This holiday is currently unavailable to book online

We'd love to help you secure your holiday, you can reach out to us in one of the following ways...

Call us

We're here to answer the smallest question, or plan the largest holiday.
Lines open until 8PM. Calls answered by a human within 2 minutes.

0800 092 4444

Lines open today 9am-8pm Show all hours

All Destinations

Monday: 9am - 8pm

Tuesday: 9am - 8pm

Wednesday: 9am - 8pm

Thursday: 9am - 8pm

Friday: 9am - 8pm

Saturday: 9am - 6pm

Sunday: 11am - 4pm

Australasia & North America

Mon to Sat: 10am - 5pm

Sunday: Closed

Email us

Ask questions, change bookings, or arrange to speak to us.
We're online until 9am-8pm. Emails replied to within 1 working day.

Emails replied to within 1 working day

Live chat

Got a quick question? Our live chat team are here to help.
We're online until 8 PM. Chats answered by a human within 1 minute.

Chat to an expert now

Tea, Temples and Tibetan Culture in the Eastern Himalayas

Venture into the world’s highest mountain range and come face-to-face with its colossal, ice-capped peaks. Explore pristine hill stations, visit ancient Buddhist temples and hike amid dramatic pine ridges on this 11-day adventure through one of India’s most revered regions. Combine it with Bengali culinary experiences, local tea tastings and Kolkatan culture for an experience that will stay with you long after you leave.

Tour type Itinerary

Duration 10 nights

Visiting 10 nights round trip from Kolkata (Calcutta) Kolkata: 2 nights Gangtok: 2 nights Pelling: 2 nights Kalimpong: 1 nights Darjeeling: 2 nights Kolkata: 1 night

Min price range p/p

£3,250 - £3,295pp including international flights

Recommended itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kolkata

On arrival in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy in this charming port city, set on the banks of the Hooghly River. Once the capital of the Raj, the city is now an intriguing concoction of colonial-era streets and cosmopolitan buildings, with churches, synagogues and Victorian houses meeting a vibrant art, food and culture scene. Wander its opulent streets at leisure or opt for a market walk and cooking lesson to learn the art of Bengali cuisine with a local family. Overnight at The Glenburn Penthouse.

Day 2

Kolkata

Continue exploring Kolkata independently today or take a guided tour to Dalhousie Square, the city’s European quarter, built by the British in the 18th and 19th centuries. If you’re looking to dig a little deeper, opt for an adda experience – an informal chat with a local family in a Kolkatan house, complete with traditional Baul music and dinner with your host. Overnight at The Glenburn Penthouse.

Day 3

Kolkata & Darjeeling

Transfer to the airport this morning for a connecting flight to Bagdogra. From here you’ll be driven to Darjeeling – a former British summer escape now world-famous for its tea; the region produces 25 percent of India’s supply. It’s also the home of the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, with olde-worlde buildings, schools and churches set against a backdrop of snowy mountain peaks. The rest of the day is free to enjoy in these picturesque surroundings. Overnight at The Elgin Hotel.

Day 4

Darjeeling

This morning set off with a local guide on a ‘Walk in Peace’ experience passing rural farms, pine ridges and tea plantations, as well as tucked-away Tibetan villages rarely visited by tourists. You’ll enjoy a traditional Tibetan lunch in one of the villages, hearing about the stories behind each dish before returning across the meadows in the afternoon. Alternatively, opt for a cultural tour to learn more about the various people that have shaped Darjeeling over the centuries. Overnight at The Elgin Hotel.

Day 5

Darjeeling & Gangtok

After breakfast, travel to the city of Gangtok, capital of the Sikkim state. This vibrant mountain settlement is known as the ‘land of the monasteries’ thanks to its slew of impressive sites. Highlights include Do Drul Chorten, an elaborate gold-topped stupa, and the Chogyal Palace, a former royal residence. Spend the day exploring its hilly streets or unwind at your hotel, taking in views over Mount Kanchenjunga – the third-highest peak in the world at 8,586 metres above sea level – and the verdant valleys below. Overnight at The Elgin Nor-Khill.

Day 6

Gangtok

Enjoy a free morning in Gangtok today before embarking on a unique culinary experience this afternoon. You’ll travel to the Bamboo Retreat in the nearby village of Rumtek to learn about Sikkim cuisine from a local chef, choosing from a variety of dishes to make before enjoying the fruits of your labour. Overnight at The Elgin Nor-Khill.

Day 7

Gangtok & Pelling

Head to the hill station of Pelling this morning to see another side to Sikkim. Here views over the snow-capped Kanchejnunga peak meet historic ruins and monasteries, with lakes, waterfalls and woodlands criss-crossing the surrounding area. Unmissable is the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the state, home to beautifully preserved ancient scripture and Tibetan paintings. Overnight at The Elgin Mount Pandim.

Day 8

Pelling

Enjoy a full day in Pelling today; opt for a half-day city tour to see its key sites with an insider guide or wander its peaceful streets independently. Alternatively, choose an optional experience with a local family for a traditional Sikkimese lunch, starting with tea and regional snacks such as khabje (a type of biscuit) and tongba (a millet-based drink). Overnight at The Elgin Mount Pandim.

Day 9

Pelling & Kalimpong

Travel to Kalimpong today – another hill station peeping through the clouds and tucked between the valleys, located east of Darjeeling. You’ll find several monasteries here, including the Bhutanese-style Thongsa Gompa and the Durpin Monastery, which was blessed by the Dalai Lama himself in the 1970s. The town is also known for its horticulture, with colourful orchids, gladioli and cacti among its diverse flora. Spend the afternoon exploring independently, or venture outside the town for an optional cooking class in a rural farmhouse. Overnight at The Elgin Silver Oaks.

Day 10

Kalimpong & Kolkata

Bid farewell to the mountains this morning as you make your way back to Kolkata. You’ll be driven to Bagdogra airport for a connecting flight to the city. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you wish, with various add-on tours available to make the most of your final day in the region. Overnight at The Glenburn Penthouse.

Day 11

Kolkata & Departure

Your tour ends today. You’ll be transferred to Kolkata airport for your flight home or onward travel.

Sorry, your hotel is no longer available

Please check alternatives

Where do you want to go?

When

Choose dates

{{store.searchDuration}} nights, {{formattedDate}}

Who

From

Class

Occasion

Sorry, our price & availability is currently unavailable

{{item.title}} {{item.body}}
{{item.title}} {{item.body}}

Choose a departure date

Duration

{{store.searchDuration}} nights

Enter rooms & guests

Adults Aged 18 or above

Children Aged 0-17 years

Select child age{{store.passengers[0].childAges.length > 1 ? "s" : ""}}:

Child {{i+1}} Age Age on date of return

+ Add another room

{{airport.text}}

{{flightClass.text}}

{{occasion.text}}

Checking prices & availability

{{term}}, {{formattedDate}} for {{searchDuration}} nights

All ({{destinations.length + products.length + offers.length + inspiration.length}})
Destinations ({{destinations.length}})
Holidays ({{products.length}})
Offers ({{offers.length}})
Inspiration ({{inspiration.length}})