Arrival. Namaste! We are warmly welcomed the traditional Indian way, with hands clapped together at the airport, and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax.

Overnight: ITC Sonar (5-star), Kolkata (2 nights)

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is a compelling, effervescent city, teeming with life. Under the East India Company and later the British Raj, Kolkata served as the capital of India until 1911. After breakfast, we start our tour of the city with a visit to the famous Malik Ghat flower market beneath the Howrah Bridge, where the city’s floral retailers buy their fresh merchandise. Next, we visit the Howrah Bridge itself, an iconic symbol of modern Kolkata, followed by a visit to Belur Math, headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission founded by Swami Vivekananda. The temple is notable for architecture that blends Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs as a symbol of the unity of all religions. Our afternoon concentrates on British Calcutta, visiting St. John’s Church and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The evening is free to enjoy, perhaps at one of the famous Calcutta tea houses, long a meeting point for philosophers, writers, poets and students. (B, D)

Please note: Victoria Memorial is closed on Mondays.

A short flight gets us to Bagdogra, a small hill station at the foothills of the Himalaya, known for its tea estates and abundance of greenery. From Bagdogra we take a scenic drive with the Himalaya towering on one side and lush tea gardens, pine and fir forests all the way to Darjeeling, one of India’s most popular hill stations. On arrival, we check in to our lodge. The balance of the day is free.

Overnight: The Elgin (Heritage), Darjeeling (2 nights) (B, D)

Before sunrise, we set off in 4x4s for Tiger Hill to watch the sun rise from behind the lofty peaks of the Himalaya. On a clear day, we can see Mount Everest alongside the majestic Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. After breakfast, we take a joy ride (subject to train operation and seat availability) on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, part of the UNESCO-listed Mountain Railways of India. Opened in 1881, the “Toy Train” remains an outstanding example of a hill passenger railway, using ingenious engineering to establish a rail link across mountainous terrain of great beauty. On the way back, we visit Ghoom Monastery, built in 1875, home to one of the largest statues of the Maitreya Buddha. Next, we visit the Himalayan Zoological Park (closed Thursdays) to observe red pandas, Asian black bears, yaks and Bengal tigers in their natural habitats. We also explore the nearby Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed Thursdays) before ending our day at the Natural History Museum (closed Thursdays), which houses a fine collection of preserved Himalayan butterflies, birds, reptiles and insects. (B, D)

After breakfast, we drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, through semi-tropical forest, cardamom plantations and small villages. Sikkim became a protectorate of India in 1950 and a full Indian state in 1975. We explore Rumtek Monastery, also known as the Dharma Chakra Centre, one of the most important seats of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, which traces its origin to Buddha Shakyamuni. The predominant religion here is Hinduism, alongside a significant Vajrayana Buddhist minority, and the local economy depends largely on agriculture and tourism. The balance of the day is free. (B, D)

Overnight: The Elgin Nor-Khill (Heritage), Gangtok (2 nights)

After breakfast, we visit Enchey Monastery, an important seat of the Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism, where we also view the impressive Dodrul Chorten, one of the largest stupas in Sikkim. Next, we explore the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (closed Saturdays, Sundays and government holidays), established to promote research on Tibetan language, tradition and Mahayana Buddhism. Its museum houses a rare collection of antique statues, coins and traditional thangka paintings, along with nearly 30,000 volumes of translated Buddhist teachings and scholarly texts from around the world. The afternoon is free to relax or explore the local area at your own pace. (B, D)

After breakfast, we set off on a scenic mountain drive to Kalimpong, passing rural villages and lush hillside landscapes. Famous for its flower nurseries, Kalimpong has an outstanding collection of orchids, which we take in if they are in bloom. In the afternoon, we head up to Durpin Dara (Durpin Hill), the second-highest point in town, for panoramic views over the Chola range of Sikkim, the majestic Kangchenjunga range and the Teesta River winding through the valley below.

Overnight: The Elgin Silver Oaks (Heritage), Kalimpong (1 night) (B, D)

We depart early for a drive through green mountain landscapes and rural villages toward the Bhutanese border. En route, we stop at the bustling border town of Jaigaon to complete India exit and Bhutan entry customs and immigration formalities. Once processed, we cross into the gateway town of Phuentsholing to begin our exploration of Bhutan.

Overnight: Hotel Druk (3-star), Phuentsholing (1 night) (B, L, D)

We set off on a scenic morning drive up into the Himalayan foothills toward Thimphu, passing a remarkable variety of landscapes and mountain vistas. Arriving in the capital in time for lunch, we spend the afternoon exploring its main cultural landmarks: the iconic National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan; the National Library, home to an extraordinary collection of ancient manuscripts and texts; and the Handicrafts Emporium, where we browse fine traditional textiles, paintings and hand-carved arts and crafts.

Overnight: Le Meridien (5-star), Thimphu (2 nights) (B, L, D)

We explore the highlights of Bhutan’s capital, beginning at the Institute for Traditional Medicine, where herbal remedies are still prepared and prescribed. Next, we visit the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts, where young Bhutanese students train in traditional painting methods, including intricate thangka scrolls. We browse the gold and silver bazaar for hand-crafted jewellery and metalwork, then drive 5 km south of Thimphu to Simtokha Dzong. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan, it was the first dzong constructed in the country and today functions as a premier institute for learning the Dzongkha language. (B, L, D)

We drive to Satsam Chorten in Paro, where we begin our hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Palphug Monastery). Perched on a cliffside in the upper Paro Valley, this sacred Himalayan Buddhist site was first built in 1692 around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave, where Guru Padmasambhava – the tutelary deity who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan – is said to have meditated for three months in the 8th century. Our round-trip hike takes approximately four hours, with a scenic picnic lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria overlooking the valley.

Overnight: Dawa at Hill Top (5-star), Paro (2 nights) (B, L, D)

We spend the day exploring the Paro Valley’s highlights: the National Museum of Bhutan and the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, along with Utse, a central watchtower originally built in 1645. We also tour a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse to see rural life and local architecture. In the evening, we stroll the narrow lanes of Paro, with a chance to meet local residents over afternoon tea. (B, L, D)

We board a scenic mountain flight across the Himalaya from Paro to Kathmandu, Nepal. On arrival in the capital, we are met and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free to rest or begin discovering the city’s vibrant atmosphere at your own pace.

Overnight: Hotel Yak & Yeti (5-star), Kathmandu (3 nights) (B, D)

We explore the historic Kathmandu Valley, starting at Durbar Square in the heart of the old city, touring the 17th-century Durbar complex including Hanuman Dhoka, the Parvati Temple, the Taleju Temple, the Great Bell and Drum, and the Temple of the Living Goddess (Kumari Bahal). Next, we head to the 2,500-year-old hilltop stupa of Swayambhunath, a holy Buddhist site tied to the valley’s origin legends. We finish in Patan, the valley’s oldest city, founded in the 3rd century BC and renowned for its Newari craftsmanship, with 136 courtyards and 55 major temples. In the evening, we browse the bustling local bazaars. (B, D)

We travel to Bhaktapur, the best-preserved of the valley’s medieval cities, known for its woodcarving, pottery and weaving traditions. We then visit Pashupatinath, one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world, viewing its golden-tiered roof and silver doors from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River, overlooking the sacred cremation ghats. Afterward, we explore Boudhanath, home to the largest stupa in Nepal and a thriving Tibetan community reminiscent of Lhasa’s Barkhor area. In the evening, we gather for a traditional Nepali farewell dinner. (B, D)

We bid farewell to Kathmandu and Himalayan Nepal as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight home. (B)