India Expedition: Sikkim, Assam & Nagaland

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in vibrant Kolkata – a hub for Bengali theatre, dance, poetry, art, music and film. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe visit the grand Victoria Memorial and spend some time relaxing in the attached park. Tonight, why not head out for a welcome dinner with your group – your trip leader will always have some great suggestions.

This morning after breakfast, you’ll take a private transfer to the airport and board a flight to Dimapur. When you arrive, you’ll have some time for lunch before driving to Kohima – the capital city of Nagaland – stopping along the way to stretch your legs. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy a free evening, to relax at your accommodation or take a walk around the colourful houses in town to get your bearings.

Set off in the morning on a half-day excursion to Khonoma Village, stopping at Kigwema Village on the way – a traditional Naga village. The Naga people are the Indigenous people of northeastern India and northwest Myanmar, made up of a variety of tribes that share similar customs and warrior roots. After meeting the locals here, continue to Khonoma, where the Angami Nagas held off British forces from coming into their hills. In 1897, after an invading British officer was killed, a bloody war raged for a year before a peace treaty was signed. The resistance of the local Nagas is held in high regard across Nagaland. Today, the inhabitants of Khonoma place a lot of emphasis on wildlife conservation and you’ll about the Khonoma Nature Conservation and the Tragopan Sanctuary while you’re here. This afternoon, visit the Naga Heritage Village for a glimpse into traditional tribal life and see some historic remnants from the 19th-century British invasion. Then, visit the World War II memorial (if time permits), before heading back to your accommodation for the night.

This morning, leave Kohima and drive towards Jorhat. Grab a window seat if you can and watch the rolling scenery pass you by. When you arrive this afternoon, you’ll visit the local tea plantations for a tasting and a visit to the Tocklai Tea Research Center. Walk around the lush surroundings of the plantations and learn why this is an important industry for Assam’s growing urban centre. Later, you’ll have a free evening to relax, find some dinner or go for a walk.

Travel to Majuli today – located on the Brahmaputra River, this is one of the largest river islands in the world and has been the cultural capital of Assam ever since the 16th century. Take a ferry to the island, looking out for the many migratory birds that call this place home. When you arrive, visit the Anuati, Uttar and Kamalabari satras (monasteries that are linked with the Ekasarana tradition of Vaishnavism). Interact with the local monks here with a visit to the monk’s quarters. Then, visit the Mishing tribal village, a pottery making village and a mask making village to learn about the local handicrafts and cultural traditions. Later, return to Jorhat for the night.

After the breakfast this morning, take a private transfer to Kaziranga National Park – this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the oldest park in Assam and sits right on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. Kaziranga is a natural habitat dedicated to the conservation of the biologically diverse flora and fauna within. The park is also home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses and shelters about 15 different species of India's most threatened mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears. After some free time for lunch, you’ll have the option to visit the Kaziranga Orchid Center before soaking up a free afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant.

Set out on two jeep safaris through Kaziranga National Park today, scheduled for the early morning and the evening to maximise the chances of spotting wildlife. Look out for elephants, deer, wild boar and, of course, the famed one-horned rhino. Local birdlife is also plentiful, so keep an eye on the sky to spot eagles, parakeets, blue-tinged Indian rollers and more.

After breakfast, leave Kaziranga and drive towards Shillong. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk with your leader. For dinner tonight, the street food in town is recommended, so you might want to head out straight after your walk for some momos (dumplings) and chutney or local specialty jadoh (spicy and sour rice).

Drive to Mawlynnong today. This tiny village has made a huge commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly living – efforts that saw it crowned ‘Asia’s Cleanest Village’ by India’s former prime minister. When you arrive, take a walk around the gleaming, litter-free streets among the Khasi residents, then head out for a 1.5-hour hike to the nearby living root bridge. The bridge is a perfect example of the art of tree sculpting, practiced by the Khasi people. Stop at Dawki and admire the crystal-clear waters of the Umngot River and the border of Bangladesh. Return to Shillong this afternoon and if time (and group energy) permits, maybe walk to Shillong Peak for some gorgeous views over the town for sunset.

Enjoy a leisurely morning, then say goodbye to Shillong and travel to Guwahati. From here, you’ll take an overnight train to New Jalpaiguri, departing at around 10 pm.

Rise and shine early this morning as the train pulls into New Jalpaiguri at around 6 am. Make tracks for Darjeeling, where you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure among the Himalayan mountains. Maybe take a stroll around the town to check out the colonial-era architecture backdropped by mountain peaks. If you're feeling the effects of a few long travel days, maybe just find a spot to enjoy a cuppa as you gaze up at the spectacular views of the Himalayas (weather-depending).

Take an early morning walk to Tiger Hill today to catch a glorious sunrise over the snowy peak of Kanchenjunga – the world’s third-highest mountain. Then, return to Darjeeling for a few hours at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to Ghoom and board the Darjeeling Toy Train. Winding your way through the mountain, this classic steam-powered locomotive is probably the most romantic way to experience the Himalayan landscape.

Head to Gangtok this morning. This is the capital of the northeastern state of Sikkim. Its chaotically laid-out townscape and jovial atmosphere make it a nice place to walk around. Maybe head to a local viewpoint and if it's clear, spot the majestic peak of Khangchendzonga in the distance. Tonight, you’re free to find a local dinner or find a good spot to watch the sunset.

Sprawling down a mountain ridge, Gangtok is a haven for Tibetan Buddhists. This morning, you’ll visit the monastery at Rumtek – also called the Dharma Chakra Centre, this monastery is the centre of the Karmapa controversy. A lengthy battle has been played out in the Indian courts, with two rival organisations (the Tsuphu Labrang and the Karmapa Charitable Trust) each supporting a different candidate for the 17th Karmapa, claiming stewardship of the monastery and all its contents. Since 1992, the monastery has been the site of pitched battles between monks supporting the two different candidates. After, maybe take up a hike to the old Gompa, a little further down the road. In your spare time this afternoon, maybe pick up some local tea or explore the Tibetology Museum.

Drive to the airport in Bagdogra this morning, then fly back to Kolkata. If the hustle and bustle are too much to bear after your mountain getaway, you can explore the vast green fields of the Maidan (also known as ‘the lungs of Kolkata’) or take refuge in the beautiful botanic gardens along the banks of the Hooghly River.

With no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in India, just speak to your booking agent.