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Darjeeling and the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
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16 days From £5,095 £4,895 per person
4.8 stars(22 reviews)
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Adventures in vibrant India and spiritual Bhutan

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Save £200pp on all Worldwide holidays, when you book by 30th April 2024.

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Mobility Rating 4

2024 Tour code: CDJ24

About the tour

An incredible adventure packed with ancient traditions and treasures. Explore colourful Kolkata before travelling into the Himalayan foothills and onwards to Bhutan. The sole surviving Himalayan Kingdom, this is a destination shrouded in mystery and steeped in history.

Unforgettable experiences

Darjeeling Mountain Railway
Darjeeling Mountain Railway
Journey on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway through the Himalayas, admiring the passing scenery of soaring mountains and age-old forests.
Tiger's Nest Monastery
Tiger's Nest Monastery
Visit Tiger Hill Viewpoint at sunrise for incredible views across to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery, built within the cliffside centuries ago.
Kolkata
Kolkata
Explore Kolkata with a local guide and see attractions such as Dalhousie Square and a former orphanage set up by Mother Teresa.
Thimpu
Thimpu
Discover Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, on a wonderful full-day guided tour.
Tea Tasting
Tea Tasting
Enjoy an authentic tea tasting with Buddhist nuns.
Bhutan
Bhutan
Visit an artisanal beer brewery in Bhutan for a tasting of locally-made craft beers.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Kolkata

After meeting at the airport, we fly from London Heathrow to Kolkata via Dubai.

Day 2 - Kolkata

Landing today, we transfer to our hotel for two nights. The rest of your day is free to settle in, rest or begin exploring.

Day 3 - Discovering Kolkata

We set out on a guided city tour, beginning at Kolkata's aromatic flower market. The largest in India, hundreds of vendors gather here every morning to sell wreaths and bouquets of seasonal flowers. We continue to see Mother's House, the orphanage set up by Mother Teresa, before making our way to the Victoria Memorial - a beautiful white marble structure boasting sprawling gardens. Next up is the fascinating potter's colony, where artists sculpt idols of Hindu deities out of clay and straw before painting them in vibrant colours. Later, we take the circular railway to the memorial of James Prinsep, an English scholar who specialised in ancient Indian scripts and coins.

Day 4 - Siliguri

After some free time this morning, we travel by rail to New Jalpaiguri. On arrival, we make our way to Siliguri, in the foothills of the Himalayas, where we stay for the night.

Day 5 - Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

We head out on our journey to Kurseong where we enjoy lunch at the colonial-style Cochrane Place Hotel. Then, we climb almost 7,000 feet into the Himalayas on an enthralling journey aboard a UNESCO-listed Toy Train also known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. We board this steam-hauled, narrow-gauge train in the heart of the town, and for a while, it runs directly through the lively centre before continuing into the surrounding jungle-like forests of towering sal and oak trees. We arrive in Darjeeling late in the afternoon for three nights, taking in the panoramic views of pastel-painted houses stacked almost on top of each other and set against a backdrop of the mighty Himalayan mountain range.

Day 6 - Tiger Hill Viewpoint and Ghum

Early this morning, we visit Tiger Hill viewpoint, watching the sun rise from behind Kanchenjunga, India's highest mountain. The sun projects pink hues across the snow-capped peaks and, as the last remains of darkness vanishes, each jagged summit is bathed in golden light. Later, we travel on the steam-hauled Toy Train to Ghum, the highest hill station in the area. Here, we take a tour of Darjeeling's Mountaineering Institute, the final resting place of Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali Sherpa mountaineer who was one of the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Day 7 - Time for tea

This morning we meet one of the veteran Gurkha Soldiers of the British Army for an interesting talk before we are immersed in Darjeeling's aromatic world. We visit the Golden Tips stall at the local market and the local planter's club to hear about how tea bushes are grown and how the leaves require the use of deft plucking techniques to maximise their flavour. After learning about how one of the world's most popular teas goes from field to cup, we're treated to a tasting of iconic Darjeeling, which can come in both green and black varieties and is known for its floral aroma and fruity apricot flavour.

Day 8 - Chalsa and Bhutan

We drive to the town of Chalsa for lunch before crossing the border into Bhutan, a country that's been largely undiscovered by the outside world as it was closed off to most visitors until 2018. We continue our way to the relaxed town of Phuntsholing for the night.

Day 9 – Paro

Leaving Phuntsholing, we continue to Paro by coach for a two-night stay. After checking into our hotel, we set out on a guided tour of this historic town, home to many ancient sacred sites, including the oldest Buddhist temple in the country. We then visit a nearby farmhouse for a traditional Bhutanese dinner. Rice is a staple of all meals here, with other popular local ingredients such as cheese and chillies taking centre stage. Lastly, we swing by the Namgay Artisinal Brewery for a guided tour and beer-tasting session, a perfect, refreshing end to our day.

Day 10 - Tiger's Nest monastery

We visit one of Bhutan's most iconic landmarks today, climbing to a viewpoint that overlooks the stunning Tiger's Nest Monastery. Built into the opposite cliffside in the heart of the Paro Valley, we enjoy fantastic views of this red, gold and white pagoda-style building that dates back to the 17th century. Legend has it that the monastery got its name when Padmasambhava, the 'Second Buddha', meditated here for three months after bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. He's said to have arrived on a flying tiger, understandable when you see how many steps it would take to reach the Tiger's Nest itself. On the way back to Paro, we explore Kyichu Lhakhang, another beautiful Buddhist temple.

Day 11 – Punakha

Our day begins with some time to look around Rinpung Dzong, a fortress monastery and a fantastic ex-ample of Bhutanese architecture. We also have time to explore the National Museum, housed in a former watchtower of Rinpung Dzong. Here, we're lucky enough to walk amongst over 3,000 examples of Bhutanese art, covering more than 1,500 years of the country's rich heritage. Later, we drive along the Dochula Pass, a snow-covered route, through the Himalayas home to 108 memorial chortens or stupas, to Punakha, where we spend the night. This Himalayan town set within a lush valley is known for its riverside fortress, which dates back to the 1800s.

Day 12 - Thimphu

Our first stop today is Chimi Lhakhang, a temple and monastery dedicated to the fertility rites of the tantric tradition. Later, we continue to Punakha Dzong, or the Palace of Great Happiness, on our way to Thimphu, the capital city, for two nights. Here, we take an exploratory walk of the city centre before making our way to the mighty, 17th-century Tashichhoedzong - a striking fortress monastery and the seat of Bhutan's government since the 1960s. We also visit a local craft bazaar*, a line of bamboo huts that stretch along the main street of Thimphu city. Here you can buy a collection of local handicrafts and souvenirs which embody the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. We enjoy time to browse the different wares on sale, which include prayer beads, brass Buddha statues, wooden bowls, and an assortment of textile products and paintings.

*November-February departures only.

Day 13 - Exploring Thimphu

We enjoy a full-day tour of Thimphu. Among the many attractions of the city, we see the Memorial Chorten, Buddha Point and the takin preserve, a wildlife reserve that celebrates the takin - the national animal of Bhutan and a member of the bovine family. We enjoy lunch at the Simply Bhutan Museum, followed by a local rice wine tasting and folk performance. Next up is the Zorig Chusum*, where we meet local students learning different forms of traditional Bhutanese art, before we visit the Zilukha Nunnery. Here, we take part in a unique experience, joining the nuns for an intimate tea-tasting session. This evening, we get the chance to dress in traditional Bhutanese attire as we attend a cultural performance at our hotel.

*selected dates apply

Day 14 - Kolkata

We return to Paro for our flight to Kolkata. On arrival, we take a guided tour of the city's historic Dalhousie Square, now known as BBD Bagh. Set on the banks of the Hooghly River, the area is home to some beautiful landmarks, including the Town Hall, Writers' Building, and iconic Eden Gardens - one of the world's largest cricket grounds. Continuing to a Jain temple, we learn more about this ancient and unique religion before boarding a tram to South Park Street Cemetery, a tranquil burial ground for British colonists, which is slowly being reclaimed by the jungle that surrounds it.

Day 15 - Return to the UK

After a final breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to London Heathrow, travelling via Dubai.

Day 16 - London

We touch down in the English capital and our adventurous holiday comes to an end.

Additional information

Please note

This tour includes an excursion at high altitude, which may be unsuitable for people with some medical conditions.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Visa requirements
Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hotel Mayfair, Darjeeling

Hotel Mayfair, Darjeeling

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The Oberoi Grand Hotel, Kolkata

The Oberoi Grand Hotel, Kolkata

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Tiger Nest Resort

Tiger Nest Resort, Paro

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Lhaki Hotel, Phuentsholing

Lhaki Hotel, Phuentsholing

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RKPO Green Resort

RKPO Green Resort, Bhutan

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Lemon Tree Hotel, Siliguri

Lemon Tree Hotel, Siliguri

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Druk Hotel, Thimphu

Druk Hotel, Thimphu

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Train

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

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Upgrades

Flight upgrades
London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.8 stars4.8 / 5 · 22 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (18)
  2. 4 stars
    (4)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

M Richards

5 stars

Submitted 6/Mar

Great Rail has done it again! Another fabulous holiday. Everything I could have wished for. The service of our Tour Manager was first rate, especially when we had to relocate to another hotel in Darjeeling at very short notice. The work she put in to ensuring a great adventure was deeply appreciated by all. Thanks also to the team at GR who put together the itinerary - whilst we added a few excursions when time permitted, I really felt that they had given us the best insight, especially in Bhutan. Keep both the Tour Guides as well - excellent friendly service, imparting as much knowledge as they could. You are a great company GR, thanks are not enough, but I highly recommend you whenever there is an opportunity.

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Alan Moon

5 stars

Submitted 29/Feb

Brilliant holiday of so many contrasts. Superb organisation with excellent Tour Manager and first rate local guides. A great range of experiences. Top class hotels, food and travel arrangements. Recommend without hesitation.

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Carolyn Roberts

5 stars

Submitted 29/Feb

This was a great opportunity to visit a country (Bhutan) not well known to Westerners, but which is fascinating, beautiful, tranquil, calm, historic, supportive etc etc. The tour guide and (particularly) the local guides were absolutely excellent and managed our admittance into several festivals that re almost unknown to overseas travellers. The contrast with India made for a most rewarding and stimulating experience.

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Susan

5 stars

Submitted 30 Nov 2023

A really interesting visit to two totally different countries - from the hustle and bustle of Kolkata to the genteel colonial area of Darjeeling to the serenity of Bhutan. All the guides were very knowledgeable and our Tour Manager Anne kept everything running smoothly.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr Burton, Thank you for your review. That is brilliant to hear! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

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Customer Dr R Peatfield

5 stars

Submitted 27 Nov 2023

Very well planned and organised tour; impeccable leadership from Anne Forrest

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Dr Peatfield, Thank you for your review. That is brilliant to hear! I will make sure to pass your praise across to our Tour Management team for Anne. Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

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Andree Kemp

4 stars

Submitted 26 Nov 2023

A most memorable trip.The guides we had were committed and knowledgeable. The Bhutanese guides were sweet and most sincere with a great love of there country and hope for the future Anne Forrest was superb----- professional, outgoing and supportive. My only disappointment was that we only really saw into the life of one village.It had superb craftsmen working there but we were rushed through it. Maybe one temple less and one village more ----with time to spend in it.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mrs Kemp, Thank you for your review. That is brilliant to hear! I will pass your feedback across to our Product team so we can look at altering this itinerary for the future. Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

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