India - the Chaos, Charm & Calm

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4.7 Based on 15 Reviews
  • duration 16 days
  • tour type Group
  • age requirement 18-99 yrs
  • max group size 24
  • guiding method Fully guided
  • Tour Code BM-28454
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
  • Starts/Ends Kolkata, India/ Kathmandu, Nepal
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Explore the myriad attractions of Kolkata
  • Experience a local overnight train from Kolkata to Siliguri
  • Explore Darjeeling and the surrounding hills
  • 3 nights at the remote tea plantation, Karmi Farm charity project, rural hikes
  • Travel to the far north, into the Himalayas in beautiful Sikkim
  • Stay at the beautiful Koshi Tappu Wildlife Camp
  • Explore Kathmandu and its stunning temples and sites
  • Show more
The India - the Chaos, Charm & Calm tour starts in Kolkata and ends in Kathmandu. The India - the Chaos, Charm & Calm is a trekking and hiking tour that takes 16 days taking you from Kolkata to Kathmandu and through other destinations in Asia.

The trip name says it all; the Chaos, Charm and the Calm. The Chaos comes first. In fact, it virtually hits you in the face - try crossing the road in Kolkata and you will understand this. What a city Kolkata is; manic, mad and magnificent in a fading and time ravished manner, but no visit to India is complete without spending a couple of days experiencing this charming place.Equally, India is about train travel and so we include an overnight journey northwards to the foothills of the Himalayas and on to Darjeeling. Here is India's most famous train trip of all; the Toy train of Darjeeling. The narrow gauge track winds its way through villages and towns and up into the mountains to the city of Darjeeling. This is where the calm takes over and we walk and relax in the hills, five hours away from the city on a small farm retreat.Add in the splendour of the mighty mountains in Sikkim and its Buddhist charms, wildlife and spectacular drives in Nepal and you have a trip that you just should not miss.
ITINERARY Expand All
  • Day 1: Day 1: Kolkata
  • Day 2: Day 2: Overnight train to Siliguri
  • Day 3: Day 3: Darjeeling
  • Day 4: Day 4: Darjeeling
  • Day 5: Day 5: Darjeeling
  • Day 6: Day 6: Karmi Farm
  • Day 7: Day 7: Karmi Farm
  • Day 8: Day 8: Karmi Farm
  • Day 9: Day 9: Gangtok
  • Day 10: Day 10: Gangtok
  • Day 11: Day 11: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
  • Day 12: Day 12: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
  • Day 13: Day 13: Chitwan NP
  • Day 14: Day 14: Khatauti Khola
  • Day 15: Day 15: Kathmandu
  • Day 16: Day 16: Kathmandu
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Accommodation
  • Comfortable Hotel 3 nights
  • Overnight Train 1 night
  • Basic Hotel 5 nights
  • Guesthouse 3 nights
  • Camping 3 nights
Meals
  • 8 Breakfasts
  • 4 Lunches
  • 6 Dinner
Transport
  • Overland Expedition Vehicle, Jeep, Canoe, Overnight Boat
Guide
  • Two Dragoman Crew Members, Local Guides where necessary
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Any international flights to Kolkata and from Kathmandu are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
  • Travel insurance is not included in this India - the Chaos, Charm & Calm tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. World Nomads' travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.7 - Excellent
Based on 15 reviews
  • Alice B
  • On Dec 15 2018
5 - Excellent
Excellent
Particularly enjoyed the karmi farm visit and hotoshi national park safari tents
  • Roberta M
  • On Dec 15 2018
4 - Very Good
Very Good
I loved Kolkata, Darjeeling, Karmi farm, scenery in Sikkim, Koshi nat park & Kathmandu.
  • Jonathan S
  • On Feb 15 2018
5 - Excellent
Excellent
All good. Its like travelling but without having to be organised. And travelling by truck is great - its a great way to see the country without having to worry that the driver is a lunatic. You are, however, stuck with the same... Read more
  • Erik P
  • On Jan 22 2018
4 - Very Good
Very Good
Overall the trip was good. We stayed at some so-so places, and some really great places, and got to see some wierd and wonderfull things. However, there was some wrong things.1 - The kitty was 500 USD, not 480.2 - We did not need... Read more
Why Book with Bookmundi
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.65 Average 674 Reviews
GOOD TO KNOW
CANCELLATION

1

Local Payment The local payment is a group fund, paid separately from the trip price on the first day of the tour. It covers everything that the group does together on the ground. This is primarily hotel accommodation and campsite fees, meals whilst camping (but not while eating in restaurants), and included activities and puts money directly back to the local community. The local payment, or kitty system, is unique to overlanding tours and provides maximum flexibility and best value on the road - you can see exactly what is being paid for, you get everything at cost price, it keeps costs competitive by leveraging group expenses and saves on administrative costs. The fund is run by the tour guide, and any excess left over at the end is returned equally to the group. Local prices are estimated in USD when we print the brochure then reviewed monthly as local costs and exchange rates vary throughout the year. It's therefore important once you book your trip to check the website regularly and just before departure for any changes to the amount.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this tour.
  • How much money do I need to bring with me?

    Your personal budget obviously depends on your spending habits and what is included in your trip cost. If accommodation is included, but meals are not, we would suggest that you bring around 30 USD per day per person for meals. Having a hot shower or charging your device sometimes costs extra. There are also sometimes small crafts/souvenirs to buy along the trekking route which you may want to bring extra money for. Also, consider whether you would be staying in Kathmandu or Pokhara before or after your trek.

  • Is quarantine in Nepal in effect for arriving visitors?

    There are no quarantine requirements in Nepal for arriving visitors at the moment.

  • How much should my backpack weigh?

    A properly packed backpack (not including your day pack) should ideally not weigh more than 13 kg. It is also important to note that if you are taking a flight to the start of your trek, many smaller aircraft have weight restrictions. For example, if you are flying from Kathmandu to Lukla, you are only allowed 10kg of checked luggage, and 5 kg of hand baggage. Thus, in case of a small flight, you should ideally pack a 10 kg backpack for checked luggage, and then add 5 kg in your hand baggage. You can then re-shuffel the weigt once you start your trek at the trailhead.  

  • Do I need a porter?

    The decision to hire a porter is up to you and usually based on your fitness level and/or budget. One porter can be shared between two people and can carry up to 25 kg. Many trekkers hire a porter to have a more comfortable trek.

  • Do I require a porter for carrying water?

    On most popular treks you can expect plenty of places where you can refill your water bottle, meaning you don’t need to carry a huge water supply with you. Bring an extra bottle of water if you are concerned. If you already have a porter, you can ask him/her to carry water as long as it is within the weight limit. Another option is to carry water purification tablets or LifeStraw, both of which can be found in Kathmandu.

NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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