Calcutta & the East - Audley Travel

Suggested itineraries
Tailoring your trip
The itinerary shown is designed to give you a
flavour of what is possible, and is a route that
works particularly well. We can use this as a basis
to plan your trip or can design a completely
different itinerary to suit your tastes and interests.
Guwahati
Sivasagar
Jorhat
Dibrugarh
Majuli Island
Kaziranga
National Park
Mukteshvara Hindu Temple, Bhubaneswar
Please call one of our North India specialists to
start planning your itinerary.
Telephone: 01993 838 345
Calcutta
Bonda tribal lady, Orissa
Orissa
The laid-back state of Orissa has yet to be
‘discovered’ by large numbers of visitors
and the tranquil atmosphere provides a
pleasant contrast to the more frenetic Indian
cities. The temples and ancient architecture of
Bhubaneswar and Puri are the first ports of
call for many and the beautiful Sun Temple
at Konark, covered in intricate stone carvings,
is one of India’s greatest monuments. These
man-made structures are only a small part of
Orissa’s charm, it is also home to a number of
indigenous groups, who dwell in the hills and
jungles. A visit to one of the weekly markets
provides a wonderful photo opportunity, and
the tattooed faces of the Kutia Kondh are one
of the more recognisable images of the area.
Travel in Orissa can be more challenging than
elsewhere in the Subcontinent, but the
delicious seafood, lively temples and tribal
groups are sure to provide an intriguing visit.
Getting around
There are currently no direct flights to Calcutta
from the UK but there are easy connecting flights
from Delhi, Mumbai or Dubai. Once in the
country, you will have a private driver and local
guides for each excursion. Travel in Assam can be
more challenging than elsewhere in India, with the
standard of English often lower than you will find
in Calcutta, and the road surfaces occasionally
uneven. For this reason we provide a sturdy
vehicle, with a private driver and guide
throughout to ensure that your trip runs
smoothly and that you see the best of the region.
Orissa is generally entered by train from Calcutta
and you then travel in sturdy vehicles thoughout
the region.
When to go
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
✓✓ The best time to travel.
✓ A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of.
~ Travel is possible, but this is not the best time of year.
✕ Travel is not recommended.
The best time to visit the northeast and Orissa is
from November to March, with the Kaziranga
National Park closing in April and reopening in
November. April can be unsettled with the
occasional storm, and hazy weather may affect
views of the Himalaya which form the backdrop
to this area. However, this time of year can be
best for wildlife spotting when the grasses are low
and rhinos are more easily seen.
Time difference: GMT+5.5 hours
Flight time from UK: From 11 hours with an
overnight stop en route
Prices
We offer trips to cater for a wide range of
budgets. You can find up-to-date guideline prices
for your trip to India on our website, alternatively
please call our specialists to discuss your plans.
India’s Northeast
The northeast offers an incredible wealth of
experiences and this itinerary takes you through
many of the highlights of the region. You will start
with the bustling markets and grand architecture of
Calcutta before continuing on to Assam for a
leisurely cruise along the Brahmaputra. From here
you delve deeper into the state, with visits to
Majuli Island, the Ahom remains of Sivasagar and
the tea plantations of Mancotta.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Fly overnight to Calcutta via Delhi.
Arrive in Calcutta.
Explore the old colonial streets
of Calcutta.
Fly from Calcutta to Guwahati and
board your cruise boat.
Spend the day cruising along the
Brahmaputra.
Cruise deeper into Assam, visiting a
small village en route.
Leave your boat and drive to the
Kaziranga National Park for an
afternoon jeep safari.
Track the one-horned rhino from the
back of an elephant in Kaziranga.
Drive to Jorhat.
Visit Majuli Island, the world’s largest
river island and home to colourful
monasteries and tribal groups.
Travel to Mancotta Chang Bungalow
via the ancient Ahom city of
Sivasagar.
Explore the tranquil tea gardens of
Dibrugarh and learn the complex art
of tea production.
Fly to Delhi from Dibrugarh and
spend the night in Delhi.
Fly from Delhi to the UK.
Stay longer
Calcutta and Assam form a wonderful and
contrasting combination with either Bhutan, or
Darjeeling and Sikkim.
Detail from Sun Temple, Konark
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