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7-Day Itinerary for East India in December 2023

  1. Day 1: Kolkata
    20 minutes (7.2 km) from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport

    Start your day by visiting the Victoria Memorial, an iconic marble building that houses a museum with a wide collection of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts. In the afternoon, explore the Howrah Bridge, an impressive steel construction over the Hooghly River. In the evening, take a stroll at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kali.

  2. Day 2: Darjeeling
    2 hours 40 minutes (70.9 km) from Bagdogra Airport

    Wake up early to catch a sunrise at the Tiger Hill, which offers a fantastic panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. Then, take a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the "Toy Train," which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the evening, visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, which houses rare and endangered species such as red panda and snow leopard.

  3. Day 3: Gangtok
    2 hours 30 minutes (118.1 km) from Darjeeling

    Explore the city's vibrant culture by visiting the Enchey Monastery, a Buddhist monastery tucked away in a lush forest. In the afternoon, take a cable car ride to the Tashiling Secretariat, the seat of the Sikkim government, and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. End the day with a visit to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, which houses a vast collection of Tibetan artifacts and rare books.

  4. Day 4: Puri
    1 hour 15 minutes (60.5 km) from Biju Patnaik International Airport

    Start your day by visiting the Jagannath Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In the afternoon, take a dip in the holy waters of Puri Beach, known for its serene ambiance and clean blue waters. In the evening, visit the Chilika Lake, a brackish water lagoon that is home to a variety of rare and endangered species such as Irrawaddy dolphins and flamingos.

  5. Day 5: Konark
    1 hour (35.2 km) from Puri

    Explore the Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an architectural masterpiece that is dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God. In the afternoon, visit the Konark Beach, known for its golden sand and clear blue waters. In the evening, catch a dance performance at the Konark Dance Festival, which is held annually in December and showcases different forms of classical Indian dance.

  6. Day 6: Bhubaneswar
    1 hour 30 minutes (70.5 km) from Konark

    Visit the Lingaraj Temple, a magnificent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that dates back to the 11th century. In the afternoon, explore the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, ancient rock-cut caves that were used as Jain monasteries. End the day with a visit to the Odisha State Museum, which houses a vast collection of sculptures, coins, and paintings.

  7. Day 7: Hyderabad
    2 hours 10 minutes (650.4 km) from Biju Patnaik International Airport

    Start your day by visiting the Charminar, a historic monument and mosque that is the symbol of Hyderabad. In the afternoon, visit the Golconda Fort, a majestic fort that was once a diamond trading center. In the evening, explore the Ramoji Film City, a popular film studio that offers guided tours and has a range of entertainment options such as theme parks and restaurants.

Recommendations

You can also consider visiting the Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Another day trip option is the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

To maximize your fun, try the local cuisine, such as the famous rasgulla, a milk-based sweet, or the spicy fish curry. You can also attend a local festival, such as the Poush Mela in Santiniketan, which is held annually in December and celebrates Bengali culture.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Victoria Memorial (2 hours, INR 30)
  • Howrah Bridge (1 hour, free)
  • Dakshineswar Kali Temple (2 hours, free)
  • Tiger Hill (2 hours, INR 400)
  • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (2 hours, INR 1,300)
  • Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (2 hours, INR 100)
  • Enchey Monastery (1 hour, free)
  • Tashiling Secretariat (1 hour, INR 110)
  • Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (1 hour, INR 50)
  • Jagannath Temple (2 hours, free)
  • Puri Beach (2 hours, free)
  • Chilika Lake (2 hours, INR 300)
  • Sun Temple (2 hours, INR 30)
  • Konark Beach (2 hours, free)
  • Konark Dance Festival (3 hours, INR 500)
  • Lingaraj Temple (2 hours, free)
  • Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves (2 hours, INR 50)
  • Odisha State Museum (2 hours, INR 30)
  • Charminar (1 hour, free)
  • Golconda Fort (2 hours, INR 100)
  • Ramoji Film City (4 hours, INR 1,500)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 5,380
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