The Great East India Discovery Journey - 29 Nights / 30 Days

Breakfast
Hotel
Sightseeing
Wi-Fi

Overview

This extraordinary 30-day journey across Eastern India reveals a side of the country that remains largely untouched by mass tourism, a land where colonial legacies, ancient civilizations, wild landscapes, and spiritual traditions flow seamlessly together. From the literary soul of Kolkata to the sacred shores of Odisha, this journey is designed for travellers who seek depth, diversity, and discovery.

The adventure begins in Kolkata, India’s most intellectually vibrant city. Here, grand colonial architecture, tram-lined streets, and bustling markets create a fascinating blend of old-world elegance and modern chaos.

Walk through the marble corridors of the Victoria Memorial, witness the colors and rhythms of Mullick Ghat’s iconic flower market, and indulge in legendary Bengali and Anglo-Indian cuisine along Park Street.

From urban energy, you venture into the wilderness of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. For three unforgettable days, explore winding waterways by boat, tracking saltwater crocodiles, exotic birdlife, and, with luck, the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. This raw, untamed ecosystem offers one of India’s most powerful wildlife experiences.

The journey then shifts toward art and intellect in Shantiniketan, home of Rabindranath Tagore’s Visva-Bharati University, before stepping back in time at Bishnupur, where terracotta temples and exquisite Baluchari silk preserve Bengal’s royal heritage.

North Bengal brings a dramatic change in scenery as you ride the UNESCO-listed Toy Train through misty Himalayan foothills to Darjeeling. Snow-capped views of Mount Kanchenjunga, emerald tea estates, and quiet hill towns like Kurseong create a serene mountain interlude filled with walks, heritage railways, and golden sunrises.

In Bihar, the journey turns inward. Bodh Gaya, the holiest site in Buddhism, invites meditation beneath the Bodhi Tree, while Rajgir and Nalanda reveal the intellectual and spiritual power of ancient India. From the ruins of the world’s first great university to the peaceful Shanti Stupa overlooking the plains, this region offers profound historical depth.

Jharkhand adds dramatic natural beauty, with roaring waterfalls, forested plateaus, and breathtaking valley roads. Ranchi’s cascades, Patratu’s winding sunset highway, and Netarhat’s legendary sunrise provide some of the most scenic moments of the entire expedition, followed by a thrilling wildlife safari in Betla National Park.

The journey concludes in Odisha, where temples, tribes, and coastlines meet. Bhubaneswar’s thousand-year-old shrines, the peace-filled Dhauli Stupa, the architectural marvel of the Konark Sun Temple, and the golden sands of Puri weave spirituality with seaside charm.

A boat ride on Chilika Lake offers close encounters with Irrawaddy dolphins and migratory birds, while Raghurajpur village reveals India’s living art traditions through its master Pattachitra painters.

This is not just a tour, it is a slow, immersive exploration of Eastern India’s soul, where every landscape, every temple, and every river tells a story waiting to unfold.

Itinerary

Ride Himalayan toy trains, cruise tiger-rich mangroves, meditate at Buddha’s enlightenment site, chase hidden waterfalls, explore ancient universities, discover tribal lands, and relax on Odisha’s sacred coast in this rare, deeply immersive Eastern India odyssey.

Day 1: Arrive in Kolkata−

Arrive in Kolkata and transfer to your heritage hotel. Enjoy a gentle walk along the Hooghly River at Prinsep Ghat, followed by a welcome dinner introducing Bengal’s rich culinary traditions.

Overnight: Kolkata

Day 2: Colonial Kolkata & Tram Ride+

Explore Victoria Memorial, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Writers’ Building. Ride a vintage tram through North Kolkata, passing colonial lanes, book markets, and historic mansions, capturing the timeless spirit of India’s intellectual capital.

Overnight: Kolkata

Day 3: Markets & Food Walk+

Visit Mullick Ghat’s flower market at sunrise to witness priests and traders in action. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a guided Park Street food walk sampling iconic Bengali and Anglo-Indian delicacies.

Overnight: Kolkata

Day 4: Journey into the Sundarbans+

Drive to Godkhali and board your river boat into the Sundarbans mangrove forests. Cruise past fishing villages and jungle waterways before settling into your eco-lodge as the sounds of the wild surround you.

Overnight: Sundarbans

Day 5: Wildlife Safari in the Mangroves+

Spend the day cruising through narrow creeks searching for saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer, exotic birds, and the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Visit watchtowers and experience one of India’s most dramatic wildlife landscapes.

Overnight: Sundarbans

Day 6: Sundarbans to Shantiniketan+

Enjoy early morning birdwatching before returning to Kolkata and driving to Shantiniketan, the peaceful university town founded by Rabindranath Tagore, known for its open-air classrooms, art, poetry and, serene rural atmosphere.

Overnight: Shantiniketan

Day 7: Shantiniketan & Bishnupur+

Visit Visva-Bharati University and Tagore’s Ashram. Later, drive to Bishnupur to explore its exquisite 17th-century terracotta temples and browse for handwoven Baluchari silk, once worn by Bengal’s royal families.

Overnight: Bishnupur

Day 8: To North Bengal+

Travel back to Kolkata and board your overnight train to New Jalpaiguri, the gateway to the Eastern Himalayas, preparing for a dramatic shift from plains to mountains as you journey northward through India’s changing landscapes.

Overnight Journey: In Train

Day 9: Toy Train to Darjeeling+

Arrive at New Jalpaiguri and board the UNESCO-listed Himalayan Toy Train. Slowly climb through tea gardens and misty valleys before reaching Darjeeling, where colonial charm, mountain air, and breathtaking views await you.
Overnight: Darjeeling

Day 10: Kanchenjunga & Himalayan Heritage+

Witness sunrise at Tiger Hill as Mount Kanchenjunga glows in golden light. Visit Batasia Loop, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and the Peace Pagoda before enjoying a relaxed evening in Darjeeling’s charming town center.
Overnight: Darjeeling

Day 11: Tea Estates to Kurseong+

Visit the historic Glenburn Tea Estate to learn about Darjeeling tea. Later, drive to Kurseong, the tranquil “Land of White Orchids,” offering misty forests, mountain views, and a slower pace away from tourist crowds.

Overnight: Kurseong

Day 12: Kurseong’s Quiet Beauty+

Enjoy guided forest walks, visit Buddhist monasteries and soak in panoramic Himalayan views. Spend the day breathing crisp mountain air, exploring local villages and relaxing in one of Eastern India’s most peaceful hill stations.

Overnight: Kurseong

Day 13: To Bodh Gaya+

Travel from Kurseong to Bagdogra Airport, then fly or take a train to Gaya in Bihar. Transfer to Bodh Gaya, preparing to enter one of the world’s most important spiritual destinations.

Overnight : Bodh Gaya

Day 14: The Buddha’s Enlightenment+

Visit the sacred Mahabodhi Temple where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Meditate under the Bodhi Tree and explore monasteries from around the world before visiting the towering 80-foot Great Buddha statue.

Overnight : Bodh Gaya

Day 15: Rajgir & Nalanda+

Drive to Rajgir and take a ropeway to the Shanti Stupa for panoramic views. Visit Vulture’s Peak before exploring the ancient ruins of Nalanda University, once the greatest center of learning in the ancient world.

Overnight: Rajgir

Day 16: Rajgir to Patna+

Travel to Patna, Bihar’s capital. Visit the Bihar Museum showcasing ancient sculptures, Buddhist relics and modern exhibitions, followed by an evening walk along the Ganges River watching daily life unfold.

Overnight: Patna

Day 17: Vaishali Excursion+

Drive to Vaishali to see the ancient Ashoka Pillar and Buddhist stupas in the world’s first republic. Learn about its deep historical and political significance before returning to Patna for a relaxed evening.

Overnight: Patna

Day 18: To Deoghar+

Journey to Deoghar in Jharkhand, one of India’s most important pilgrimage towns. Visit the sacred Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple complex, where thousands of devotees gather to worship Lord Shiva.

Overnight: Deoghar

Day 19: Deoghar to Ranchi+

Travel through forested landscapes to Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand. Arrive and relax, enjoying views of the surrounding hills and lakes as you prepare for waterfall explorations in the days ahead.

Overnight: Ranchi

Day 20: Waterfalls of Jharkhand+

Explore Hundru, Jonha, and Dassam Falls, some of India’s most spectacular cascades. Walk forest trails, view plunging river,s and experience the raw natural beauty that gives Ranchi its nickname, the City of Waterfalls.

Overnight: Ranchi

Day 21: Patratu Valley Drive+

Enjoy a scenic drive through the winding hairpin roads of Patratu Valley, often called Jharkhand’s most beautiful road. Stop at viewpoints overlooking deep valleys and shimmering reservoirs before returning to Ranchi.

Overnight: Ranchi

Day 22: Ranchi to Netarhat+

Drive to Netarhat, the “Queen of Chotanagpur,” known for its cool climate and hilltop views. Enjoy leisurely walks and watch the sky change colors as the sun sets over endless green valleys.

Overnight: Netarhat

Day 23: Netarhat Sunrise & Betla+

Witness Netarhat’s famous sunrise before driving to Betla National Park. Enjoy a jungle safari to spot wild elephants, sloth bears, and deer, exploring one of Jharkhand’s richest wildlife reserves.

Overnight: Betla

Day 24: To Bhubaneswar+

Travel from Betla to Bhubaneswar, the ancient capital of Odisha. Arrive and relax at your hotel, preparing to explore one of India’s greatest temple cities and spiritual centers.
Overnight: Bhubaneswar

Day 25: Temples & Caves of Bhubaneswar+

Visit the magnificent Lingaraj Temple, Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, and the peaceful Dhauli Shanti Stupa, where Emperor Ashoka renounced violence, blending ancient architecture with powerful spiritual history.

Overnight: Bhubaneswar

Day 26: Konark & Puri+

Drive to Konark to marvel at the UNESCO-listed Sun Temple, shaped like a stone chariot. Continue to Puri for a relaxing evening on its Blue-Flag-certified Golden Beach beside the Bay of Bengal.

Overnight: Puri

Day 27: Chilika Lake+

Take a boat ride on Chilika Lake at Satapada to spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins and thousands of migratory birds. Enjoy the vast lagoon landscapes before returning to Puri for a peaceful evening.

Overnight: Puri

Day 28: Raghurajpur Art Village+

Visit Raghurajpur, a heritage crafts village where every home is an artist’s studio. Watch master painters create Pattachitra art, interact with local families and experience Odisha’s living artistic traditions firsthand.

Overnight: Bhubaneswar

Day 29: Leisure in Bhubaneswar+

Enjoy a relaxed day for shopping, café hopping or revisiting favorite temples. Reflect on your journey through Eastern India, from forests and mountains to monasteries and oceans, before your final evening farewell.

Overnight: Bhubaneswar

Day 30: Departure+

Transfer to Bhubaneswar Airport for your onward journey, carrying unforgettable memories of Eastern India’s wildlife, spirituality, landscapes, cultures, and hidden wonders from this rare and deeply immersive 30-day expedition.

FAQs about The Great East India Discovery Journey

What is the Eastern India Grand Discovery tour?

The Eastern India Grand Discovery is a 30-day guided journey covering West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, combining wildlife, heritage, Himalayan landscapes, Buddhist sites, temples and coastal experiences into one immersive expedition.

Which destinations are covered in this 30-day East India tour?

This tour covers Kolkata, Sundarbans, Shantiniketan, Bishnupur, Darjeeling, Kurseong, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Patna, Vaishali, Deoghar, Ranchi, Netarhat, Betla, Bhubaneswar, Konark, Puri, Chilika Lake and Raghurajpur.

Is this tour suitable for senior travellers?

Yes. The tour is paced comfortably with quality hotels, private transportation, guided sightseeing and rest days in hill stations and spiritual centers, making it suitable for seniors, couples and mature travellers seeking cultural depth.

What wildlife experiences are included in this itinerary?

Guests explore the Sundarbans mangrove forests on boat safaris to spot Royal Bengal Tigers, crocodiles, and birds, plus jungle safaris in Betla National Park to see elephants, deer, and other wildlife.

Does this tour include Buddhist pilgrimage sites?

Yes. The tour visits Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment, along with Rajgir, Nalanda, and Vaishali, some of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage and heritage sites in the world.

What kind of accommodation is provided on this tour?

The tour features a mix of heritage hotels, premium city hotels, eco-lodges in the Sundarbans, hill-station retreats, and comfortable nature resorts, ensuring both authenticity and modern comfort throughout the journey.

Is the Darjeeling Toy Train included?

Yes. Travellers ride the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Toy Train from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, offering one of the most scenic and iconic railway journeys in the world.

What is the best time to take this Eastern India tour?

The best time is from October to March when the weather is pleasant for sightseeing, wildlife safaris, Himalayan views, and coastal travel across West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.

Is this tour good for cultural and heritage travellers?

Absolutely. The journey covers colonial Kolkata, ancient universities like Nalanda, temple cities such as Bhubaneswar, terracotta art in Bishnupur, and traditional craft villages like Raghurajpur, offering deep cultural immersion.

Who should book this 30-day East India expedition?

This tour is ideal for slow travellers, explorers, photographers, spiritual seekers and culturally curious guests who want a once-in-a-lifetime, off-the-beaten-path experience across Eastern India’s most remarkable regions.