Sikkim Village Walks & Eastern Himalayan Odyssey

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

The Eastern Himalayan region of Sikkim is one of the most beautiful and lush mountain landscapes in the world. On this incredible journey you will visit the famous tea plantations near Darjeeling before embarking on a unique walk between stunning converted village houses in the heart of Sikkim's remote landscapes.

Starting in Kolkata make your way north to the tea plantations of Glenburn where you will explore working plantations and a tea factory, enjoy a private tea tasting ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

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Day 1 ARRIVE KOLKATA

Day 1 ARRIVE KOLKATA

The adventure begins in Kolkata (Calcutta), once the capital of British India and one of the largest and most vibrant cities in India. Home to one of the largest museums in Asia and a city with a proud tradition in cultural and political thinking, known for its cuisine and colourful markets, Kolkata is one of India's truly great cities, a rich mix of culture, Bengali tradition and nationalistic fervour that still retains a touch of colonial architecture that harks back to its days of the Raj. On arrival you will be met at the airport by a Wild Frontiers representative and transferred to your hotel for check in.

Glenburn Penthouse

Day 2 KOLKATA

Day 2 KOLKATA

Enjoy a guided tour of Calcutta (Kolkata) and discover one of the most culturally fascinating cities in India. Start early with a visit to the vibrant Mallick Ghat Flower Market, which offers a colourful, scent-filled overload near the banks of the River Howrah. Then make your way to see the clay model-makers’ haven of Kumartuli, where dramatic life-size idols are crafted out of river clay and straw, before continuing on to the impressive Parshwanath Temple (Jain temple) for a visual treat. Finally, explore the colonial side of the city, visiting the beautiful St John's Church and the fine architecture of B.B.D. Bagh's old buildings. Late this afternoon you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the riverbank, where you will climb aboard your boat to take a gentle cruise down the Hooghly, a tributary of the Ganges River. 

Glenburn Penthouse
Breakfast

Day 3 KOLKATA – GLENBURN

Day 3 KOLKATA – GLENBURN

Today you will be driven from Kolkata to the domestic airport to catch your short flight to Bagdogra. On arrival at Bagdogra airport you will be met by our representative and transferred from the foothills to Glenburn Tea Estate near Darjeeling. The drive will take approximately 3.5 hours, depending on the road conditions, through rolling green hills and beautiful tea plantations, making sure to stop for some tea at one of the many roadside tea stalls. Upon arrival at Glenburn check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Glenburn Tea Estate
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 DISCOVER DARJEELING

Day 4 DISCOVER DARJEELING

Today you will be taken for a guided tour of Darjeeling. Steeped in British colonial history, the hill station of Darjeeling stands at a height of 1828 metres, with the magnificent Mount Kanchenjunga as a backdrop. Ride on the famous Darjeeling Hill Railway (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) from Darjeeling Town, through the picturesque Batasia Loop, and to the neighbouring towns of Ghoom and Kurseong. Start with a visit to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, which has been pioneering a Snow Leopard and Red Panda breeding program. Next continue to the Mall, picking up local crafts and antiques along the way, before dropping into the famous Das Studios, for a peek at their collection of old black and white photographs of the area. This is a good time to stop for a cup of tea at Keventers or Glenary's, two famous old cafeterias on the Mall, and be sure to visit the vibrant chowk lower bazaar, full of colourful market stalls. To end the day in style, visit the grand old Planters' Club, once the palace of a local Maharaja, to enjoy the views of the surrounding hillside from Chowrasta, where the bandstand still conjures up old colonial memories of days gone by.

Glenburn Tea Estate
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 EXPLORE GLENBURN & TEA PLANTATIONS

Day 5 EXPLORE GLENBURN & TEA PLANTATIONS

Early this morning you will be taken for a guided bird watching walk of the forests and regions around and near the bungalow. Today enjoy exploring the famous tea plantations surrounding Darjeeling with your guide from Glenburn. The backdrop of the Himalayas makes for a stunning setting as you amble through the hills passing local "tea-pickers" hard at work. Take this opportunity to wander at your leisure among the verdant hills; an early morning stroll is the ideal time for nature lovers to appreciate the abundant birdlife. Darjeeling tea has traditionally been prized above all other black teas. When properly brewed, it yields a thin-bodied, light-coloured liquor with a floral aroma. The flavour also displays a tinge of astringent tannic characteristics, and a musky spiciness often referred to by tea connoisseurs as 'muscatel'. No trip to Darjeeling is complete without a trip to one of the many tea plantations, where you will be able to experience the whole process from growing and picking, to grading and drying. After the tour of the tea gardens and factory, the tour ends with a tea tasting session which allows you to taste the range of black, green, oolong and white teas, where one can discover the differences in aroma, flavour and appearance of tea manufactured in different ways and at during different times of the year.

Glenburn Tea Estate
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 GLENBURN – HATTI DUNGA

Day 6 GLENBURN – HATTI DUNGA

You will be collected from your bungalow at Glenburn and transferred to the Shakti Sikkim Village House at Hatti Dunga, located near Richenpong. Hatti Dunga which translates as ‘elephant rock’, is a picturesque Himalayan village and the accommodation for tonight is a lovely 70-year-old wooden house, with breathtaking views of the forested hills and valley below.

Hatti Dunga Village House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 HATTI DUNGA

Day 7 HATTI DUNGA

Today offers the opportunity to explore a traditional Lepcha house that’s over 150 years old, and go hiking through small mountain villages, forests and even exploring the Rinchenpong village market.

Hatti Dunga Village House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 HATTI DUNGA – HEE

Day 8 HATTI DUNGA – HEE

Today is an early start, first visiting Rinchenpong Monastery for early morning prayers. After morning prayers and breakfast, with your guide continue to a 200-year-old family monastery, which will involve walking downhill to the village of Bhasmay and Jowbari, where you will arrive in time for a delicious lunch. After lunch continue walking with your guide to the picturesque village of Hee. Your accommodation for the night is in the family-owned Hee village house, that overlooks the owners fields and has stunning views of Mount Kanchenjunga.

Hee Dunga Village House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 HEE – RADHU KHANDU

Day 9 HEE – RADHU KHANDU

Today’s hike with your guide, will take you from Hee village house to your next village house in Radhu Khandu, a hike of 2.5 hours. The walking trail takes you through the Red Panda sanctuary, passing thick forests and mountain streams. You will arrive at Radhu Khandu village house in time for lunch. Rest for the day is at leisure to relax in this beautiful location. For those wanting more adventure, the private mountain guide will be glad to take you on an afternoon exploration hike.

Radhu Khandu Village House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 RADHU KHANDU

Day 10 RADHU KHANDU

Today with your private mountain guide you will go on a lovely hike, starting with exploring the village of Khandu. The walk takes you along small mountain trails and terraced fields and villages where cardamom is grown, also offering the opportunity to stop off to have tea in one of the local houses. Continue walking to a charming 150-year-old monastery, along a mountain trail and through a forest of rhododendrons. After exploring the monastery stop for a delicious picnic lunch with stunning Himalayan scenery as your view. After lunch walk back to your village house and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Radhu Khandu Village House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 RADHU KHANDU – BAGDOGRA - KOLKATA

Day 11 RADHU KHANDU – BAGDOGRA - KOLKATA

After breakfast, with your guide you will have a short walk of twenty minutes to the road head, where your car and driver will be waiting for you and you will be taken to the airport in Bagdogra, a journey of approximately 5 hours, depending on the road conditions. The road is steep in places with hairpin bends, but it is a pleasant drive through the valleys. On arrival at Bagdogra airport, you will board your flight to Kolkata.

Glenburn Penthouse
Breakfast

Day 12 DEPART KOLKATA

Day 12 DEPART KOLKATA

Today you will be transferred to the airport to catch your onward flight. Alternatively why not spend a few extra days relaxing on the stunning beaches of Havelock Island in the Andamans!

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED

10 days from A$18,876

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 9910 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Shalmali

Shalmali is our Indian Subcontinent expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Shalmali by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258

India rewards the traveller with its rich variety of unforgettable experiences, diversity of culture, stunning wealth of architecture, varied landscapes, delicious cuisines, fine textiles and crafts, colourful festivals, and wild places teeming with wildlife.

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