These are 10-day trips, perfect for those who by choice or by necessity, can only afford a short time out. Generally one week bracketed by 2 weekends, our QuickEscapes provide the nimble and rejuvenating getaway. And because they are our condensed itineraries especially designed to show you the best of each region, they can also be taken as extensions to other longer trips. Either way, our Quick Escapes are specially designed to provide you with a unique glimpse of your chosen area of the world under our attentive care.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: DEPART USA
Day 2: EN ROUTE TO INDIA
Day 3: EXPLORING KOLKATA - Most international flights arrive in Kolkata very early in the morning. Met on arrival and escorted to your hotel. You will have the afternoon to explore historic Kolkata, one-time capital of the British Raj. Visits to Hooghly River harbor, Mother Teresa’s House and Victoria Memorial.
Day 4: TO GANGTOK - Fly to Siliguri/Bagdogra. Cloud-cover permitting, we will have grand views of the Himalayan giants Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Scenic mountain drive into the historic kingdom of Sikkim.
Day 5: EXPLORING GANGTOK – Gangtok was the capital city of the former independent kingdom of Sikkim, ruled by the Buddhist Chogyal Dynasty, until its incorporation into India in 1975. Today we explore and get a sample of the Tibetan flavor of Gangtok with visits to Enchey and Rumtek Monasteries.
Day 6: TO PEMAYANGTSE – An early morning departure brings us to Pemayangtse Gompa by lunch. One of the state’s oldest and most significant Gompas, its name literally means “Perfect Sublime Lotus.” Pemayangtse celebrates Losar (Tibetan New Year) with impressive chaam dances.
Day 7: TO DARJEELING – Another scenic mountain drive as we reach the iconic British Raj-era hill station of Darjeeling.
Day 8: EXPLORING DARJEELING – A pre-dawn wake-up to catch the spectacular sunrise (cloud-cover permitting) from Tiger Hill over the Himalayan horizon including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Kabru and Janu. Also visit a tea estate and the Tenzing Norgay Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
Day 9: TO KOLKATA & DEPART TO USA – Today we make the return drive to Siliguri/Bagdogra and catch our flight to Kolkata. Late checkout of 6:00 p.m. at the hotel. Transfers to international airport for outbound flight back to USA.
Day 10: ARRIVE USA
Wish to be gone longer than 10 days? Add:
- QuickEscapes – Kerala
Take in some R&R in the calm and leisurely paced life on the backwaters of the Queen of the Arabian Sea, enjoy the pristine beaches of Kerala and an Ayurvedic spa.
- QuickEscapes – North India
Explore the Imperial Cities of India – Delhi, Agra & Jaipur. These were the capitals of the Rajput, the Mughal and the British, the three major influences on India in the last 500 years.
- QuickEscapes – Temples
During this week-long southern sojourn we visit the most important World Heritage sites in South India: Madurai, Tanjore, Trichy and end with a couple of days relaxing in Mahabalipuram on the Bay of Bengal.
Longer itineraries featuring Sikkim:
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Call us toll free at 1-800 MY INDIA (1-800-694-6342) or email us to request a detailed day-to-day itinerary. |
Chorten temple
Features:
Views of Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga Massif
Toy Train, Tea Estates of Darjeeling & Kalimpong |
It's Included:
Medical & evacuation insurance
All hotels, meals, ground transportation,
local guides and entrance fees
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Departures (on demand):
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov & Dec. |
Land Cost:
2 participants - $2845
3 participants - $2685
4 participants - $2585
6 participants - $2485 |
 Sunrise on Kanchenjunga  Terraced hillside, Sikkim
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