EASTERN
HERITAGE OF INDIA
A
cultural tour of India
India
has rightfully been referred to as the sub-continent
rather than a country.
Within this massive land of people and culture, several civilizations have
flourished in different areas. Hence what we see in one part may of the country
is often surpassed in a different way in another part of the country. Our Eastern
Heritage Tour of India is a story that is unique and very different. We start
from the Central Eastern city of Hyderabad in Andra Pradesh and traverse through
to the exotic North East of India covering enroute, Orissa’s Bhubaneshwar,
Tezpur and Guwahiti in Assam, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh and Darjeeling and
Kolkata in West Bangel – each having a rich story of its own to tell
us.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map
|
Day
|
Place
|
|
01-02
|
Hyderabad |
|
03
|
Hyderabad / Bhubaneshwar |
| 04 |
Bhubaneshwar |
|
05
|
Bhubaneshwar
/ Kolkata (Calcutta) |
|
06
|
Kolkata |
|
07
|
Kolkata / Guwahati /Tezpur |
| 08 |
Tezpur / Dirang |
| 09 |
Dirang / Tawang |
| 10 |
Tawang |
| 11 |
Tawang / Bomdila |
| 12 |
Bomdila / Guwahati |
| 13 |
Guwhati / Bagdogra / Darjeeling |
| 14 |
Darjeeling |
| 15 |
Darjeeling / Bagdogra / Kolkata |
|
|
Day
01: Arrive Hyderabad: Namaste!
We are welcomed the traditional Indian way
with handsclapped together. After immigration and custom
formalities, we are assisted and driven through the
city to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Hyderabad (2 Nights) (D)
Day 02: Hyderabad
The city and its environs are dotted with mosques, tombs, temples, forts, treasuries,
armories and caravansaries. Most of them from Qutb Shahi period. Our tour of
Hyderabad starts with a visit to the landmark of Hyderabad "Charminar",
built in 1591 AD. With four imposing minarets, a mosque decorated with lotus
buds and petals. Next we visit the Mecca Masjid. This glorious mosque is probably
the greatest edifice of the Qutb Shahi period. Its enormous colonnades are
monoliths, carved from single blocks of pink granite. Mecca Masjid can accommodate
10,000 worshippers. Falaknuma Palace is one of the most beautiful homes of
its time. Other places of interest includes Husain Sagar Lake, a large artificial
lake between Hyderabad and Secunderabad, s 1550, in the lake on an island is
a statue of the Buddha. Salar Jung museum with a collection of fine art, tapestries,
jade artifacts, weaponry and sculpture, is worth a vist.
(B, D)
Day
03: Hyderabad / Bhubaneshwar (flight)
A short flight gets us to Bhubaneshwar - one of
the ancient temple towns of India. There are as many
as 100 temples, some of which are masterpieces of Hindu
architecture and contain exquisite carvings and sculptures.
Afternoon we visit Rajarani, Mukteshwar, Parasurameswar
and Lingaraja temple. The temples reflect a marvel
in architecture, style and colour.
Overnight: Hotel in Bhubaneshwar (2 Nights) (B, D)
Day 04: Bhubaneshwar
Full day excursion to Puri and Konark. Puri has the world famous Jagannath
temple. During the Rath Yatra, a festival when the Lord comes out to change
his clothes and have a bath, Millions of pilgrims pull the mammoth chariot
by the help of a rope tied on to the chariot. This is an awesome sight. From
here we continue towards Konark to see the Sun Temple built out of stone and
shaped like a chariot with 24 wheels.
(B, D)
Day
05: Bhubaneshwar / Kolkata (Calcutta) (Flight)
Morning is free to stroll around Bhubaneshaw before
we take the early afternoon flight to the northeast
part of the country. Our destination is Kolkata or
as it is still more wides known as Calcutta. Upon arrival
we are welcomed to West Bengal’s capital city
and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Calcutta (2 Nights)
(B, D)
Day 06: Kolkata
Kolkata (Calcutta) is compelling, effervescent,
teeming with life and traditions a medley of
moods, styles, cultures, politics, industry and
commerce. For 250 years Calcutta was part of
the British Empire. Our tour includes the Victoria
Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, Fort William,
Raj Bhawan and the High Court are Highlight's
of the tour. We also see the famous teahouses
where Bengali academics sit and discuss. Evening
is free to enjoy and maybe join the famous Calcutta
Tea Houses well known as the meeting point of
philosophers, writers, poets and students. (B,
D)
Day 07:Calcutta / Guwahati /Tezpur (Flight & Drive - 192 km / 4 hrs)
A short flight gets us to Guwahati Airport.
Situated on the north bank of River Brahamaputra,
the largest River of India, 196 km from Guwahati,
Tezpur is an important tourist destination. Tezpur
was known as Sonitpur in the olden days and is
a city steeped in mythology, legend and folklore.
Besides its archaeological significance, it is
known for its scenic beauty with the snow-capped
peaks of the Himalayas and the hills of Arunachal
Pradesh in the North. Situated on the banks of
river Brahmaputra, this town is known for its
natural beauty and fascinating archaeological
ruins. Undulating green valleys surrounded by
the lofty hills and snow-capped peaks of the
Himalayas, and lush tea gardens. Cole Park is,
undoubtedly, one of the most Beautiful places
in Tezpur. The park has two massive ornamented
stone pillars, and the sculptural remnants of
the famous Bamuni Hills. Agnigarh is the site
of the legendary romance of princess Usha (the
only daughter of king Bana) and Anirudha. Usha
was imprisoned inside the palace which was surrounded
by a wall of fire. The present day Agnigarh,
now only a hillock facing the Brahmaputra, provides
a panoramic view of the Great River and Tezpur.
The ruins of Bamuni Hills are famous for their
exemplary artistic Finesse. The sculptural remains
date back to the ninth and tenth century A.D.
The Bhairavi and Mahabhairab (where king Bana
worshipped Mahabhairab, an incarnation of Shiva)
temples and the twin tanks of Bar Pukhuri and
Padum Pukhuri are the other architectural attractions
Overnight: Hotel in Tezpur (1 Night) (B, D)
Day 08: Tezpur / Dirang (Drive: - 160 kms / 6 hours)-
The journey is along a very scenic road traversing forested hills, and
crossing over the Nichephu pass to the Tenga Valley. The road climbs up through
a series of hairpins to the town of Bomdila, located at a 2800 m high pass
of the same name. Hereafter the road descends to the picture postcard Dirang
Valley at 1600 m, which is our destination for the day. We spend the day exploring
this picture post card Valley. We will be visiting an ancient Monpa Village
and Gompa, the Kalachakra Monastery, and the Sangti Valley to get a peep into
the life styles of the Monpas, and see their unique method of agriculture.
Overnight: Hotel in Dirang (1 Night) (B, D)
Day 09: Dirang / Tawang Drive 146 kms / 5 hours)
Morning we visit the centuries old Dirang Dzong and the village with its
traditional houses. Afterwards we drive to Tawang at 10200 ft. On the way we
cross the Sela Pass at 14000 ft, the highest motorable pass in the Northeast.
Evening we take a walk around Tawang town. Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India’s
North East is an unexplored paradise. The Monpas here are of Mongoloid descent
having migrated from Bhutan and Tibet, the oldest record dating back to the
7th century. Guru Padmasambhav is said to have visited the area in the 8th
century. It is a major center of Mahayana Buddhism.
Overnight: Private Lodge (2 Nights) (B, L, D)
Day 10: Tawang
Today we visit the famous 400 years old Tawang Monastery. Tawang is synonymous
with the famous 400 years old Tawang Monastery It is the largest monastery
in India and one of the largest in Asia. It is the fountainhead of spiritual
life of the followers of the Gellukpa sect of
Mahayan Buddhism. At 10,000 ft or 3100 meters it commands a picturesque view
of the Tawan chu valley it looks almost like a fortress guarding the votaries
in the valley below.
The Tibetan influence can be seen in the painted wooden windows and other motifs.
Prayer flags flutter in the breeze outside whilst an 8 meter (24ft) high gilded
statue of Buddha gives divine benediction in the monastery assembly hall, the
Dukhang.Interact with the lamas (monks). Come back to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon we visit a Monpa tribal village. (B, L, D)
Day
11: Tawang / Bomdila (Drive 180 kms / 7 hours)
Bomdila is a beautiful small town situated at a height of about 8000 ft. above
the sea level from where one can see the brilliant landscape and snow-clad
mountains of the Himalayan Range. The Buddhist monastery of Bomdila is the
repository of culture and is among primary attractions of the area. Bomdila
is the headquarters of West Kameng district located at the height of 8500 ft
above the sea level. Its cool climate, Apple orchards, artistic people,
Snow-capped Himalayan peaks and Buddhist Gompas. The Buddhist monastery of
Bomdila is the repository of culture. This place has a tourist lodge, a craft
centre displaying local crafts displaying version of Himalayan Buddhist. The
Craft Centre turns out a range of superbly designed dragon carpets. Traditional
thangka wall hangings, paintings and masks. Most of these are intricately crafted
with minute details and varied themes.
Overnight: Hotel in Bomdila (1 Night) (B, L, D)
Day
12: Bomdila / Guwahati (Drive)
We come down from the lofty mountains to the plains
of Assam as we drive down to Guwahati. Guwahati is
gateway to an exotic and least explored region situated
on situated on Southern Bank of Brahmaputra, The capital
of Assam Guwati has incredible sights from ancient
temples to wetlands to botanical gardens to Science
Museums. Formerly known as Pragjyotishpur (the City
of Eastern Light), Guwahati is the biggest city of
Assam in India. Its etymological root is derived from
two Assamese words, "Guwa," meaning areca
nut and "Haat," meaning market. Fixed between
the picturesque hills of the eastern flanks of the
Himalayan mountain range,
the gateway to the seven other northeastern states, also referred as seven
sisters,
Guwahati is a vital tourist base point. Guwahati is particularly famous for
its Kamakhya temple located atop the Nilachal hill. Known to be the most revered
among the tantrik shrines of Shakti worship in the World, Kamakhya, was built
in the 10th century by the Koch king, Naranarayan. Animal sacrifice is a common
practice here to appease the Goddess. Above Kamakhya is another small temple,
Bhubaneshwari.The Navagraha temple - the "temple of nine planets," -
an ancient seat of astrology and astronomy. Housed in a red beehive-shaped
dome, the central lingam is encircled by further nine representing the planets
(graha) - Sun (Surya, Ravi), Moon (Chandra, Soma), Mercury (Buddh), Venus (Sukra),
Mars (Mangal), Jupiter (Brhaspati) and Saturn (Sani). Two more were added,
Rahu and Ketu, the dragon's head and the dragon's tail, or the ascending and
descending nodes of the moon.
Overnight: Hotel in Guwahati (1 Night) (B, L, D)
Day 13: Guwhati / Bagdogra / Darjeeling (Flight)
A short flight gets us to Bagdogra. On arrival at Bagdogra, we drive to
one of the most scenic towns of Darjeeling. The apex is formed by the Phalut
ridge where Nepal meets India. The eastern frontier lies along the rivers Tista
and Rangeet, beyond is Rishi-La and Bhutan. The lower regions of the labyrithine
hilly forest-clad ridges have been cleared for the cultivation of the world
famous Darjeeling tea. Started in the area of only 14,000 acres in 1872, it
had risen to 7,87,000 acres by 1956. The town itself is at an altitude of 2,134
m (lies between 26° 31' and 27° 13' North Latitude and between 87° 59'
and 88° 53' East Longitude); moving up the hills one is greeted by smiling
tea gardens, changing to firs, pines and fast moving torrents, while around
4,000 types of flowering plants and 300 varieties of ferns, including the rare
tree fern. Beyond the town itself, modern elegant and sophisticated, lies nature
in the raw in hills, valleys and forest, unbroken and untamed.
Overnight: Hotel in Darjeeling (2 Nights) (B, L, D)
Day 14: Darjeeling
Before sunrise, we get into our 4 x 4’s and proceed to Tiger Hill
to view an incredible sunrise from behind the huge lofty mountain peaks. This
photo experience and on a clear day we can view Mts. Everest and Kunchunjung,
After breakfast, We visit one of the most unusual of the world Heritage Sites – the
Toy Train. We actually take a ride on it and visit the Ghoom Monastery. The
monastery, built in 1875, houses one of the largest statues of the Maitreya
Buddha. Next stop is the Himalayan Zoo, home to Himalayan fauna such as the
Red Panda, Black Bear, Yaks and Tigers in their natural habitat. We end the
day with a visit to the Natural History Museum, which has a fine collection
of preserved butterflies, birds, reptiles and insects of the Himalayas. (B,
L, D)
Day 15: Darjeeling / Bagdogra / Kolkata (Flight)
Today we are transferred to Bagdogra airport
for our flight to Kolkata. Arrive Kolkata and transfer
to international airport for your flight to onward
destination. (B)

Departure
Dates
|
2008
English
Speaking Departures
Jan 13, Feb 10, Mar 9, Apr 10, May 11, Jun 15, Jul 10, & Aug 19,
Sep 20, Oct 19, Nov 16 & Dec 7
|
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
| Accommodation
on twin-share basis in hotels as
mentioned or similar |
International
airfare & Airport tax |
| Meals
as indicated as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) |
Insurance |
Domestic
Air Fare:
- Hyderabad-Bhubaneshwar
- Bhubneshwar-Calcutta
- Calcutta-Guwahati-Tezpur
- Guwhati-Bagdogra-Darjeeling
- Darjeeling–Calcutta
|
Liability
for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond
our control like change in schedule / cancellation
of flights / trains / political disturbances,
natural phenomenon etc. |
| All
transfers and sightseeing on air-conditioned
vehicles |
Visas |
| Entrance
fees to sites and museum as per the itinerary |
Beverages & Gratuities |
| Services
of local English speaking guide for the sight-seeing
as per the itinerary at each city |
|
| Assistance
on arrival / departure and Porter's fee at the
airport and railway station only |
|
Tour
Price
|
|
We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA
$ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO
(for clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate
protection. Once full payment has been
received, and no modification has been made
to the tour itinerary, we will honour that
rate.
For
complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat.
|
| Hotel
Category |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
| First
Class |
US
$ 3700 CA $ 3700 |
US
$ 985 CA $ 985 |
| Superior |
US
$ 4190 CA $ 4190 |
US
$ 1405 CA $ 1405 |
| Deluxe |
US
$ 4705 CA $ 4705 |
US
$ 1610 CA $ 1610 |
| Domestic
Air |
US
$ 825 CA $ 825 |
N/A |
Hotels
| City |
First
Class |
Superior |
Deluxe |
Hyderabad
(2 Nights)
|
Aditya
Park Inn
(Superior Room) |
Taj
Deccan
(Residency Room) |
Taj
Krishna
(Deluxe Room) |
Bhubaneshwar
(2 Nights)
|
Swosti
Plaza Hotel
(Standard Room) |
Trident
Hilton
(Deluxe Room) |
Trident
Hilton
(Deluxe Room) |
Calcutta
(2 Nights)
|
The
Peerless Inn
(Standard Room) |
Hindustan
International
(Deluxe Room) |
Taj
Bengal
(Deluxe Room) |
Tezpur
(1 Night)
|
Hotel
Luit
(Standard Room) |
Hotel
Luit
(Standard Room |
Hotel
Luit
(Standard Room |
Dirang
(1 Night)
|
Hotel
iPermaling
(Standard Room) |
Hotel
iPermaling
(Standard Room) |
Hotel
iPermaling
(Standard Room) |
Tawang
(2 Nights)
|
Tawang
Inn
(Standard Room) |
Tawang
Inn
(Standard Room) |
Tawang
Inn
(Standard Room) |
Bomdila
(1 Night)
|
Hotel
Shipyang Pong
(Standard Room) |
Hotel
Shipyang Pong
(Standard Room) |
Hotel
Shipyang Pong
(Standard Room) |
Guwahati
(1 Night)
|
Hotel
Dynasty
(Deluxe Room) |
Hotel
Dynasty
(Deluxe Room) |
iHotel
Dynasty
(Deluxe Room) |
Darjeeling
(2 Nights)
|
Fortune
Resort
Central-Darjeeling
(Standard Room) |
The
Elgin Hotel
(Standard Room) |
Windamere
Hotel
(Standard Room) |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour
|
| Canada
- West Coast |
CA
$ 1600 |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
CA
$ 1400 |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 1200 |
|
Participants
|
| This
tour operates with a minimum of 2 participants. |
Notes
- General Conditions
|
| The
price are on Per Person basis - All prices are
subject to any revision of tax and tariff structure. |
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates other
than the above ones or with a customised itinerary,
please contact us and we will be happy to work
out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking
departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or
call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us
toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
|