Summary
The trip name says it all; the Chaos, Charm and the Calm. The Chaos comes first. In fact, it virtually hits you in the face - try crossing the road in Kolkata and you will understand this. What a city Kolkata is; manic, mad and magnificent in a fading and time ravished manner, but no visit to India is complete without spending a couple of days experiencing this charming place.Equally, India is about train travel and so we include an overnight journey northwards to the foothills of the Himalayas and on to Darjeeling. Here is India's most famous train trip of all; the Toy train of Darjeeling. The narrow gauge track winds its way through villages and towns and up into the mountains to the city of Darjeeling. This is where the calm takes over and we walk and relax in the hills, five hours away from the city on a small farm retreat.
Add in the splendour of the mighty mountains in Sikkim and its Buddhist charms, wildlife and spectacular drives in Nepal and you have a trip that you just should not miss.
Short Itinerary / Route
- Day 1
- Kolkata
- Day 2
- Overnight Train To Siliguri
- Day 3
- Darjeeling
- Day 4
- Darjeeling
- Day 5
- Darjeeling
- Day 6
- Karmi Farm
- Day 7
- Karmi Farm
- Day 8
- Karmi Farm
- Day 9
- Gangtok
- Day 10
- Gangtok
- Day 11
- Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
- Day 12
- Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
- Day 13
- Chitwan Np
- Day 14
- Khatauti Khola
- Day 15
- Kathmandu
- Day 16
- Kathmandu
Travel Countries (2): India, Nepal
Travel Cities (5): Chitwan National Park, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kathmandu, Kolkata
Details
This is the India that time has forgotten; a great and relaxed insight into rural and urban India. A very easily paced trip with home stays, hotels and hostels. This is ideal for someone who is not just after the Taj and Temples.