Kolkata / Dibrugarh / Jorhat / Guwahati / Darjeeling / Kolkata
A Tea drinker by birth and a Tea-Taster by profession, Anamika Singh has introduced new infusions with a mix of natural flowers and herbs to the Indian market.
With over 20 years of experience in the tea industry, Anamika showcases her knowledge and passion in a delicious brew. Her real love is tea & she celebrates every event of drinking it. With this passion and love for tea, Anandini was born.
Starting in Darjeeling as an apprentice under her father, Mr. A. K. Singh (a world-renowned tea specialist), she now invests a greater part of the year in the family owned tea gardens in Himachal Pradesh. Research & development in her workshop helps bring out the finest nuances of tea manufacturing and blending. Anamika's expertise extends to food pairing as part of the sensorial journey to culinary ecstasy.
Working in collaboration with exclusive Spas, Star hotels and top restaurants, Anandini Himalaya Tea has helped her to be part of this taste revolution.
One of India's Foremost Tea Experts
This tour has been especially curated to offer an experience of the renowned indigenous teas, such as Assam and Darjeeling, which grow exclusively in India. Explore some of India’s finest tea plantations with exclusive tea-tasting sessions. And learn about the delicate cultivation and production process behind this fine beverage.
We have put together the perfect brew with a range of exciting activities – immersive tours of tea estates, a tea factory and one of the largest tea auction centres in the world; an insightful exploration of the plantation, manufacturing and production process of teas; exquisite tea-tasting sessions and interactions with tea experts as well as a scenic ride across the mountains aboard the famous Darjeeling toy train; and a rendezvous with the tribes of the world’s biggest river island.
The Tea Board of India describes Darjeeling tea as having a flavour like a ‘delicate muscatel’ which is why the tea is popularly referred to as the ‘champagne of teas.’ Assam tea, on the other hand, is generally strong and has a nutty and earthy nuance to it. While some are best taken with milk and sugar; others require a more natural brew to bring out the distinct flavours. This tour offers a chance to experience all the nuances of tea making and drinking.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Be welcomed at the first destination of your tour - Kochi. The welcome dinner at the hotel is sure to help you unwind and prepare yourself for the tour ahead. Enjoy an interactive session with the tour expert, Mini Thapar, while she briefs you.
Arrive at the first destination of your journey “The City of Joy” – Kolkata. Spend the evening interacting with your tour expert, Anamika Singh. Enjoy your dinner and get briefed by her about the tour.
You will spend your day taking a tour of Kolkata. Enjoy tea in the Khullar. The city tour is incomplete without a visit to Flurys – the legendary tearoom that was founded in 1927. Enjoy tea and cookies at Flurys and spend your night in Kolkata.
Fly to Dibrugarh and in the afternoon visit the Mancotta Tea Factory and experience a tea tasting session and walk. In the evening, enjoy a cultural performance.
(Note: Witness of tea processing is subject to being operational on this day.)
Start your day by taking a tea tour around a tea estate known for producing high quality CTC teas. Enjoy a boat cruise on the Bhramaputra river, followed by picnic lunch with a view of the Eastern Himalayas. Enjoy your dinner at Heritage Chang Bungalow with some local tea planters.
Drive to Jorhat, an approximately 3 hour-drive. En route, visit the Ahom monuments and temples at Sivasagar, which encompass the 600-year-old history of the Ahom Dynasty. In the evening, visit Tocklai Tea Research Station.
Enjoy a boat ride to Majuli, the largest inhabited river island in the world. Enjoy cultural performances and tribal lunch at a resort.
Drive to Guwahati, which is an approximately 6.5 hour-drive and spend your afternoon interacting with a tea broker and tea auctioneer. Guwahati is home to one of the largest Tea Auction Centers in the world.
Fly to Bagdogra and from there, drive to Darjeeling, which is an approximately 3.5 hour-drive
When in Darjeeling, one of the most amazing experiences is the Joy rain ride. Enjoy the joy ride between Darjeeling to Ghum railway station and spend your afternoon taking a tour of the city.
The day will be spent enjoying the tea tour at Glenburn Tea Estate, a heavenly little plantation retreat. Enjoy a tour of the tea factory with its majestic surroundings and a scrumptious lunch. Savour tea and cookies and drive back to Darjeeling.
Drive to Bagdogra airport, an approximately 3.5 hour-drive to fly to Kolkata. En route visit Karseong Toy Train museum.
After relishing your breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to leave India
Journey led by an expert resource, one of the foremost specialist in the world of Indian teas.
Visit to tea factories to witness the various stages
Accommodation based on twin / double sharing basis including breakfast for 11 nights & 12 days
Lunch and dinner as per the program
Drinks with the welcome dinner on first night
All transfers, journeys & excursions by appropriate air-conditioned vehicles based on the number of guests
All entrance fees at the places of interest based on the program
Assistance on all arrival, departure & during the journey
Tea journey with picnic lunch in Darjeeling
Tea journey in Dibrugarh & Jorhat
Tea tasting sessions with the locals
Local cultural program in Dibrubagh
Porterage at airport & hotels
Boat rides to an island with lunch
All currently applicable taxes
All personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, telephone calls, shopping etc.
Meals not included and mentioned in the program
Personal fees for cameras at the places of visit, depends on size of camera and equipment
Any International airfare or domestic airfare (which is quoted separately). All flight schedules and airfare are subject to change till the time of final booking
Any Visa fee (all nationalities require an entry visa prior to arrival in India)
Please send all bookings and information related emails to our Special Projects team at crafted@creative.travel
Copies of passports for all guests will be required at the time of booking
Check in times at the hotels are 1400 Hrs. / Check out times at the hotels are 1200 noon
Free baggage allowance on domestic flights, as prevails currently (subject to change):Economy Class passengers: 20 kilos per person in check-in bag and 7 kilos in cabin bag.Excess baggage allowance can be purchased online in advance or at the airport while checking in
Due to any unforeseen circumstances, if any airline opts to cancel / withdraw their flight operation(s) on particular sector(s) their liability is limited to the 100% refund of the airfare charged for the particular sector(s) and do not stand responsible for re-routing or re-booking seats on any other airline. In such events / situations, Creative Travel Pvt. Ltd. will try best to work out most suitable alternative option to make our guests travel and all applicable supplement(s), if any, to be borne by the guests / passengers
The driving times mentioned in the proposal are approximate and as per normal traffic & road conditions
The maximum group size will be 24 guests to ensure a delightful experience
Journey prices are based on current taxes, in case of any change, the same will be levied additionally
BOOKING
1.25 % of Journey cost to be paid at the time of booking
2.Remaining payment to be paid 70 days prior to Journey
3.If booking is made within 70 days of the journey, full payment is required to confirm the Journey
4.Payment can be made by bank transfer or through Creative's online payment gateway
CANCELLATION
1.Upto 70 days prior to Journey - 10% cancellation fee shall be applicable.
2.Between 69 - 50 days prior to Journey - 25% cancellation fee shall be applicable
3.Between 49 - 31 days prior to Journey - 50% cancellation fee shall be applicable
4.Less than 30 days prior to Journey - 100% cancellation fee shall be applicable
NAME CHANGE
1.Accommodation: Free of cost upto 72 hours before arrival
2.Flights: A fee of US$ 55 per person, per sector shall be applicable along with any change in the ticket fare.
3. Trains: A fee of US$ 5 per person, per sector shall be applicable.
The journeys are planned well in advance. We reserve the right to modify itineraries, substitute accommodations, including flights and trains, at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond our control such as
'force majeure' events - flood, fire, act of God, war or threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist activities, strikes, airport closure, technical problems with transport, alteration or cancellation of scheduled travel services. Most of the changes will be minor and we will advise you of them at the earliest possible date but occasionally there could be a major change closer to the departure date.
We also reserve the right in any circumstances to cancel your travel arrangements. For example, if the minimum number of guests required for a particular travel arrangement is not reached, we may have to cancel it.
In both conditions of change / cancellation, you will have the choice of either accepting the change of arrangements or cancelling your booked holiday and receiving a full refund deducting the taxes except where the major change/cancellation arises due to reasons of force majeure. In case of force majeure, we will refund you for all unutilised services after deducting taxes.
This tour will give you an insight into the religion and culture of India along with the chance to attend a big fat Indian wedding. Join a real couple's wedding to witness the celebrations and preparations and know more about the various rituals and cultures of an Indian family wedding.
Witness local craftsmen at work, creating their masterpieces. Visit magnificent forts, palaces and lakes that highlight Indian craftmanship. And attend the Rann Utsav, a cultural extravaganza of music and dance set under the full moon on a sprawling salt desert.
Visit spectacular forts, monuments and palaces and taste authentic Rajasthani delicacies. Experience life in rural India and indulge in traditional Rajasthani activities. Experience and witness the festival of colours, Holi. Play Holi with the Nobel family and indulge in the colours, and warmth and revelry of the festival.