Darjeeling And Eastern Himalayas
Kolkata, Darjeeling And Sikkim
A visit to the Eastern Himalayas offers a fascinating combination of spectacular mountain vistas, colonial hill stations, fruit orchards and sprawling tea plantations.
You start your journey in the vibrant city of Kolkata (Calcutta), the former capital of the British Raj and home to a highly creative Bengali artistic tradition.
After a short flight to Bagdogra you begin the ascent of the Himalayan foothills, travelling through beautiful tea gardens to Darjeeling. From Fox Hill, spectacular views of Mount Kanchenjunga can be seen on a clear day. Darjeeling also is home to the world famous Himalayan Mountain Railway, whose Toy Train will take you on a ride through the surrounding hills to the magnificent Batasia Loop.
Sikkim is a mini Shangri-La nestled in high altitude valleys next to Tibet. The rugged terrain is strikingly beautiful and the culture deeply rooted in Buddhism with inaccessible monasteries clinging to deep valleys.
At the village of Pelling the wall of the Himalayas gets closer still, with more magnificent views of the Kanchenjunga range. Many interesting Tibetan monasteries are also scattered around Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Kalimpong is a low altitude Hill Station with charming orchards and flower gardens in verdant surroundings.
Recommended For: Anyone who wants a ‘less touristy’ perspective of the Indian Himalayas. A great option for a return visit to India.
Day 01
Depart UK
Depart UK – Overnight flight.
Day 02
Kolkata
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta sprawls along the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, a tributary of the Ganges. With an extended metropolitan population of over fourteen million people, it is India's third-largest city.
Kolkata was the former capital of British India and its most famous landmark, The Victoria Memorial, is a splendid white marble monument. Established in 1814, the Indian Museum is the oldest museum in Asia and houses a vast collection of Indian natural history and Indian art.
Day 03
The famous Howrah Bridge (1943) is one of three bridges that span the Hooghly River. You can explore the curious flower markets by the riverside with a gentle walk along the banks.
Kolkata was the birthplace of modern Indian literary and artistic thought. As a "city of furious creative energy", it has inspired many with its soul and vibrancy.
Day 04
Darjeeling
INTERNAL FLIGHT FROM KOLKATA –
BAGDOGRA 
1 HR 25 MIN
A short flight takes you to Bagdogra, the starting point of your ascent up the Himalayan Foothills. Mountain roads curve through tea estates to reach Darjeeling, one of the most beautiful Hill Stations in India.
Day 05
Darjeeling
Darjeeling
The major attractions of Darjeeling are the beautiful views of Kanchenjunga, the world’s third tallest mountain peak (28169ft). Kanchenjunga is best seen at dawn from Tiger Hill (9,000 feet). On some days even Mount Everest can be seen. It is best to visit early morning when the first rays of sun kiss the mountain and give it a golden color. There is also great cultural diversity in Darjeeling, with many Tibetan refugees as well as Nepali’s and Bihari’s who work in the tea plantations. One cannot also, miss the house of Tenzing Sherpa, the first to conquer Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary.
Day 06
Darjeeling
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was opened in 1881 and is One Of The Most Famous Railways In The World. UNESCO has in fact declared the so called Toy Train as a World Heritage monument! The railway passes through some very picturesque mountain scenery and has been the subject of a plethora of romantic articles and films.
The steam 'Joy' train operates daily from Darjeeling to Ghoom around the famous Batasia Loop. A steam train also operates from Siliguri to 'Agony Point' on weekends.
Day 07
Pelling
Elgin Mount Pandim Resort 
Sikkim
The Buddhist state of Sikkim is a remote mountainous region bordering Tibet and wedged between the Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan.
Pelling
A lovely drive takes you to the remote hamlet of Pelling, a laid back, scenic, but rapidly swelling town situated at an altitude of 6,800 ft above sea level. Pelling is famous for the magnificent view of the snow-capped mountains of the Kanchenjunga range. High above the forest covered hills, in an amphitheatre of cloud, snow and rock, the entire route from Yuksam over Dzongri La to the Rathong Glacier can be seen.
Day 08
Gangtok
Gangtok
Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim and a bustling Hill Station in a picturesque setting in the Himalayan Foothills. The main points of interest are Enchey Monastery and Ganesh Tok, both high above the town. Enchey Monastery is a two hundred year old temple in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Day 09
Gangtok
It is also well worth driving to Rumtek Monastery, noted for its carved and painted woodwork. Located 22 km from Gangtok, it is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and head seat of the Karma Kagyu School in Sikkim.
Day 10
Kalimpong
Kalimpong
Kalimpong is a Hill Station nestled in the Shiwalik Hills (Lower Himalaya) with a temperate climate and famous flower markets, especially with a wide variety of orchids. There are flower nurseries involved in exporting the Himalayan grown flower bulbs, tubers and rhizomes. It also houses several monasteries, which hold a number of rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.
Deolo Hill is a must see for all nature lovers. There is a lovely view from a park on the top, surrounded on all sides by tea gardens going thousands of feet deep, and the entire picturesque landscape guarded on all sides by high-rise mountains.
Day 11
Kolkata
INTERNAL FLIGHT FROM BAGDOGRA – KOLKATA
1 HR
Take an internal flight to Kolkata for a stopover night prior to your departure from India.
Depart India
Depart India – Daytime flights arrive back in UK the same day.
* We will send you a detailed quote with flight options, descriptions of hotels used and daily schedules.
Majestic Views Of Kanchenjunga From Darjeeling
The Victoria Memorial At Kolkata
The Howrah Bridge At Kolkata
The Darjeeling Himalaya Toy Train
The Mayfair Hotel At Darjeeling
Ranka Monastery Near Gangtok
Himalayan Flowers Near Kalimpong
Annette
Sophie
Tony
Aaron
Natalie 
The Oberoi Grand At Kolkata
