This 12 day horticultural journey takes you closer to the natural life around West Bengal and Sikkim. Weaved exclusively for the Garden lovers, this entire expedition abounds unique interactions with passionate entrepreneurs, retreat owners and horticulturist.

Beginning with the colonial gardens of Kolkata and finishing in the forests of Himalayas, this fantastic journey will see you exploring botanical gardens, orchidariums, flower and plant markets, and nurseries, plant conservation and research activities; each one a new exploration and journey to learn from. Add to that a fresh stay amid tea gardens that blends exploring and gaining an understanding of the essential agronomy and learning the steps in the tea-making process from withering to sorting.

Itinerary

Welcome to the very heart of West Bengal; Kolkata

Explore the colonial gardens of Kolkata knotted with Art and History; absolutely one - of - a – kind

From Kolkata, Hop to Darjeeling, home to an interesting and varied collection of Himalayan flora

At Darjeeling, interact with Tea pickers and get an insider’s perspective on how tea is grown, manufactured and tasted. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony

Enter Gangtok; layers of nature, charming markets and superb views of world’s third highest peak; Mount

Kanchendzonga surround it

Nature lovers will revel in this beautiful landscape of Gangtok; lush hills bursting with orchids and rhododendron blossoms

In Gangtok, meet the keen Horticulturalist and preserver to enhance and enrich your knowledge on the plant science

From Gangtok, follow north to Lachung; your base to the beautiful valley of Yumthang and eventually a zero point plateau

Day excursion to Yumthang Valley; a peaceful slice of lush with rhododendron sanctuary in sight

Up next is Gangtok, base for the onward journey

From Gangtok, wind along the road that runs through a thick, well shaded forest and arrive at Kalimpong; quiet and quaint Into the Himalayan foothills of Kalimpong, spend the day exploring the gardens and nurseries Early morning, a short drive takes you to Bagdogra airport for the flight towards Kolkata

Homeward Bound

Day 1: Welcome to Kolkata Good to know

Arriving into Kolkata - the cosmopolitan capital of The city’s most famous landmark Victoria West Bengal, offers a lovely introduction to this Memorial stands amidst beautiful garden program. With number of spectacular gardens that grounds, dotted with patterned palms, ponds and surround Kolkata, art and culture that abounds statues. throughout its streets; 3 days here will see you appreciating the rhythms, the sounds and the absolute Inside, the 25 galleries cover a fascinating heart of its locals. selection of paintings that depict Kolkata’s history, an exquisite set of Persian manuscripts,

and other objects of historic value. Even if you don’t want to go in, the building is still worth

admiring from afar.

Take a chance and visit this magnificence and you may just be in for a wonderful experience

Day 2 Kolkata Sita Recommends

Over a course of three day stay; ramble in the streets Flower market- Wonderful collage of colors spilling over with distinct imperial character, lose Kolkata’s flower market blooms into bud in the wee yourself in its history, chat with locals about their lives hours of the morning and catching this scene in full and experience a way of life that is extremely foreign to bloom really is something that we highly recommend. all your senses. Out here, you can see flowers everywhere; on the ground, on people’s head, in carts and trucks and on

display. Visit the Botanical garden for the indigenous collection of plants. The main attraction of the 273-acre gardens Its quiet a chaotic and harried scene but the bright being the banyan tree, the world's largest, having a blooming flowers perfume everything with subtle sense circumference of 330m. These gardens are the biggest of calm. in Asia, and the second largest in the world.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Day 3: Kolkata – Bagdogra – Darjeeling Good to Know Breakfast at the hotel and drive to the airport in time for flight to Bagdogra. Assistance at the airport on arrival Lloyd Botanical Garden and drive for a couple of hours to Darjeeling for The Lloyd Botanical Garden harbors Himalayan exploring the acre upon acre of rolling tea bush and and alpine plant varieties, including flowers and forest….A house on a hill, a Himalayan sunrise and a orchids. There are over 1500 varieties of trees, tea garden that still marches to a century-old beat sheer. which represent species from 17 different countries.

Day 4: Darjeeling Sita Recommends

Spend your day exploring the beautiful nooks and Catch spectacular sunrise at Tiger Hill corners of Darjeeling. Rise early to drive uphill 13 km from Darjeeling Visiting the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute can be to see beautiful sunrise and Himalayan Range an interesting exploration. Started in Darjeeling when like Kanchandzonga, Mount Everest etc. One Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest to give training to can see the horizon changing colors just before learn Mountaineering and other adventure sports related sunrise and then the entire Himalayan range to mountaineering and in that Institute one can see turn golden. It is truly a majestic sight. equipment etc. Used by Mr. Tenzing Norgay and Everest Museum having complete details on Everest Discover the flavors of Indian Tea attached to institute, one can visit Himalayan Zoological Learn about the fascinating process of tea Park where one can see Himalayan animals like Snow making. From bush to factory - and into your

Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black tea cup at a tasting session, discover what goes Bear and several varieties of birds. into making a fine Darjeeling tea. Tibetan Self- Help Centre or Refugee Centre - This institute is run by Tibetan Refugees to preserve their handicrafts and one can see making of Tibetan Carpets, Leather work, Paintings and Wooden work etc.

Day 05: Darjeeling – Gangtok Good to Know

Breakfast at the hotel and journey further towards Rumtek Monastery Gangtok. Gangtok became the state capital in the mid- 19th century and has undergone rapid development Rumtek Monastery is the world Dharma chakra since then. The downtown area is dominated by huge Centre and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa government buildings decorated with traditional Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Opposite the entrance to Buddhist symbols. the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful Gangtok is also a great resting ground for people jewel studded Chorten the Golden Stupa, which traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a traveler’s delight. the xvi Gyalwa Karmapa. According to legend, it is believed that after years of meditation, the

first Karmapa was said to have been visited by

ten thousand fairies that came to congratulate him each of whom offered a strand of her hair

as a gift. These were said to have been woven into a black hat, which was passed down and is

still at the Rumtek Monastery today. It is said that unless held on to by the wearer (who of course, cannot be anyone else but the Karmapa)

or kept in a box, the hat would fly away.

Day 06: Gangtok Sita Recommends

Breakfast at the hotel and proceed for city tour The Flower Show Complex:

The complex is a pride and joy of Sikkim where Ipecac Garden: - About 14 Km from Gangtok toward the World famous Orchids of Sikkim are on Siliguri is the Ipecac Garden popularly known as exhibition along with seasonal flowers and “Saramsa Gardens” named after the exotic medicinal bonsai. Various competitions are organized here Ipecac plant which is grown here. Also exhibited is a wide variety of other floras including numerous species periodically to adjudge the best orchids that are of endemic orchids. You can picnic here amidst the then placed for displays. famous tree ferns of Sikkim that grow in abundance here.

Found here are some of the famous butterflies of Sikkim including the “Golden Birdwing” that is as endangered as the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Day 07: Gangtok – Lachung

After breakfast drive to North Sikkim. Enroute visit Phodong Monastery. Built by the Chogyal Gyrumed Namgyal in the early eighteenth century, it is one of the important monasteries of Sikkim following the Kagyupa sect.

Day 08: Lachung – Yumthang – Lachung

After breakfast drive to Yumthang. The road runs along the valley with snowcapped mountains rising high up on either side.

During spring season the journey is lit up with flaming rhododendrons and other mountain flowers.

YUMTHANG is a wide valley where the local herdsmen from Lachung camp their herds of yaks and cattle during summer. The day can be spent walking around in the valley, taking a dip in the hot sulphur spring or just gazing at the towering white Mountains around.

Lunch at Yumthang. Return to Lachung.

Day 9: Lachung - Gangtok

Drive back to Gangtok today and rest of the day is for your own exploration.

Sita Recommends

Day 10: Gangtok – Kalimpong Home hosted Lunch

Drive along the Gurgling streams for a couple of hours Arrive in time for a generous lunch at Neena’s to Kalimpong. In springtime, the ranges are glowing Kitchen; one of the greatest indulgences to be with rhododendrons. The ethnic population is friendly had in Kalimpong. and the influence of Buddhism is strong. Past the Batasia loop, past the Ghoom Buddhist monastery, past Here, the gracious family is your hosts and the lush tea gardens, you finally arrive in a quaint town willingly introduces you to the area, its history with slanting red roofs among the recent upsurge of and unspoilt beauty while pampering you with concrete, peeping at you from behind lofty pines. some delicious meals from their kitchen.

Neena is known for her food and hospitality whereas her husband; Jivan loves sharing and swapping stories. He retired as a senior tea planter and giving guests an impromptu lesson

on tea tasting is really something he enjoys.

It is an experience that is atmospheric; a quietude that is addictive; one that involves cuisine, culture and learning…

Good to Know

Day 11: Kalimpong Chebu Basti is famous for its orange farms and An unhurried destination; Kalimpong has forests that rice fields. There are a number of flower are a bird watcher and hiker’s paradise. Across the river nurseries in Chebu Basti farming rare orchids lie the forests and villages of the old royal kingdom of which Kalimpong is famous for. Sikkim, which you can access via a hanging bridge. Flower Nurseries: The climate of Kalimpong is Camp out, river raft, hike through the forest, wander ideal for the cultivation of flowers and plants. around the town, explore the tea estate in a four-wheel Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries which drive vehicle, or simply take in the sun. export exotic flowers like Amaryllis lilies, Anthuriums, Roses gerberas, Dahilias,

Gladiolias as well as Orchids and Cacti.

Day 12: Kalimpong -Bagdogra – Kolkata

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Bagdogra in time for flight till Kolkata. On arrival, transfer those to hotel who have flight the following day.

For those who have flights the same day, assisted transfer in time to the airport.

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Day 13: Homeward bound

As per your international flight, transfer to the airport for your onward destination

*With Sita, there is an exciting world of travel possibilities and it’s our goal to provide an

unforgettable combination of experiences. This routing can be customized based on your preferred destination, experiences and hotels.

15 days