DARJEELING AND SIKKIM
A PRIVATE JOURNEY THROUGH TEA, MOUNTAINS & FORGOTTEN KINGDOMS
DAY 1 | INTO THE MIST — BAGDOGRA/NJP TO KURSEONG
THE STAY : COCOHRANE PLACE BY TEESTA HOTELS
THE EXPERIENCE
A private VIP airport/rail pick-up, with your guide briefing you over a flask of estate-grown tea as the plains give way to the first folds of the Himalaya.
A scenic mountain drive through pine forest and tea gardens.
Check-in to your heritage suite, followed by a Welcome Tea Experience — a guided Tea-tasting led by the estate’s own tea sommelier.
An exclusive factory visit, walking the original British-era machinery still used to process Darjeeling’s celebrated first flush.
A rare moonlight tea-plucking session with estate workers, followed by breakfast among the bushes as the valley wakes.
An evening on fine dining, closing by the fireplace lounge with a single malt or a pot of muscatel tea.
DAY 02 | KURSEONG TO DARJEELING — THE QUEEN OF THE HILLS
THE STAY: THE WINDAMERE HOTEL, DARJEELING
Pre-dawn private drive to Tiger Hill for sunrise over Kanchenjunga — the third highest peak on earth catching first light, weather permitting.
A VIP heritage visit to the Ghoom and Dali Monastary at golden hour, with time for quiet reflection.
Check-in to your heritage room at The Windamere, with Nepali cuisine afternoon tea served in the property’s celebrated drawing room.
Leisure time for the Guest to take a walk to Chowrasta Mall Road, Shopping and visiting all the Curio shops.
An evening on fine dining, with the best Chef in Nepali Cuisines restaurants
DAY 03 | DARJEELING — MONASTERIES & THE TOY TRAIN
THE STAY: THE WINDAMERE HOTEL, DARJEELING
Breakfast at windamere A private joy ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (the UNESCO-listed ‘Toy Train’), with a reserved heritage carriage.
Ghoom Museum of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway showcases its oldest toy train engine along with rare artifacts, exhibits and photographs.
A heritage walking tour through Darjeeling’s colonial quarter — Chowrasta, the Mall, and the old Raj-era cottages.
An evening of Nepali culture — folk dance and live music over a candlelit dinner, paired with hand-pulled Tibetan noodles and PanAsian fare.
Optional: a visit to the old British cemetery and the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, where handwoven carpets and history meet.
DAY 04 | DARJEELING TO SRIBADAM — CROSSING INTO THE HIDDEN KINGDOM
THE STAY: BIKSTHANG HERITAGE FARMHOUSE
Breakfast at Kungas: Start the morning with a home-style breakfast at the Kungas’ table, simple and freshly prepared, set against the quiet of the hills waking up.
Family visit with Biksthang: Be welcomed as family at Biksthang, where generations of warm, genuine hospitality from the owner along with the Interesting Story telling sessions.
Cultural Welcome dance: An evening performance of traditional Sikkimese dance, passed down through generations rather than staged for show — a living glimpse into local heritage.
A dinner in a home-style Sikkimese spread cooked in the farmhouse kitchen by your private chef.
DAY 05 | THE SIKKIMESE VILLAGE — FORESTS, FORAGE AND STILLNESS
THE STAY: BIKSTHANG HERITAGE FARMHOUSE
An outdoor yoga and meditation session at sunrise, set up on the farmhouse terrace facing the valley in the morning.
Join the farmhouse’s resident cook to forage seasonal greens from thein house farm, then turn them into a traditional Sikkimese thali in a Lepcha House set up.(Traditional Lepcha Lunch)
A guided forest trail walk through native Oak and Rhododendron, led by a local naturalist who shares the village’s oral history.
Monastary Visit to Rinchenpong’s Old 17 century Monastary tour
with the Professional guide from Sikkim.
An evening of village immersion — sharing tongba (local millet
brew) and stories with the host family by the fire along with the Canle light setup for the Dinner.
DAY 06 | CHAKHUM SUNRISE
THE STAY: BIKSTHANG HERITAGE FARMHOUSE
Pre-dawn private drive to Chakhum sunrise over Kanchenjunga — the thirdhighest peak on earth catching first light, weather permitting.
A guided forest trail walk through native oak and rhododendron, led by a local naturalist and also a visit to who shares the village’s oral history.
Visit to see how Trought farming is done by the natives of Sikkim.
An evening of village immersion — Storytelling Session with the host
about the Farmstay and the historical significance of the place.
A farewell fine-dining dinner showcasing Sikkim’s Lepcha and Bhutia
culinary heritage, with a curated pairing of local wines and millet
spirits.
DAY 7 | MAYAL LYANG THE HIDDEN LAND OF THE LEPCHAS
Drive from Gangtok (or Siliguri) to Mangan, headquarters of North Sikkim, alongside the Teesta River — Inner Line Permit processed here for Dzongu Valley.
Cross into the Dzongu reserve at the checkpost and descend into Lower Dzongu’s terraced cardamom and paddy fields.
Check into a family-run Lepcha homestay in Passingdong or Kusong;
Evening Hotspring at Lingdem Hot Spring
A glimpse of What Mayal Lyang is to the Lepcha people (Folklore Narrative Musical Night with people or the community of Mayal Lyang.)
A farewell fine-dining dinner showcasing Sikkim’s Lepcha culinary
heritage, with a curated pairing of Orange local wines and millet
spirits.
DAY 8 | DEPARTURE — GANGTOK TO BAGDOGRA / NJP
A leisurely late breakfast with valley views, with no fixed wake-up call.
A final stop en route at a quiet roadside teahouse for one last cup of estate tea, chosen by your guide rather than a map and a conclusion of how the guest felt over the trip they spend along with a thank you note from the guide.
A private, air-conditioned transfer back to Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway Station, timed precisely to your onward journey.
A small parting gift from Beyond Journey — a hand-packed selection of
the estate teas tasted along the way.
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN THE ITINERARY ?
- Seven nights in hand-picked heritage and luxury properties, on a fully inclusive meal basis.
- A private vehicle and English-speaking guide throughout, plus local specialist guides for monastery, tea and farmhouse experiences.
- Private chef and support staff during the Biksthang farmhouse stay.
- All experiences, permits, and entry fees are excluded.(DZONGHU PERMITS)
- All applicable taxes.
- A final stop en route at a quiet roadside teahouse for one last cup of estate tea, chosen by your guide rather than a map.
- A private, air-conditioned transfer back to Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway Station, timed precisely to your onward journey.
- A small parting gift from Beyond Journey — a hand-packed selection of the estate
teas tasted along the way. - DOMESTIC/INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS, PERSONAL EXPENSES, GRATUITIES, AND TRAVEL INSURANCE ARE NOT INCLUDED.
