Off the beaten track in the Eastern Himalaya — forested Sikkimese villages, Buddhist monasteries, Kanchenjunga panoramas, and Darjeeling's tea estates.
Tour Highlights
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Day by Day Itinerary
The adventure begins in Kolkata (Calcutta), once the capital of British India and one of the largest and most vibrant cities in India. Home to one of the largest museums in Asia and a city with a proud tradition in cultural and political thinking, Kolkata is known for its cuisine and colourful markets, is one of India's truly great cities, a rich mix of culture, Bengali tradition and nationalistic fervour that still retains a touch of colonial architecture that harks back to its days of the Raj. On arrival you will be met at the airport by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check in.
Enjoy a guided tour of Calcutta (Kolkata) and discover one of the most culturally fascinating cities in India. Start early with a visit to the vibrant Mallick Ghat Flower Market, which offers a colourful, scent-filled overload near the banks of the River Howrah. Then make your way to see the clay model-makers' haven of Kumartuli, where dramatic life-size idols are crafted out of river clay and straw, before continuing on to the impressive Parshwanath Temple (Jain temple) for a visual treat. Finally, explore the colonial side of the city, visiting the beautiful St John's Church and the fine architecture of B.B.D.Bagh's old buildings. Late this afternoon you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the riverbank, where you will climb aboard your boat to take a gentle cruise down the Hooghly, a tributary of the Ganges River.
Today you will be driven from Kolkata to the domestic airport to catch your short flight to Bagdogra. On arrival at Bagdogra airport you will be met by our representative and transferred from the foothills to Glenburn Tea Estate near Darjeeling. The drive will take approximately 3.5 hours, through rolling green hills and beautiful tea plantations, making sure to stop for some tea at one of the many roadside tea stalls. Upon arrival at Glenburn check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Today you will be taken for a guided tour of Darjeeling. Steeped in British colonial history, the hill station of Darjeeling stands at a height of 1828 metres, with the magnificent Mount Kanchenjunga as a backdrop. Ride on the famous Darjeeling Hill Railway (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) from Darjeeling Town, through the picturesque Batasia Loop, and to the neighbouring towns of Ghoom and Kurseong. Start with a visit to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, which has been pioneering a Snow Leopard and Red Panda breeding program. Next continue to the Mall, picking up local crafts and antiques along the way, before dropping into the famous Das Studios, for a peek at their collection of old black and white photographs.
Depart from Glenburn early this morning and travel north into Sikkim, the tiny former Buddhist kingdom nestled between Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and West Bengal. En route stop at the extraordinary Pemayangtse Monastery — the oldest monastery in Sikkim, home to a remarkable 7-storey wooden model of Zangdopelri (the celestial palace of Guru Rinpoche) created by a single monk over five years. Continue to Gangtok, the Sikkimese capital.
A day in and around Gangtok — visiting the Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism in exile, and the remarkable Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, one of the most significant libraries of Tibetan Buddhist texts outside Tibet. Afternoon free to explore Gangtok's remarkable MG Marg — a pedestrianised avenue of shops, cafés and monasteries.
Drive west to Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim and starting point for treks to Kangchenjunga base camp. This remote and beautiful village has several ancient monasteries and an extraordinary sacred site — the Norbugang Throne, where the first Chogyal of Sikkim was crowned in 1641.
A day of walking through the extraordinary landscape of western Sikkim — ancient forests of oak, rhododendron and magnolia, traditional Sikkimese villages, and the remarkable Dubdi Monastery, the oldest in Sikkim. Views of Kanchenjunga and the surrounding peaks.
Drive back towards Darjeeling through the beautiful Sikkim foothills, stopping at Kalimpong — a charming hill town with a remarkable colonial heritage and thriving flower growing industry. Continue to Darjeeling for your final night.
Transfer to Bagdogra airport for your departure flights. The Darjeeling region connects well to Kolkata, Delhi and international destinations via Bagdogra.
About This Journey
A remarkable tailor-made journey through Sikkim — the tiny Himalayan kingdom now an Indian state — beginning in the cultural capital of Kolkata before flying to Bagdogra and travelling through the extraordinary Darjeeling tea hills and Gangtok to the remote western Sikkim district for village walks and ancient Buddhist monasteries. The journey combines colonial heritage, extraordinary mountain scenery and one of India’s most distinctive Buddhist cultures.
Highlights
Explore Kolkata — Bengal’s extraordinary cultural capital, once the heart of British India. Ride the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train. Visit the remarkable Glenburn Tea Estate above Darjeeling — a working plantation with extraordinary views of Kanchenjunga. Walk through Sikkimese villages and ancient forests to remote Buddhist monasteries. Views of Kanchenjunga — the world’s third highest mountain — from multiple viewpoints.
Accommodation Used On This Tour
The Claridges
The Claridges has been a veritable treasure in Lutyens Delhi since the 1950s. Refurbished, redesigned and revitalized, the hotel offers guests an experience that is new and yet so familiar. In an excellent location just a short auto ride from Khan Market and Connaught Place, this four star hotel has 132 rooms and suites designed with an elegant blend of 19th century character and contemporary style, a refreshing outdoor pool, indoor gym and relaxing spa.
Grand Dragon
The finest hotel in Leh, the Grand Dragon is a family-run property that has grown with Ladakh's tourism over three decades. Its rooms combine traditional Ladakhi woodwork with modern comforts, its restaurant serves excellent Ladakhi and Indian cuisine, and its central heating makes it one of few properties comfortable in all seasons at 3,500 metres.
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. Please refer to the detailed itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
Where You Stay
What's Included
Frequently Asked Questions
June to September is the ideal window for Ladakh and the high Himalaya, when the passes are open and the weather is stable. Kashmir is beautiful from April to October, with October offering the famous chinar autumn colours. Winter travel is possible to Kashmir but the high passes close.
Parts of this itinerary reach significant altitude. We build in acclimatisation days with gentle activity, and our guides are experienced in recognising and managing altitude symptoms. Travellers with heart or respiratory conditions should consult their doctor before booking.
Yes — the tourist areas covered by this itinerary have an excellent safety record and are well accustomed to international visitors. We monitor conditions continuously and our local teams provide 24/7 support throughout.
Absolutely. This is an example itinerary and every element — hotels, duration, route and activities — can be tailored to your preferences and budget. Contact us to discuss your ideal journey.
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