Eastern Himalaya D

Sikkim is one of India’s smallest but most beautiful states, situated in the far north-east of the Subcontinent the mighty Himalayas provide a magnificent backdrop and the area is home to countless thriving monasteries, a plethora of rare flora and fauna and a unique way of living.

Day 01: Arrive Kolkata
You will be met on arrival and transferred to the Pre-booked hotel. After breakfast you may like to venture out to sample the sights, sounds and atmosphere of one of India’s most colorful cities. Afternoon visit the Kalighat Temple & Victoria Memorial, Built in 1809 on the site of a much older temple, Kalighat gave the city its name Kolkata which was anglicised into Calcutta. Today the city has reverted to its original name. The patron goddess of the city, legend has it that when Shiva’s wife corpse was cut up, one of her fingers fell here making it an important place of pilgrimage. From this bastion of Hindu faith we travel to yet another landmark in the city which marks the British reign in India, the Victoria Memorial, a combination of Italian renaissance and Mughal architecture, it was the British attempt to replicate the Taj Mahal and is a museum dedicated to the Raj. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Kolkata – Bagdogra – Darjeeling (87kms/ 2hrs approx)
Morning after breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to Bagdogra. Arrive and drive straight drive through rolling hills to Darjeeling, into the hills and tea growing country. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Darjeeling
Early Morning, at you will be pick up for visit Tiger Hill for spectacular view of colour full sunrise over Mt. Kanchendzonga, on way back visit Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop and back to hotel. After breakfast visit Himalayan   Mountaineering Institute, P.N.Zoological Park (closed on Thursday) Tenzing Rock, Ropeway view point, Tibetans Refuge Centre (closed on Sunday), Happy valley Tea Garden (outer view), Lioyed botanical garden back to hotel. .Evening enjoy at Chowrasta  for shopping or full fill of curio collection hobby. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Darjeeling - Tonglu Camp
After an early breakfast, an interesting 26km drive takes us to Maneybhanjang (2134m), the starting place for out trek to Singalia Ridge. From here, we set off on the first part of our walk - a relatively short hike, ascending about 1000m, to the ridge-top settlement of Tonglu. As we zigzag up through the rhododendrons, we catch tantalising glimpses of Kanchenjunga ahead. We stay overnight in a comfortable ‘trekkers lodge’.

Day 05: Tonglu Camp - Garibas
The day starts with a downhill walk, leading us through a picturesque Nepalese village, where we will stop for lunch. After lunch, the trail takes us back on to the ridge for a short climb to Garibas. Our first few days trekking have been relatively gentle, so as to allow for acclimatization before moving up to Sandakphu.

Day 06: Sandakphu Camp
We set off on the long climb up onto the Singalila Ridge proper. Although it is a challenging climb, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse and the other smaller peaks of Sikkim and eastern Nepal. The night is spent in the trekkers lodge at Sandakphu (3600m). The lodge offers spectacular sunrise and sunset views of Everest, Makalu, Chamlang and Kanchenjunga.

Day 07: Sandkphu – Phalut
A long, but not too demanding, walk along the most spectacular section of the Singalila Ridge. Along the ridge the views of the snow capped Himalayas to the north and northwest are breathtaking. We camp at Phalut.

Day 08: Phalut - Ramam
Temporarily leaving behind the views of the Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalayas, we descend for most of the day, through forests of rhododendrons and magnolias, dotted with isolated patches of farmed land, to Raman.

Day 09: Rambak – Rimbick
In the morning we trek downhill, passing through farmland, scattered villages and forested terrain, to the crossing over the Siri Khola. This is followed by an uphill climb to the village of Rimbick, where our trek comes to an end.

Day 10: Rimbick – Darjeeling
After breakfast about 3/4h drive back to Darjeeling for overnight in Delightful hotel. Afternoon spent sightseeing in Darjeeling and soaking up the atmosphere of this exotic part of the world. The beautiful hotel gardens are home to a wide variety of Himalayan plants and shrubs. What better way to unwind than sitting on the balcony, sipping Darjeeling tea and looking out over the majestic Kanchenjunga, towering above.

Day 11: Darjeeling – Bagdogra – Kolkata
After breakfast, we drive down the Testa Valley to Bagdogra, where we catch the afternoon flight to Calcutta. Arrive in Calcutta and transfer to hotel, for few hours for dinner and wash and change, late evening transfer to the airport for your return flight to London.