The Hidden Gems of East India

On arrival at New Delhi International Airport, meet and greet with our representative. Please look for him in the arrivals hall. (This is AFTER you’ve passed through immigration, collected your luggage, passed through customs) In the arrivals hall, he will be holding a placard with Holxo Holidays logo and your name on it. He will escort you to your vehicle with the driver and accompany you to your hotel for immediate check-in.

Welcome to New Delhi, the capital of India, a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a Necropolis, where many cities have risen and fallen over the last five millennia. Many dynasties ruled from here. Both Old and New Delhi are rich in architecture while New Delhi is a stark contrast compared to the alleyways of Old Delhi.

After breakfast, the thrill of discovery awaits as you explore New Delhi with the guide: see the war memorial, India Gate, the impressive palatial sized buildings of Rajpath and President’s House, designed and built by the British in the 1920’s. Watch or participate in Kar Sewa at the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the most prominent Sikh house of worship, in Delhi built in 1783. Kar sewa, a form of selfless service, is considered a privilege and high honour for every Sikh. The Langar (think soup kitchen) prepared by gursikhs who work there and by hundreds of volunteers, is offered to everyone, regardless of race or religion. Humayun’s Tomb, a magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble is one of the finest examples of a garden tomb and is a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Don’t miss Isa Khan’s garden tomb nearby, within an enclosed octagonal garden, considered the earliest example of a sunken garden in India – a concept later developed at Akbar’s Tomb and at the Taj Mahal. The Red Fort (only from the outside) is a beautiful red sandstone monument built in 1648. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Take a rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys of Chandni Chowk, a colourful and bustling market of Old Delhi. A Jain Temple, a Hindu Temple, a Church, and a Sikh Gurudwara Sis Ganj all are within a short walk from each other. Climb to the rooftop of one of the ancient buildings in the heart of the spice markets. From here you get an amazing view of Old Delhi and a peek into the architecture and lifestyle of locals, many of whom have lived here for generations.

After breakfast transfer to the airport in order to connect flight to Guwahati, the capital city of the north-eastern state of Assam, was formerly known as Pragjyotishpur (the City of Eastern Light). Its etymological root is derived from two Assamese words, "Guwa," meaning areca nut and "Haat," meaning market. Couched between the picturesque hills of the eastern flanks of the Himalayan mountain range, Guwahati houses the political capital of the state, Dispur. The gateway to the seven other north-eastern states, Guwahati is a vital tourist link point, besides being an attraction in itself.

On arrival at the airport, meet and greet with our representative. Please look for him in the arrivals hall, he will be holding a placard with Holxo Holidays logo and your name on it. He will escort you to your vehicle with the driver, leave directly for Kaziranga (Alt 131Ft / 80M).

Kaziranga National Park lies partly in Golaghat district and partly in Nagaon district of Assam. It is the oldest park in Assam covering an area of 430 Sq kms along the river Brahmaputra on the North and the Karbi Anglong hills on the South. The National Highway 37 passes through the park area and tea estates, hemmed by table-top tea bushes. One can even see the rhinos and wild elephants straying near the highway. Kaziranga National Park, a world heritage site is famous for the Great Indian one horned rhinoceros and the landscape of Kaziranga is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes and shallow pools. It was declared a National Park in 1974. Kaziranga National Park is one of the last areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human presence. It is inhabited by the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds.

On arrival check-in at the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Kaziranga.

(Elephant Safari 05:30AM to 06:30/07:00AM - subject to availability) – Early morning, explore the Western Zone of Kaziranga National Park on the back of an elephant. Apart from the world's endangered One-horned Rhinoceros, the Park sustains half the world's population of genetically pure Wild Water Buffaloes, over 1000 Wild elephants and perhaps the densest population of Royal Bengal Tigers anywhere.

(Jeep safari 01:30PM to 03:30PM) Afternoon explore Central Zone, Kaziranga is also a bird watcher's paradise and home to some 500 species of birds. The Crested Serpent Eagle, Palla's Fishing Eagle, Greyheaded Fishing Eagle, Swamp Partridge, Bar-headed goose, whistling Teal, Bengal Florican, Storks, Herons and Pelicans are some of the species found here. Overnight stay at Kaziranga.

After early breakfast, checkout and drive to Dirang (Alt 4910Ft / 1497M). Enroute visit Tippi on the banks of the river Bharali. At an elevation of 190 meters is Tipi, an orchidarium with over 7500 orchids. On display are some of the finest species with names like the Dainty Lady's Slipper or the more formal sounding Dendrobium. Arunachal has the largest range of orchids in the country. Overnight stay at Dirang.

After breakfast checkout and drive to Tawang (Alt 10,000Ft / 3048M). Enroute visit war cemetery and continue with the drive till you reach Sela Pass at an altitude of 4114m / 13494 ft. It is famous for high altitude lakes and scenic beauty, and is ideal for ice skating during winter. Check in at the hotel. Free Evening. Overnight at Tawang.

After breakfast, visit Tawang Monastery and Sungester Lake (Alt 14500Ft), which was formed in 1950, following a major earthquake. It is better known as Madhuri Lake after the actress of the same name who came here for a shoot of the film “Koyla”. Evening return back to hotel.

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Optional tour to Bumla Pass (Alt 15000Ft / 4400M), 45 Km away from Tawang, this is one of the most off-beat passes in the world. It is also referred to as the pass from where the Dalai Lama entered India escaping from Tibet. It can only be arranged on the spot with an additional cost. Overnight stay in Tawang.

After early breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Bomdila (Alt 7274Ft / 2217M). Check in to the hotel and visit Gontse Rabgyaling Monastery (Upper Gonpa), Thub-Chog Gatsel Ling Monastery (Lower Gonpa), Bomdila View Point. Bomdila offers a wonderful panoramic view of Himalayan landscapes and snow-clad ranges. Overnight stay in Tawang.

After breakfast, transfer to Guwahati (Alt 162Ft / 49M). Check-in to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Guwahati.