Tea Plantations and Hill Stations
Itinerary
Days 1-3 – Colour & culture in Kolkata
Today you’ll be collected from the airport in Kolkata and transferred to a charming hotel packed with character in the city centre. Your room is comfortable and tastefully decorated, and you’ll very quickly feel at home. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Kolkata at your own leisure, enjoying the warm temperatures and delicious food of West Bengal.
The following morning you’ll be picked up by your guide in one of Kolkata’s iconic yellow taxis for a tour of the city. You’ll tick off all the main sites, including BBD Bagh and St. John’s Church. You’ll drive to Hooghly River and see the famous bridge before ending the tour at the colourful flower market. Here, you’ll see locals trading and get a real insight into daily life here. At the end of the afternoon you’ll be dropped back at your hotel where you’ll spend another night.
Days 3-5 – Tea time in Darjeeling
Today your driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to the airport where you’ll catch the short flight to Bagdogra. A driver will be waiting for you here, to take you to Darjeeling in around three hours. This lofty hill station is a cool refuge in the hot summer months. Tea plantations lie at your feet and the dramatic Himalayas act as the backdrop.
During your stay in Darjeeling you’ll visit Tiger Hill, an incredible viewpoint at 2,585m which, in clear weather, offers an unparalleled Himalayan panorama, including Everest and Kanchenjunga. We’ll also arrange a ride on the famous ‘toy train’, that climbs steeply through the mountain scenery. Disembark at Ghoom and visit the Ghoom Monastery – one of the oldest in Darjeeling.
Days 5-9 – Take the Tibetan temple trail into Sikkim
Next you will explore more of the north east of India as you venture into the Sikkim region. Sikkim is a tiny pocket of staggering natural beauty, tucked away in the fertile foothills of the Himalayas; an area of rich green valleys, bright rhododendron fields, working farms and friendly locals. You’ll spend four nights travelling through the region, soaking up the scenery and stopping at spiritual sights.
First stop is Rinchenpong, which is about 4 hours drive away from Darjeeling. You’ll stay in a cosy farm-stay, which has comfortable guest rooms. Dinner is included so you can look forward to a freshly cooked meal, made using vegetables from the farm. Your next stop will be Pelling, where you visit the Pemayangtse Monastery – one of the most important in Sikkim. Hundreds of monks live in this monastery, and there is also a religious school for Buddhist studies here. Set off early the next morning on a 3km trek to the Sanga Choling Monastery. It’s the oldest monastery in Sikkim and – especially in the morning – you have a great view of the green surroundings and the mountains in the background. Continue onto the mountain village of Yuksom, stopping along the way at the sacred Khecheopalri Lake.
Days 9-12 – Mountains and monasteries
Continue to discover Sikkim’s Tibetan culture and feel the calming peace of the Himalayan foothills as you travel towards the Bhutanese border. You’ll spend two nights in the hill-town of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, in a cosy, family-run, forest retreat just outside the centre. Accompanied by a private guide you’ll visit the colourful monasteries of Phodang and Labrang, which are visited by only a handful of tourists. You may also wish to visit the Rumtek Monastery independently. You’re welcome to sit in on a ceremony with the monks, listening to their mystical chanting and perhaps try a cup of salted yak butter tea. It’s a 3 hour drive from Gangtok to Kalimpong, where you will spend your final night amongst the mountains..
This morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred roughly 3 hours back to Bagdogra airport. From there, you’ll catch a flight back to Kolkata. Today’s flight usually takes about 1 hour.
Days 12-13 – Delhi and departure
This morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel and driven to Bagdogra airport (approximately 3 hours), in time for a flight to Delhi. Touching down amidst the commotion of the capital city can be something of a culture shock, after the peace of the Himalayan foothills, but you’ll be met by our local representative at the airport, and we’ve arranged a comfortable hotel, that’s well located on a quiet street in New Delhi. The following day you’ll be transferred back to Delhi airport in time for your homebound flight.
If you’d like to stay longer in Delhi to explore, let your Travel Specialist know and they can add an additional night or two to your Travel Plan. We can also arrange a fun morning tour of Old Delhi, travelling in local style, by metro and rickshaw.
Accommodation
