Darjeeling & Sikkim: Hidden India

The Story

Best time to go: October - April
Best for: Adventure & Off-the-beaten track, Cultural & Immersive, Trekking & Walking, Repeat Visitors

In recent years, there have been some wonderful developments in luxury tourism to Sikkim; the chance to get completely off-the-beaten track in relative style and exclusivity. Combined with a stay at the amazing Glenburn Tea Estate, you can have have a wonderfully immersive experience. Not too long along the classic route was to see Darjeeling, head up to Pelling, across to Gangtok and down to Kalimpong – the hotels were decidedly poor and taking Gangtok for instance, you visited fairly dull towns. Sikkim is all about getting into the countryside, seeing the amazing views and seeing the vibrant local culture in action. Forget the norm, here is our way of doing Sikkim.

Begin in Calcutta, a city that is definitely worth two or three nights given how much there is to see and do. Fly to Bagdogra and work your way up to Darjeeling. In terms of former British hill-stations, Darjeeling is probably the most interesting, with such amazing markets and winding streets. Take a walking tour uncovering it all, before heading north into the Sikkim, once an independent kingdom totally separate from India. You’ll stay in village houses that have been lovingly refurbished, making some of the rooms more like a boutique hotel experience with extraordinarily comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms. You get led through the area by a team of guides, porters and cooks, making your way from one village house to another on foot. Serendipity is ever-present; as you get invited into local homes, meeting the chief monks and generally being welcomed at every point of your journey. The houses are only taken exclusively, so you simply don’t see other tourists, and they only allow a handful of guests to do this each year, so the local communities love welcoming their visitors. Stop at amazing locations for a picnic lunch, and each night your cook rustles up the most amazing local cuisine. Move back south and stay in Glenburn Tea Estate for some well-deserved R&R. Live it up like a planter of old, sitting back on your veranda with Himalayan snow-capped peaks rising up above you, over the verdant green tea fields of the estate. Fly back to Calcutta to end your tour of India.

Guide Pricing

Starting At

LOCATION:

£4885

Price per person including all accommodation, private transfers, unique experiences and excluding international flights. We can arrange international flights should you wish.

Highlights

One the most immersive, authentic and amazing journeys you can do in India
Get off-the-beaten track, walking through unspoilt villages right under snow-capped mountains
Combine with a stay at Glenburn Tea Estate, one our favourite mountain retreats
Have your own private guides, porters and cooks

Day 1-2

The Oberoi Grand

Day 3

Day 4-5

Day 6-9

Shakti Sikkim Village Houses

Day 10-12

Glenburn Tea Estate

Day 13

The Oberoi Grand

Days	Location	Hotel
Day 1-2	Calcutta	The Oberoi Grand
Day 3	Darjeeling	Mayfair Darjeeling
Day 4-5	Biksthang	Biksthang Farmhouse
Day 6-9	Shakti Sikkim	Shakti Sikkim Village Houses
Day 10-12	Glenburn	Glenburn Tea Estate
Day 13	Calcutta	The Oberoi Grand

Day 1-2

Calcutta

Arrive into Calcutta and spend two days exploring this most amazing city. You’ll be staying in the centre of town, so it’s very easy just to walk out and have a little walk on your first day. On the second day, a your private guide will meet you and take you on a privately tailored tour of Calcutta, revolving totally around your interests.

Day 3

Darjeeling

Fly to Bagdogra and drive to Darjeeling, a journey of about three hours or so. Explore the town with a private guide on a walking tour.

Day 4-5

Biksthang Farmhouse

This morning, you will be driven for four hours to Biksthang Farmhouse. Spend the day at leisure or you may explore the surrounding area with your Shakti guide. Spend the second day here on an immersive visit to Arzing farm.

Day 6

Sangdyang Lee

Drive to Richenpong, a stunning off-the-beaten track area of Sikkim, about about an hours drive away. There are superb views over the Kanchenjunga massif and you will stay in Sangdyang Lee House, which is owned by a local politician whose family is a wonderful host. In the afternoon walk down to Yangsum village, seeing the local market before continuing to Hatti Dunga for a picnic lunch.

Day 7

Hee Village

If you are an early riser, it is worth visiting the local Buddhist monastery to see early morning prayers. After breakfast, visit the family monastery which is over 200 years old and is on top of the hill offering amazing Himalayan views. Walk to the small village of Bhasmay before meeting your vehicle and driving to Kaluk and walking uphill to Jowbari for a picnic lunch. Continue to Bermiok monastery, Dunga Dara and finally arrive at Hee, your next village house.

Day 8

Randhu Khandu

If the views are out, sit back with a steaming cup of team overlooking the mountains. Walk uphill to the Red Panda sanctuary and along a historic trading path towards the village of Randhu Khandu. In the afternoon you can set off on another walk, or just relax in the village house.

Day 9

Randhu Khandu

The owner of the village house will personally show you around his village, before visiting a local house owned by a retired school teacher and is the source of an amazing conversation about local Sikkimese life and culture. Follow the path up through rhododendron forests for a delicious picnic lunch. Walk back to Randhu Khandu for another night.

Day 10-12

Glenburn

Drive between four and five hours back to the Darjeeling area and stay at Glenburn Tea Estate, one the most amazing boutique hotels in India. Spend your days exploring the tea plantations, taking walks or just sitting on your veranda looking out at the views, cup of tea in hand.