India Adventure Holiday Packages: 8 Day North India Discovery

Highlights of the Trip

Are you looking to explore the exotic wonders of Northern India? Then look no further than the 8 Day North India Adventure, one of our best India Adventure Holiday Packages. Experience the majestic beauty of the Himalayas, ancient culture, and unique wildlife with the best of our tailor-made India tours – all within the 8-day period.

North India is home to some of the best places to travel in India – truly the country’s most breath-taking locations. Exploring these gems of North India is truly a unique and enriching experience. One of the best places to explore in North India is Bagdogra. Located on the outskirts of Darjeeling, Bagdogra is known for its beautiful tea plantations and sprawling valleys. From here, travellers can venture off to the nearby town of Kalimpong, an idyllic town nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Kalimpong is known for its Tibetan and Nepalese influenced art and architecture. Darjeeling is another must-visit destination in North India. This picturesque hill station is home to the heritage toy train, which takes visitors through the winding tracks of the Himalayas. Ghoom is particularly famous for its magnificent 15th century Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. To embark on an amazing journey to explore these majestic places in North India, Bagdogra is the ideal point of origin. It is a great way to see the beauty of North India in all its glory.

See our website for more India travel tours, including India holiday packages with sightseeing, India eco-tourism packages, India art tour packages, and more.

Destinations and the Landmarks / Sights to Visit

Gangtok

• Research Institute of Tibetology: A scholarly institution dedicated to the study and preservation of Tibetan culture, housing a vast collection of rare manuscripts and artifacts.
• Rumtek Monastery: A sacred Tibetan Buddhist site, renowned for its intricate architecture and spiritual significance as the seat of the Karmapa Lama.
• Do Drul Chorten: A revered Buddhist stupa, adorned with prayer wheels and religious icons, offering a tranquil space for prayer and contemplation.
• Enchey Monastery: A serene Buddhist temple, dating back to the 19^th century, known for its picturesque location and vibrant religious festivals.

Kalimpong

• The Flower Nurseries: Showcasing a riot of colours, cultivating diverse and vibrant blooms, this is a delightful destination for horticulture enthusiasts.
• Zang Dhok Palri Phodang: A sacred Tibetan Buddhist monastery, offering serene surroundings and housing rare religious artifacts.
• The Mountain Bazaar: A vibrant marketplace, nestled in the Himalayan foothills. This bustling bazaar offers a diverse array of local handicrafts, traditional artifacts, and fresh produce.

Darjeeling

• Darjeeling Mall and Chaurastha: Bustling promenades in the heart of Darjeeling, offering stunning views of the Himalayas and a vibrant atmosphere with shops, cafes, and cultural activities.
• Birch Hill and the Shubbery: Providing a tranquil retreat amidst nature, featuring well-maintained gardens and scenic viewpoints for a peaceful escape.
• Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: A prestigious institution known for training mountaineers and showcasing the history of Himalayan expeditions.
• Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre: A charitable organisation empowering Tibetan refugees through traditional crafts and providing insights into their rich culture.
• Ghoom (by Toy Train): Travelling to Ghoom by Toy Train is a nostalgic journey through scenic landscapes, offering a charming ride on the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
• Tiger Hill (outside Darjeeling): Famed for its breathtaking sunrise views over the Himalayas, showcasing the majestic peaks including Kanchenjunga.
• Happy Valley Tea Estate: A renowned tea plantation nestled amid the picturesque Himalayan landscape. Established in 1854, it stands as one of the oldest tea estates in the region.

Cultural Experiences & Activities of this Holiday

Toy Train Ride to Ghoom: Enjoy this nostalgic journey, immersing passengers in the heritage of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and charming hillside villages.

Happy Valley Tea Estate: Take a guided tour to explore the verdant tea fields, witness the tea-making process in the factory, and savour freshly brewed Darjeeling tea. The estate offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, making it a serene and educational destination for tea enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

The Kalimpong Mountain Bazaar: Visitors can immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere of this bustling market, exploring stalls filled with unique Himalayan treasures and experiencing the rich cultural tapestry of Kalimpong through its lively market scene.

Local Cuisine and Traditional Dishes to try while in India

During this tour, numerous opportunities will arise for you to savour the authentic local cuisine, whether from the menus of included meals or from your own culinary exploration during your free time in the itinerary. Don’t miss the savoury delights of biryani, a flavourful rice dish often combined with succulent meat or vegetables. Indulge in the diverse flavours of curry, whether its chicken, lamb, or vegetarian options, paired with aromatic spices and herbs. Savour the iconic street food, such as chaat, a tantalising mix of tangy, spicy, and sweet flavours. Delight your taste buds with dosa, a thin, crispy rice crepe, served with various chutneys and sambar. Try a touch of sweetness too, concluding meals with the rich variety of Indian desserts such as gulab juman, rasgulla, or kulfi. Embrace the diverse regional cuisines, and your culinary journey will be nothing short of extraordinary.

Water-based Activities and Cruises

Teesta Valley River Rafting, Kalimpong: You might like to experience exhilarating river rafting in the Teesta River, known for its varying rapids suitable for different skill levels.

Boat Ride on Mirik Lake, Darjeeling: You may wish to enjoy a boat ride on the serene Mirik Lake, surrounded by lush tea gardens and forested hills.

Accommodation of this Tour

Gangtok: Elgin Nor-Khill 5* (Located minutes away from the city centre. Excellent amenities including bar, café, restaurant, massage, sauna, spa, doctor, fitness centre, children’s playroom, and library.)

Kalimpong: Elgin Silver Oaks 4* (Located in the very city of the centre, perfect to walk around the main landmarks. Excellent amenities including bar, café, restaurant, massage, spa, gym, library, children’s playroom, and barbeque area.)

Darjeeling: The Elgin 4* (Located 1km from the city centre with superb amenities, including café, bar, restaurant, massage, sauna, spa centre, children’s playroom, and library.)

Itinerary

Day 1: Kolkata Arrival, Bagdogra Transfer & Gangtok Arrival

Once you arrive in Kolkata you will board your domestic flight to Bagdogra from Kolkata airport, our driver will be there to take you to Gangtok. Situated in the Eastern Himalayan range with an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft), Gangtok is the capital of the Indian state of Sikkim. It houses a population of around 100,000 belonging to different ethnic groups such as Nepalis, Lepchas and Bhutia. Being surrounded by majestic Himalayan ranges and enjoying a pleasant climate around the year, Gangtok has turned into the hub of tourism in Sikkim.

Overnight:      Elgin Nor-Khill

✓ Dinner

Day 2:  Gangtok Tour Including Do Drul Chorten

Do Drul Chorten is the biggest in Sikkim state and comprises of a stupa, prayer wheels, images of fierce gods and four entrance gates. Lastly, we will end the day with a visit to the 200-year-old Enchey Monastery. We will start off the day by stopping at the Research Institute of Tibetology founded in 1958 by the last Choegyal to maintain Tibetan heritage. With its library of over 30,000 volumes on Buddhism, astrology, medicine and philosophy, as well as an exhibit of thangkhas (Tibetan religious pictures), the institute is undoubtedly the most eminent of its kind. Following that, we’ll pay a visit to Rumtek Monastery, renowned for its architecture that is like the original one in Tsurphu, Tibet. Afterwards, we’ll head over the Do Drul Chorten, said to be the largest in Sikkim, it features a stupa, four gates, prayer wheels and statues of mighty gods. We’ll conclude the day at the two-century-old Enchey Monastery.

Overnight:     Elgin Nor-Khill

✓ Breakfast ✓ Dinner

Day 3: Kalimpong Transfer via Himalayas & Monasteries

Starting out the day today, your journey will lead you south into the forested hills. Your destination is Kalimpong, where you can explore ancient Buddhist monasteries that are scattered across the landscape. Kalimpong is known for its beautiful views of the Himalayas, various monasteries, and its unique nursery industry. Plus, there are wonderful trails that connect all these areas. When you arrive, you will be amazed to find the scenery to be awe-inspiring. As you wind down for the day, why not sip some beverages while looking out at the twinkling lights of the village from the hotel’s garden?

Overnight:     Elgin Silver Oaks

✓ Breakfast ✓ Dinner

Day 4: Kalimpong Tour with Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery

Beginning your day with a guided tour through a serene valley of terraced farmland and small villages, you will be able to take in the magnificent views. Along the way, you can stop to visit the Flower Nurseries, the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang, the largest and most beautiful monastery in Kalimpong, and the bustling bazaar that sprawls along a saddle-shaped mountain ridge. There is no shortage of adventure waiting to be explored!

Overnight:     Elgin Silver Oaks

✓ Breakfast ✓ Dinner

Day 5: Darjeeling Transfer via Tea Plantations

Today, we will embark on a picturesque journey to Darjeeling. The drive will take us through lush hills and tea plantations. At a soaring elevation of 2,134 m, Darjeeling was founded by the British as a mountain retreat where they could get away from the heat and rain in the lowlands. The area’s tea plantations originated in the 1840s.

Overnight:     The Elgin

✓ Breakfast ✓ Dinner

Day 6: Darjeeling Tour

Begin your excursion to Darjeeling, perhaps the oldest built-up site in India, at the mall, the commercial street lined with souvenir shops and leading to Chaurastha, a square with a bandstand and several antique shops. Continue north to Birch Hill and the Shrubbery, the residence of the Governor of West Bengal, and further down Birch Hill Road lies the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, once headed by the late Tenzing Norgay. If you’d like to learn more in-depth about the history of the area, visit the museum and view the equipment used on the first successful Mount Everest expedition. Lastly, be sure to visit the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, which features a temple, school, hospital, and a shop selling carpets, textiles, and jewellery.

Overnight:     The Elgin

✓ Breakfast ✓ Dinner

Day 7: Train Transfer to Ghoom, Mount Kanchenjunga, Happy Valley Tea Estate & Bagdogra Transfer

Begin your morning with a ride on the Toy Train to Ghoom, a small monastery built in 1875 that houses a 5-meter statue of the Buddha. After admiring the view, drive 10km south of Darjeeling to Tiger Hill to witness a stunning sunrise overlooking Mt. Kanchenjunga. On the way back, stop at the Happy Valley Tea Estate to experience tea tasting. Note that the Toy Train services are subject to operation.

Overnight:     The Elgin

✓ Breakfast ✓ Dinner

Day 8: Bagdogra Free Time & Departure Flight

After a free morning for final exploration of Bagdogra you will travel to Bagdogra Airport to take your connecting flight back home.

✓ Breakfast

Price

Price per person based on two-people group size: £1,567
– The price is subject to availability, based on twin or double room sharing
– Peak season surcharges may apply during local public holidays

Please note, this package is an example of our many exciting daily offers. We are happy to check up-to-date prices for the dates and times that suit you for your perfect package holiday, or to tailor or upgrade elements of any package. Please feel free to contact us at enquiry@asiara-holidays.com or call us on 01473 356 000.

Tour Summary

Day 1: Begin your journey with a flight to Bagdogra from Kolkata, followed by a scenic drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, nestled in the Eastern Himalayas.

Day 2: Explore Gangtok’s cultural treasures, including the Research Institute of Tibetology, Rumtek Monastery, Do Drul Chorten, and the historic Enchey Monastery.

Day 3: Journey south to Kalimpong, known for its stunning Himalayan vistas, ancient monasteries, and vibrant nursery industry.

Day 4: Immerse yourself in the serene valley landscapes, visit flower nurseries, and explore the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery and bustling bazaars.

Day 5: Travel through lush hills and tea estates to reach Darjeeling, a charming hill station established by the British.

Day 6: Discover Darjeeling’s historic sites, including the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, and enjoy a stroll along the mall.

Day 7: Experience a scenic toy train ride to Ghoom, witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga, and visit the Happy Valley Tea Estate.

Day 8: Spend your morning exploring Bagdogra before departing for your onward flight, concluding your memorable journey through the Himalayas.

FAQs

1. What are the main highlights of this tour?
   • This tour highlights the cultural and natural treasures of the Eastern Himalayas, including visits to Gangtok, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling, renowned for their monasteries, scenic landscapes, and tea plantations.
2. What is included in the accommodation during the tour?
   • Accommodation at luxury hotels such as Elgin Nor-Khill, Elgin Silver Oaks, and The Elgin, renowned for their comfort, hospitality, and authentic charm, is included in the tour package.
3. How will we be traveling between destinations?
   • Travel between destinations will be by comfortable private vehicles, ensuring convenience and safety throughout the journey.
4. Is there a specific time of year recommended for this tour?
   • While the tour can be enjoyed year-round, the best time to visit is typically during the spring and autumn months (March to May and September to November) when the weather is pleasant, and the landscapes are at their most vibrant.
5. Are meals included in the tour package?
   • Yes, daily breakfast and dinner are included in the tour package, offering a taste of authentic local cuisine along with continental options.
6. Will there be opportunities for shopping and cultural experiences?
   • Yes, the tour includes visits to local markets, monasteries, and tea estates, providing ample opportunities for shopping for souvenirs and experiencing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
7. Are there any physical activities or trekking involved in the tour?
   • While the tour primarily involves sightseeing and cultural experiences, there may be some walking involved during visits to monasteries and scenic viewpoints. Trekking options can be arranged upon request for those interested in more adventurous activities.

Tour Map