India: Eastern Himalayan Trails

Arrive in Kolkata (Calcutta) and transfer to the Oberoi Grand for a 2-night stay. (N)

Morning visit to the colourful flower market, followed by a cruise on the Hooghly river. This afternoon, take a walking tour of Kolkata. (B)

Fly to Bagdogra and drive to the remote hill station of Kalimpong, famous for its exotic flower nurseries. Stay overnight at the Elgin Silver Oaks hotel. (B, L, D)

Drive to Gangtok and stay 2 nights at the Elgin Nor-Khill hotel. Gangtok offers excellent views of the entire Kanchenjunga range and, like the rest of the state of Sikkim, is rich in Tibetan Buddhist culture. (B, L, D)

Morning tour of the 200-year-old Enchey monastery, noted for its beautiful murals, images of gods, goddesses and objects used for rituals and ceremonies, and the orchid sanctuary. This afternoon, visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and the Do-Drul Chorten stupa with its beautiful prayer wheels and flags. (B, L, D)

Visit the 16th-century Rumtek monastery, built in authentic Tibetan design with typical monastic paintings and wood carvings. Stay overnight at the Elgin Mount Pandim, set in eight acres of virgin forest. (B, L, D)

Morning visit to Pemayangtse monastery and Khecheopari lake. Continue to Darjeeling, straddling a ridge and surrounded by tea plantations, it is home to people from the surrounding eastern Himalaya, as well as Nepalis and Tibetan refugees. Stay 3 nights at Glenburn tea estate outside Darjeeling. (B, L, D)

Full-day guided walking tour of the estate. The walk offers spectacular views of Sikkim, the hill station of Kalimpong and the Rungeet river. Walking through the forests you will observe the rich diversity of birds, butterflies, plant and animal life typical to this habitat as well as glimpses of rural life. (B, L, D)

Ride the toy train from Darjeeling to Ghoom. Afternoon guided walking tour of Darjeeling including the Tibetan Refugee Centre and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. (B, L, D)

Drive to Bagdogra and fly to Kolkata for an overnight stay at the Oberoi Grand. (B)