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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Small Group Tour

Darjeeling & the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

Escorted 16-day journey through Darjeeling and Bhutan by rail, coach, and flight

Illustration of Darjeeling & the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

Great Rail Journeys operates this 16-day escorted tour across India and Bhutan, departing from London Heathrow and returning there after journeying through Kolkata, Darjeeling, and Bhutan's capital Thimphu. Your Tour Manager travels with you and the group of up to 22 travellers throughout. The pace alternates between guided exploration in colonial cities and remote mountain regions, with unscheduled free time in Kolkata and Darjeeling. You ride the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a narrow-gauge steam train climbing almost 7,000 feet; travel the Shatabdi Express through the foothills crossing the sacred Ganges; and explore on foot and by coach through Bhutanese monasteries and temples. Accommodation ranges from five-star colonial hotels to solid 3-4 star properties in Bhutan. All breakfasts, most dinners, selected lunches, guided tours, and internal flights are included. This suits repeat rail travellers seeking a structured cultural journey, history enthusiasts drawn to colonial landmarks and Buddhist temples, and photographers seeking dramatic mountain scenery and sunrise vistas.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is GBP 1,000 above half the double-occupancy price, a significant uplift for solo travellers.
  • Day 8 involves a long coach journey from Darjeeling into Bhutan; the border crossing and mountain roads require patience.
  • Day 10 includes a trek to Tiger's Nest viewpoint; this is not a casual stroll and requires moderate fitness.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In-flight / Delhi (transit)

    An overnight flight to Kolkata

    Your Indian and Bhutanese holiday begins at London Heathrow, where you meet the Tour Manager and group of fellow travellers, ready to board the flight to India. The journey pauses overnight in Delhi, where you switch planes and continue onwards to the West Bengal province.

  2. Day 2overnight: Kolkata

    Arrival in Kolkata, the 'City of Joy'

    Landing in Kolkata, you are transferred by coach to a five-star hotel in the heart of the state capital. Breakfast on arrival, then the remainder of the day is free to relax, acclimatise or explore at leisure. The evening features the first group dinner together.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Kolkata

    Discovering Kolkata on a guided tour

    A guided city tour of Kolkata includes the Mullick Ghat flower market, Mother House (convent and final resting place of Mother Teresa), the white-marble Victoria Memorial, the railway museum, the historic centre, the potter's colony, and a ride on the Circular Railway to the James Prinsep memorial.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Siliguri

    Crossing the revered Ganges by modern rail

    A relaxed morning in Kolkata before lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer to Howrah Junction to board the Shatabdi Express in AC Executive Class for a 350-mile, eight-hour journey to New Jalpaiguri, crossing the sacred Ganges River en route. Picnic-style dinner on board. Transfer to hotel in Siliguri on arrival.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Darjeeling

    Climbing the Himalayas on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

    Visit Salugara Monastery before travelling by jeep to Kurseong for lunch at the Cochrane Place Hotel. Board the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway ('Toy Train') and climb almost 7,000 feet into the Himalayas, arriving at the five-star heritage hotel in Darjeeling late afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Darjeeling

    Toy Train to Ghoom Monastery

    Optional early morning excursion to Tiger Hill for sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast, board the steam-hauled 'Toy Train' to Ghoom to tour Ghoom Monastery. Return to Darjeeling by coach, with free time for lunch, a visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (resting place of Tenzing Norgay), and a walking tour to St Andrews Church.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Darjeeling

    Tea time in Darjeeling

    After breakfast, meet the son of a Gurkha veteran who shares stories of his father's service in WWII. Visit the Golden Tips stall for a Darjeeling tea tasting, then take a heritage walk through the city to see the clock tower and head post office. The afternoon is free to explore independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Phuentsholing

    Crossing into the kingdom of Bhutan

    Coach journey from Darjeeling towards Bhutan, passing waterfalls and crossing the Coronation Bridge over the Teesta River. Lunch stop at Chalsa surrounded by tea plantations. Cross into Bhutan at Jaigaon under an ornately decorated gate. Check in to hotel in the border town of Phuentsholing.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Paro

    A journey into the Bhutanese Himalayas

    Scenic drive from Phuentsholing deep into Bhutan's Himalayas to Paro, with a lunch stop en route. Guided tour of historic Paro including the oldest Buddhist temple in the country, concluding with a guided tour and beer-tasting at the Namgay Artisanal Brewery.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Paro

    The Tiger's Nest Monastery

    Trek up to the Tiger's Nest viewpoint to admire the 17th-century monastery clinging to the cliffside above the Paro Valley. Lunch on the walk back down, then excursion to the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most beautiful temples.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Punakha Valley

    Rinpung Dzong temple and the Dochula Pass

    Visit the National Museum of Bhutan in Paro (housed in a 17th-century watchtower with over 3,000 exhibits), then the 15th-century Rinpung Dzong fortress. Drive along the snow-covered Dochula Pass with its 108 memorial chortens, with lunch en route. Arrive at hotel in the Punakha Valley; opportunity to create a spiritual mandala from coloured rice before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  12. Day 12overnight: Thimphu

    Sacred sights of the Punakha Valley and arrival in Thimphu

    Visit Chimi Lhakhang (the temple of fertility) and Punakha Dzong ('Palace of Great Happiness'). Lunch at a local farmhouse. Arrive in Thimphu for an exploratory walk including the 17th-century Tashichho Dzong and a local craft bazaar. Check in to centrally located hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  13. Day 13overnight: Thimphu

    Exploring the Bhutanese capital

    Full day in Thimphu: visit the Memorial Chorten, the Buddha Dordenma statue (nearly 180 feet high), the Royal Takin Preserve, and the Simply Bhutan living heritage museum for a traditional lunch. Afternoon visit to the National Institute for Zorig Chusum and a tea-offering ceremony with nuns at Zilukha Nunnery. Cultural performance before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  14. Day 14overnight: Kolkata

    Back across the Indian border to Kolkata

    Fly from Paro airport back to Kolkata. Check in to five-star hotel; the rest of the day is free. Optional cruise along the Hooghly River (payable locally). Final group dinner together at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  15. Day 15overnight: In-flight

    A final day to explore Kolkata

    Free morning and afternoon in Kolkata to explore the historic centre including the General Post Office, Writer's Building, St John's Church, and Kolkata's Town Hall. Coach transfer to Kolkata airport in the early evening for the overnight flight back to the UK via Delhi.

    Meals: Breakfast

  16. Day 16

    Homeward bound

    Arrive back at London Heathrow and free to make your way home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Day 4: The Shatabdi Express climbs through India for eight hours in AC Executive Class, crossing the sacred Ganges River en route to the Himalayan foothills.
  • Day 5Day 5: Board the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway ('Toy Train') and climb almost 7,000 feet into the mountains on narrow-gauge heritage track.
  • Day 10Day 10: Trek uphill to Tiger's Nest Monastery, a 17th-century monastery clinging to the cliffside above the Paro Valley in Bhutan.
  • Day 11Day 11: Cross the snow-covered Dochula Pass lined with 108 white memorial chortens, then descend into the Punakha Valley.
  • Day 13Day 13: Visit the nearly 180-foot golden Buddha Dordenma statue, the Royal Takin Preserve, and join Buddhist nuns for a tea ceremony and cultural performance in Thimphu.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 13 nights' 3, 4 & 5-star hotel accommodation
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Standard Class, Executive AC Class & non-AC Chair Class rail travel
  • Return flights from London Heathrow to Kolkata via Delhi
  • All internal flights
  • Breakfast each day
  • 8 lunches
  • 13 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The fare includes all rail journeys on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Shatabdi Express, and Kolkata Circular Railway, as well as coach travel and internal flights.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
It is an escorted small group tour. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout the 16 days, and the group size is capped at 22 travellers. Guided tours and excursions are included.
How many nights are on trains?
None. This tour includes rail travel during the day on three trains, but overnight accommodation is in hotels. Day 1 is an overnight flight, and Days 15-16 involve overnight flights returning to the UK.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, 8 lunches, and 13 dinners are included. On Day 4, dinner is a picnic-style meal aboard the Shatabdi Express.
Which hotels are used?
The Taj Bengal Hotel and Druk Hotel in Kolkata, Hotel Mayfair in Darjeeling, Hotel Druk in Phuentsholing, Tiger Nest Resort in Paro, RKPO Green Resort in Punakha Valley, and Druk Hotel in Thimphu. Most are 3-5 star properties.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers five departures: October 2026, February 2027, March 2027, October 2027, and November 2027.

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