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Tea pickers in Darjeeling

Tea & Buddhism in West Bengal & Sikkim

13 days from £3,990pp

Tea pickers in Darjeeling
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Tour highlights

  • Explore the capital of the British Raj.

  • Ride the Darjeeling Toy Train.

  • Enjoy the views from Rumtek Buddhist Monastery.

  • The scenic town of Pelling.

  • A relaxing stay in an operational tea estate.

Price includes:

  • Scheduled international and domestic flights
  • Private driver throughout your trip
  • Activities and excursions as detailed
  • All accommodation
  • 24-hour support while you travel
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Itinerary idea in detail

Includes international flights from a choice of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

  • Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Calcutta.

  • Arrive in Calcutta today. Depending on the time, you might like to explore the markets and cafés surrounding your hotel this evening, which are great for trying local delicacies.

  • Explore Calcutta’s hidden gems on a walking tour. Our guides tailor the tour to your wishes — this is a great opportunity to see some of the city's more unusual sights and a superb way of getting off the beaten track in this vibrant city.

  • Fly from Calcutta to Bagdogra and travel by road to Kalimpong. Being in the hills of the Himalaya, you will find yourself surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. This evening, you might like to enjoy drinks in the hotel's garden, overlooking the flickering lights of the villages below.

  • Today, enjoy a village walk. Escorted by your friendly local guide, you will pass traditional terraced farmland in a scenic valley, through rural villages, and across streams. Depending on your fitness level, there are a variety of routes.

  • Travel from Kalimpong to Gangtok, winding your way through the hilly roads. Your driver and accompanying guide are on hand to suggest places to stop and visit along the way. This evening, check into your Gangtok hotel, in the capital of Sikkim.

  • Visit the Rumtek Monastery and the Research Institute of Tibetology. There are also more monasteries along the drive if you have a particular interest. This evening would be a good opportunity to explore Gangtok's night market and pedestrianised high street.

  • Travel to Pelling to visit the Pemayangtse and Sanghak Choling monasteries. Pelling is situated right under Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. It's worth asking for an early wake-up call to see the sunrise over the peak.

  • Drive to Darjeeling to explore the former colonial hill station and ride the Toy Train. One of the only Indian steam trains in operation, it travels up to Ghoom, the town above Darjeeling. This evening, you might like to visit one of the local markets that sell a variety of textiles.

  • Day at leisure to explore Darjeeling. The Mountaineering Institute has memorabilia from many Everest expeditions, as well as an interesting selection of photographs.

  • Take a short drive to a tea estate to relax and unwind. Walk through the tea plantations, visit a local village, or simply relax with views right across the valley.

  • Fly to Delhi from Bagdogra and spend the night there. If there's time, you might like to drive into Delhi to see the evening light show at Red Fort.

  • Transfer to Delhi Airport for your onward or homeward-bound flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

Accommodation options

While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.

What our clients say about us

Alison, an Audley Travel specialist
Contact an India specialist

The specialist who designs your trip to India will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip.

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When to go

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Place Daily max temperature (°C) Monthly rainfall (mm)
Calcutta
 
Kalimpong
 
Gangtok
 
Rinchenpong
 
Darjeeling
 
Delhi
 

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