Explore the land of Blue Mountains, Green Valleys and the Red River on this one-of-a-kind Eco-tour.
Journey in Brief: This gap year trip will take you on a journey through some of the most incredible sites and to the most beautiful hill stations in India’s twenty-two states.
Sikkim, bordered by Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan is one of the few areas left in India that is relatively untouched by tourists. A place still regarded as one of the last Himalayan Shangri-La's, Sikkim is a beautiful and magical destination where you can see many influences from its neighbouring countries. And if the sights you'll see in Sikkim aren't enough to intoxicate your senses then just wait until you get to Darjeeling where you'll see for yourself the magnificent splendour of the peaks of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga.
You can travel here through out the year with the exception of the Monsoon months which are from June to August & from mid December to end January when it gets extremely cold.
Highlights:
- Visit a hill station from the days of the 'British Raj'
- Travel by the quaint 'toy train'
- Visit a tea garden in the famous region of tea - 'Darjeeling'
- Experience the unique culture of Sikkim
Recommended:
- Bring appropriate clothing and footwear - warm and sturdy for Himalayan treks.
- Lighter and all-covering for heat and for visiting temples.
- A scarf is also useful for women for head covering visiting temples.
Have a look at your detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kolkata - Take the night train.
Kolkata's a teeming city and the start of a journey that takes you to a different and much more laid-back world. You'll take the night train to New Jalpaiguri.
Day 2: Jalpaiguri/Darjeeling - Life slows down on the toy train.
From New Jalpaiguri you'll transfer to Siliguri. Now you're really in the foothills of the Himalayas as you board the tiny world-heritage toy train that climbs slowly - at 30 mph - up through beautiful forests almost to the former British hill station of Darjeeling. You have to travel the last 30km or so from the terminus at Kurseong by car into Darjeeling.
Day 3: Darjeeling - Home of the "champagne of teas".
It's on the crescent of a sharp Himalayan ridge, surrounded by thick forest and tea gardens. No wonder the British liked it there! Your day starts with an early morning visit to the Tiger Hill to see the sun rise then you'll take in the Ghoom monastery and the area's most famous Buddhist gompa, Yiga - Chalking. Take in the Tibetan refugee camp and market, and maybe stock up on colorful Tibetan wool, then the Himalayan Mountaineering institute, zoo and Happy Valley tea estate.
Day 4: Gangtok - Off to the capital.
After breakfast you'll be on the road to Gangtok, capital of Sikkim. Gangtok literally means "hilltop"- no great surprise in the Himalayan foothills! It's the place for spectacular views of the whole Kanchenjunga mountain range.
Day 5: Gangtok - A day packed with variety.
Yiga - Chalking in Darjeeling was a yellow-hat sect gompa. Rumtek monastery is HQ of the red hat sect. It was rebuilt in the 1960s after an earthquake destroyed the original though as a faithful copy of the Kagyu HQ in Chhofk. It houses a dharma chakra centre and a gold reliquary in there. Also visit the unique hilltop research institute of Tibetology which has a stunning collection of thangkas, icons and art on display. Finally, there's the Enchey monastery and a visit to the Government institute of cottage industries to complete your day.
Day 6: New Jalpaiguri - Back the way you came.
Drive down to New Jalpaiguri to catch the Darjeeling Mail for an overnight train ride back to Kolkata.
Day 7: Kolkata - From one world to another and back.
The peace and beauty of the mountains will still be with you as you hit the streets of Kolkata and the end of your journey.
Know your destinations better...
Darjeeling, West Bengal
Highlights: Darjeeling, world famous for its teas, is nested in a setting of Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest, Tibetan Monasteries, Himalayan Tribal Life, Pine Trees etc. which make her qualify as the queen of the hill stations.
When to Go: The best time to visit Darjeeling is from March-May or September-November. The rains which start by May end are heavy downpours making living conditions cold and dreary. In winter there is a drastic fall in temperature from the summer's 15 to 25 degrees centigrade to 2 to 10 degrees in winter.
Kolkata, West Bengal
Highlights: India's largest city - 10 million people live here - Kolkata was the largely British-built, British capital, now it's the cosmopolitan capital cultural and state capital of West Bengal. It's the only city where you'll see the hand-pulled rickshaws that gave rise to City of Joy, Dominic Lapierre's novel of the lives of its poverty-ridden slum dwellers and rick pullers. The oldest form of transport in the city still plies its trade alongside a spanking new metro and nobody can quite decide whether they're the city's shame or a piece of heritage.
Kolkata is a simultaneously exciting and exasperating place, where you'll also see India's only still working tram system. Visit one of the two famous Coffee houses, in College Street or in the central business district, and you could find yourself in the middle of an "adda" - the city's regular pastime of a group of people coming together to debate or chat on everything under the sun.
Kolkata is the birthplace of an early form of pop art depicting historical figures, legends and folklore using paint and paper - kalighat pat painting has heavily influenced modern Bengali art. But Kolkata also has a thriving all-night club scene, new multiplexes, malls and coffee bar chains.
When to Go: October - March; During Durga Puja celebrations when the whole town is at its liveliest.
Pelling, Sikkim
Highlights: Pelling, the laid back, scenic, but rapidly swelling hamlet is situated at 2,085 m above sea level about 2 km beyond Pemayangtse. Pelling is famous for the magnificent view of the snow-capped mountains of Khangchendzonga. 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.
When to Go: Mid - February to May & Mid - Sept to December.
Gangtok, Sikkim
Highlights: Gangtok, the "Lofty Hill" or the "Hill made flat to build the Gangtok monastery in 1716". Gangtok is a city, which, till one sees it, one would believe exists only in picture-story books. In the mystery-laden mists prayer flags whip in the breeze; wheels spin in the hands of Lamas mumbling invocations to God, in the distance are the snows, on the streets amidst brightly painted pagoda roofed houses, lined with friendly smiling people.
When to Go: Mid - February To May End & Mid - September To December.
Kalimpong, West Bengal
Highlights: Kalimpong is a small hill station between Siliguri and Gangtok. The road is one of the most scenic routes in this part of the nation. The swift flowing Teesta river runs by the side of the road adding to the beauty of the scenery.
When to Go: Pleasantly mild climate throughout the year, because of its low elevation.
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Testimonials:
“
...to spend in the Eastern Himalayas, drinking real Darjeeling tea in Darjeeling with Everest not too far away, now surely that is something of poetry...
Charlotte Croft
”