Leave London Heathrow in the morning by British Airways non-stop flight to Delhi (8½ hours). On arrival in the late evening you will be met and transferred to the Claridges Hotel.

The morning is at leisure. This afternoon there will be a walking tour of Old Delhi to include Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk.

After the flight to Bagdogra (1½ hours) lunch is in nearby Siliguri before continuing by road through the southern slopes of the Himalayas to Darjeeling (2,135m) for a stay at the Mayfair Hill Resort (90 KM/ approximately 3 hours).

Morning tour of Darjeeling. Spectacularly set on a ridge surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dense conifer forests, Darjeeling still recalls the days of the Raj, and at the same time has become an enchanting melting pot of exotic hill and village peoples, full of bazaars selling colourful handicrafts. Afternoon departure by Darjeeling’s famous ‘Toy Train’. You will be on the train for around 1 hour disembarking at Ghoom where there will be a chance to visit the Monastery. Return to the Mayfair Hotel by car or you may wish to walk (approximately 50 minutes downhill). Please note: a ride on the Toy Train is subject to local conditions and if not operating this excursion will be done by car.

Leave Darjeeling by road for the scenic journey to Pelling in Sikkim, a former independent kingdom which became part of India in 1975 (78 KM/approximately 4 hours). Stay at the Norbu Gang Resort.

Sikkim has long been regarded as one of the last ‘Shangri-La’s’ because of its remoteness, spectacular mountain terrain, varied flora and fauna, and ancient Buddhist monasteries. Today visit the impressive monastery at Pemayangtse poised high above the River Rangit.

Drive to Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, for 2 nights at the Nor-Khill Hotel (117 KM/ approximately 6 hours).

Sightseeing today includes the Tibetan-style Rumtek Monastery and the unique Institute of Tibetology.

From Gangtok drive to Phuntsholing (300m), gateway to Bhutan, with lunch en route (209 KM/10 hours including stops). Dinner and overnight at the Druk Hotel.

After visiting Kharbandi Monastery, today’s fascinating drive will take you over jungle-clad mountains and passes to Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan (2,285m) for a 2 night stay at the Pedling Hotel (177 KM/ approximately 7½ hours).

Sightseeing includes the Taschichho Dzong, the Bhutanese seat of Government which is also the nation’s largest monastery, home in the summer months to 2,000 monks.

Today drive through rhododendron forests over the scenic Dochu-La Pass (3,050m), to visit the imposing monastery-fortress (Dzong) of Wangdiphodrang, continuing to Punakha, the winter capital of Bhutan, stay at the Hotel Zangthopelri (77 KM/approximately 3 hours).

Morning drive to Paro (2,285m) (120 KM/approximately 5 hours), located in a beautiful valley on the old trade route to Tibet. Transfer to the Olathang Hotel for 3 nights.

Sightseeing to include Paro Museum, once an ancient watchtower, and a panoramic view of Paro Dzong, where a monastery has stood since the 10th century.

A thrilling uphill walk this morning to view the 300-year old Taktsang or ‘Tiger’s Nest’ monastery, perched high on the edge of a sheer cliff of almost 1,000 metres overlooking the Paro Valley. The ascent is up a steep and winding track through a pine forest to reach a panoramic view of this Temple of Heaven, visited by pilgrims from all over Bhutan. Ponies can be provided for those who feel the walk up may be too strenuous. In the afternoon sightseeing includes the Paro Dzong, a superb example of Bhutanese architecture.

Return by air to Delhi, transfer to the Radisson Hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Early morning departure by British Airways to London Heathrow, arriving later the same morning.