2013 tea gardens of sikkim and darjeeling

Superb heritage accommodation combined with historic sites, cultural interest

and short walks make this a fabulous exploration of the

best of Sikkim

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Accommodation: Hotels and guesthouses

Duration: 15 Days, London to London

Leader: Local leader

Grade Cultural Tour

Min/Max group size: 2/12

Guaranteed to run for 2

Trek Leader: Local leader

Land only: Joining in Delhi

2013 dates and prices: Land only Flight incl from

Sat 23 Mar - Sat 06 Apr £1,995 £2,645 Sat 12 Oct - Sat 26 Oct £1,995 £2,795 Sat 14 Dec - Sat 28 Dec £1,995 £2,795

Tea Gardens of Sikkim and Darjeeling

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A delightfully relaxed trip visiting the Himalayan home of the 'champagne of teas'.

tel: 01453 844400 fax: 01453 844422

[email protected] www.mountainkingdoms.com

2013 Tea Gardens of Sikkim and Darjeeling.doc Prepared DB 02/11/12 Rev 02/07/13

Introduction

• Spend time on active tea plantations • Ride the celebrated ‘Toy Train’ • Stay in the world renowned Windamere Hotel in atmospheric Darjeeling • Visit several spectacular Monasteries and laid-back Kalimpong • Explore the sites of two of Sikkim’s former capitals as well as Gangtok, the current capital

You begin your tour in the hill stations of Kurseong and Darejeeling, where you will visit some of the best known tea gardens famed for producing the ‘Champagne of teas’. You will ride the iconic Toy Train, visit Observatory Hill with its fantastic back drop of Mount Kanchenjunga and wander the bustling mall with its echoes of the Raj. Moving on you will visit the only tea estate in Sikkim and stay in a heritage farm house on a working farm, set in idyllic countryside. Sikkim is a land as famed for its rich flora and many exotic orchids as it is for its Buddhist culture. You will visit the site of two of its former capitals and many ornate Buddhist monasteries as well as visiting the modern day capital, Gangtok. As a fitting finale to this trip you will travel to enchanting Kalimpong, a veritable melting pot of Himalayan cultures, where you will stay in a charming hotel with many historical echoes. Sikkim Formerly Sikkim was an independent kingdom but nowadays it is a federal state of India. The territory is roughly square in shape and is bounded to the north, east and west by three watershed ridges; to the east and north the border is with Tibet while to the west the border with Nepal runs along the Singalila Ridge, a spur of Kanchenjunga. The southern border with West Bengal is formed by two mountain rivers, the Rangit and the Rangpo, both of them tributaries of the Teesta. Nowadays Sikkim proper begins at the foot of the mountains, but in former times encompassed Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Sikkim's landscape is dominated by the massif of Kanchenjunga and the 31 kilometre long (18.6 miles) Zemu glacier on the western border. The long Teesta valley, traversing the whole country from north to south, allows the summer monsoon to push intense rains far to the north and owing to the heavy precipitation in this part of Himalaya Sikkim has many deeply cut narrow valleys and the mountainous landscapes of upper and lower Sikkim are heavily forested. In the lower levels can be found the wet forest of Sal - a hardwood related to teak and host to more than 600 species of orchids. Higher up is a great variety of forest landscapes - tropical evergreen mountain and rain forests, characterised by tree ferns and epiphytes. Higher still there is bamboo, oak, beech, chestnut, giant magnolia, rhododendron trees and, highest of all, various species of conifers. In Sikkim tropical plants of different climatic regions mix as nowhere else in the Himalaya. A similar variety exists in the animal world, with over 500 species of birds in this small area alone. Antelope, wild sheep and goats as well as wild asses and yaks can be found in the north while in the forested valleys live bears, red pandas, silver foxes and leopards and in the south, rhesus macaques, langurs and other species of monkey.

Tour Leaders Your tour leader will be a knowledgeable, fluent English speaking Indian guide. Experience and ongoing training are key aspects to good leadership and alongside our Indian partners we work hard to ensure high standards are maintained.


OOuuttlliinnee iittiinneerraarryy Days 1-3 Fly to Delhi and on to Bagdogra. Drive Kurseong. Day 4-6 Visit Tea Gardens, take train to Darjeeling, sightseeing. Days 7-8 Drive to Rinchinpong and Yangsum Heritage Farm House, walks. Day 9-11 Drive to Gangtok via Pelling and Yoksom, monastery visits, sightseeing and walks. Day 12-15 Visit Kalimpong, fly to Delhi and then fly to London.

Mountain Kingdoms Responsible Tourism Policy Award winners Mountain Kingdoms has a top five star rating for sustainable tourism from the Association of Independent Tour Operators' (AITO) and is a previous winner of the prestigious annual AITO Responsible Tourism Award. Our commitment Mountain Kingdoms is committed to responsible tourism, through policies and practices which permeate all aspects of its business. Our policies aim to ensure that we and our clients act in a way which is socially, environmentally and culturally sound. We feel strongly that all Mountain Kingdoms holidays should benefit local communities, protect the environment by minimising pollution, and respect local traditions, religion and heritage. We tread lightly - low volume, low impact trekking/touring is the best way of preserving the beautiful and fragile places we visit. We work with organisations such as Tourism Concern, International Porter Protection Group (IPPG), Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service (TICOS), AITO and various charities, to help achieve our responsible tourism goals. Our Initiatives We support a number of Responsible Tourism initiatives and organisations in many of the destinations we visit. Our main initiative is raising funds for Northpoint School in Nepal and to date we have raised over £14,000. Other examples of our recent ongoing work are the Simien Mountains Mobile Medical Service, the Bridge Project in Zanskar and support for the Village Education Project in Kilimanjaro. Further details of all our Responsible Tourism initiatives can be found at www.mountainkingdoms.com. Porter Protection In the countries where we use porters such as Nepal and Peru, we feel that the issue of porter protection is immensely important. We support the work and the aims of the IPPG (International Porter Protection Group) and as such we have a set of guidelines to adhere to and which we apply worldwide. Carbon off-setting Working with the Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service (TICOS) we offset the carbon emissions for every Mountain Kingdoms holiday booked by clients that includes a flight. TICOS allocates this money to a school in Ladakh, India which Mountain Kingdoms has supported for many years. Clients who book a Land Only trip with us may like to make their own contribution via the TICOS website www.ticos.co.uk.

FFuurrtthheerr iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn:: When we receive your booking we send you a full trip dossier which contains details of visas and vaccinations required, a suggested gear and clothing list and lots of useful information. If you do have queries at this initial stage do ring us on 01453 844400 and we will be pleased to offer advice.


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DAY 1 –SATURDAY: DEPART LONDON. Depart London for your overnight flight to Delhi.

DAY 2 – SUNDAY: ARRIVE DELHI. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon will be at leisure to relax or explore. Overnight hotel. DAY 3 – MONDAY: FLY TO BAGDOGRA AND DRIVE KURSEONG (1,458m/4783ft) 1½hrs drive. After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bagdogra. Upon landing at Bagdogra you’ll be met by your guide and driver and will drive up the winding road which takes you from the plains to Kurseong at 1458m/4783ft, just 32 kilometres from Darjeeling. This pleasant small town, surrounded by famous tea gardens, produces some of the finest Darjeeling tea in the world. It is also famous for its orchids. You will spend the night at the delightful Cochraine Place surrounded by tea gardens and with great views of Kanchenjunga. Time permitting you will visit the tea research centre or walk around Castleton tea garden, which supplies tea to the British Royal family. Cochraine Place is the restored British Colonial home of Percy John Cochraine and has a unique tea bar where a local expert will advise and make a wide range of delicious teas. Overnight Cochraine Place. (Meals B, L, D) DAY 4 – TUESDAY: TEA GARDEN VISIT AND TRAIN TO DARJEELING (2,134m/7,000ft). After breakfast, there’s a visit to Ambootia tea garden. Here you will witness tea production first hand – from plucking tea with the village women, to processing in the factory. Lunch will be a simple fare at a family home of one of the workers. This afternoon you drive to the local railway station and take the train along one of the world’s most famous narrow gauge railways to reach Darjeeling. Transport awaits you here for the short drive you to your hotel. Overnight Hotel Windamere. (Meals B, L, D) DARJEELING Straddling a ridge in the Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya and surrounded by tea plantations on all sides, Darjeeling has been a popular hill station since the British established it as an R&R centre for their troops in the mid-1800s. The industrious British, not averse to mixing a little business with pleasure, recognised that the quality of the soil and the mild climate were ideal for tea cultivation, and the forested hill slopes were soon denuded of their cover and planted with this most lucrative revenue earner. These days, people still come here to escape from the heat and humidity of the north Indian plain. You get an indication of how popular Darjeeling is from the 70 or so hotels recognised by the tourist office and the scores of others which don't come up to their requirements. Here you will find yourself surrounded by mountain people from all over the eastern Himalaya who have come to work, to trade or - in the case of the Tibetans - as refugees. Mother Teresa spent her early years as a nun here with the sisters at Loreto Convent and Lawrence Durrell was educated at the prestigious St Joseph's College. DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY: SIGHTSEEING IN DARJEELING (2,134m/7,000ft). Today you will visit the Everest Museum at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. You then continue to the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre where you can see carpet making and other handicrafts and perhaps visit the centre’s shop for some souvenir shopping. Just a 10 minute walk from the hotel is Roseberry School, a primary school which has recently opened for disadvantaged children. The teachers and children would be very happy to receive English speaking visitors, and if you are interested in making a visit, please talk to your leader and he will arrange this for you. Small cash donations to the school would be appropriate and extremely well received. Later in the day you will visit


the local market and the tea shops where you can try identifying the different qualities of tea. In the early evening you might also walk out to Darjeeling Mall a place truly evocative of the days of the Raj, bustling with pilgrims, tourists and locals alike. Here in full view of Kanchenjunga Indian tourists gather to walk the Mall, ride ponies or listen to a brass band. There are some amazing shops here too such as the Oxford Book Store which has been here since the days of the English and there is also the opportunity to barter for souvenirs with Tibetan street salesmen. Overnight Hotel Windamere. (Meals: B,L,D) DAY 6 – THURSDAY: IN DAREELING AND WALK THROUGH VILLAGES TO JORBUNGALOW. You can take an early morning walk to the top of Observatory Hill (locally known as “Dara”). Here you will witness an amazing sight of Buddhists and Hindus offering prayers side by side. Buddhist prayer flags hang across trees as Hindu temple bells ring. In the afternoon you have a choice of activities.

Train schedules permitting you may take an excursion (called by the Indians a ‘joy ride’!) on the ‘Toy Train’ to Goom. As this train excursion cannot be guaranteed we have not included the cost in the holiday and you should pay locally (approx £3). The train chugs its way out of Darjeeling, stopping on the way to take on water, and then stops for a further 10 minutes at the famous Batasia Loop for passengers to get down to take photos of the train and of the mountains. You return to Darjeeling town by the same train. (If you think you will want to take the train journey instead of the walk please let us know well in advance as train tickets may sell out if you do not book in good time)

There will also be the option of a pleasant walk taking about three hours. This will be an easy, almost level walk from Darejeeling, along a jeep track with no vehicular traffic, through the bustling villages of Toon Soong and Alubari. Along the way you will have great views of the mountains and especially Kanchenjunga. You will arrive at the village of Jorbungalow where you will meet your transport back to Darjeeling. On the way back you will stop off to visit the Sangachoeling Monastery.

Overnight Hotel Windamere. (Meals: B,L,D) DAY 7 – FRIDAY: DRIVE TO RINCHINPONG (1,500m/4,921ft)

VIA TUKVAR TEA ESTATE, 6hrs drive. Firstly you will visit the Tukvar Tea garden for a walk around the tea gardens. Planted in 1852 this is the first Tea estate in the history of Darjeeling Tea Plantations. You then continue your drive to Rinchinpong, situated in Sikkim almost directly north of Darjeeling. The drive today is spectacular and takes approximately 5-6 hours. Firstly from Darjeeling on its ridge you descend steeply to the valley of the Great Rangit River which you cross to enter Sikkim. Then the road winds up and down but mostly up, past carefully tended terraces of rice, ginger and other produce clinging to the steep valley slopes. Watch out for the numerous amusing road signs along the way, such as ‘Better to be late Mr Motorist than the late Mr Motorist!’, ‘It's not a rally, enjoy the valley’, 'Road is hilly, don't be silly’ – on such precipitous roads these admonitions are understandable. Situated just 2kms from Rinchinpong the Yangsum Heritage Farmhouse was built in 1833 and remodeled in 1966 and is currently run by Thendup Tashi, Dorjee Laden, and Pema Chiki, of the Tsechu Tharpa family. They manage the 44 acre mountain farm which consists of open mixed forest of pine, Himalayan alder, schima, chestnut, magnolia, rhododendrons, cherry and others. They grow a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. The farm is fully organic. Here one can enjoy typical Sikkimese hospitality and perhaps take one of the paths on the farm to visit a local school or nearby village. Overnight Yangsum Heritage Farmhouse. (Meals: B,L,D)


DAY 8 – SATURDAY: WALK TO RESUM MONASTERY & RETURN THROUGH FOREST, approx 5 hrs. Today you will drive to Kaluk (15/20 minutes drive) and then hike through thick forest to reach Resum Monastary. The sunrise from Resum monastary is the best during October/November time. After visiting the monastery you will descend through thick forest, passing by villages. The original inhabitants of Sikkim were Lepchas and you may visit an old Lepcha house, which is perhaps 200 years old, to see this dying tribe's architecture and culture. You will then walk down through forest back to the farm. Overnight Yangsum Heritage Farmhouse. (Meals: B,L,D) DAY 9 – SUNDAY: DRIVE TO PELLING (2,072m/6,800ft) 3 hrs drive. VISIT PEMAYANGTSE (2,085m/6,840ft) RABDANTSE AND SANGACHOELING. Today you will drive to Pelling a pleasant town situated on a ridge with fantastic views across to Kanchenjunga. There are three sites of great historical interest near Pelling, all reachable on foot if you so choose. From Pelling you can either drive or you can walk up to Pemayangste monastery (2km) and visit the second oldest monastery of Sikkim. Most famous here is the "Sangthok Palri”, a masterpiece in carved and painted wood, depicting the various levels of earth and heaven on the way to Nirvana. This was the vision of one master, created over a period of seven years. Also nearby is the famous monastery of Sanga Choeling. Situated in forest near Pelling Sangachoeling is one of the oldest in Sikkim, dating back to 1697 although rebuilt since after several fires. You can also drive the short way down the hill from Pelling town and walk through forest to visit Rabdantse, the old capital of Sikkim (approximately 1km each way on a good paved path). Here you can see the ruins of the old royal palace and ancient chortens and foundations belonging to the old ceremonial buildings of the capital. The site is being looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India and although some might find it perhaps a little too ‘over restored’ to be truly atmospheric, the 360° views from the ruins are quite exceptional. You can see across the valley to the township of Rabangla, the mountains to the north and the monastery of Pemayangste on a nearby hilltop just above. In Pelling there might be the opportunity to visit a local kindergarten as well as exploring the town. Overnight Hotel Mount Pandim. (Meals: B, L, D) DAY 10 – MONDAY: DRIVE TO KHECHEOPARI AND WALK TO LAKE. DRIVE TO YUKSOM AND VISIT DUBDE MONASTERY. In the morning you drive a short distance (1 hour) to Khecheopari bazaar and take a pleasant walk uphill to the sacred Khecheopari lake. From here it is then a short drive for about 30 minutes to Yuksom. This little village is famous in Sikkimese history as the first king of Sikkim was crowned here. The first monastery of Sikkim, Dubde is also located here. By the lake the stone throne where the king was crowned can be seen. From near the lake you can walk up the hill past fluttering prayer flags to a calm spot in the forests which bears the imprint of the Guru Rinpoche’s foot on one of the rocks. Overnight Hotel Tashigang, Yuksom. (Meals: B, L, D) DAY 11 – TUESDAY: DRIVE TO GANGTOK (1,547m/5,074ft) 5½ hrs drive. Today you will drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Although not far geographically the drive takes longer than you would think because of the steep and precipitous valleys you have to negotiate to reach there. On the way you will visit Temi Tea Gardens, the only tea estate in Sikkim, established in 1969 and acclaimed as one of the best tea estates in India, if not the world.


GANGTOK The capital of Sikkim, Gangtok (which means 'hilltop'), occupies the West Side of a long ridge flanking the Tanipul River. The scenery from Gangtok is spectacular and there are excellent views of the entire Kangchenjunga Range from many points throughout the city. Many people expect Gangtok to be a smaller version of Kathmandu. It's not, but it is an interesting and pleasant place to stay. Gangtok only became the capital in the mid-1800s (previous capitals were at Yuksom and Rabdentse), and the town has undergone rapid modernisation in recent years. Gangtok has also become something of a hill station resort, being a popular holiday destination for Bengalis. The influx peaks during the 10-day Dura Puja holiday period at the end of September or early October, when Bengalis converge on the town en masse from the plains. To the north are Enchey Gompa and the telecommunications tower. The palace of the former chogyal and the impressive Royal Chapel (the Tsuk-La-Khang) are lower down along the ridge. Nearby is the huge Tashiding, or Secretariat complex, and, below it the relatively recently built Legislative Assembly, both executed in a traditional architectural style. On a continuation of this ridge but much lower is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, an Orchid Sanctuary and, not far beyond the institute, a large chorten and adjoining gompa.

This afternoon you will visit the important monastery of Rumtek - have your passport ready with you as it is frequently needed to make this visit! The monastery was built in the 1960s by his holiness Gyalwa Karmapa to replace the old Rumtek monastery which was destroyed by an earthquake. Rumtek is now the seat of Karmapa Rinpoche. It is the newest and perhaps the most impressive monastery in Sikkim both in size and grandeur. It has very interesting paintings, statues and a stupa containing ashes of the 16th Karmapa. In recent years in Rumtek there has been a strange and interesting power struggle going on between two high lamas, both of whom claim to be the true reincarnation of the Head of the Karana Sect. Also worth visiting is the Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies in the monastery complex.

Overnight Norkhill House Hotel. (Meals: B, L, D) DAY 12 – WEDNESDAY: VISIT ENCHAY MONASTERY AND DRIVE TO KALIMPONG (1,246m/4,091ft) In the morning it is worth getting up really early in order to catch the first rays of the sun as they hit Mount Kanchenjunga. Later you will spend time sightseeing in Gangtok. Your first port of call will be Enchey Monastery, located above the town in forest, and offering a brilliant view of the Kanchenjunga range. This beautiful place is an important monastery for the Nyingmapa sect, a sect to which the Sherpas of Nepal also belong. You may also visit the Orchid Sanctuary, nearby which houses about 200 of the total 454 species of orchids found in Gangtok. Finally, you will visit the world-renowned Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology. This building perched on a hill top in forest of magnolia and oak is built in the typical Tibetan style of architecture. The institute promotes research on the largest collections of books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism in the world. There are about 30 thousand volumes and translations of the original teachings of Buddha, and various other treatises of other venerable Buddhist scholars from around the world. The institute also has a museum which has an impressive collection of antiques and some fine thangkas, miniature paintings depicting the life and times of Buddha. Close by is the huge golden-topped Do-drul Chorten or the Phurba Chorten, shaped like a stupa (a dome-shaped structure) with 108 prayer wheels around the periphery. This white painted chorten, with its many-coloured Buddhist prayer flags, is visible from many parts of downtown Gangtok. Close to the chorten is the Guru Lhakang Monastery and also a school for Buddhist studies. Later you will drive to Kalimpong, a drive of some 80 kilometres which will take approximately 2-2½ hours. Overnight at the Himalayan Hotel. (Meals: B, L, D)


KALIMPONG Kalimpong, a town of about 50,000 persons, is located on a ridge overlooking River Teesta with fantastic mountain views. The town is a real cultural melting pot and is home to many other ethnic groups including many ethnic Nepalese. Formerly part of Sikkim, the town was a gateway for trade between India and Tibet and was also a jumping off spot for much of the 19th and 20th century exploration of the eastern Himalayas and Tibet. The town is also known for its educational institutions, many of which were established by Scottish missionaries during the British colonial period. Nowadays Kalimpong is a centre of ginger growing and is well known for its horticulture. Its flower market is famous for its orchids. DAY 13 – THURSDAY: SIGHTSEEING IN KALIMPONG (1,250 m/4,101 ft). Today you will visit the local markets, Dr. Graham’s homes school and orchid/cactus nurseries in this idyllic, laid back town, a perfect place to relax and end your trip. Overnight at the Himalayan Hotel. (Meals: B, L, D) DAY 14 – FRIDAY: DRIVE TO BAGDOGRA – 80 kms/50 miles, 3½-4hrs drive.

FLY TO DELHI. After breakfast you will depart Kalimpong with a heavy heart as you leave the mountains to travel down to the Indian plains at Bagdogra. Here you will board your plane for Delhi. In Delhi you will be met and transferred to your hotel. You will then have the rest of the day free in Delhi for sightseeing and shopping. In the evening you may choose to splash out on a final meal to celebrate the end of your trip, possibly at the plush Bukhara Restaurant at the Sheraton Hotel, once described as 'the finest Indian cuisine on planet earth'. Although smart the prices there are not too steep when compared to an equivalent meal in a similar setting in Europe or the USA and Mountain Kingdoms clients have in the past certainly considered it to be worth a visit. Overnight hotel. (Meals: B) DAY 15 – SATURDAY: DEPART DELHI AND ARRIVE LONDON. After breakfast you will transfer to the airport for your flight home.


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Delhi JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Max °C 21.1 23.9 30.6 36.1 40.6 38.9 35.6 33.9 33.9 33.9 28.9 22.8

Min °C 6.7 9.4 14.4 20 26.1 28.3 27.2 26.1 23.9 18.3 11.1 7.8

Darjeeling

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Max ºC 8 9 14 17 18 18 19 18 18 16 12 9

Min ºC 2 2 6 9 12 13 14 14 13 10 6 3

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• If you would like to extend your trip to India, we would be happy to arrange additional nights' accommodation in Delhi and one or more sightseeing tours. Alternatively why not consider a visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal, easily reached from Delhi by road or rail.

• For those looking for a longer, two centre holiday we can also offer an extension into Bhutan, readily accessible by road from Kalimpong. Mountain Kingdoms has perhaps more experience in Bhutan than any other UK travel company and we’d be delighted to use our expertise to plan the perfect trip for you.

• Every year we organise many tailor made trips to India and Sikkim, including adapted versions of this itinerary. Prices for couples and small groups are very reasonable and dates can be set to suit you.

Please contact us on 01453 844400 to discuss these or any other ideas.

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Hotels: Delhi: We will use the Metropolitan or Claridges Hotel, both good 4 star establishments.

Kurseong: Cochraine Place, a heritage hotel and the former family home of Percy John Cochraine. The hotel, an old colonial house, is surrounded by tea estates and has wonderful mountain views.

Darjeeling: We have been using the world-famous Windamere Hotel for 20 years and our clients unfailingly sing its praises. It is a step back 80 years to the Raj, with cucumber sandwiches for tea, coal fires in the bedrooms and a fascinating collection of historic photographs on the walls.

Rinchenpong: We use the Yamsung Heritage Farm. An organic farm where you will have great views and home cooked organic food.

Pelling: Here we use The Hotel Mount Pandim. Almost every room in this heritage hotel offers spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga range

Gangtok: We stay at the Norkhill Hotel. This is one of the best heritage properties in Gangtok. If this is unavailable we will stay at the Netuk House Hotel a traditional Sikkimese family house, now run as a small hotel with splendid food and traditional service.

Kalimpong: The Himalayan Hotel. This famous hotel is very much a Kalimpong institution. Originally the family hotel of David MacDonald, the British Trade Agent to Tibet in the early 20th century, it still belong to the same family. All the great names from Himalayan exploration and early expeditions to Everest have stayed here.

Meal plan: Bed and Breakfast in Delhi, all meals elsewhere.

Flights: International flights: We use Jet Airways or a reputable IATA airline for the international flight from the UK to India.

Internal flights: For our return flight to Bagdogra we use the excellent Jet Airways or Indian Airlines.


Important note: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary but as this is adventure travel, we cannot guarantee it! By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected, particularly in remote and/or mountainous regions. A variety of factors such as adverse weather conditions, difficulties with transportation and the health of group members can all contribute to the need to make changes, often at the very last minute. Changes can affect any part of the itinerary including overnight stops, duration of walking days, choice of accommodation and routing. Your trip leader will make every effort to maintain the integrity of the original itinerary and minimise the impact of any changes, but an easy-going and flexible nature is a real asset! Please note that all timings and distances given are approximate. Mountain Kingdoms aims to offer the best value for money. We do not charge extra for meal packages or local charges and try to ensure that all the key elements of your holiday are included - you won't get any nasty shocks! Therefore the price includes:

An English speaking Indian leader Economy class return air fares from the UK & UK

Departure Tax (flight inclusive only) All internal flights and hotel/airport transfers Good standard hotel accommodation (4 star) in

Delhi, bed and breakfast, twin share basis Best available hotels in outlying towns, usually

on full board, twin share basis

All road transport by private vehicles All meals outside from Delhi Sightseeing where specified Carbon offset for clients taking our flight-

inclusive option A lightweight Mountain Kingdoms rucksack

The price does not include:

Travel insurance Visa fees Lunch and evening meals in Delhi

Indian airport departure taxes Optional trips Tips

WWiillll tthhee ttoouurr rruunn?? This trip is guaranteed to run for 2 people. In the rare event that we cancel a holiday we will refund you in full and give you at least 6 weeks warning. During 2012 many trips were full, therefore if you want to secure a place(s) on the dates of your choice we do advise you to book early.

Optional single supplements - available for solo travellers who would prefer not to share accommodation Single room: £645

Insurance: From: £77 (please contact the office for details)


Kangchenjunga

Enchy monastery

lepcha house Khecheopari Lake

Rangit River Tea pickers


Mountain Kingdoms Ltd, 20 Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 7BT Tel: 01453 844400 Fax: 01453 844422 Email: [email protected]

www.mountainkingdoms.com

Reasons to book this holiday with Mountain Kingdoms:

The extensive experience of our office team, combined with the knowledge, contacts and attention to detail of our local partners, means you are assured of a high quality holiday. This itinerary has been designed in conjunction with a very experienced Indian travel company specialising in trekking and adventure holidays, well used to providing the levels of service we know our clients expect.

This itinerary provides an in depth exploration of Sikkim, with plenty of exercise, but instead of tents you will stay in comfortable hotels and lodges.

Throughout this trip you will stay in some of the region's most special heritage properties including: the famous Windamere in Darjeeling; a 19th Century farmhouse in Yangsum, and the historic Himalaya hotel in Kalimpong.

When you book your holiday we will send you a comprehensive Dossier, which contains all of the information you need to help prepare for your trip, including; health/medical requirements, clothing/equipment lists, climate information, general country information and a list of background reading you might be interested in.

Unlike many of our competitors we impose a maximum group size of 12 for this trip. This provides for a genuine small group travel experience and helps reduce the negative aspects associated with larger trekking/tour groups.

As our minimum group size for this holiday is only 2 this trip is extremely likely to get “up and running”. Some of our competitors have larger minimum group sizes and therefore regularly have to cancel “under-subscribed” trips.

We use a reputable IATA airline for your international flights, eg Jet Airways. With our IATA licence and experienced in-house flights team we can also readily offer alternative airlines, routings, or stopovers.

Mountain Kingdoms has an award winning Responsible Travel Policy, and we work hard to ensure all our local partners adhere to our standards and procedures. We pay special attention on trip to environmental issues such as waste management. We pay a contribution to TICOS (Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service) for every client that books international flights with us. This funds projects where there is a real additional and measurable carbon saving benefit.

All holidays booked with Mountain Kingdoms come with 100% financial protection. We are members of The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) and our land-only holidays are covered by a bond secured with the AITO Trust. Flight inclusive holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under ATOL licence number 2973.

We routinely research, reconnoitre and develop our trips ourselves: all of our Operations Managers have travelled in the areas covered by this trip. Christine Andrews has visited most of the properties we use on this trip and undertook many of the walks and road journeys. We believe this underlines our commitment to ensuring you have the best experience in the Himalaya.

2013 tea gardens of sikkim and darjeeling

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