Tea & Happiness in Darjeeling & Bhutan

On arrival at Kolkata airport, make the short journey by car to your central hotel.

Over the next few days, you will get a real insight into Kolkata; the former capital of British India is a riot of colour and where slums and shopping malls stand cheek by jowl with beautiful colonial architecture and green spaces. During your stay, enjoy a walking tour that takes in different neighbourhoods and the street food stalls of Gariahat Food market, providing a fascinating window into Bengali culture. Highlights also include a private riverboat journey on the River Hooghly complete with Indian snacks and local tea, and an evening at the Victoria Memorial, Kolkata’s most famous monument. The memorial is situated in the city centre, surrounded by acres of gardens and has a museum housing paintings, manuscripts and sculptures dating back to the British Raj.

Upon arrival at New Jaipalguri railway station, you will be met by your driver for the drive to Darjeeling. The journey can take a few hours. However, it is very scenic, and you will have opportunities to stretch your legs along the way. Tea plantations and Himalayan peaks flank the region.

Although there is plenty of time to relax here and gaze at the jaw-dropping scenery with a cup of fresh tea, you’ll also get a chance to ride the famous Toy Train to the small hillside town of Ghoom and take a jeep into Badamtam Forest where a naturalist guide will help you identify the birds, butterflies and rich plant life all around you.

Today, you’ll be transferred south by road to Bagdogra, where you’ll board a short 40-minute flight to Paro in the Kingdom of Bhutan.  In the company of your guide, you’ll drive from Paro to Thimphu where you’ll spend some time exploring the sights and sounds of this capital city. Tour the iconic monuments dive into to the bustle of the farmers’ weekend market and, if you’re lucky enough to be in town on a Saturday, observe the national sport of archery being played.

Thimphu is also the best place in the country to learn about the hugely important arts and crafts of Bhutan. The 13 skills include weaving and carpentry and they are an important part of the country’s identity. If you’d like to, have a go at creating your very own traditional work of art – it’s hard not to be inspired by the local talent around you!

Your guide and driver have a particularly scenic journey in store for you today as you travel through pine and cedar forests over the Dochula Pass and down into Punakha valley. If the skies are clear there will be stunning views of the Himalayas awaiting you!

There are interesting stops to be made en route too: visit a war memorial of 108 stupas built at the crest of the pass to commemorate Bhutanese soldiers and the fascinating Temple of Fertility in its idyllic position on a rotund hill.

The impressive and ancient Punakha Dzong is set on the confluence of the rushing Mo Chuu and Pho Chu rivers. Your guide will bring the spectacular complex to life for you – dating back to the 17th Century and the place where all Bhutan’s kings have been crowned, it is a beautiful and fascinating building to explore.

From Punakha, travel west with your guide and driver to the remote and incredibly scenic Haa Valley, close to the Tibetan border. Explore the villages and temples of this picturesque area including a 7th Century monastery and a local farmhouse where you can try your hand at making traditional dumplings.

En route from Haa to Paro, there is the option to stop at Chele La, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan where you can part the strings of prayer flags to reveal the most incredible views of the snow-capped mountains. From here you can either trek or continue by car to the fascinating Kila Nunnery, home to a truly isolated community of nuns.

Then descend by car into Paro Valley where there is time for an orientation tour with your guide. Perhaps end the day with tea and local wine and a round of archery at a traditional, old fashioned farmhouse.

You have the option to stay in a hotel in Paro and take a day trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery but, if you have a reasonable level of fitness and like a bit of an adventure, we’d recommend the 2-day hike via Bumdra – Cave of a Thousand Prayers. Either way, your guide will accompany you, and if you take the overnight option an expert trekking guide will join you too.

The overnight Bumdra option includes a day spent hiking through the forest and along ridges to 4000m altitude and your camping spot.  Don’t forget to hang your own prayer flags while you’re here, before descending the next day (whilst everyone else is ascending!) to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Hiking down from above is quite a special way to catch your first glimpse of Bhutan’ most famous sight.

After allowing plenty of time to explore inside Tiger’s Nest, descend into the Paro valley where your driver will meet you and take you to your hotel – it’s time to toast the end of your adventure with a drink and a fine meal!