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From $ 3,867 per person

Eastern India

India
11 days (10 nights)
Eastern India is a region of serene mist-clad mountains, pristine rivers, tea plantations and flower gardens.

This tailor-made itinerary to India takes in the eastern slice of the country and one of our favourite regions of India. The cities and hill stations exude have a particularly  atmospheric  historic charm with some of the most beautiful colonial-era architecture anywhere to be found in India. A trip here could see you wandering the photogenic and completely chaotic city of Kolkata, exploring in the Himalayan foothills or visiting vintage book sellers and traditional sculptors. We think this is one of the most fascinating parts of India.


Inspired?

Tell us what you most want to see or do, and we’ll design a bespoke itinerary to Eastern India, built around your own highlights.

You’ll be collected from the airport by your private driver and taken straight to your hotel. This evening you’re cruising along the Hooghly River, gaining a fabulous introduction to the skyline and soul of this fascinating city, including inimitable views of Howrah Bridge.
See
  • Hooghly River boat cruise, Howrah Bridge
An early start to wander the among the heady scents and vibrant colours of the flower market. Then you’re immersed in the city’s colonial-era architecture, exploring the timeless elegance of Dalhousie Square, the grandiose Victoria Memorial and imposing neo-Gothic design of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
See
  • Flower market visit, walking tour of colonial-era Kolkata
Time to delve into the city’s rich cultural heritage. You’re heading to north Kolkata and visiting the Kumartuli Potters’ Colony of idol sculptors, perusing the largest vintage book market in the world, wandering the bustling local markets and sipping coffee in the streetside cafés.
See
  • Kumartuli Potters’ Colony visit, market tour
This morning you’ll fly north to Bagdogra where you’ll be met and driven to Kalimpong. The journey will take you through the changing scenes of the Himalayan foothills including dramatic river valleys, traditional mountain villages and mist-shrouded pine forests.
See
  • Teesta River and Eastern Himalayan views

A day to explore the prayer-flag-lined, winding streets of Kalimpong. Your guide will introduce you to the charity supporting the historic hill school, unveil the heady flower nurseries and explain the history behind the serene Buddhist monastery, before you meander the market stalls.
See
  • Dr Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong flower nurseries, Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery, market tour
You’ll drive the spectacular 3.5 hours through the Eastern Himalayas to Gangtok today, passing flower gardens, lush valleys, steep ridges and vibrant local life. On your arrival you’ll check in to your hotel and have time to relax.
See
  • Teesta Valley and Eastern Himalayan views
Today, you’ll be absorbed in the unique culture of Gangtok with its blend of Buddhist spirituality, hilltop heritage and mountainous backdrop. You’ll visit the serene Rumtek Monastery, gain an in-depth understanding of Tibetan culture and view the town’s astonishing collection of orchids.
See
  • Rumtek Monastery, Gangtok tour, Institute of Tibetology, Orchid Sanctuary
Your drive today takes you through winding forest-lined roads, passing valleys filled with morning mists, prayer flags, roadside shrines and the turquoise waters of the Teesta River before you climb through cardamom groves and orange orchards to the rolling tea gardens surrounding Darjeeling.
See
  • Teesta Valley and Eastern Himalayan views
Today you’ll explore the mystical ‘Queen of the Hills’, Darjeeling. A timeless hill station encircled by tea gardens and dense forests offering misty mountain views. You’ll ride the Toy Train and delve into the heritage, markets and architecture of the town.
See
  • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway trip to Ghoom, Kanchenjunga Views, Darjeeling tour
You’re free to explore at your own pace today. Either simply relaxing among the scent of pine trees and incense. Or perhaps watching the sun rise from Tiger Hill over the snow-clad Himalayas, visiting Ghoom Monastery or touring the tea plantations at Makaibari.
After a leisurely morning you’ll be driven to Bagdogra Airport in time for your flight to Kolkata or Delhi, where you’ll connect with your onward flight back home. Time to catch your last glimpses of the Eastern Himalayas.

Does this sound like the ideal adventure for you?

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What our travellers say

If Red Dot ever ceased to exist and I wanted to return to Sri Lanka I would probably go somewhere else instead. They were, in every way shape and form, impeccable. From Samanthie who created the itinerary to Wicky who drove us here, there and everywhere I cannot imagine anybody doing it better. Impeccable. I need say no more except it doesn’t get any better.
Stuart (March 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
We chose this company as we wanted our money to benefit the people of Sri Lanka rather than international companies. Their work supports smaller businesses, projects and communities as well as the environment
Jessica E (August 2025) London, UK Read the whole review here Feefo
Our 11th visit to this magical Island with always something new to discover and see. This time we made it up north to Jaffna, via Mannar Island, after beginning in the tea country and acclimatising to the heat, after leaving a very cold UK in January. We had total confidence that RedDot would organise everything to perfection, having used them many times before
Roy L (March 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Feefo
We had a fantastic holiday. The itinerary and choice of hotels was spot on, and seamlessly organised.
Charlotte (August 2024) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
Exceptional tour of Sri Lanka with Dami. We cannot recommend Dami at Red dot tours highly enough. As our guide over 9 days he made sure that our trip to Sri Lanka was unforgettable- always going above & beyond to impart his knowledge, show us things off the beaten track, looking after us, getting us to try many local delicacies & making us laugh .. a LOT. Cannot imagine anyone doing a better job- if we could take him with us on every holiday we would!
Sarah (July 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Feefo
Dulmini did a great job listening to our wishes and arranged an itinerary that was very busy but met all our needs. Sisira, our guide, was outstanding, providing us with great local knowledge and suggesting other activities on our travels. He was a great driver on the busy Sri Lankan roads, was always punctual but above all added colour to the whole trip.
Malcolm (April 2024) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
I cannot recommend Red Dot Tours more highly. Thank you so much to Samanthie for her patience with me and all her hard work at putting together the perfect itinerary for my family. I had done a lot of research before I contacted Red Dot and Samanthie created a tour that fitted in all the activities we wanted to do and secured the hotels I told her we would like to stay in (not easy to do in high season).
Nina (July 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
Wow what can I say, from start to finish we have had a wonderful holiday with Red Dot Tours. Dulmini was so helpful in putting an itinerary together for us as a family of 6 and catering to all of our needs. We have ticked off so many of Sri Lanka’s beautiful sights during our trip. Dulmini and Dhanu were a great help to us while we were out on our travels too.
Anupa (July 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here TripAdvisor
We spent 13 days on a Bawa tour with wonderful driver and guide Manjula, including Kandalama Heritance, The Kandy House, The Last House, Jetwing Yala, Jetwing Lighthouse and Club Villa hotels. We are 3 friends, one of them in the wheelchair. Dulmini Ekanayake from Red Dot Tours was very helpful and very patient and found solutions to all our special demands.
Rene (March 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
The itinerary was absolutely perfect and the hotels wonderful, especially Thotalagala, The Warden’s House and 41 Lighthouse Street. Our driver, Indika, was a delight-charming, knowledgeable, considerate and always punctual; he showed us more of this amazing country than we could have hoped for!
Karen - United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
Wanted to take a moment to thank RedDot Tours, and specifically Jayandi for helping book a wonderful family vacation for my family and I. First time for my family and Jayandi took care of every detail, was so courteous and professional, and genuinely cared about our experience in SL. I would also like to mention Pradeep, our kind and understanding guide/chauffeur who took such good care of us while we were out and about. I cannot recommend RedDot enough!
Bob (November 2024) United States Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
We used Red Dot for the first time for our holiday in Sri Lanka. Dulmini put together such a wonderful experience for us, creating an itinerary she drew up after many discussions about what we like and also gave us suggestions for excursions and activities. It was totally bespoke and we were able to make changes throughout this process.
Gill (March 2025) Kent, United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
This is an excellent tour company. They planned our Sri Lankan holiday from start to finish. The trip was initially planned for 2022 but due to Covid and other issues we didn’t manage to undertake the trip until this year. Throughout all this time we had the same travel advisor Lahiru who responded quickly to my emails and rearranged and adjusted our holiday each year!
Anne (January 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
As a group of 8 we have had the most fabulous tour of Sri Lanka organised by Dulmini from RedDot who totally understood my brief of "some" culture, agriculture, nature, trekking and relaxation. The hotels chosen were a wonderful mixture of homestay, tented and pure luxury (Ceylon Tea Trails). The experiences to local villages, trekking the Pekoe Trail and climbing Pidurangala were memorable and our wonderful guide, Ananda, was so informative and knowledgeable and adapted to our needs admirable (not easy with a group of 8)
Anna (February 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
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