Kolkata, Darjeeling & Bhutan

Journey to a kingdom far, far away and discover a land shrouded in mystery. Where else in the world can you visit ‘The land of the Thunderbolt’ and look across the ‘Five Treasures in the Great Snow’? 

You start in Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, the name was officially changed in 2001, as captivating a city as you will find. It is a quintessential Indian city, an assault on the senses, bigger, brighter, louder combined with serene beauty and calm.

Youi fly and drive up to Darjeeling, set against a backdrop of the Eastern Himalayas and overlooked by imposing Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s 3rd highest mountain. The name roughly translates as the ‘Five Treasures in the Great Snow’. Darjeeling, in the heart of the tea producing region of India, is a highlight of the British Colonial Raj era. The town is situated at around 2100m. It is inhabited by residents from all over the Eastern Himalayas. It’s a fascinating place and during your time we plan to explore the town, take a journey on the narrow gauge railway and visit Tiger Hill at sunrise, which has an unparalleled 360° Himalayan panorama. 

You leave Darjeeling for the hill station of Kalimpong. Here you’ll discover the town and walk in the surrounding countryside and visit a traditional village, where you spend time with the villagers to see how they live, and learn about their culture and traditions. 

Bhutan enjoys what may be an enviable position in the tourist world. It is so difficult to reach and restricts the entry of visitors. As a result, Bhutan remains lovely, near pristine and a joy to visit. You’ll walk, explore and sightsee from Phuntsholing, Thimphu and Paro, gaining an insight to the Bhutanese way of life. You’ll also visit Tiger’s Nest – a true highlight of a visit to Bhutan. You fly back to Kolkata to finish sightseeing in this engaging city.