Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling
Started by a Scottish tea company in 1860, Glenburn has now passed into the hands of one of India's pioneering tea planting families, the... Read more
From fragrant tea plantations and snow-capped Himalayan peaks to bustling bazaars and the grandest colonial architecture, discover the hidden wonders of East India. Lose yourself in the soulful city of Kolkata, abuzz with intellect and creativity. Venture into striking Sikkim and see firsthand why this petite state was once regarded as a utopia. Delight in Gangtok’s tapestry of mountain scenery and Buddhist spiritualism. Wander through tea plantations. And make the train journey of a lifetime on the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
Journey Highlights
Sbāgata and
welcome to Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Vibrant, uplifting and
extremely friendly, Kolkata is perhaps the most soulful city in India. During
the British Raj Calcutta, as it was known, was the Jewel of the East and the Indian capital until 1911. Today it is still the most important city in the east, with
a rich intellectual and cultural heritage. Receive a warm A&K welcome on
arrival and transfer privately to your hotel.
Glenburn, The Penthouse Kolkata
Immerse yourself in city life with an early morning visit to the vibrant flower market under the famous Howrah Bridge. Wind through the mountains of marigolds and jasmine, then follow in the footsteps of the British Raj with a tour of colonial Kolkata. See Dalhousie Square, now known as B.B.D. Bagh, in the political heart of the city. Admire the colonial buildings, including the prominent Writers’ Building, surrounded by food vendors selling mouth-watering street foods.
Continue to the
revered Mother Teresa House, established in 1950 to care for the poor and sick.
Learn of her ideologies and take a closer look at how Mother Teresa lived. Then
sample traditional recipes from both sides of the border as well as
Anglo-Indian and colonial cuisine with lunch at Oh! Calcutta. Later, immerse
yourself in the serenity of the Victoria Memorial Hall. Admire the domed white
marble hall built in memory of Queen Victoria. Stroll through the splendid
gardens and step inside to discover Victorian memorabilia and British Raj-era
paintings. End the day in the Maidan, the city’s largest urban park and the
"lungs of Kolkata”, watching as people come together over a game of
cricket.
Glenburn, The Penthouse Kolkata | Meals: BL
Head into the artisan
hub of Kumartuli. Wander the maze of winding lanes in this 400-year-old village
and watch as elaborately painted idols of Hindu gods and goddesses are produced
for Durga Puja festivities. Board a tram and wind through the narrow streets
and observe hawkers selling local products. Later, explore downtown on foot, revelling
in the lively atmosphere at Kolkata market, filled with everything from vivid
textiles to flowers, spices and teas. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before an
evening of unique Bengali hospitality in the home of Bomti Iyengar, a charming
art collector and bon vivant who lives in a great heritage building. Join him
for an evening of cooking, feasting and stories, surrounded by his eclectic art
collection.
Glenburn, The Penthouse Kolkata | Meals: BD
Transfer
privately to the airport and fly to Bagdogra, then journey overland to
Kalimpong. A bustling bazaar town, this Himalayan hill station offers a fascinating
history as part of the Sikkim Empire, fine Buddhist monasteries, and
stimulating walks. Soak up the atmosphere with an evening stroll to the local
market, discovering fresh cheese, handmade paper wares and traditional handicrafts.
Mayfair Himalayan Spa Resort Kalimpong | Meals: B
Venture to
Zang-Dhok-Palri Phodang, the area's largest and most beautiful monastery and breathe in the exotic fragrances of the colourful flower nursery filled with
rare orchids and cacti. Later, journey to the capital of Sikkim, Gangtok. Once
an important transit point for traders travelling between Tibet and India,
today Gangtok is a cosmopolitan centre famous for its magnificent views of
Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain. Check in to your hotel and
spend your afternoon exploring your accommodation and the intriguing surrounds
at leisure.
Mayfair Spa Resort Gangtok | Meals: BL
Today, uncover layers
of Buddhist and Tibetan culture, beginning at the Rumtek Monastery, the richest
Buddhist monastic centre in India housing some of the world's rarest and most
unique religious artefacts. Move on to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and
lose yourself in a vast collection of rare manuscripts, statues, and tapestries.
Admire the varied and vibrant handicrafts of local craftsmen at the Government
Institute of Cottage Industries, then spend your afternoon at leisure, relaxing
in your hotel’s spa facilities, wandering along MG Road dotted with cafes and
bazaars or partaking in an optional activity (additional charge). You could
choose to try your hand at a momo cooking class or take a tour of the
200-year-old Enchey Monastery where you might be lucky enough to witness Chaam,
a religious masked dance.
Mayfair Spa Resort Gangtok | Meals: B
Rise early to
capture the glowing sunrise over Kanchenjunga, this magnificent mountain towering
8,568 metres above sea level. Return to your hotel for breakfast, then journey
through cardamom crop, ginger plantations and paddy fields to Darjeeling. The crown
jewel of British colonial hill stations nestled high in the Himalayas,
Darjeeling is home to almost a quarter of India’s tea production. Your perfect
platform for discovery is the Glenburn Tea Estate, a heavenly plantation
retreat that lies on a hillock above the banks of the River Rungeet.
Glenburn Tea Estate | Meals: BD
Darjeeling’s
rich tapestry of cultures is yours to explore today. Start at the Ghoom
Monastery, with its colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Continue to
the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, founded in 1954, just after Edmund
Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first scaled Everest. Visit the Darjeeling Zoo, home
of the Snow Leopard Breeding Centre. Then see locals making handicrafts and
carpets at the Tibetan Refugee Centre. This afternoon enjoy a breathtaking ride
on the heritage-listed small-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or “Toy
Train”, to Ghoom, India's highest railway station. The toy train is
a marvel of engineering passing through many small towns and is India’s oldest
mountain railway route.
Glenburn Tea Estate | Meals: BLD
Discover the
secrets of Darjeeling’s famous tea at the Glenburn Tea Estate. Join your guide
on foot or by vehicle to explore this working tea estate. Meet the employees,
learn how to care for the tea bushes and the art of plucking the "two
leaves and a bud". Visit the Tea Factory to see the journey of the leaf
from farm to teacup. Then, appreciate the delicate flavours in a tea tasting.
This afternoon, choose from an abundance of activities offered by the estate,
or simply relax on your veranda drinking in the spectacular views.
Glenburn Tea Estate | Meals: BLD
Leave the
snow-tipped peaks and terraced tea plantations of Darjeeling behind and
transfer privately to Bagdogra Airport for your onward journey.
Meals: B
Contact one of our Journey Designers to start planning your itinerary.
Started by a Scottish tea company in 1860, Glenburn has now passed into the hands of one of India's pioneering tea planting families, the... Read more
As this suggested itinerary can be personalised to your specific requirements, it is not available for online booking.
Depending on your preferred dates and arrangements, final pricing will vary from low season to peak season travel.
Please call A&K on 1300 851 800, send us a booking enquiry to book this journey or contact your travel agent.
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