February, March, April, October & November
To see the majestic splendour and experience the cultural richness of the land and the people of the Eastern Himalayas, a visit to the beautiful colonial hill station of Darjeeling and the stunning environs of Sikkim – a must for a wonderfully rewarding holiday. Your tour of some of India’s most stunning Himalayan enclaves begins from the historic city of Calcutta, once the erstwhile capital of the Raj in India and popularly known as the City of Joy, home of the legendary Mother Teresa in modern times. A drive up to Darjeeling offers you a banquet of splendid panoramas of a landscape rich in wildlife and botanical delights. In Darjeeling enjoy the mesmerising views of Mt Khanchendzonga, the world’s third highest peak and watch the sunrise from Tiger Hill. Savour the colonial elements of nostalgia amongst the tea plantations and flower filled gardens and red roofed bungalows, before saying goodbye to the UNESCO Heritage Toy Train and moving into the Teesta River Gorge for a fabulous drive to Gangtok, capital of Sikkim. The drive up to the snowy reaches of Tsomgo Lake offers a captivating vision of a remote and beautiful region, now carefully opened to tourism. The journey back to the gorge, and up the winding road to Kalimpong is a memorable one. Enjoy those lovely mountain views, monasteries and tea plantations all along.
EXPERIENCES AVAILABLE:
Cycling
Gastronomy
Spiritual
Adventure
The personal touch of owner Husna Tara Prakash is very much evident in this splendid tea bungalow that is over one and a half centuries old. Set amidst the tea growing region of the hill station of Darjeeling, it overlooks the Rangeet River in the Eastern Himalayas. Steeped in traditional tea-planter hospitality and comfort, the bungalow's ambience is a delightful amalgam of Indian and colonial nuances. The ground-level rooms are equipped with comfortable sleeping areas and private sit outs, overlooking the veranda or the lovely garden at the Burra Bungalow. Another option is the Glenburn Lodge, just a short hop away by the River Rungeet, with lovely river views. Fragrant cups of tea set the pace for a leisurely day in the hill town with its stunning peek-a-boo views of Mt Khachendzonga and nature walks. For enthusiasts there's fishing, trekking and river rafting on the Teesta River.
Hotel DetailsIn the early days of the last century the hotel was the family home of David Macdonald. After accompanying the Younghusband Mission to Lhasa in 1904 as interpreter, Macdonald was posted to Tibet as a British Trade Agent, serving in Yatung and Gyantse until his retirement in 1924. Macdonald assisted the 13th Dalai Lama's escape from Tibet in 1910, and he was later invited to Lhasa in 1921. After he retired, with his large family grown up, Macdonald turned the family home into a Hotel, and it has remained in the Macdonald family ever since. In the words of the distinguished travel writer James Cameron, it is “a collector's piece among hotels. It is a hotel of real charm and character, with an atmosphere redolent of its close association with Himalayan history. It has 16 rooms, most with their own fire-places, attached bathrooms with running hot and cold water, fitted with showers.
Hotel DetailsAt Netuk House, guests experience the traditional and unaffected hospitality of the Denzong family; enjoy delicious home cooked food and learn about the ethnic culture of the people yet unspoiled by things modern. It was built in the late fifties and is located on Tibet Road which was once the principal road when trade flourished between Tibet and Sikkim. Tucked into a peaceful corner of Gangtok, Netuk House is away from the hustle and bustle and yet is only a short stroll from the town and other places of interest.
Hotel DetailsThe Oberoi Grand, fondly referred as the 'Grande Dame of Chowringhee' offers the ultimate classical residence in the City of Joy. Standing stately for over 125 years, The Oberoi Grand combines classic victorian architecture and charm with state of the art amenities and facilities, offering our guests an oasis of tranquillity amidst this bustling city. Located in the heart of the commercial and administrative hub of Kolkata, this heritage hotel features elegantly appointed rooms, award winning restaurants and exclusive spa and fitness centre. Personalised, efficient and unobtrusive service combined with the unique luxury offering makes The Oberoi Grand the preferred hotel for travellers on leisure and business alike.
Hotel DetailsMuch simpler than the five star hotels is the Fairlawn with only 21 rooms furnished traditionally in Raj style. It is well located for sightseeing and full of character. Dine in the restaurant or take tea on the lawn surrounded by the pretty gardens, either way, you can absorb the timeless atmosphere. For 218 years Fairlawn has stood on the junction of Madge Lane and Sudder Street, the heart of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant area of the city and within two minutes walks from the famous New Market area. The hotel is defined by its idiosyncrasies. Colonial charm and décor and a potpourri of styles ranging from it's past, combined with modern facilities and home comforts mark the place as unique. Sitting in the lush greenery of the garden or on the terraces, one can easily drift off to any period in the last 200 years, the props are all around you, and they are the real thing too.
Hotel DetailsAs you enter The Elgin - warmth hugs you and makes you feel at home with a glass of sparkling cherry liquor and a silken Khada draped around your neck. Snug and cozy in an interior decked with etchings of G.Douglas, lithographs of Daniell, period Burma teak furniture, oak floor boards and panelling, crackling fireplaces, candle-lit tables and strains of music from the grand piano, you realize the meaning of palpable ‘old world charm' which has played host to dignitaries like the US Ambassador and the Crown Prince of Sikkim to Dominique Lapierre and Mark Tully. The hotel has stories to tell from the time of its first owner the Maharaja of Cooch Behar to Nancy Oakley in the 1950s.
Hotel DetailsHotel Nor-Khill, a property of Elgin Heritage Group of Hotels located in eastern Himalayas at Gangtok. It is an example of typical Sikkimese architecture in the midst of a serene atmosphere and greenery, in the heart of Gangtok. It offers 32 rooms that are quiet, elegant and traditional. All the rooms are spacious and overlook Mount Kanchenjungha and the Himalayas. Designed especially for royal guests of the Chogyal of Sikkim, the rooms still maintains the typical traditional Sikkimese ambiance.
Hotel DetailsThe glorious countryside of Munnar is best explored from the gorgeous setting of this beautiful plantation homestead located on Observatory Hill, in the misty heights of the Palani Hills. The 360° panorama offers awe-inspiring moments amongst nature's most glorious vignettes of the Western Ghats. Accommodation comprises 3 Cottages (6 deluxe rooms and 4 standard rooms) and the Farm House (5 standard rooms). Each Cottage has 2 or 4 guest rooms which are large, light and airy, with panoramic views and spacious sitting areas. Estate walks, country treks and home cooked meals are much the order of the day in this tranquil retreat. Golf at Top Station, one of the world's highest golf courses, sailing and plenty of bird watching can also be arranged on request.
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