From bustling Kolkata with its rich colonial heritage, head to the astounding natural beauty of Darjeeling and Sikkim on a journey into the Himalayas. Discover verdant tea plantations, Buddhist monasteries and breath-taking views across snow-capped mountains on a trip to a unique and less visited part of India.
Become one of the privileged few to say they have experienced this beautiful kingdom in this relatively untouched corner of the Himalayas.
Dinner
Upon arrival into the 'City of Joy', transfer to tonight's hotel and uncover the magnificent sights of this city of contrasts on an enlightening afternoon orientation tour. Be transported back in time with a visit to one of South Asia's finest surviving Colonial centres, Dalhousie Square, a bustling plaza in the heart of modern Kolkata. Fringed by a spectacular array of historical and architectural wonders catch a glimpse of the high roofed white dome of Kolkata's General Post Office and the impressive St Paul's Cathedral. A remarkable example of Gothic Revival architecture, three intricately embellished stained-glass windows dominate the cathedral's majestic facade and flood its ornate interior with a spectacular kaleidoscopic showcase.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, embark on a short flight to Bagdogra before twisting through the fluctuating landscapes of Darjeeling, an area often referred to as the Queen of Hills. With a tranquil ambience, Darjeeling serves as India's core tea growing district, affording breath-taking views of rolling hills and emerald green tea plantations which stretch along the horizon. Framed by some of the world's highest pinnacles, the imposing peaks of the Himalayas establish an unforgettable backdrop.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Early this morning, ascend 8,300ft into the dizzying heights of Tiger Hills to see the first peek of sunlight emerge over the tips of Mount Kanchenjunga and Everest from the highest point in the Darjeeling Hills. A picturesque descent leads you back to the hotel for breakfast. Later this morning, the charming Toy Train zigzags along narrow, mountainous tracks through small villages and lush green vegetation to reach the iconic Batasia Loop, an encircling segment of railway track, constructed to ease the mountain's steep gradient. A popular observation point, disembark to wander twisting pathways and blossoming gardens and discover the centralised poignant war memorial, dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives in various wars after Indian Independence.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, transfer to the largest town and capital of Sikkim, Gangtok; an area of supreme beauty, this tiered district one of the most beautiful areas in the state. En-route to the heart of Gangtok, stop at the small hillside retreat of Lamahatta, a peaceful village nestled amongst towering pine trees, and embark on a short hike within Lamahatta Park, where nature lovers will relish in this biodiverse haven, laden with an extensive variety of flora and fauna. Continue onwards to experience the charged energy emanating from one of Gangtok's oldest streets, the Lal Bazaar - a swarming market square where local vendors congregate to sell an abundance of produce, traditional clothing and electrical goods, to name just a few. A visual delight, feast your eyes on the market's vibrant showcase of fresh vegetables, before a leisurely stroll leads you to Gangtok's principle shopping boulevard - MG Marg, whose teeming shops, cafes and restaurants generates a dynamic ambience.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A full day city tour of Gangtok commences at the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloo,, a fascinating museum brimming with a varied collection of local arts and crafts. Next, venture to the Research Institute of Tibetology to examine a splendid exhibition of unique Tibetan artefacts, including statues, paintings and Thangkas; exemplifying traditional Sikkimese architecture, this distinctive establishment's foundation stone was laid by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1957. En-route to Tashiview Point, stop at the Do-Drul Chorten, which, crowned by a gilded dome, can be spotted from numerous vantage points across Gangtok. Later, discover a the 1,001 golden Buddha statues concealed behind the flamboyant walls of Rumtek Monastery, and conclude today's tour at Enchey Monastery, whose literal meaning translates as the 'solitary temple', a fitting name for this peaceful hillside sanctuary.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Departing Gangtok this morning, transfer to the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, visiting the quiet town of Kalimpong. A serene ambience dominates this religiously symbolic district which is intensified by copious monasteries and churches which pepper the landscape. At your own pace, spend the day at leisure to enjoy views of the Himalayas and explore the town's local architecture, where remnants of the British era continue to be seen.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of the sleepy town of Kalimpong, beginning at the extravagant Mangal Dham, a distinctive pink temple complex set amongst an excellently preserved garden which booms with a wealth of vibrant flowers, extending over 2 acres of land. Built in memory of the guru ShirMangaldasju who dedicated his life to serving the town's most deprived residents, this unique shrine one of the most significant religious centres in Kalimpong. Next, soar 1,704 metres above sea level upon DeoloHill, catching sight of spellbinding views overlooking the region, and gain an alternative perspective from the neighbouring Durpin Dara Hills. Finally, exhibited at Pine View Nursery, admire a dazzling showcase of more than 1,500 species of Cacti from around the globe, the largest singular collection in Asia, before enjoying an evening at leisure.
Breakfast & Dinner
Depart Bagdogra in the morning for your flight to Paro in Bhutan, offering incredible views across the entire Himalayan region. Your guide will meet you on arrival and accompany you to Thimphu, stopping en-route to admire the joining of the Thimphu and Paro Rivers at Chuzom before arriving at your hotel with some time to relax. In the afternoon visit the impressive fortress of Trashichoedzong, then ‘Buddha Point’ where locals chant prayers to the largest Buddha statue in Bhutan. In the evening explore Thimphu’s main market area and browse through paintings, handwoven textiles and jewellery.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Explore the Thimphu valley with a trip to the National Library and a weaving centre. Taking the scenic highway back to Paro appreciate the dramatic river valleys before arriving at your hotel late morning. Next visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower during the 1864 Duar War and now home to the National Museum focussing on royal memorabilia and Bhuddist art.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Visit the breath-taking Taktshang Monastery perched on the side of a cliff, a place of worship recognised as one of Bhutan's most famous monasteries. In the afternoon drive to the ruins of Drukgyel built back in 1649 as a control point along the route to Tibet.
Breakfast
Depart Paro after breakfast for your return flight to Kolkata, with the rest of the day at leisure.
Breakfast
Transfer to Kolkata airport for your flight to the UK.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
Due to frequent flight schedules changes by the domestic airline, some amendments may need to be made to the order of touring within Bhutan.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
India visa requirements
A visa is required for entry into India. British Citizen Passport Holders will need to obtain a tourist visa. You can apply for an E-visa no more than 30 days in advance. Your E-visa must be valid for your whole trip so please ensure the expiry date is for the whole duration of your stay. Alternatively you can visit The Indian Visa Application Centre in London: 142-148 Goswell Road, London, EC1B 7DU. We also work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. Additionally, you will need to complete an e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before your arrival. This can be done on the Indian visa website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in . Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months before you enter India. Visa requirements are subject to change and obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the traveller and not Mercury Holidays. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity.
Sikkim visa requirements
For Sikkim, an ILP (Inner Line Permit) is required which is available for no additional cost: simply mention the visit to Sikkim at the time of applying for your India visa. Or, if you already have a valid Indian visa and do not have an ILP, our tour escort can organise this for you (on arrival at the entry points).
To complete the permit online, you must visit https://www.sikkimtourism.gov.in/Public/Index/mandatorytourist and fill in the form. You will need to print the form and keep it with you and your other travel documents. On arrival with this form, you will receive the ILP from the Sikkim Tourism office at Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra Airport, Rongpoo & Melli Checkpost. Your photograph will be taken at these checkpoints and all documents (passport, visas) will be scanned by Indian Customs officials. The ILP is then issued. We strongly recommend that you bring a photocopy of the following documents, together with the original. Namely 06 copies of your photograph, 6 photocopies of your passport, and copies of your valid Indian Visa.
We strongly advise you to check with your destinations’ Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding required passport validity.
Bhutan visa requirements
Your passport must have an expiry date of at least six months after the date you arrive into Bhutan. British Citizens require a visa for Bhutan but Mercury Holidays will obtain it for you. The Mercury Holidays representative will give this to you before you depart India. To process the Bhutan visa, we require a colour copy of your passport page containing your passport number and picture in either a JPEG or PDF format to be emailed to mypassport@mercuryholidays.com a minimum of 45 days prior to departure. You also need to send us a colour copy of one passport size photo with a white background as well as a colour copy of your insurance confirmation including the company name and policy number. Failure to send us this information on time could result in you not being able to travel on your holiday and Mercury Holidays will not be liable for your lost holiday.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
Altitude sickness is a fairly common condition that can occur when you ascend to a high altitude (generally higher than 2,500 metres above sea level) quickly. The decrease in atmospheric pressure can make breathing more difficult as the body is not able to take in as much oxygen. Most cases are mild with symptoms that can include: headache, nausea, dizziness and exhaustion. Several of the places on your trekking holiday are located at high altitude. Therefore, you may find you experience some symptoms at this altitude. It is advised that at these high altitudes, you keep hydrated and avoid alcohol. If you do experience symptoms of altitude sickness during your tour, ensure you tell your guide immediately who will be able to advise the best thing for you to do.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights, climb stairs and get on and off coaches and boats. The tour pace of Darjeeling Sikkim and the Himalayas is rated Active due to the tour being packed with activities and experiences. A good level of fitness is required as you may be on your feet for approximately four hours in a day, though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and will vary from day to day. You will be walking around the sights, and you will be getting on and off coaches, trains and boats and climbing steps which may be irregular. You will stay in variety of hotels throughout the tour. Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
The currency in India is the Rupee. The Rupee is a closed currency and officially you are not allowed to take any cash out of India. US Dollars and GBP are also widely accepted in India should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. There are restrictions on taking Indian rupees into India. Visitors, including tourists, are not permitted to take any amount of Indian currency into the country. You can take cash or travellers' cheques (in pounds sterling or another foreign currency) and/or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in India. Please note that in smaller villages and towns, credit and debit cards may not be widely accepted, so it is advisable to carry cash for purchases. Cash machines will also be available in larger towns in order to withdraw money in your local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country.
The currency in Bhutan is Bhutanese Ngultrum and is officially pegged to the Indian Rupee. Also Indian Rupee is acceptable all over Bhutan. There are ATMs in Bhutan but currently they only operate with their respective Bhutanese banks. Since these ATMs currently do not function with outside banks, so ATM facility can't be used by visitors. Traveller's checks / cash are the best option so please ensure you have enough currency with you when you travel.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks and any additional snacks; Approximately £400- £450 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases.
Tipping
It is customary to tip your guide and driver. This is at your discretion, but we recommend you allow approximately £4-£5 for each guide and £2-£3 for each driver per person per day. It is asked that you tip in pounds and not local currency, please do not give coins as these are difficult to exchange. Your guide will also ask you for £1 or £2 a day to add to a kitty this is for the porters, waiters etc throughout your tour.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning you will have the services of an English-speaking guide during each excursion ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. Local monument guides (may) be provided in some cases, subject to the monument’s rules.
Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by an English speaking Driver Guide or a Driver and Local/Monument Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing.
Vehicles appropriate to the size of your group will be used on this tour. In Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok this may include 7-seater Innova Vans which due to the small roads and local conditions are the most comfortable way to travel. In some cases, there will be no more than four guests to one vehicle.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and India. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs. A triple room is available but please note that this will be a twin room with a fold away bed for the 3rd passenger.
Breakfast is always a combination of Indian and western style and served in the hotel each morning (sometimes a packed breakfast depending on train journey). Lunch and dinner where applicable will be taken in hotel/wayside restaurants. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegan, vegetarian and non-spicy meal options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. 2 bottles of water are supplied per person per day on your tour.
Alcoholic Drinks
There are some dry hotels in India, and some hotels where alcohol can be consumed on the premise but must be brought in from outside. Your guide will pre-warn you of this and if anyone in the group would like to purchase drinks before getting to the hotel then we will arrange for you to visit a local shop and get what you need wherever possible.
Dry days are when the sale of alcohol is not allowed. Most of the Indian states observe these days on major national festivals/occasions such as Republic Day in January, Independence Day in August and Gandhi Jayanti in October. Dry days are also observed during elections in India.
During visits to Churches/Temples please note long trousers or skirts should be worn to cover knees, Long sleeved tops should be worn to cover shoulders and ladies should bring a scarf to cover your head.
On your arrival in Kolkata you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Jayasree Travels & Tours, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Jayasree representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any queries you may have.
If you need to contact Jayasree Travels and Tours, during your stay the details are: Jayasree Travels and Tours: F 341-Ground Floor Lado Sarai New Delhi 110030 Contact number: +0091 9526188860 / +0091 995 898 8719
Emergency contact information
Telephone number 24 hr: Biju Unnikrishnan +0091 952 618 8860, Ms Jayasree Vikraman +0091 974 700 5888, Mrs Samitha Azhar +0091 974 471 3380, Mrs Rekha Anil 0091 9744813380 , Mr Amit Bhardwaj +0091 995 898 8719
E-mail: biju@jayasreetravels.com
