FROM OUR EXPLORE BROCHURE
ITINERARY ROUTING:
Arrive Kolkata – Bawali Village – Kolkata – Bhubaneswar – Puri – Konark – Bhubaneswar – Baripada – Kolkata – Darjeeling – Kolkata
SKETCH ITINERARY:
DAY 01: ARRIVE KOLKATA
KOLKATA – BAWALI VILLAGE
DAY 02: IN BAWALI VILLAGE
DAY 03: IN BAWALI VILLAGE
DAY 04: BAWALI VILLAGE – KOLKATA
KOLKATA – BHUBANESWAR
DAY 05: IN BHUBANESWAR
DAY 06: BHUBANESWAR – KONARK – PURI – BHUBANESWAR
DAY 07: IN BHUBANESWAR
DAY 08: BHUBANESWAR – BARIPADA
DAY 09: IN BARIPADA
DAY 10: BARIPADA – KOLKATA
DAY 11: IN KOLKATA
DAY 12: IN KOLKATA
DAY 13: KOLKATA – BAGDOGRA
BAGDOGRA – DARJEELING
DAY 14: IN DARJEELING
DAY 15: IN DARJEELING
DAY 16: DARJEELING – BAGDOGRA
BAGDOGRA – KOLKATA – DEPARTURE
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Arrive in Kolkata and straightaway drive to Rajbari Bawali located in ‘24 Parganas’ district. A step inside the Rajbari Bawali is like stepping inside a time capsule to experience a taste of rural nobility that existed in Bengal. The palace harks back to the days when rich Zamindars and aristocrats of Bengal lived lives of utter decadence and splendour. While staying here you can go for a walk in the village of Bawali, passing by the ruins of the fabulous temples that were built by the family years ago. Foodies have the option of enjoying a cooking session and learn about traditional Bengali cuisine. In the evening witness the surreal prayer ritual held here as per age-old traditions.
- Fly from Kolkata to Bhubaneswar.
- In Bhubaneswar visit the 64 Yogini Temple, Shanti Stupa at Dhauli and a government run Co-operative called Adisha which promotes tribes and their livelihood. Check out the exquisite Dokra pieces, organic spices and Koraput coffee at Adisha. Take a step back in time to explore the Old Town on foot. Learn about the history behind the name of the city.
- Drive from Bhubaneswar to Konark.
- In Konark visit the ruins of a 13th century Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later drive to Puri (1 hr drive further) along the wonderful marine road. In Puri spend time with artists who have kept alive the art of Patachitra, an indigenous art form of scroll painting that dates back to the 5th century BC.
- Spend the last 2 nights in Bhubaneswar at Svanir Homestay located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar owned by the Mukherjee family. It is an eco-friendly boutique homestay with four spacious cottages inspired by the tribal architecture of Odisha. At Svanir, you can take private lessons on Patachitra painting from a local artist; you can go for a sunset walk to the nearby village; you can cycle to the by-lanes heading off the main road into the paddy fields. For those interested in photography, the owner of the property is an avid macro photographer and he can happily give you a private lesson on macro photography and help you observe the fascinating patterns in nature.
- Drive to Baripada in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha (5 – 6 hrs drive) to stay at Belgadia Palace.
- At Belgadia Palace take a tour of the Baripada Township exploring the local haat; visit Council Hall (the former Mayurbhanj State Palace); visit Jagannath Temple and the Rani Dharamshala. Here you will also get to enjoy traditional Oriya and traditional Nepali spreads for meals; explore Belgadia Palace with a family member and enjoy a Mayurbhanj Chau dance performance.
- Drive from Baripada to Kolkata (5 hrs drive) and check in to Glenburn Pent House.
- In Kolkata go for an early morning stroll around the Dalhousie Square to learn how Kolkata city evolved. Stop for a cup of tea during your walk through the gardens of 18th century Anglican Church of St Johns, the first cathedral of the city. Thereafter visit the grand Victoria Memorial museum. Enjoy lunch at the residency of Mr. Surojit ‘Bomti’ Iyenger, an art collector and a socialite who will give you a glimpse into the fast disappearing old Kolkata way of life. Explore North Kolkata what was once known as the ‘Black Town’. Visit the Marble Palace, Jorasanko Thakurbari, Kumartuli (the Potters’ colony), the Jain Temple Complex and The Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity. In Kolkata you can also enjoy a cruise on River Hooghly to have a ringside view of the myriad happenings on the river’s ‘ghats’.
- Fly from Kolkata to Bagdogra. Drive from Bagdogra Airport to Glenburn Tea Estate (4 hrs drive) in the Darjeeling foothills of the Indian Himalayas.
- In Darjeeling explore the 1,600-acre private estate with an introduction to the specialized art of growing and processing Glenburn Tea. Visit the tea fields, interact with the tea pickers, and follow the journey of “two leaves and bud” into the tea factory. End your experience with a tea tasting session to discover the incredible variety of flavours and aromas that come from a single bush through different seasons. You can also take a ride on the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Wander through the Mall and shop for local crafts & antiques along the way.
- Fly back to Kolkata.
Should you want a copy of our Explore Brochure, please get in touch with your relationship manager.
