Day 1 London to KolkataToday depart the UK on the Emirates flight to Dubai. (N)
Day 2 KolkataArrive into Dubai and connect onto the Emirates flight to Kolkata,
otherwise known as the 'soul of India'. The city has long been noted for its wonderful
architectural landmarks—many of which date from the period of the British Raj. Take
the afternoon to acclimatise and relax at your hotel. (N)
Accommodation in Kolkata: The Elgin Fairlawn
Upgrade option: Oberoi Grand Hotel
Day 3 KolkataToday explore the highlights of Kolkata with your guide. Highlights include
St John's Church which has a memorial to the city's founder Job Charnock, the Writers
Building which is now the seat of government, the silver-domed General Post Office and
South Park Cemetery. Visit the  Victoria Memorial, which was built in 1921 and today is
home to a treasure trove of Raj relics. End the day at India's largest and oldest
museum, the excellent Indian Museum, founded in 1814. (B)
Accommodation in Kolkata: The Elgin Fairlawn
Upgrade option: Oberoi Grand Hotel
Day 4 Kolkata to Bagdogra – by air/ Bagdogra to Darjeeling – 90kmsAfter breakfast
transfer to Kolkata Airport in good time to catch your onward flight to Bagdogra. On your
arrival you will be met and transferred to the old Raj hill station of Darjeeling. Occupying
an idyllic setting, surrounded by hills thickly covered by coniferous forest and terraced
tea gardens, Darjeeling has stunning views of the enchanting Kangchendzonga range.
(B/D)
Accommodation in Darjeeling: Mayfair Hotel
Upgrade option: Windamere Hotel
Day 5 DarjeelingToday you are at leisure to relax and explore Darjeeling under your
own arrangements. You may also wish to include a walk to Observatory Hill or a visit to
the Bhutia Basti Monastery. (B/D)
Accommodation in Darjeeling: Mayfair Hotel
Upgrade option: Windamere Hotel
Day 6 DarjeelingAt dawn visit Tiger Hill which at 2,590m is the highest viewing point in
the area and is famous for its magnificent dawn views. Later continue to the Himalayan
Mountaineering Institute which displays equipment used on the famous Tenzing-Hillary
Everest climb, the Himalayan Zoo, Tibetan Self-help Centre and the Happy Valley Tea

Estate. In the afternoon take a ride on the Darjeeling Mountain Railway to visit the Yiga-
Choling Monastery near Ghoom which was built in 1875 and houses famous Buddhist
scriptures. (B/D)
Accommodation in Darjeeling: Mayfair Hotel
Upgrade option: Windamere Hotel
Day 7 Darjeeling to Pelling – 110kmsToday leave Darjeeling for the drive to Pelling. The
road journey today is beautiful and follows the twisting route of the rivers Rungeet and
Teesta. En-route a stop will be made in Gyalsing, the capital of West Sikkim, to visit the
Pemayangtse Monastery which is home to numerous exceptional murals and sacred
works of art. Afterwards continue on to nearby Pelling. (B/D)
Accommodation in Pelling: The Elgin - Mount Pandim (or similar)
Day 8 PellingThis morning visit Sanga Choling Monastery which is believed to be one of
the oldest in Sikkim and was built in 1697. Located on a ridge surrounded by rolling
valleys, on a clear day the views from the monastery are majestic. Later, return to
Pelling on foot and in the afternoon visit the Sangchay Falls. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Pelling: The Elgin - Mount Pandim (or similar)
Day 9 Pelling – Visit Kheopalry Lake & YuksumAfter breakfast leave Pelling and wind
your way through the many small Sikkimese villages to the crystal-clear Kheopalry
Lake—the holiest lake in Sikkim and one of the region's many Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
Upon leaving the lake continue by car north to Yuksum the first capital of Sikkim and
where the first Chogyal, or King, was crowned in 1641. On your arrival visit the
coronation site and later return by car to Pelling. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Pelling: The Elgin - Mount Pandim (or similar)
Day 10 Pelling to Gangtok – 170kmsLeave Pelling and drive on to Tashiding from
where it is a steep walk up the hill to enjoy views of this famous monastery. From
Tashiding the road climbs initially to Ravangla, offering panoramic views of Mt Kabru
and Mt Marsing. Descend to the Teesta River passing through paddy fields and small
villages before arriving in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. The town has a spectacular
setting with fine views of the Kangchendzonga Range. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Gangtok: The Elgin - Nor-Khill (or similar)
Day 11 GangtokThis morning drive southwest of Gangtok to the Rumtek Monastery, the
headquarters of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Lamaistic Buddhism. The monastery is
known for its beautiful monastic paintings and intricate woodwork and was constructed
in the 1960s as a copy of the monastery they had fled in Tibet after the Chinese
invasion. Later leave Rumtek and take a scenic walk across terraced fields to the
Lingdum Monastery before returning by car back to Gangtok. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Gangtok: The Elgin - Nor-Khill (or similar)
Day 12 Gangtok to Kalimpong – 75kmsAfter breakfast leave Gangtok and drive to
sleepy Kalimpong, a remote hill station set in beautiful mountain scenery which was for
centuries one of the main meeting points on the trade route between the ancient 'closed
lands' of Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal, offering fine views of Kangchendzonga. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Kalimpong: The Elgin - Silver Oaks (or similar)
Day 13 KalimpongToday you are at leisure. There are several pleasant walks in and
around the town and other places of interest include one of the many garden nurseries
which produce orchids, amaryllis, roses, cacti, dahlias and gladioli, several interesting
places of worship including the Ringkinpong Monastery, the colourful local market and

Dr Graham's Home, started by the missionary Dr Graham in 1900. Outside of
Kalimpong the small village of Lava is noted for its monastery and interesting market.
(B/L/D)
Accommodation in Kalimpong: The Elgin - Silver Oaks (or similar)
Day 14 Kalimpong to Glenburn – 30kmsThis morning leave Kalimpong and drive to the
charming Glenburn Tea Estate where you will stay for the next three nights. A beautiful
plantation retreat situated on a hillside high above the banks of the River Rungeet,
Glenburn has beautiful accommodation and distant views of the mighty
Kangchendzonga. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Glenburn: Glenburn Tea Estate
Days 15 & 16 GlenburnOver the next two days simply relax on the veranda of the Burra
Bungalow, visit the Glenburn tea factory or wander down to the riverbank where your
hosts can arrange a guided walk to a nearby village. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Glenburn: Glenburn Tea Estate
Day 17 Glenburn to Bagdogra – 70kms/ Bagdogra to Kolkata – by airAfter breakfast you
will be met and transferred back to Bagdogra Airport in good time to catch your onward
flight to Kolkata. (B)
Accommodation in Kolkata: Swissôtel Kolkata
Day 18 Kolkata to LondonToday transfer back to Kolkata Airport to catch the Emirates
flight to Dubai. On your arrival connect onto the onwards Emirates flight to the UK. (B)