Himalayan Foothills & Hill Stations
Asia Transpacific Journeys India Tours will take you to northeast and north/central India incorporating destinations within the states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
Sikkim State
This area of India is a “thumb” of land that juts up into the Himalayan massif of West Bengal. Bordered by Nepal on the west, Tibet on the north and Bhutan to the east, it is surrounded by icons of Himalayan grandeur.
Strongly connected to Tibet by Himalayan Buddhism, this area remains a stronghold of Buddhist thought and, because the religion has been allowed to flourish, is perhaps even more culturally intact than Tibet under Chinese rule.
Gangtok
The thriving capital of Sikkim, this city matches Darjeeling’s cliff-hanging setting, and, though it lacks the remnants of the Raj, it makes up for it with its heritage as the home of Sikkimese royalty. The last King of Sikkim, who reigned from 1963–1975 was married to New York socialite Hope Cook. Access to Sikkim, north of Gangtok, is tightly controlled by the government and permits are issued only to expeditionary trekking groups.
Phuntsholing
This gritty town is the gateway to Bhutan. A major trading center for the Bhutanese, it is the entry point for most Indian goods that supply the Kingdom of Bhutan. From here it is a six-hour drive to Paro, Bhutan over one of the most beautiful, if twisty, roads in the world.
Pemayangtse
Founded in 1705, this is Sikkim’s oldest monastery. It is beautifully set on a hillside overlooking a lush valley. Experience the hum and buzz of praying monks on your travel in India, and soak in the meditative aura that permeates this spectacular setting.
Sangachoeling
For a more adventurous experience during your India travel, participate in the hike to Sangachoeling. Requiring a fairly arduous hike of about an hour, the rewards are many for the few who explore this out-of-the-way monastery. Set on a knife-edge ridge, often swaddled in clouds, this is also home to a group of monks in the Gelukpa order. The Dalai Lama is their spiritual leader.
Ghoom/Toy Train Railway to Darjeeling
Ghoom is a small town and way station on the fabled Toy Train Railway. The narrow gauge railway was established by the British Raj to ferry their members to their hill-station homes in Darjeeling more than a century ago. This steam railway, which moves at a snail’s pace through the convoluted foothills, is notably unreliable. However, it’s a classic remnant of the Raj and a great way to see the countryside.
Darjeeling
This hill station lives in legend and comes by its reputation honestly. Set on some of the steepest of mountain slopes, the city cascades down toward the valley below. Kanchenjunga (26,213'), the world’s third highest peak, looms large as a backdrop for the town. There are magnificent vistas all around and the crumbling Raj architecture and winding footpaths add to Darjeeling’s charm. Long one of the tea capitals of the world, Darjeeling is a great place to tour a tea plantation and sample the beverage for which it is famous.
Kalimpong
Also a beautifully situated hill station, this small but bustling bazaar town is a center for education and the study of Buddhism.
Teesta River Gorge
The Teesta River Gorge is where a raging Himalayan river has carved a deep gouge in the landscape. The road between Darjeeling and Sikkim follows the river on one of the prettiest, most dramatic drives in the world.
Bagdogra
Bagdogra is an Indian Army military base sporting little to charm the newly arrived traveler. However, soon after leaving the airport, one begins the drive up into the Himalayan foothills to the Darjeeling region. The heat of the plains gives way to the cool, lush greens of the hills, long ago relished by Calcutta-based Brits. The drive is approximately three hours on very twisty roads through rural tea plantations to the small hill station town of Mirik. Here, perched on a hill with magnificent views of the town and surrounding valley, is the Bokar Monastery, home of Bokar Rinpoche.
Rumtek Gompa
Home of a thriving body of monks and no shortage of controversy, this monastery is well worth a visit.
Rishikesh
The Beatles put it on the map with their ode to Maharishi, and today some still consider it the yoga capital of the world. A thriving pilgrimage site for Hindu seekers, it offers a fascinating mix of eastern and western perspectives on the divine and is indeed a great place to study yoga, meditation practice or simply seek spiritual renewal. Once there you’ve got to stay at the Ananda Ayurvedic Spa and Resort. This luxury resort and spa is sports a breathtakingly beautiful location and fabulous facilities to rejuvenate and revitalize both body and soul. This is a highly recommended experience to enhance your luxury India tour experience.
Shimla
Long the British summer capital of India during the Raj, this hill station retains much of the charm long ago immortalized by Rudyard Kipling. Set amidst pine-covered hills, the crumbling colonial architecture illustrates yet another aspect of India’s long and colorful history.
Dharamsala
The capital of the Tibetan government in exile is the residence of the Dalai Lama and an ideal place to study Tibetan Buddhism. Nestled amidst the Himalayan hills, Dharamsala exudes a spiritual quality, and offers the traveler insights into Tibetan culture currently unavailable in China.
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