Tea Trails and Kingdoms of India & Bhutan

Kolkata, Darjeeling, Thimphu & Tiger's Nest

Best time to travel

May – Oct

Ideal length

15 nights

Perfect for

Couples

From (incl flights)

€11,699 pp

At a glance

International flights from Dublin to Kolkata, India and home from Paro, Bhutan.
All private transfers and internal flights.
15 nights’ accommodation in Kolkata, Hatti Dunga, Hee, Radhu Khanda, Darjeeling, Thimphu, Punakha and Paro.
Guided city tours, village explorations and private hiking excursions including a Kolkata City Tour, Bhalukhop village walk and hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Spiritual experiences including early morning prayers at the Rinchenpong Monastery and hanging prayer flags on the Dochu-La Pass.

Let's plan your trip!

Introduction

Open the door to experiential travel and relish in all the wonders it entails. Delve deep into history, culture and tradition as you live like the locals in rural villages and hike ancient routes to spiritual monasteries and places of unimaginable beauty. This suggested itinerary is bountiful in experiences, combining the spiritual countries of Indian and Bhutan for an itinerary that packs a punch.

Luxury Bespoke Services

At OROKO, we’ve been to the Indian Subcontinent many times and have continuously returned to explore its chaotic cities, rural heartlands and remote mountain villages. It is a place that is extremely rewarding, but also a destination where specialist knowledge is vital. That is why all of our bespoke itineraries include luxury partner accommodation, expert English-speaking private guides, private drivers and pre-arranged train tickets in executive class carriages. Each one of our itineraries are bespoke and tailored to you, so think of this as just a sneak-peak of just how brilliant an OROKO holiday to India can be.

View all of our luxury holidays to India and Bhutan.

Trip Overview

Depart from Dublin to Kolkata, a city famed for the tremendous works of Mother Teresa.

Your private driver will be waiting to transfer you to your luxury hotel for your two-night stay. We’ll take you on a guided city tour of landmarks like Howrah Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Mother House.

Depart for Bagdogra and transfer to the village of Hatti Dunga.

Spend two nights in a traditional village house overlooking the valleys of West Sikkim. We’ll take you on a guided walking excursion to visit traditional Lepcha houses, the village market of Rinchenpong and to the poison lake of Maggi Dara.

Attend early morning prayers in Rinchenpong Monastery.

After a spiritual morning, enjoy a picnic breakfast before walking uphill to admire fantastic mountain views. Continue to the village of Bhasmay, the Himalayan town of Kaluk and the village of Jowbari, where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch.

Morning prayers, Rinchenpong Monastery, India

Arrive in Hee, a beautiful village with Mount Kanchenjunga as its backdrop.

Spend the night in a village house with panoramic views. In the morning, transfer to Radhu Khandu, where you’ll spend two nights enjoying guided tours including a village walk in Bhalukhop with your host family.

Transfer to the tea country of Darjeeling, which was once the summer resort for the British Raj elite.

During your three-night stay, board the famed Toy Train along the Himalayan Railway. Take in spectacular sights of the mountainside and sprawling tea estates from your vintage carriage.

Transfer to the airport and depart for Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

Spend the night in Thimphu and embark on a guided city tour. Visit sites like the Memorial Chorten, a temple dedicated to world peace. Other highlights include the Centenary Farmers’ Market and Tashichho Dzong fortress.

Take a scenic drive to Punakha.

We’ve arranged a two-night stay in a luxury property. Hang prayer flags on the Dochu-La Pass and hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. Built by Bhutan’s Queen Mother, it is a symbol of well-being and a beautiful example of Bhutanese architecture.

Transfer to Paro, spending two nights in Paro Valley.

Home to sacred sites, we’ll take you on a guided tour of Paro Valley. It boasts over 150 temples and monasteries, some of which date back to the 14th century. We’ll also take you to the National Museum for further insight into its history.

Hike to the spiritual Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Although a steep ascent, you’ll be rewarded by wonderful scenery, where pine forests are colourfully decorated with moss and prayer flags. Arrive at the sacred cliffside site that truly is an architectural and sacred wonder.

Transfer to the international airport for your flight home.

Arrive in Dublin.

Tailoring your holiday

OROKO Itineraries are created with you in mind and no two are the same. These can be used to help plan your trip - or we can design a completely different itinerary to suit you.

Let's plan your trip!

Accommodation

Where to rest your head

Looking for the best accommodation? We've got the contacts

The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata

The Oberoi Grand is a historic landmark hotel in central Kolkata. The luxury hotel is housed within a striking colonial building that exudes opulence and grandeur.

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Shakti Sikkim Village Houses

Shakti Sikkim offers a selection of traditional rural houses set along varying parts of the scenic Sikkim Trail. A wonderful section of India’s Himalayas, the lodgings promise spectacular views and peaceful surroundings.

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Glenburn Tea Estate

Glenburn Tea Estate sits on a hill above the banks of the Himalaya’s River Rungeet. The estate’s accommodation is perfectly situated, surrounded by plantations, rolling hills and the world’s third-largest mountain.

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Taj Tashi

Taj Tashi is a luxury accommodation situated in the scenic Himalayan Thimphu Valley. Ideally situated, it is just a short distance from attractions like the Motithang Takin Preserve and Tashichho Dzong.

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COMO Uma Punakha

COMO Uma Punakha is a stylish boutique property that overlooks the scenic rice fields and rolling hills of the Punakha Valley. Interiors are modern and minimalistic, focusing on the beauty of the surrounding valley.

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COMO Uma Paro

COMO Uma Paro is a luxury property that occupies an enviable location in the Paro Valley. Surrounded by cultural and spiritual landmarks, it is just a short distance from Rinpung Dzong Monastery.

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What people are saying

Aisling and her team are just outstanding at what they do. They have an incredible knowledge of the travel industry and I have had the best experience with OROKO Travel. From the first phone call to enquire about a holiday to the call we received after our holiday, I cannot say enough about this company. They are truly outstanding. I really look forward to working with them again in 2022 and hopefully for many years to come. There are no travel specialists like OROKO. 5 stars, just fantastic!

Sinead & family – Croatia, September 2021