Himalayan trails in Darjeeling & Sikkim India
After a break of three years Pete Hawkins is back, donning his boots to lead walks in some of the most spectacular walking destinations in the World and welcomes you to join him. On this holiday you will be able to enjoy the highest mountains in the world from a network of lowland trails linking rural communities in the foothills of the Himalayas in two contrasting regions – the famous hill station and tea estate region of Darjeeling and the beautiful former Buddhist Kingdom of Sikkim. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet the locals and embrace the traditional culture as well as early mornings watching the sun rise over the Himalayas and evening sundowners as it sets over the most magnificent backdrop in the world. After each day’s walk you will return to the comforts of luxury mountain lodges.
The small hill stations, bazaar towns and tea estates in Darjeeling still retain their Raj-era atmosphere with quaint colonial hotels and rolling hills of tea plantations. There are endless trails offering easy day walks with views of the spectacular snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the north, where you’ll be walking next. Darjeeling provides a gentle introduction to Buddhism with it’s gompas (monasteries) and views of the Himalaya. A visit will be made to Everest and Mountaineering Museums and Tenzing Samadhi statue in Darjeeling itself.
After three days exploring Darjeeling you’ll head in to Sikkim and although it’s the first time we have taken a group of walkers here we know it will be a very special Himalayan experience. Sikkim is a small Buddhist region to the north of Darjeeling bounded by Nepal to the west, Tibet to the north and Bhutan to the southeast. As soon as you arrive in Sikkim you are immersed into another world – one of monumental natural beauty, inhabited by a gentle race of mountain people that live by their ancient customs. There is something about Himalayan Buddhist peoples that sets them apart from others; they exude calmness and tranquillity and their beautiful mountain monasteries compliment the stunning mountain scenery. We’ll be in walking in Western Sikkim with fabulous views of Kangchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak.
Walks are on average 5 – 16kms and with our own transport on hand we are able to offer shorter options when practical. All walks are below 2500m. Pete Hawkins is a professional Mountain Leader who has led many of our walking holidays around the globe since 1991 and also teaches navigation courses in the UK. He sets a leisurely pace so you can fully absorb the natural environment you are in. Distances covered are not great but with picnic lunches and tea stops and time to embrace the local culture you are out for a full day. Pete is great at creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere whilst providing caring and appropriate guidance. Whilst Pete will be armed with bird and flower books and maps, the local guide will help identify species for you and find the best trails to suit everyone in the party. A Spencer Scott travel director will also accompany you to ensure everything runs smoothly and to take care of your general welfare.
We believe we have the makings of a very memorable trip.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
| Day 1 | Depart London Heathrow |
| Day 2 | Arrive Delhi. Visit Gandhi’s house & museum. |
| Day 3 – 5 | Walking in Darjeeling |
| Day 6 – 11 | Walking Sikkim |
| Day 12
Da y 13 |
Return to Darjeeling & Kalimpong
Fly to Delhi |
Himalayan trails in Darjeeling & Sikkim India
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