Off-The-Beaten-Track Sikkim & West Bengal

DAY 1  DEPART UK 

 Depart the UK on your flight to Kolkata.

DAYS 2 & 3  KOLKATA

On arrival at Kolkata Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay. Venture out in the afternoon in an iconic Ambassador taxi to visit the memorial to Queen Victoria, the last Empress of India. 

The following day, embark on a walking tour of the vibrant and diverse city of Kolkata, known as the artistic and cultural capital of India. You’ll travel by public ferry and take in the fascinating sights, sounds and aromas at the markets, historical sites and landmarks in the company of your knowledgeable local guide. 

DAYS 4 & 5  PALIGHAR HOMESTAY

You will be transferred to Kolkata Airport for a short flight to Bagdogra before being transported through remote Bengal up towards Kalimpong. Spend the next two nights at the Palighar Homestay, just two cottages set amongst farmland about 30 minutes from Kalimpong. 

A stay here is unique, and you’ll have hands-on opportunities to experience rural Himalayan life as you immerse yourself in the natural beauty and local ways of life. Head out on guided walks, learn about farming in the area and take part in cooking classes. You can even set out on a six-hour guided hike through rural, forested landscapes and beautiful Himalayan villages, enjoying a picnic lunch along the way. 

DAYS 6-8  MARTAM

Your next destination is Martam, a four-hour drive away, where you’ll stay for three nights in a rustic, ancestral home perched on a hillside overlooking rice terraces. On your first full day, your guide will take you on a tour of Gangtok and its surroundings, beginning with a visit to one of the largest working monasteries in Sikkim. Along the way, stop to learn about the area’s local industries and traditional means of employment as you get a chance to see how people make their products and works of art. 

A stay at Martam Village Resort is all about experiencing the natural beauty of the area. Spend your second day enjoying the quiet, scenic surroundings on walks around the rice terraces, or chill out at this humble, laidback property. 

DAYS 9-11  BIKSTHANG FARMHOUSE

Journey about five hours along the winding roads of Sikkim to the Biksthang Heritage Farmhouse, a Sikkimese ancestral home converted into a rural farmstay. The beautiful, idyllic setting amongst pine and fruit trees in a pristine Himalayan hamlet provides an ideal location to relax for the next three nights. 

You will have a chance to not only experience the natural beauty of the area but gain an understanding of the local ways of life here - the family who runs the property are incredibly knowledgeable about Sikkim's history. Spend your time getting to know the area and heading out on hikes, which can range from casual strolls to uphill walks to a local monastery. Take a dip in the pool and enjoy the delicious local fare made from fruit and vegetables grown on the working farm, or have a go at cooking a meal yourself. 

DAY 12  NAMCHI 

The journey to Namchi, a bustling commercial town, will take around two hours and you’ll be here for an overnight stay. At around dusk, you’ll visit the enormous Char Dham Temple sitting above the town. Here you will enjoy a memorable puja ceremony in an unusual setting to round off your Himalayan adventure. 

DAYS 13 & 14  KOLKATA & FLY HOME

The journey back to Kolkata consists of a four-hour drive to Bagdogra and a one hour flight. Stay overnight in Kolkata before flying home the following morning.