• Return British AIrways flights from London Heathrow*
• 18x nights' dinner, bed and breakfast
• 10x lunches
• All transfers, entrance fees, sightseeing visits, and excursions as listed in the itinerary
• Toy train from Darjeeling to Ghoom (please note that this is not air-conditioned)
• Forest permits for India and Nepal and camera permits
• Services of an expert naturalist at The Red Panda Outpost
• Services of an accompanying English-speaking Indian tour manager (Day 2 to Day 11)
• Assistance on arrival and departure at airports
• All taxes, fees and gratuities
• 2x 500ml bottle of mineral water per day

*Please note, you can also opt to arrange your own travel and join the tour in Kolkata

Day One

14:25 – depart London Heathrow on British Airways flight BA0227 to Hyderabad

Day Two 

05:20 - arrive at Hyderabad Airport

08:15- depart HYD on Indigo flight BA7952 for Kolkata

10:25 - arrive at Kolkata Airport. You will meet your Tour Manager at the terminal exit and transfer to your hotel, Taj Bengal 5* for breakfast and a morning at leisure. You will then enjoy lunch at the hotel before check-in.

Kolkata is renowned for its vibrant people, rich culture, distinctive cuisine, music, literature, and cinema. Nicknamed the ‘City of Joy’ and widely regarded as India’s intellectual capital, Kolkata’s recorded history began in 1690, with the arrival of the East India Company, who designated Kolkata as the capital until 1911. Remnants of the colonial era are still visible today - in its trams, India’s first underground railway, and grand Victorian architecture. Kolkata also has strong ties to many of India’s Nobel laureates, including Rabindranath Tagore and Mother Teresa.

Afternoon - experience the beauty of a Kolkata sunset from the River Ganges on a serene boat ride to the Belur Math temple. Your journey will take you past many of the city’s most iconic landmarks and the onboard guide will share stories and fascinating insights as you go. Snacks are served onboard and the experience includes a visit to Belur Math.

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Three 

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning - visit St Paul’s Cathedral, noted for its Gothic architecture and reputed to be the largest church in Kolkata and the first Anglican cathedral in Asia. Then visit to the iconic Victoria Memorial.before heading to The Mother’s House - Missionaries of Charity, established by the Blessed Mother Teresa. The last stop is South Street Cemetery.

Lunch at the Elgin Fairlawn, a colonial-era style hotel built by William Ford in 1783 on land he purchased from Sheikh Ramjan and Bhonay. Since then, the building has been shaped by the hands and minds of generations of families whose memorabilia is still here, contributing to its unique heritage

Afternoon - Visit the Botanical Gardens, a serene sanctuary amidst the bustle of Kolkata, threaded with lakes that flow into the Ganges. At its heart stands the legendary Great Banyan Tree (over 250 years old!), its vast canopy, supported by hundreds of aerial roots like natural columns, spreading across more than 4 acres: a living forest in the form of a single tree.

Late afternoon - at leisure or take part in the optional excursion:

Optional excursion: Visit a local market, followed by a cooking demonstration and Bengali meal

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Four 

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning - visit the elegant James Prinsep Memorial, a colonial-era Palladian porch honouring the renowned scholar. Continue to the 130-year-old Mullick Ghat Flower Market, the largest in Kolkata and one of the biggest in Asia before exploring Kumartuli, the famed Potters’ Colony where intricate clay idols are crafted for Hindu festivals and export. Drive past Dalhousie Square with its grand colonial architecture.

Lunch at the Glenburn Penthouse, a discreet, elegant residence known for its exquisite collection of antique Bengal colonial furniture and artworks and spectacular views of historic Kolkata.

Afternoon - at leisure or take part in the optional excursion:

Optional excursion: Kolkata food walk with tasting

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Five 

Breakfast at the hotel and check out

09:50 - depart Kolkata airport on AirIndia Express flight IX1595 for Bagdogra

11:05 - arrive at Bagdogra Airport and begin your journey towards Gangtok. We will stop en route at the Lemon Tree Hotelfor lunch surrounded by greenergy and tea gardens. 

Afternoon - drive on to Darjeeling where we will you check into The Elgin Nor-Khill

Nestled in an idyllic setting with a refreshing climate and stunning views of Kanchenjunga, Darjeeling has a long history, even before becoming a popular hill station during British colonial times in the mid-1800s. The region is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, vibrant Buddhist monasteries, expansive tea plantations, bustling markets ideal for bargain-hunting, and scenic trekking routes.

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Six 

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning - visit Rumtek Monastery, the largest and wealthiest monastery in Sikkim, followed by a simple lunch in local style at the Bamboo Retreat

Afternoon - return to Gangtok for an afternoon at leisure or choose from two optional experiences:

Option 1: visit Ray Mindu Village, known for its traditional food and handicraft centre
Option 2: visit Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Seven 

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning visit to Lake Tsomgo, part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape. (Please note, as this lake is located in a restricted area, all nationals must obtain special permits. Your guide will arrange these.) 

Return to Gangtok for lunch at the hotel followed by a visit to the Orchidarium. Recently re-opened following renovation, this tranquil oasis celebrates the diversity and beauty of orchids.

Afternoon -  at leisure or choose from two optional experiences:

Option 1: visit to Do-Drul Chorten stupa and Tashi Viewpoint
Option 2: visit to Tsuk-La-Khang and Enchey Monastery

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Eight

Breakfast at the hotel and check out, transferring to Darjeeling.

Nestled in an idyllic setting with a refreshing climate and stunning views of Kanchenjunga, Darjeeling has a long history, even before becoming a popular hill station during British colonial times in the mid-1800s. The region is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, vibrant Buddhist monasteries, expansive tea plantations, bustling markets ideal for bargain-hunting, and scenic trekking routes.

Lunch at The Elgin Hotel, where you will also be staying.  

Afternoon - enjoy a sustainability talk with a renowned Darjeeling personality

Dinner at the hotel

Day Nine

Rise early for an excursion to Tiger Hill, where, as dawn approaches, the horizon gradually shifts in colour before Kanchenjunga - India's highest peak - and the surrounding Himalayan range are bathed in golden light (weather permitting). If you would rather not go up Tiger Hill, you can choose to walk from the hotel to a viewpoint near the hotel from where you will be able to see the sunrise.

Return to the hotel for breakfast

Morning - enjoy a nostalgic toy train ride from Darjeeling to Ghoom, India’s highest railway station, where you will visit Ghoom Monastery, home to a 15ft-tall gilded statue of the Maitreya Buddha.

Lunch at a hotel in Darjeeling

Afternoon - embark on a sightseeing tour of Darjeeling to learn about this history city. During the tour, you'll visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, where you can see equipment used by Mr. Tenzing Norgay during his summit. Next, enjoy a visit to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, home to a range of Himalayan animals, including the red panda, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, Tibetan yak, Himalayan black bear, and various bird species. The final stop is the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, established in 1959 following the arrival of Tibetan refugees who fled with the Dalai Lama. Run by the Tibetan community, the centre focuses on the preservation of traditional handicrafts, such as leather work, paintings and woodwork.

Evening - return to the hotel for dinner 

Day Ten

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning - explore the Happy Valley Tea Estate on the misty hills near Darjeeling where the world famous teas are grown. Mild in character, Darjeeling teas are known as the 'Champagne of Tea'. You will see the various stages of tea manufacture and enjoy a tasting session.

Lunch with a local family - Mr. Uday Mani Pradhan, former District Governor of the Rotary Club and a respected lecturer at a renowned Darjeeling college, will warmly welcome you with a traditional khata (scarf). Enjoy an informal conversation about the city and its local customs as you savour tea and coffee accompanied by authentic Nepali snacks. Your hosts will introduce you to the rich flavours of Nepali cuisine, followed by the opportunity to taste the delicious dishes you've just discovered.

Afternoon - at leisure 

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Eleven

Breakfast at the hotel and check out

Morning - at leisure with lunch at the hotel

Afternoon - drive to Siliguri, a lively gateway city once blanketed in dense forest, now famed for tea, timber, and tourism. Arrive late afternoon and check into the comfortable Courtyard by Marriott, Siliguri/

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Twelve

Breakfast at the hotel and check out

Morning - embark on your journey to the Red Panda Outpost near Singalila National Park, climbing over 2,500 metres in the process. The drive to Jaubari is a long one, so a packed lunch will be provided, just sit back and enjoy the views. The final part of the route will be in a 4x4 vehicle due to the roads in this remote area. You will arrive at the homestay by early evening, where dinner will be provided.

Perched on the Singalila Ridge (2,100–3,600m), this exotic Himalayan park offers mesmerising views from Sandakphu—the world’s only vantage point framing Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Lhotse in one panorama. Its lush broadleaf forests burst with oak, maple, magnolia, 39 rhododendron varieties, 650+ orchids, and dense bamboo undergrowth. Pioneering the first zoo-bred red panda rewilding programme, Singalila now ranks among the planet’s premier red panda habitats, alongside clouded leopards, Himalayan black bears, leopards, serows, barking deer, and over 300 bird species like blood pheasants and satyr tragopans.

Days Thirteen - Sixteen

Nestled in Jaubari eco-village, the Red Panda Outpost runs on a community tourism model - creating local jobs while safeguarding Singalila’s forests.

Each dawn, expert trackers scout contiguous Nepal-India forests for fresh red panda signs. Join them if you wish, then follow a naturalist to any confirmed sightings via 4x4 (or short hike through dense undergrowth for the final stretch). Picnic on-site or return for lunch, depending on the day’s flow.

Misty late afternoons suit quiet relaxation, lodge birdwatching, fireside evenings, and shared dinners.

Note: Wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed; afternoons often bring poor weather.

Day Seventeen

Breakfast at hotel, check out and return to Siliguri, arriving in time for lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon - at leisure

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Eighteen

Breakfast at the hotel, check out and head to Bagdogra airport for your flight to Kolkata

12:00 - depart Bagdogra on AirIndia Express flight IX1596

13:15 - arrive at Kolkata airport and transfer to your hotel, the Taj Bengal

Remainder of your day at leisure

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Nineteen

Breakfast at the hotel

A day at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities, relax by the swimming pool or pamper yourself in the hotel spa.

Evening - dinner at the hotel

Day Twenty

Early check out and transfer to Kolkata airport to catch flight home

07:05 - depart on AIr India flight AI2644 for Mumbai

09:55 – arrive at Mumbai Airport

13:10 - depart Mumbai on British Airways flight BA0198 for London

18:15 - arrive at London Heathrow

Tour ends

Read more about our optional excursions and visits below in "Deeper Dive" section