amazing insight into the lives of these people which means a closer understanding of the people and culture of Nagaland, and an opportunity to experience the food, songs, dances and customs of Nagaland.
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Since Nagaland borders Myanmar this was also where the British Indian Army held back the Japanese who invaded this region via Myanmar in World War II. A cemetery is dedicated to the soldiers lost in these battles.
Overnight will be in Kohima.
On day 7 after breakfast, you check out and make your way by road to Kaziranga National Park. The journey to Kaziranga will take you about 6.5hrs by road. You will now be entering the state of Assam which is also known for its tea. Your home at Kaziranga will be Diphlu River Lodge, located at the edge of a river creek that divided the buffer from the core area of the park. The creek often attracts a lot of wildlife and thus the bar and dining area of the lodge overlooks this creek from where one can spend time birding or might even find the one horned rhinoceros.
Diphlu is perhaps the best lodge in the park’s vicinity. In April 2016, Diphlu River Lodge was honoured to have had the opportunity to host the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, HRH Prince William, and Catherine Middleton, on their state visit to India.
Kaziranga National Park situated in Assam is a UNESCO world heritage site recognized as the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. The fluctuations of the Brahmaputra River result in spectacular examples of riverine and fluvial processes in this vast area of wet
alluvial tall grassland interspersed with numerous broad shallow pools fringed with reeds and patches of deciduous to semi-evergreen woodlands. Kaziranga is regarded as one of the finest wildlife refuges in the world. The park’s contribution in saving the Indian one-horned rhinoceros from the brink of extinction at the turn of the 20th century to harbouring the single largest population of this species is a spectacular conservation achievement.
It was inscribed for being the world’s major stronghold of the Indian one-horned rhino, having the single largest population of this species, currently estimated at over 2,000 animals. Along with the one-horned rhinoceros, it is also home to other globally threatened species such as the Bengal tiger, Asiatic elephant, wild water buffalo, eastern swamp deer, hog deer, capped langur, hoolock gibbon and the sloth bear. Along with the mammalian species the park is also home to numerous avian species and the count of the same will be close to 300 species.
The park today has 3 zones that the guests can explore – Baguri, Kohora and Agaratoli (range offices as marked on the map). Whereas most lodges are located close to Kohora gate, Diphlu River Lodge is located close to the Baguri zone.
Since you have had a long drive to the lodge, we have not planned a safari today. For those of you who are rearing to go, we recommend using the lodge naturalist and exploring the little creek that divides the park and the lodge boundary – it’s a great place for birding and if lucky wild water buffalo herd or a rhino may wander up to the creek.
On days 8 & 9 we have planned two safaris a day to explore different parts of the park. Please note in India all parks are government managed and they allow two safari slots in the day for tourists to explore – one in the morning for 3 hours and the other of similar duration in the evening. The start time in the morning and the closing time in the evening is determined on the basis of sunrise and sunset time thus varying from season to season.
Overnight will be in Kaziranga.
Today is going to be a long day where you make your journey back to West Bengal. After an early breakfast, you transfer by road to Guwahati airport to catch a flight to Bagdogra. Bagdogra lies very close to the Nepal border and about 3hr 30min to Glenburn Tea Estate. No activities are planned for the day after a long journey.
Overnight will be at Glenburn Tea Estate.
Glenburn is a heavenly little plantation retreat that lies on a hillock above the banks of the River Rungeet, high in the Himalayas, overlooked by the mighty Kanchenjunga mountain range.
Started by a Scottish tea company in 1859, Glenburn then passed into the hands of one of India’s pioneering tea planting families – The Prakashes, One of India's pioneering tea-planting families, we have, over the years, come to be known as the “Chaiwala family”, which literally means “tea planters “.
There is a lot to do when at Glenburn from meeting the planters and workers at the tea estate to hiking, fishing, wellness to culinary classes and beauty treatments there is something for everyone. Your stay at Glenburn is going to be your retreat on this holiday before it comes to an end.
Overnight will be at Glenburn Tea Estate.
Day 13
This brings our tour to an end. This morning after breakfast you make your way back to Bagdogra from where you catch your flight to Delhi and connect on to your international flight back home.
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End Of The Tour