The North East India tour highlights the Victorian –Era architectured Kolkata revolving around key highlights of the British Reign while the Monasteries of Sikkim preach about prosperity and peace. The stargazing mountainous peaks and some of the most amusing festivals, the tour promises to be an amazing learning and travelling experience.

• Day 1 : Flight to Kolkata

Arrive Kolkata. Meet staff of Aura Voyages at airport. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 2 : In Kolkata

Full tour of Kolkata with visit to Jain Temple, Kumartuli (Potters colony), Flower Market, Victoria Memorial (Closed On Mondays & National holidays), St. Paul’s Cathedral Church and Mother House (Closed On Thursdays & National holidays).
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 3 : Kolkata – Bagodgra (by flight) – Darjeeing (drive 3 hours 30 minutes)

Transfer to airport to connect flight to Bagdogra.
Arrive Bagdogra and drive to Darjeeling.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 4 : In Darjeeling

Early morning: Tiger hill & Ghoom Monastery. Return back to hotel for breakfast.
Morning enjoy Toy Train Ride upto Ghoom & back (Subject to operation of this train & availability of the seats). Afternoon visit Tibetan Refugee Centre (Closed on Sunday), Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Zoo (both Closed on Thursday)
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 5 : Darjeeling – Pelling (drive – 6 hours)

Morning drive to Pelling.
Afternoon visit Pemayangtse Monastery & Rabdantse Ruins.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 6 : In Pelling

Excursion to Khecheopalri Lake/Yuksum/Tashiding & back (Tashiding Bazar to Tashiding Monastery one way approx. 20 minute walk)
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 7 : Pelling – Gangtok (drive 6 hours).

Drive to Gangtok.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 8 : In Gangtok

Morning visit Rumtek Monastery, Tibetology (Closed on Sunday) & Do Drul Chorten.
Afternoon visit Enchey Monastery & Cottage Industry (Both Closed on Sunday)
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 9 : Gangtok – Kalimpong (drive – 3 hours)

Morning excursion to Phudong Monastery & back.
Afternoon drive to Kalimpong.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 10 : Kalimpong – Darjeeling (drive – 2 hours)

Morning visit Zang Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery at Durpin Hills, Tharpa Choling Monastery, Thongsa Gompa, Nursery & Market.
Afternoon drive to Darjeeling.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 11 : Darjeeling – Bagdogra (drive 3 hours 30 minutes) – Bagdogra – Kolkata (flight)

Morning transfer to Bagdogra airport to connect flight to Kolata

Possible extension :

You can extend this tour to Bhutan ….

(Above program is subject to change based on arrival and departure flight timings and weather conditions).

Trust you find above in order.

• Day 1 : Flight to Delhi

Arrive Delhi. Meet staff of Aura Voyages at airport. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 2 : Delhi

Morning relax at hotel.
Later proceed for visit to National Museum (closed on Monday).
Continue to visit Sikh temple the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 3 : Delhi – Leh (flight)

Early morning transfer to airport to connect flight to Leh.
Arrive Leh and transfer to hotel.
Rest of the day free to get acclimatized.
Late afternoon visit Shanti Stupa built by a sect of Japanese Bhuddhists to promote worldwide peace and inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1983. Shanti is Hindi word for peace. Shanti Stupa overlooks the town.
Walk back to the local market.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 4 : Leh – Tiksey – Shey – Stok – Leh

Morning drive to Thiksey Gompa, it is one of the most impressive and probably also the largest gompa in Ladakh.
Walk through villages and reach Shey which is one of the ancient capitals of Ladakh.
Later visit Stok Palace built in the 1840’s and was the residence of the Ladakh royal family until the last king died in 1974. Stok hosts an archery competition in July. The palace also has an exhibition of royal jewellery including a turquoise and mountain coral crown and royal artefacts including palanquins and black and white photographs of the royal family.
Return back to Leh.

• Day 5 : Leh – Likir – Alchi – Uleytopko

Morning drive to Likir which is one of the older gompas of Ladakh, and was founded in the 12th century by followers of the Kadam-pa “red had” order, but was later taken over by the new reformist Gelug-pa “yellow hat” order in the 15th century.
After a fire completely destroyed the earlier structure, the gompa had to be rebuilt in the 18th century.
Drive further to Alchi village to visit the gompa complex referred to as Alchi Chos-Kor ; meaning ‘sacred enclave’. Alchi Chos-Kor is unusual in that it is not built on a hill, but sits on flat ground. In fact the whole design of the complex, particularly the Sum-Tsek, bears no resemblance to any other gompas anywhere.
Continue further to Uleytopko for overnight stay.

• Day 6 : Uleytopko – Wanla – Lamayuru – Uleytopko

Morning drive to Wanla, a small village before moving to Lamayuru. In Wanla visit local family and their house. Wanla Gompa is of interest because it is one of the trhee early 11th centry gompas closely associated with Alchi. Wanla differs from Alchi in one important respect however, as Wanla Gompa is built on a steep high ridge (as is the norm in Ladakh).
Continue further to Lamayuru through “the moonscape” what some geologists believe was once a lake-bed in the steep, enclosed valley. However, today there is no lake, only slopes of incredible eroded rock-formations lining both sides of the valley basin.
Visit Yungdrung Gompa, as Lamayuru Gompa is more properly known, is througt to have its origins in the pre-Buddhist era, as a holy side for the animistic Bon religion. It is also considered to e the oldest monastic side in Ladakh. Yungdrund, which means swastika, was the original name of the gompa. The swastika is a common symol in the Hinduism and Buddhism.
Return back to Uleytopko for overnight stay.

• Day 7 : Uleytpoko – Ridzong – Basgo – Leh

Morning drive to Ridzong Gompa founded only recently in the 1870’s for the Gelup-pa “yellow hat” order. Ridzong is animpressive looking structure, and being well tucked away.
On return back stop at a nunnery called Chomoling in Kadakhi. This is one of the very few nunneries in ladakh and has about a dozen nuns in the residence.
Later drive back to Leh with enroute stop at Bagso Cetadel built upon a red-brown mountain. Bagso is situated in one of the most beautiful locations in the Leh area. The village sits at the base of the mountainside overlooking an oval of luxuriant fields surrounded by trees, with the Zanskar Mountains as a backdrop. There are several chortens, including one really large one, amounst the fields, as well as several on the hilltops that surround Bsgo. The large village houses are oviously very old and are surrounded by crumbling, ancient chortens.
The citadel sits on an impressive site situated on the crown of a buttress jutting from the mountain behind. The various forts and temples like in a semi-circle facing the Indus, there backs against the mountain ; on three sides the hillside drops away steeply trhough jagged rocks making any assault on the complex a tough proposition. Historically, Basgo must hav been citrually impregnable. Unfotunately much of the ancitent citadel has all but disappread; nevertheless, there is still plenty left to see. Major resoration work over the years has helped improved the istuation, as Basgo holds an important place in Kadakhi history and culture.
Continue toward Leh.

• Day 8 : Leh – Chemdrey – Pangong Tso

Drive to Pangong with enroute stop at Chemdrey Gompa which makes for a striking picture, nestling on the top of the hill with a mountain ridge forming the backdrop. During early summer, the approach through the fields to the base of the hill is lined with bright yello mustard fields, followed by a small river that’s banks are lined with willow trees.
Continue to Pangong Tso.
Pangong Tso also referred to as Pangong Lake, is an endorheic lake in he himalayas situated at a height of about 4,350 m (14,270 ft). It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to Tibet. Approximately 60% of the length of the lake lies in Tibet. The lake is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its broadest point. All together it covers 604 km2. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water.
Overnight at camp.

• Day 9 : Pangong

Early morning walk to the shore of the lake to catch the morning sunrise. Tea will be served at the lake. Return to camp for Breakfast, after breakfast and either walk to Merak village or drive to Merak, 10km. Walk around the village and interact with the semi nomadic villager. Lunch (Picnic Lunch ) at the shore of lake. Later in the evening drive back to Maan village to our camp. Rest for couple of hours and than walk back to the lake for sunset.
Nuit en camp fixe.

• Day 10 : Pangong – Hemis – Leh

Morning drive back to Leh with ernoute stop at Hemis to visit perhaps themost famous gompa in Ladakh, purely due to the fact that unlike other gompas who hold their festivals inwinter, the Hemis annual festival is helpd in the summer months of June ro July, the main tourist season. It is also the richest gompla in Ladakh, largely due to the gompa’s large land holdings and other assets – a legacy of Sengge Namgyal’s patronage.
Hemis gompa was founded in the 1630’s by the famous Tibetan Lama Stag-tsang-rs-pa, under the patronage of King Sengge Namgyal, for monks of the Drup-pa Kargyud-pa “red hat” order.
The annual festival features a dance – drams called Chams that is held in the gompa courtyard and performed by moks dressed in ornate robes and grotesque masks. The dance – drams reaches its climaz with the dismembering of the human figure made from dough. Although the dance has several interpretations (essentially the victory of good over eveil), one interpretation I that it represents the death of the Tibetan King Landarma ; the king who until his assassination, tried to eradicate Buddhism from Tibet in the 9th century.
Every 12th year during the Hemis festival, a giant Thangka, said to be the largest in the world, is unveiled for public viewing. It will next be unveiled in 2016.
Continue to Leh.

• Day 11 : Leh

Morning visit Oracle.
Continue to visit SOS tibetian village in Choglamsar. Choglamsar is an important center for the study of Tibetan Culture and History.
Later visit “Tibetan medicine”, also known as the Amchi System of Medicine in Ladakh and commonly known as Sowa-Rigpa, has similarities with Ayurvedic medicine in India and it is the traditional medicine in many parts of the Himalayas.

• Day 12 : Leh-Delhi

Morning transfer to airport to connect flight to Delhi.

• Day 13 : Delhi

We will keep this day reserve in caes of Leh Delhi flight gets cancelled on Day 12.

• Day 14 : Delhi – Fly back

Possible extension :

You can extend this tour to Agra to visit Taj Mahal (closed on Friday) ….

(Above program is subject to change based on arrival and departure flight timings and weather conditions).

The South India – Kerala Tour, beautifully captures thetea gardens of Munnar providing an amazing aromatic sensational experience. The spice plantations of Periyar showcase the wealth of Indian spice culture and their amazing benefits. The tour provides with the best and closest of the insights to the God’s own nation Kerala including famous Kerala Backwaters giving it the tag of “Venice of East”.

• Day 1 : Flight to Cochin

Arrive Cochin. Meet staff of Aura Voyages at airport. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 2 : Cochin

Morning visit Mattencherry Island which is famous for Dutch Palace (closed on Friday) and Jewish Synagogue (closed on Friday and Saturday).
Afternoon walk through Fort Cochin and you will visit St Francis church was will visit from outside some beautiful buildings.
In the evening attend Kathakali dance performance in regular theatre.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 3 : Cochin / Calicut (morning train) / Wayanad (drive – 2hours 30 minutes)

Morning transfer to Ernakulam railway station to connect train to Calicut.
Arrive Calicut and drive to Wayanad.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 4 : Wayanad

Fully in Wayanad to enjoy nature.
Most of the resorts organize following activities :
Morning sessions of Yoga and Meditation.
Guests may take a 2 hour trek to the tropical rainforests surrounding the resort. You could possibly spot Nilagiri Langur, the Malabar Giant Squirrel, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Yellow Browed Bulbul besides a wide range of other species endemic to the Western Ghats and a fabulous array of butterflies.
Cycling is another possibility.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 5 : Wayanad / Vellinezhi (40 kms Pallakad) (drive – 4 hours)

Morning drive to Vellinezhi.
Overnight at a homestay.

• Day 6 : Vellinezhi

Village walk.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 7 : Vellinezhi / Munnar (drive – 6 hours)

Morning to relax at homestay.
Afternoon drive to Munnar famous for tea garden.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 8 : Munnar

Morning proceed to visit of Tea Plantation + visit of tea Museum and tea tasting (Tea museum closed on Monday)
Afternoon free to explore the area on own.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 9 : Munnar / Periyar (drive – 5 hours)

Morning drive to Periyar.
Visit spice plantation and walk in local market.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 10 : Periyar / Houseboat (backwaters) (Drive – 5 hours)

Morning drive to Backwaters of Kerala and board houseboat (known as Kettuvallams).
Cruise on back waters.
Overnight on Houseboat.

• Day 11 : Houseboat – Cochin (drive – 2 hours)

Morning disembark at Alleppey and visit the small town.
Drive to Cochin.
Rest of the day free.
In the evening transfer to airport to connect flight to next destination.

• Day 12 : Cochin / Fly to next destination.

Possible extension :

You can extend this tour to Karnataka to visit Mysore – Hassan – Bangalore / beach extension to Kovalam or Goa ….

(Above program is subject to change based on arrival and departure flight timings and weather conditions).

The North India – Rajasthan & Ganges Tour covers the renowned and acclaimed places of North India in the proficient manner, covering a widespread area across many boundaries. From the stunning, magnificent and grand havelis, resorts and palaces of Rajasthan to the spiritual capital of Varanasi, this tour books the renowned and UNESCO acclaimed sights.

• Day 1 : Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi. Meet staff of Aura Voyages at airport. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 2 : Delhi – Shekawati region (drive – 6 hours)

Morning short tour of Delhi.
Drive to Shekawati region known at Open art gallery famous for painted havelies.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 3 : Shekawati region – Bikaner (drive – 4 hours)

Morning drive to Bikaner.
Afternoon visit Junagarh Fort and visit old market.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 4 : Bikaner – Jaisalmer (drive – 6 hours)

Morning drive to Jaisalmer.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 5 : In Jaisalmer

Morning visit Jaisalmer fort with a walking tour.
Later visit Havelis and Gadi Sagar lake.
In late afternoon excursion to Sam dunes to enjoy camel ride at Sand dunes.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 6 : Jaisalmer – Jodhpur (drive – 6hours)

Morning drive to Jodhpur.
Afternoon visit Jodhpur city with visit to Meharangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and walk in local market dominated by clock tower.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 7 : Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur (drive – 6 hours)

Morning drive to Udaipur with enroute stop at Ranakpur to visit beautiful carved Jain temple.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 8 : In Udaipur

Morning visit City Palace and enjoy boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Afternoon free to explore local market or relax at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 9 : Udaipur – Pushkar (drive – 6 hours)

Morning drive to Pushkar.
Afternoon visit Pushkar with visit to Brahma temple and Pushkar lake. Walk in the colourful local market.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 10 : Pushkar – Jaipur (drive – 4 hours)

Morning drive to Jaipur.
Afternoon visit Birla temple and take tuk-tuk ride to Raj Mandir to enjoy Bollywood movie.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 11 : In Jaipur

Morning excursion to Amber Fort (possibility of climbing the fort on Elephant back – subject to availability of Elephant). On the way stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) for photo stop.
Afternoon sightseeing of Jaipur city with visit to City Palace, Royal Observatory (Jantar Mantar) and short rickshaw ride through old market.
Later visit Raj Mandir where you will enjoy Bollywood movie.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 12 : Jaipur – Agra (drive – 5 hours)

Morning drive to Agra with enroute stop at Fatehpur Sikri.
Afternoon visit Taj Mahal closed on Friday).
Arrive Agra and check-in at hotel.

• Day 13 : Agra – Jhansi (train) – Orchha – Khajuraho (drive – 4 hours)

Morning transfer to railway station to connect train to Jhansi.
Arrive Jhansi and drive to Orchha for visit followed by lunch.
Drive to Khajuraho.
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 14 : Khajuraho – Varanasi (flight)

Morning visit temples in Khajuraho.
Transfer to airport to connect flight to Varanasi.
Arrive Varanasi, transfer to hotel for check-in.
Later in evening, visit Ganges and attend arti ceremony
Overnight at hotel.

• Day 15 : Varanasi – Delhi (flight)

Early morning boat ride on river Ganges (boat rides does not take place during monsoon).
Walk along the ghats.
Return back to hotel for breakfast.
Later visit Varanasi.
Transfer to airport to connect flight to Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and connect flight to next destination.

• Day 16 : Delhi – Fly to next destination

Possible extension :

You can extend this tour to Ganges / Nepal and many more….

(Above program is subject to change based on arrival and departure flight timings and weather conditions).