Tailor Made Holidays in Calcutta & The East, India: Highlights

Taste the exceptional Bengali food in Calcutta

For food lovers, Calcutta is an exceptional destination. As well as fine examples of North Indian dishes you could try a traditional Bengali meal. A wide range of fish dishes are on the menu here that you cannot find in many other areas of India. Bengali food is rich and can be quite spicy, but it can be tempered to your taste so don’t be put off!

Read more about: Calcutta
 
Cruise down the Brahmaputra

An increasingly popular way to explore the north east region of India is onboard one of the Assam Bengal Navigation companies’ two cruise ships. There are a number of cruises available, both upstream and downstream on the Hooghli and Brahmaputra Rivers. The cruises last from 4 to 10 nights and take in local villages and sights from the comfort of your air conditioned en suite cabins. All meals are included during your cruise and the local staff will provide a mixture of Assamese and western food. Drinks can be taken in the bar or on the deck as you watch the world go by on the river bank.

Read more about: Assam
 
Take an excursion to Tiger Hill

On a clear morning you can’t beat the view of the Kanchenjunga Massif from Tiger Hill. Be prepared for an early start to make the short journey from Darjeeling out to Tiger Hill. Here you can wait in the warm viewing room, which has a panoramic view of the mountains. Enjoy a warming cup of tea until the sun starts to creep towards the horizon. The mountain tops slowly get lighter as the sun begins to sparkle on the snowy peaks. It is possible to see across the Himalayas as far as Everest. Although the mighty peak looks small from such a distance there is something magical about standing in India and being able to see one of the most famous sights in Nepal!

Read more about: Darjeeling
 
Take a tour of the Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling

Tea is one of the most widely taken beverages not only in India but also in the UK. At the Glenburn Tea estate it is possible to have a tour of the factory where some of the finest Darjeeling tea is produced. The factory tour includes a tea tasting experience so that you can try out your taste buds and appreciate the difference between a spring flush and a monsoon flush. The subtle variations in the taste, colour and smell of the tea come about due to varying weather conditions throughout the year.

Read more about: Glenburn
 
Visit Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim

Rumtek is one of the most famous monasteries in Sikkim and also one of the richest. This is immediately apparent as you study the lavishly painted walls and gold leaf encrusted details on the deities. The large population of monks at Rumtek are of varying ages and can often be seen sitting in the monastery studying and meditating. You may be lucky enough to visit when the monks are debating, this enthusiastic routine is characterised by the theatrical slapping of hands to illustrate a point that is being made.

Read more about: Gangtok
 
Visit the market at Shillong

Shillong, the former capital of Assam and now capital of Meghalaya, is a town of wonderful contrasts due to the varied tribal cultures and lifestyles. Just three hours from the heat and congestion of Guwahati, it is quite a relief to arrive in the cool climate of Shillong after winding your way through the hills. This relatively small city is largely centred around the ‘Bara Bazaar’ market where the Khasi, Garo and Mizo tribal people come to sell their wares. The surrounding area's resemblance to the Scottish highlands was a hit with homesick Britons during the colonial days and British architecture remains as a legacy to the past.

Read more about: Assam
 
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