Bengal | Orissa itinerary
Bengal-Orissa Itinerary
Bagdogra * Glenburn Tea Estate* Kolkata * Belgadia Palace* Bhubaneswar*
Konark* Puri* Svanir Homestay* Rajbari Bawali* Kolkata
Sketch Itinerary
Day 1 : Bagdogra - Glenburn Tea Estate By: Surface
Day 2 : In Glenburn Tea Estate
Day 3 : In Glenburn Tea Estate
Day 4 : Bagdogra - Kolkata By: Flight
Day 5 : In Kolkata
Day 6 : In Kolkata
Day 7 : Kolkata To Belgadia Palace By: Surface
Day 8 : In Belgadia Palace
Day 9 : Belgadia Palace To Bhubaneswar By: Surface
Day 10 : In Bhubaneswar
Day 11 : Bhubaneswar – Konark – Puri - Svanir Homestay By: Surface
Day 12 : In Svanir Homestay
Day 13 : Svanir Homestay To Kolkata To Rajbari Bawali By: Flight
Day 14 : In Rajbari Bawali
Day 15 : In Rajbari Bawali
Day 16 : Kolkata – Home By: Flight
**** End of Tour ****
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Bagdogra - Glenburn Tea Estate (3 Nights)
Fly to Bagdogra in the morning and on arrival, continue by road to Glenburn Tea Estate (4 hrs) in the Darjeeling foothills of the Indian Himalayas. A picnic will be laid out at a scenic spot during the journey from the airport up to the estate. Enjoy the evening starting with drinks by the bonfire, followed by a sit-down four-course dinner with your hosts and other guests in residence.
Overnight at the Glenburn Tea Estate http://www.glenburnteaestate.com/
Day 2 In Glenburn Tea Estate
Explore the 1,600-acre private estate with an introduction to the specialised art of growing and processing Glenburn Tea. Visit the tea fields, interact with the tea pickers, and follow the journey of “two leaves and bud” into the tea factory. End your experience with a tea tasting session to discover the incredible variety of flavours and aromas that come from a single bush through different seasons.
The tour begins with an audio-visual presentation on the history of Glenburn, and a brief overview of how tea is grown, manufactured, and tasted.
From here, you will proceed to the tea factory where you will enjoy a guided tour on how the leaves are brought in from the fields, weighed, and then taken through the processes of withering, rolling, fermenting, and sorting.
The factory tour ends with a tea tasting session with the house‟s range of black, green, oolong and white teas, where you can learn to discern the differences in aroma, flavour, and appearance of tea manufactured in different ways and at during different times of the year.
Walk or drive through the tea fields with a guide, who will give you an insight into how the tea bush is grown and looked after. Interact with the tea picker women who will teach you the art of plucking the “two leaves and a bud” that is processed for your cuppa. If you are visiting during winter, you can learn about the different ways of pruning done to increase the yield of the coming season. Interact with the estate workers as you move from one part of the estate to another.
Enjoy the variety of birds, butterflies, and flora that add to the diverse landscape that makes up a tea estate. Catch a crab, or pick some watercress from the numerous springs that filter through the fields. Refreshments will be provided at a suitable mid-way point.
Break for lunch at No. 10 Bamboo Grove, on the sandy banks of the River Rung Dung, which is accessed through a thick bamboo forest. Relax on the riverfront and paddle in the rock pools, while you enjoy your meal. An alternative picnic venue is the Coffee Bari, half way down the hillside, which has great views of the two Glenburn valleys on all sides. Alternatively, return to the Bungalow for lunch.
Post lunch, go on a gentle afternoon hike or relax on one of Glenburn‟s peaceful verandas.
Overnight at the Glenburn Tea Estate http://www.glenburnteaestate.com/
Day 3 In Glenburn Tea Estate
Visit Darjeeling town for the day.
Steeped in British colonial history, the hill station of Darjeeling stands at a height of 6,000 feet, with the magnificent Mount Kanchenjunga as a backdrop. Take a ride on the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (now a World Heritage Site) from Darjeeling Town, through the picturesque Batasia Loop and then to the neighbouring towns of Ghoom and Kurseong. Wander through the Mall, shop for local crafts and antiques along the way, drop in to the famous Das Studios for a peek at their collection of old black and white photographs of the area, and stop for a cup of tea or coffee at Keventers or Glenary‟s, two famous old cafeterias on the Mall. Visit the grand old Planters‟ Club, once the Palace of a local Maharaja, and enjoy the views of the surrounding hillside (Glenburn included!) from Chowrasta, where the bandstand still conjures up old colonial memories of days gone by.
Glenburn is happy to pack you a picnic lunch, but you can also eat at a number of places in the town – Glenary‟s has a pleasant cafeteria as well as a multi-cuisine restaurant, but you could also try a more typical local restaurant, for a traditional Momo and Thukpa meal. Whatever you feel like doing, the guide will lead you to the right place.
In the afternoon, drive a little out of the main town to the Lebong Cantonment area, where the original Lebong Race Course remains. Although not in use today, Glenburn horses once walked across the valley every Sunday to take part in the weekly races held here.
Visit the zoo – famous for its snow leopards and red pandas – the renowned Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Tibetan Self-Help Centre, the Lloyds Botanical Gardens, and the Ghoom Monastery, and then drive back to Glenburn in time for dinner.
OR
Enjoy a hike down to the Glenburn Campsite with a barbecue lunch and relaxation by the River Rangeet. Options for other hikes are also available.
An in-house guide-cum-naturalist will lead you through Bora Gaon Village and Simbong Tea Division, past the Sim Jhora (stream and waterfall), and finally into the Simbong Forest area. You can follow the main track, or break off at various points to take shortcuts through the forest. Enjoy the spectacular views of Sikkim (including Namchi Baazar and Manjitar Village), the hill station of Kalimpong, and the River Rangeet, which flows through the valley below. You will gradually descend from a height of around 3,000 feet, down to the river, which lies at around 800 feet. The forests here contain a rich diversity of birds, butterflies, and other animals typical to this habitat. Refreshments will be provided along the way, and a jeep is never far away should you feel tired and wish to drive down the rest of the way.
Once down at The Glenburn Campsite, on the banks of the River Rangeet, guests have a choice of the following activities:
. Paddling in rock pools . Fishing . Bird watching . Beach activities (croquet, cricket and other games) . Relaxing on the sandy beaches and rocks by the river . Short walks along the river
Lunch is served according to each guest‟s preference, either as a sit-down meal by the cabin, or picnic-style on the river‟s beaches and rocks. A barbecue is a popular option, too.
In the afternoon, guests have a choice of further river or beach activities before driving back up to the bungalow. There is also an option to do the hike to the Manjitar suspension Bridge after lunch.
Overnight at the Glenburn Tea Estate http://www.glenburnteaestate.com/
Day 4 Bagdogra - KOLKATA (3 nights)
Drive to Bagdogra. Fly to Calcutta. On arrival, you will transfer to your hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the hotel or independent activities.
Overnight Glenburn Penthouse http://glenburnpenthouse.com/
Day 5 In Kolkata
Full day tour of Kolkata
Early this morning you will embark upon a journey to understand the birth and evolution of the British Raj in India. Stroll in and around the Dalhousie Square now renamed BBD Bagh and learn how Calcutta evolved into the City of Palaces. Highlights of the tour include the Writers‟ Building that served as the former headquarters of the British East India Company, the magnificent Governor‟s House, and the almost forgotten mausoleum of Job Charnock credited to being the founder of the city of Calcutta. Dalhousie Square once served as the judicial, administrative, and political nerve centre of an Empire that stretched from Aden to Burma.
Stop for a cup of tea and a snack during your walk through the gardens of 18th century Anglican Church of St Johns, the first cathedral of the city.
Next, you will visit the Victoria Memorial that has become one of the most identifiable monuments of the city and a part of its iconic skyline. Built of pure white marble in the model of the Taj Mahal, the Memorial was completed the same year the British shifted their capital to Delhi. You have the option to visit the Currency Building that currently houses a stunning exhibition of Bengal Art spanning three centuries.
Lunch is at the residency of Mr Surojit “Bomti” Iyenger, an art collector and a socialite who will give you a glimpse into the fast disappearing old Calcutta way of life. His apartment in one of the most interesting heritage buildings on historic Chowringhee area adds to the atmospheric nature of the lunch. Relish a spread of home-cooked Bengali delicacies served up with freshly brewed fine Darjeeling tea. The conversation weaves myriad topics including Bengali art and modern Kolkata and stimulating insights into the spirit of the city.
Later in the afternoon, you will travel to North Calcutta what was once known as the “Black Town”. Here emerged a curious parallel culture that was a blend of Bengali aristocracy and European influences. Pioneering Bengali families adopted this amalgamated culture and gave rise to the Bengal Renaissance.
One of the most bizarre examples of these Bengal Renaissance mansions is perhaps the Marble Palace built in 1835 by Raja Rajendra Mullick, a wealthy Bengali merchant. He has a penchant for collecting works of art and the mansion is filled with fine examples of art, sculpture, and furniture from across the world. Belgian glassware and chandeliers decorate the different rooms of the palatial house that also once housed the first Indian zoo. You can still see the remnants of the zoo that was home to several exotic species of birds, animals, and reptiles.
From the extravagance of the Marble Palace, you will proceed to the calm, intellectual heart of the Bengali Quarter, the bastion of Bengali culture, and home of the multi-talented poet, novelist, musician, painter, and playwright, the famous Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. His grandfather Dwarkanath Tagore built this grand mansion in the 18th century, and the museum highlights the life of the family in 19th century Bengal, and their involvement in the Bengal Renaissance, the Brahmo Samaj movement, and finally India‟s struggle for freedom.
You will also visit Kumartuli (Potters‟ Market), where life-like idols of gods and goddesses are sculpted from scratch for the different festivals throughout the year. Depending on the time of year, you can see the idols in different stages of completion. The best time to visit is before Durga Puja (Set/Oct) when you can see the beautifully painted and bejewelled idols at their finest.
The Jain Temple Complex of four ornate temples is unique with its shimmering mirrors, ceramic tiles, and chandeliers brought over to India by rich merchants from lands as far away as Persia, Japan, and Europe.
On the way back into town, time permitting, we can visit the Motherhouse, Mother Theresa‟s home and the centre of her Missionaries of Charity. Her modest tomb and the Spartan room where she lived and died, embodies her life‟s work, with its simplicity and dedication to only helping the poor and needy.
Overnight at the Glenburn Penthouse http://glenburnpenthouse.com/
Day 6 In Kolkata
Cruise up the River Hooghly.
You will be able to discover a hitherto unseen side of Kolkata, with a ringside view of the myriad happenings on the river‟s „Ghats‟. This was perhaps the view that greeted many a 19th century adventurer as they stepped up to the Princep‟s Ghat.
You will sail past Belur Math, headquarters of The Ramakrishna Mission, as the city‟s two huge and famous bridges, Howrah and Vidyasagar Setu pass overhead. You will be served breakfast on board, and also stop at the Belur Math Temple complex – headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission started by the social reformer and humanist – Swami Vivekananda.
During the river cruise, you will witness the passage of humanity from the streets where her people live and work, to the great River Hooghly where they perform their early morning rituals to cleanse and purify themselves. Where better to end the tour than to make a quick visit to the bustling and colourful riverside flower market where all the city‟s religious flowers originate.
After the boat cruise, you will hop across the road from the pier to visit Metcalfe Hall. The original site of the Imperial Library now houses a fabulous new exhibition on the city, showcasing some of her modern and current vibes as well as her prominent personalities, moods, and eccentricities.
Head back to your hotel for lunch. Remainder of the day is at leisure
Overnight Glenburn Penthouse http://glenburnpenthouse.com/
Day 7 Kolkata to BELGADIA PALACE (2 Nights)
Drive to Belgadia Palace in Mayurbhanj (5 hrs)
Belgadia Palace is the home of the Bhanja family who ruled Mayurbhanj for more than 1000 years until its merger with the Republic of India in January 1949. The present day occupants of the Palace include the Matriarch Bharati Rajya Laxmi, daughter of King Tribhuwan Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal, her son Praveen Chandra Bhanj Deo, and his wife Rashmi Rajya Laxmi who belongs to the royal family of Jaisalmer. Their two daughters Mrinalika and Akshita are social entrepreneurs. The cuisine served at Belgadia Palace is a unique blend of Nepali, Rajasthani, and Oriya flavours.
Enjoy a traditional Oriya spread for lunch and later go on a tour of the Palace with a family member.
In the evening, enjoy a Mayurbhanj Chau Dance Performance followed by dinner.
Mayurbhanj Chau Dance originated in mock fights of warriors who moved rhythmically to the accompaniment of indigenous musical instruments. Maharaja Krishna Chandra Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj was a great patron of this dance form.
Dinner and overnight stay at Belgadia Palace https://www.thebelgadiapalace.com/
Day 8 In Belgadia Palace
In the morning, take a tour of the Baripada township and explore the local haat, Council Hall (the former Mayurbhanj State Palace), Jagannath Temple, and the Rani Dharamshala.
Enjoy a traditional Nepali spread for lunch.
Late afternoon, drive to the Bhanja Palace ruins at Haripur on the bank of the Budhabalanga River with a picnic basket. It is a site excavated and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and contains spectacular remains of terracotta temples and palace walls.
Dinner and overnight stay at Belgadia Palace https://www.thebelgadiapalace.com/
Day 9 Belgadia Palace to BHUBANESWAR (2 nights)
Drive to Bhubaneswar (5 hrs). On arrival transfer to your hotel
Post lunch; visit the 64 Yogini Temple an interesting circular shrine, one of the four remaining temples from the yogini cult that flourished in India between 8th and 13th centuries CE. The village where the temple is located is also fascinating and offers many fantastic frames for photographers.
Next, you will proceed for a sunset visit to the Shanti Stupa at Dhauli. Built on the site of the famous and bloody Kalinga war, the Dhauli Stupa commemorates the mission of peace that followed the devastations of the war.
* The Kalinga Dhauli Mahotsav –A 3-day festival usually held in the month of February features a heady mix of classical music, classical dance, and martial art dance forms.
Before returning to your hotel stop at the government run cooperative called Adisha, which promotes tribes and their livelihood. Do check out the exquisite Dokra pieces, organic spices, and Koraput Coffee.
Website: https://www.adisha.in/
Overnight stay at the Mayfair Lagoon https://www.mayfairhotels.com/mayfair-lagoon/
Day 10 In Bhubaneswar
Start early this morning to explore the Old Town on foot. A walk through the old quarters will take you past alleyways dotted with shrines and beautifully preserved old houses. Take a step back in time and learn the history behind the name of the city itself that is associated with a cluster of magnificent temples. These virtually comprise a complete record of Kalinga Architecture.
**Try to coincide visit to the Old Town on a Sunday for a tour with Ekamra Walks, a young outfit of volunteers who conduct these walks on weekends for free just out of their passion for Bhubaneswar **
Post the walk head straight to Kala Bhoomi. The museum celebrates the artistry of artisans by displaying their breath-taking masterpieces. Divided into 2 blocks, the museum has a display area and a live section. The display area focuses on galleries about handicrafts and handlooms from around the state while the live section is equipped with an open-air theatre as well as separate workshop zones. Kala Bhoomi is built using local raw materials such as the laterite stone that can still be seen in some of the oldest monuments around the state.
Website: http://www.odishacraftsmuseum.com/
Early this evening, you will head out to Khandagiri & Udaigiri caves. Situated about six kilometres from the city, they are a collection of ornately carved natural and artificial caves situated on two adjacent hills. A young British officer, Andrew Stirling, is said to have rediscovered these fascinating rock-cut caves and brought them to the notice of the world in the early 19th century. The caves were created during the reign of King Kharavela of Kalinga to house Jain monks.
Overnight at the Mayfair Lagoon https://www.mayfairhotels.com/mayfair-lagoon/
Day 11 Bhubaneswar – Konark – Puri - SVANIR HOMESTAY (2 nights)
Drive to Konark (2 hrs). Visit the ruins of a 13th century Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shaped like a giant chariot. Take time to admire the intricate carvings and erotic sculptures adorning the walls of the temple.
Continue to Puri (1 hr). The drive to Puri is wonderful along the marine road with the sea peeping from the bends and corners. Spend time with artists who have kept alive Patachitra, an indigenous art form of scroll painting that dates back to the 5th century BC.
Later, drive to Svanir Homestay (2 hrs) run by the Mukherjee family. It is an eco-friendly boutique homestay with four spacious cottages inspired by the tribal architecture of Odisha.
Arrive, relax, and share home cooked food with the Mukherjee family.
Overnight stay at Svanir Homestay https://svanir.com/
Day 12 In Svanir Homestay
In the morning, take a private lesson on Patachitra painting from a local artist to create your own souvenir.
Patachitra, literally meaning “picture on cloth canvases” is a traditional folk art style that has mesmerized the common man and art connoisseur alike. Earlier done only on a cloth canvas and traditionally known to depict only religious and cultural aspects, today Patachitra artists are seen experimenting with new mediums and themes The Patachitra artists are called „Chitrakaars‟ and this tradition is inherited in the form of a family sketch book, handed down over generations and cherished as a precious sacred possession. Previously identified as a man‟s domain, today women are progressively playing an active part in preserving and upholding this rare heritage.
The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the peaceful environment of Svanir.
One can go for a sunset walk to the nearby village. The homestay also has a few cycles that can be used to explore interesting by-lanes heading off the main road into the paddy fields.
For those interested in photography, the owner of the property is an avid macro photographer and he will happily give you a private lesson on macro photography and help you observe the fascinating patterns in nature.
Overnight at Svanir Homestay https://svanir.com/
Day 13 Svanir Homestay To Kolkata To Rajbari Bawali (3 Nights)
Today you will drive to Bhubaneswar airport (30 minutes) for your flight to Kolkata. On arrival in Kolkata, you will continue by road to the Rajbari Bawali (90 minutes) for a taste of rural nobility that existed in Bengal.
Located on the outskirts of the bustling metropolis of Kolkata, a step inside the Rajbari Bawali is like stepping inside a time capsule. Painstakingly renovated to its former glory, the palace harks back to the days when rich zamindars and aristocrats of Bengal lived lives of utter decadence and splendour.
Enjoy dinner on the veranda overlooking this renovated palace of the Mondal Family who were feudal landlords of Bawali with an extraordinary history, dating back to over four hundred years.
Overnight at the Rajbari Bawali https://www.therajbari.com/
Day 14 In Rajbari Bawali
Go for a walk in the village of Bawali, starting at the ruins of the fabulous temples that were built by the family. Food enthusiasts have the option of taking part in a cooking session and learn about traditional Bengali cuisine from the head chef of Rajbari Bawali followed by lunch.
Following lunch, you have two options to spend the afternoon.
Option 01: Visit a traditional jute mill to learn about the different steps that goes into treating and transforming this natural fibre. Later witness Zari artisans at work. This is an intricate art of weaving threads made up of fine gold or silver filaments wound together with cotton or silk threads.
Option 02: Visit some of the best nurseries in the area surrounding the Rajbari Bawali to understand and appreciate the fertility of the region and its unique vegetation and produce.
End the day by witnessing the evening prayer held here as per age-old traditions.
Dinner and overnight stay is at the Rajbari Bawali. https://www.therajbari.com/
Day 15 In Rajbari Bawali
The entire day is at leisure to enjoy the luxury amenities offered by the Rajbari.
Enjoy a swim and drinks by the poolside or a massage in the spa. Go for a stroll in and around the property or a sunset boat ride down the nearby river.
Day 16 Kolkata – Home
Transfer to the international airport (90 minutes) in time for your flight back home
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