Village trails & cultural walks in Darjeeling & Sikkim

Darjeeling is famous for tea, its steam train and as a hill station of the British Raj. Spread over rolling hillsides it has retained all its colonial charming and is stunningly beautiful. Sikkim a former independent Buddhist Kingdom until 1975, lies in the very heart of the Himalayas and under Kanchenjunga; the world's 3rd highest mountain. It nestles between Nepal, Tibet Bhutan and Darjeeling. 

After a break of three years Pete Hawkins is back, donning his boots to lead our walking holidays to the most beautiful places on earth.  He took a small party to Darjeeling and Sikkim for us in November 2010 and fell in love with the area, so much so that he’s returning again in 2011 and hopes you’ll join him.  For more information on Pete Hawkins visit www.petehawkins.co.uk

There are a good variety of trails offering interesting day walks amongst rolling hills of tea plantations, on pilgrimage paths to Gompas (Buddhist monasteries) and shrines and tracks to remote tribal villages. Every day the views are spectacular – whether it’s swirling mists in the valleys, forested hillsides, snow-capped mountains peaks or lush green rice terraces. In Darjeeling visit the Everest and Mountaineering Museums and Tenzing Samadhi statue and zoo where you can see Red Panda and Snow leopard.

Walks are on average 5 – 12kms and with our own transport on hand we are able to offer shorter and easier options most days.  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. He 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 walking guide will help identify species for you and find the best trails to suit everyone in the party. 

This is a walking holiday where 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 know from experience that this holiday has the makings of being a life-changing trip.

Enjoy these images from our recent visit and see what awaits you! 

PROGRAMME DETAILS

The price is fully inclusive of flights, 12 nights in hotels and lodges, all meals, UK walking leader, local walking guides, Spencer Scott Travel programme co-ordinator.