Return to Darjeeling and Sikkim

Day 1 London to Kolkata

Today depart the UK on the Emirates flight to Dubai. (N)

Day 2 Kolkata

Arrive into Dubai and connect onto the Emirates flight to Kolkata. Kolkata is the heart of Eastern India. One of the forward-thinking intellectual capitals of India, the city has long been noted for its wonderful architectural landmarks—many of which date from the period of the British Raj. Kolkata is also known as the 'soul of India', one of the most populous urban areas on earth and an intensely human city. (N)

Accommodation in Kolkata: Oberoi Grand Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 Kolkata

Today explore Kolkata with your guide. Places of interest include St John's Church which has a memorial to the city's founder Job Charnock, the Writers Building which is now the seat of government, South Park Cemetery and the silver-domed General Post Office. Also visit the imposing white marble Victoria Memorial, built in 1921 and today a treasure trove of Raj relics. End the day at the excellent Indian Museum, the largest museum in the country which was established in 1814. (B)

Accommodation in Kolkata: Oberoi Grand Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 Kolkata to Bagdogra – by air/ Bagdogra to Darjeeling – 90kms

After breakfast transfer to Kolkata Airport in good time to catch your onward flight to Bagdogra. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to the old Raj hill station of Darjeeling. Occupying an idyllic setting, surrounded by hills thickly covered by coniferous forest and terraced tea gardens, Darjeeling has stunning views of the enchanting Kangchendzonga range. (B/D)

Accommodation in Darjeeling: Mayfair Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Windamere Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 Darjeeling

Today you are at leisure to relax and explore Darjeeling under your own arrangements. You may also wish to include a walk to Observatory Hill or a visit to the Bhutia Basti Monastery. (B/D)

Accommodation in Darjeeling: Mayfair Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Windamere Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 Darjeeling

At dawn visit Tiger Hill which at 2,590m is the highest viewing point in the area and is famous for its magnificent dawn views. Later continue to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute which displays equipment used on the famous Tenzing-Hillary Everest climb, the Himalayan Zoo, Tibetan Self-help Centre and the Happy Valley Tea Estate. In the afternoon take a ride on the Darjeeling Mountain Railway to visit the Yiga-Choling Monastery near Ghoom which was built in 1875 and houses famous Buddhist scriptures. (B/D)

Accommodation in Darjeeling: Mayfair Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Windamere Hotel (or similar)

Day 7 Darjeeling to Pelling – 110kms

Today leave Darjeeling for the drive to Pelling. The road journey today is beautiful and follows the twisting route of the rivers Rungeet and Teesta. En-route a stop will be made in Gyalsing, the capital of West Sikkim, to visit the Pemayangtse Monastery which is home to numerous exceptional murals and sacred works of art. Afterwards continue on to nearby Pelling. (B/D)

Accommodation in Pelling: Chumbi Mountain Retreat Resort & Spa (or similar)

Day 8 Pelling

This morning visit Sanga Choling Monastery which is believed to be one of the oldest in Sikkim and was built in 1697. Located on a ridge surrounded by rolling valleys, on a clear day the views from the monastery are majestic. Later, return to Pelling on foot and in the afternoon visit the Sangchay Falls. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Pelling: Chumbi Mountain Retreat Resort & Spa (or similar)

Day 9 Pelling – Visit Kheopalry Lake & Yuksum

After breakfast leave Pelling and wind your way through the many small Sikkimese villages to the crystal-clear Kheopalry Lake—the holiest lake in Sikkim and one of the region's many Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Upon leaving the lake continue by car north to Yuksum the first capital of Sikkim and where the first Chogyal, or King, was crowned in 1641. On your arrival visit the coronation site and later return by car to Pelling. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Pelling: Chumbi Mountain Retreat Resort & Spa (or similar)

Day 10 Pelling to Gangtok – 170kms

Leave Pelling and drive on to Tashiding from where it is a steep walk up the hill to enjoy views of this famous monastery. From Tashiding the road climbs initially to Ravangla, offering panoramic views of Mt Kabru and Mt Marsing. Descend to the Teesta River passing through paddy fields and small villages before arriving in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. The town has a spectacular setting with fine views of the Kangchendzonga Range. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Gangtok: Netuk House (or similar)

Day 11 Gangtok

This morning drive southwest of Gangtok to the Rumtek Monastery, the headquarters of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Lamaistic Buddhism. The monastery is known for its beautiful monastic paintings and intricate woodwork and was constructed in the 1960s as a copy of the monastery they had fled in Tibet after the Chinese invasion. Later leave Rumtek and take a scenic walk across terraced fields to the Lingdum Monastery before returning by car back to Gangtok. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Gangtok: Netuk House (or similar)

Day 12 Gangtok to Kalimpong – 75kms

After breakfast leave Gangtok and drive to sleepy Kalimpong, a remote hill station set in beautiful mountain scenery which was for centuries one of the main meeting points on the trade route between the ancient 'closed lands' of Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal, offering fine views of Kangchendzonga. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Kalimpong: Himalayan Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 Kalimpong

Today you are at leisure. There are several pleasant walks in and around the town and other places of interest include one of the many garden nurseries which produce orchids, amaryllis, roses, cacti, dahlias and gladioli, several interesting places of worship including the Ringkinpong Monastery, the colourful local market and Dr Graham's Home, started by the missionary Dr Graham in 1900. Outside of Kalimpong the small village of Lava is noted for its monastery and interesting market. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Kalimpong: Himalayan Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 Kalimpong to Glenburn – 30kms

This morning leave Kalimpong and drive to the charming Glenburn Tea Estate where you will stay for the next three nights. A beautiful plantation retreat situated on a hillside high above the banks of the River Rungeet, Glenburn has beautiful accommodation and distant views of the mighty Kangchendzonga. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Glenburn: Glenburn Tea Estate (or similar)

Days 15 - 16 Glenburn

Over the next two days simply relax on the veranda of the Burra Bungalow, visit the Glenburn tea factory or wander down to the riverbank where your hosts can arrange a guided walk to a nearby village. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Glenburn: Glenburn Tea Estate (or similar)

Day 17 Glenburn to Bagdogra – 70kms/ Bagdogra to Kolkata – by air

After breakfast you will be met and transferred back to Bagdogra Airport in good time to catch your onward flight to Kolkata. (B)

Accommodation in Kolkata: Swissôtel Kolkata (or similar)

Day 18 Kolkata to London

Today transfer back to Kolkata Airport to catch the Emirates flight to Dubai. On your arrival connect onto the onwards Emirates flight to the UK. (B)

Return to Darjeeling and Sikkim

18 days from £3440 per person

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Itinerary: Return to Darjeeling and Sikkim

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