Himalayan Kingdoms

Prices 24 days from £5,190pp

Days 1-2 Fly to Kolkata

Fly overnight to Kolkata. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 3 EXPLORE KOLKATA

Enjoy a relaxed morning before venturing out for an afternoon tour with visits to the magnificent Victoria Memorial and Kalighat Temple - you'll also see Fort William.

DAY 4 TRAIN TO NEW JALPAIGURI

Get up early to visit a fragrant flower market and view the cantilever Howrah Bridge. Stop by Kumhartuli, the artisan colony and see a Jain temple. Later board a train to New Jalpaiguri before driving to Siliguri to spend the night.

DAY 5 DRIVE TO DARJEELING

Head out of Siliguri through endless tea plantations to the famous hill station of Darjeeling, which is located at a cool 2,134 metres.

DAY 6 EXPLORE DARJEELING

Rise before the sun to catch it rising over Mt Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill, which you'll reach by jeep. On the way back to Darjeeling visit Yiga Choling Monastery. Later, all aboard the famous 'Toy Train' which winds its way through the lush green hills and plantations before enjoying the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute.

DAY 7 INTO SIKKIM

Drive north to Pelling, crossing into the state of Sikkim. Pop into Pemayangtse Monastery, one of Sikkim's oldest, where you can find tranquillity along with amazing views.

DAY 8 KHECHEOPALRI LAKE

Visit the spectacular Khecheopalri Lake, considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus, and the magnificent Kanchenjunga Falls.

DAYS 9-10 DISCOVER GANGTOK

Drive through more spectacular scenery to Sikkim's vibrant capital Gangtok, stopping at 18th-century Tashiding Monastery en route. There is nowhere better to enjoy exotic flowers and mountain panoramas. The next day visit the Enchey Monastery, the Sikkim Research Institute of Technology.

DAY 11 RUMTEK MONASTERY

Begin the day at Dharma Chakra Centre and old Rumtek Monastery, before hitting the road to the bustling bazaar town of Kalimpong.

DAY 12 KALIMPONG AT LEISURE

Take a day to catch your breath and enjoy some leisurely explorations of Kalimpong - there are plenty of spots to enjoy Himalayan panoramas and also flower nurseries full of local orchids.

DAY 13 GORUMARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Take a jeep safari into the depths of Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary, where you might be lucky enough to spot a one-horned rhino, elephants, leopards and bison.

DAY 14 INTO BHUTAN

Cross into Bhutan and continue to Phuentsholing. Later visit the Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang Temple in the centre of the town.

DAYS 15-16 DISCOVER THIMPHU

Hit the national highway to Bhutan's capital Thimphu, stopping en route at Kharbandi Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The next day, explore the city with time at the National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum, the Handicrafts Emporium and Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum and Trashi Chhoe Dzong.

DAY 17 TRAVEL TO GANGTEY

Drive over the dramatic Dochu La mountain pass admiring the views as you travel to the Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in the region and explore Gangtey village and the surrounding valley.

DAY 18 WALKING IN GANGTEY

Enjoy a day of leisure with the option of a hike through the valley for exceptional views across the stunning landscape.

DAY 19 RURAL BHUTAN

Leave Gangtey for Punakha visiting the Black Necked Crane Information Centre en route. On arrival visit Punakha Dzong before hiking through the paddy fields and local villages to Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the temple of fertility.

DAY 20 DISCOVER PUNAKHA

This morning visit the magnificent temple complex at Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery. Later appreciate the incredible views from Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten which is said to have been built to promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world.

DAY 21 TRAVEL TO PARO

Drive to Paro, stopping en route at the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom. Paro is surrounded by some of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, visit Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong.

DAY 22 TIGER'S NEST MONASTERY

Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) is Bhutan's most famous monastery, perched on the side of a cliff 900 metres above the Paro Valley. It can only be reached by a moderately challenging hike along a woodland trail - the views along the way are the perfect distraction! Returning to Paro, visit Kyichu Lhakhang.

DAY 23 FLY TO KOLKATA

Rise early to fly back to Kolkata,where you'll have the afternoon at leisure.

DAY 24 FLY KOLKATA TO UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

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From £5,190 per person

Please contact us for alternative dates, durations and departure airports. Prices shown are for guidance only and are subject to availability.

Call our specialists on 01202 544876