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Overview
Darjeeling, a town in India’s West Bengal state, in the Himalayan foothills. Once a summer resort for the British Raj elite, it remains the terminus of the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or “Toy Train,” completed in 1881. It’s famed for the distinctive black tea grown on plantations that dot its surrounding slopes. Its backdrop is Mt. Kanchenjunga, among the world’s highest peaks.

Tour Highlights
- Explore Darjeeling, a land of infinite variety and charm in the Himalayan foothills
- Visit ancient temples and holy monuments to gain spiritual insight into Darjeeling’s ingrained Buddhist philosophy
- Experience the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or “Toy Train,” completed in 1881
- Visit the distinctive black tea plantations that dot the surrounding slopes of Darjeeling
- Experience the panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, amongst the world’s highest peaks
Itinerary
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Day 1:
Delhi to Bagdogra (Fly) – Darjeeling
Welcome on arrival at Bagdogra and drive to Darjeeling (95Kms/ 2.5Hrs.). Dorje, the mystic thunderbolt of the Lama-Religion was the origin of the name Darjeeling, which was first discovered by a British Captain Loyd in the year 1829. Surrounded by tea gardens Darjeeling is a land of infinite variety and charm which will cater you a mix-experience of lively nature & charming Himalayan people. This little town faces some of the highest peaks of the Himalayas. Evening free for individual activity and leisure, overnight at Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 2:
Darjeeling Sightseeing
Early morning a start for Tiger Hill to watch the spectacular sunrise and its amazing effects on the Mt. Kanchendzonga (Worlds 3rd highest peak), Visit Ghoom Monastery and Batashia Loop War Memorial while returning to the Hotel. After breakfast transfer to Darjeeling station to enjoy your Toy Train Joy Ride (subject to availability) – this unique Mountain Railway’ project was first started in 1878 by the initiative of Sir. Ashley Eden and is now a World Heritage. Padmaja N. Zoological Garden (Closed on Thursday) established on August 14, 1958. It specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions.
Later proceed to visit the Tukver Tea Estate – also popularly known as Puttabong Tea estate has quite a reputation for itself for producing one of the finest brands of Darjeeling Tea. It is the First Tea Estate in the history of Darjeeling Tea Plantation (Planted by the pioneering British Tea Planter Dr. Campbell in 1852). This garden is one of the biggest tea estates in Darjeeling comprising of 5 divisions located at a stretch of approximately 20 Km from Darjeeling city to Sikkim State border.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 3:
Darjeeling To Pemayangtse & Local Sightseeing
After breakfast visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday) was founded in Darjeeling on 4th November by Pandit Nehru who said that “The institute trains young men not only to climb Himalayan peaks, but also create in them an urge to climb peaks of human Endeavour”. HMI has the oldest mountaineering Museum of the country established in 1957.
Later proceed Tibetan Refugee Self-help Center (Closed on Sunday) established on 1st October, 1959, following the dramatic escape of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, thousands of Tibetans leaving hearth and home, fled into the neighbouring countries to live as free human beings. The production of Tibetan handicraft is the centre’s main activity. Evening enjoy a short walk across the Mall and Local Market (Closed on Thursday).
Evening enjoy a short walk across the Mall and Local Market (Closed on Thursday). Overnight at hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 4:
Darjeeling | Bagdogra |Delhi
After breakfast drive to Bagdogra airport to board the flight for Delhi.
What’s included
- Escorted Roundtrip Airport Transfers
- Internal Flights
- All transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary by Innova / Similar (04 Pax per vehicle) at Darjeeling
- Daily breakfast & dinner
- English speaking Escort / Guide from Bagdogra | Darjeeling | Bagdogra
- Toy train joy ride at Darjeeling (subject to availability at the time of booking)
- All entry fees, porter & parking.
- Daily refreshment and mineral water throughout the tour.
What’s excluded
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Recent Reviews
Dorothy and I just wanted to let you know what a great time we had with you and our fellow travellers during our recent adventure in India.It was indeed a 'TRIP OF A LIFETIME' and excellent value -- one we will always cherish. Your attention to detail was incredible, the hotels were fantastic, the food was superb and your assistants couldn't do enough for us Please thank them again on our behalf.
Peter & Dorothy
North Vancouver, Canada
We could not be more pleased with our trip to India. Everything went better than ever expected. The whole experience was first rate from hotels to excursions to meals to our bus and the drivers. I cannot say enough about how well treated we were and that was due to Rajeev. He was so concerned about our comfort and wellbeing. From my birthday flowers to the cake, taking us to the market and getting us to every destination nothing was left to chance. I have already suggested your company to friends and hope they will use your excellent service. Again my best wishes and thanks for a wonderful adventure.
Nancy Douglas & Carolyn
Sutton, Canada
Namaste! We hope you are doing well and also enjoyed your group tour in India. Finally, we have adjusted to the time zone at home and have recovered from the jet lag.First of all, we would like to thank you for the amazing experience that we had during our trip to India. Every detail from the airport meet and greets, pickups, hotel check-ins, day trips, restaurants, sightseeing trips, etc. was looked after with tremendous precision from all of the staff members on the team. They looked after us day and night for the entire trip. Rajasthan and surrounding areas Rajeesh - checked up on our group constantly and spoke with us during our entire journey. He was extremely friendly, courteous and happy to discuss any detail that we needed. Arvind - our tour guide, was extremely organized, knowledgeable, passionate, engaging, friendly, and accommodating to everyone’s needs. He was a pleasure to travel with. Kulvinder - our driver was so gentle and always waited for our group with a smile and kept us safe through the chaotic, busy, hectic and crazy roads in India. He never once showed any frustration during the trip. Amit - greeted us each time we got off and on the bus with a friendly, beautiful big smile and made sure we had water, pop, etc. and that we cleaned our hands regularly with sanitizer and wipes. He also helped us on and off the van without hesitation. This four men as a team made our trip smooth, seamless and unforgettable. The hotels were superb; the itinerary was wonderful; an overall excellent experience. South India Rajesh - Our driver and tour guide through Kochi, Munnar, etc. was amazing. He attended to all of our needs including perfect photo stops along the way, tea breaks, meeting the locals, and adjusting our schedule on the fly. We had several other guides, but they were very short term, no more than an hour or two each, and were very site specific. Rajesh is an extremely bright young man with legendary driving skills. Those driving skills were constantly needed on the dangerous, narrow, windy, potholed roads to and from Munnar. We highly recommend that you specifically request him for other clients traveling to south India. He was introduced as our ‘driver’, but in reality was our guide. He should be encouraged to take the tour guide exams and be promoted to guide or other suitable positions. We will definitely, without hesitation, recommend you and your company to family and friends. Happy Holidays and take good care
Robin & Marilyn de Goutiere
Vancouver, Canada
Don't give it another thought - we all arrived at the airport in plenty of time for the flight. We were absolutely satisfied with everything about the tour. Our guide was excellent and we enjoyed the whole experience. We will definitely recommend your company. Travelled with a great group and quickly became friends. Unfortunately it was a foggy day for the Taj Mahal viewing, but what can you do? Loved the rickshaw ride through the alleyways. Happy Holidays to you too. Thanks for everything.
Rob Carson
Port Coquitlam, Canada
We have arrived home safely. Your team in Delhi is to be commended. We were taken care of so well. Every detail!. Special thanks to Yajur. He saved me when I was so sick I could not eat. Rouf was also exceptional as was Rajeev ( sorry about the spelling) India is an exciting country and we are so Pleased that Explore India has such a fantastic tour with exceptional representatives.
Brian & Carol
Ottawa, Canada
Nazir, I would like to thank you for your efforts towards helping me plan and organizing my holiday to India. I enjoyed the experience immensely. I was very grateful for the way you took my vague plans and turned them into a worthwhile and rewarding actuality and I found everything that you promised me, did happen, and more. Before I mention aspects of the holiday I thought were particularly enjoyable . This was my first visit to India, though I have travelled independently through Indonesia, Mexico, Peru and other countries, despite this, India was bewildering. I am happy to say that my naiveté was not abused. I feel I got full value from the money I paid. I was pleasantly surprised by the thoroughly professional way that train, plane and hotel reservations were honoured. I was more than satisfied with my driver Hash, he was pleasant company and I was impressed by the relaxed way he coped with the difficult driving conditions. I appreciated his concern for me at all times and I was often the beneficiary of his local knowledge and contacts in the places we visited. I now realize that driving is stressful and not for the fainted hearted driver or passenger. Overall I was more than satisfied with the help I received from your organization. I have no hesitation in recommending you to my friends when they consider a holiday to India.
Bruce Jerrit
Chicago, USA
Namaste! What can I say, what's Hindi for fabulous? Thank you so much for Planning such a wonderful tour for us, we thoroughly enjoyed it. India is a country of many layers and we loved them all. I must say that the highlight for me was the Taj Mahal...I actually cried when I saw it, it is so beautiful, no picture could ever do it justice. Everywhere we went was interesting in it's own right, but that was amazing. Accommodation: Great Food: Delicious Itinerary: Perfect The only thing that needs more words is the wonderful staff. Rajeev Sharma managed every little detail and checked to make sure that everything was going well. Mahee was like a happy mother hen that watched over us and gave us so much information I thought my brain would explode...I learned so much about the Indian culture that I could never have learned in a book. Rama our driver has to be the best driver in India, he could maneuver that bus around anything. Surinder (not sure of the spelling) his assistant was always there giving us snacks and water and guiding the bus. I have never seen such competent staff on a vacation. We were also most fortunate to have a wonderful group of fellow travelers and we all plan to get together next month. I would not hesitate to recommend Explore India to any of my friends.
Vivien Murray
Vancouver, Canada
We just wanted to thank you for putting together such an amazing trip for us. The drivers, helpers, tour guides and accommodations were all first class & the itinerary was amazing. We really appreciated your guidance through our booking & your colleagues in India as well. Thanks again! I will definitely be passing along your contact info to a # of people. Cheers.
Gaye and Brant Wishart
Halifax, Canada
Thank you, Nazir. Our entire experience in India has been amazing. You have some very special people working for you. And I sincerely hope that they are appreciated. In particular, I have to mention Raj and Arvind. As you know, Shirley and I arrived two days ahead of the rest of the tour group. We met with Raj who became like a big brother to us. With our safety in mind, Raj continually checked on our well-being, made some terrific suggestions including restaurants and even arranged for us to meet with a numerologist, which had been on our wish list for India. He was always asking us if we were happy and if there was anything else he could do for us. He arranged taxis, made some excellent suggestions and went out of his way to make our dreams a reality. We felt very safe. Arvind was an excellent guide. He gave 150% to everything he did. There is no doubt in my mind that this part of our tour would've been entirely different and not nearly as spectacular had it been anyone different. Arvind was more than a tour guide. He educated us on the history of India, the poverty, spirituality, rituals, food, the different religions and much much more. His day was never over. He was always planning more than was included on our agenda. Surprises and extra activities – he was a very generous man. Very trustworthy and honest. he managed to please everyone on the tour which is no easy feat. I cannot say enough about Arvind. He made our whole trip. Another guide worthy of praise is Lo Chen on the Darjeeling portion of the trip. A very gentle and caring man. He was so amenable to suggestions and also went the extra mile to show us the highlights of this part of the country. Very knowledgeable. I had a fantastic trip. I loved India and I hope one day to return. It has a very special place in my heart. I hope that my comments will be helpful to you and please pass on my thanks to Mandira who always responded quickly to any questions we had and gave us lots of interesting information before we left. Namaste,
Lynn Graham
Kelowna, Canada
We want to thank you for a truly wonderful trip. It exceeded all our expectations. The itinerary was fantastic, our guide Azur (The spelling of his name eludes me) very professional taking care of EVERY detail, the accommodations were incredible, the food was delicious. Superlative adjectives are not enough to describe how great this trip was! We are very experienced travellers and can appreciate the complexity involved in such a voyage. Our guide was obviously very experienced and knowledgeable. He navigated through the trip seamlessly without a hitch, even when India made our 500&1000 bills almost worthless. Words cannot describe how pleased we are that we chose Explore India. We will be passing on the word about your company at every chance we have! Please feel free to pass on our name to anyone who is considering travelling with you.... Warmest regards,
Dr. Steve and Mrs. Rosalyn Fremeth
Ottawa, Canada
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