24 Oct 2026
Twin share
£5,675pp
Single from £6,734
Escorted tour
Discover Darjeeling & Bhutan: Kolkata to Kathmandu – 21 Days
The Sundarbans, Darjeeling's Toy Train, Sikkim and Bhutan's Tiger's Nest, ending in Kathmandu, in a group of 4 to 16.
21 days
From £5,675
Tour overview
This 21-day small-group tour travels from the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans to the tea hills of Darjeeling, the Buddhist monasteries of Sikkim and the mountain kingdom of Bhutan, ending with a flight to Kathmandu in Nepal. Groups have between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You stay twenty nights in hotels, two nights at a tiger camp in the Sundarbans and one on an overnight sleeper train. Twenty breakfasts, eight lunches and seven dinners are included, among them a picnic lunch at Khecheopalri Lake and traditional Bhutanese meals.
In Kolkata, once the capital of British India, you explore St John's Church, the flower market and the temples of Belur Math and Dakshineswar. Leaving the city, you head to the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and home to the Bengal tiger, for two nights at a tiger camp, cruising narrow creeks to wildlife viewing platforms in search of crocodiles, birds and perhaps a tiger.
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An overnight train carries you north to New Jalpaiguri and up to Darjeeling, where you watch sunrise over the Himalaya from Tiger Hill and ride the Toy Train, the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, to Ghoom Monastery. Long scenic drives through Sikkim take you to Pelling's Pemayangtse Monastery and the Chenrezig statue, then to Gangtok, the capital, with a Tibetan craft centre and Rumtek Monastery on the way to Kalimpong.
Passing through tea estates, you enter Bhutan at Phuentsholing and drive to Thimphu to see the Tashichho Dzong. Crossing the Dochu La pass through rhododendron forest, you visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 where two rivers meet, then climb to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest Monastery, clinging to a cliff above Paro. A short flight across the Himalaya brings you to Kathmandu, where the trip ends.
The physical rating is medium, with long drives on mountain roads and a steep hike to the Tiger's Nest. This trip suits curious travellers who want a varied journey through the eastern Himalaya, from tiger country to Bhutan's dzongs. The flight from Paro to Kathmandu is included. Departures are limited, so early booking is recommended.
Trip highlights
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Two nights in the Sundarbans (Days 4–5)
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Sunrise from Tiger Hill (Day 8)
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The Darjeeling Toy Train (Day 9)
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Sikkim's monasteries (Days 10–14)
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Punakha Dzong (Day 18)
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The Tiger's Nest Monastery (Day 19)
Your route
15 stops from Kolkata to Kathmandu
- Kolkata Days 1–3 & 6
- Sundarbans (Tiger Camp) Days 4–5
- New Jalpaiguri Day 7
- Darjeeling Days 7–9
- Pelling Days 10–11
- Rabdentse Day 12
- Gangtok Days 12–13
- Rumtek Monastery Day 14
- Kalimpong Day 14
- Phuentsholing Day 15
- Thimphu Day 16
- Punakha Day 17
- Paro Days 18–19
- Tiger's Nest Monastery Day 19
- Kathmandu Days 20–21
Why choose this tour
Tiger country, tea hills and Bhutan in one varied journey. Small groups of 4 to 16, ending in Kathmandu.
Best suited to
- Curious travellers
- Wildlife and culture lovers
- Solo travellers looking for a small group
- Return visitors to India
Day-by-day itinerary
21 days from Kolkata, India to Kathmandu, Nepal
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Day 1 · Kolkata Arrive in Kolkata
The tour starts in Kolkata.
- Hotel
- Peerless Inn or similar
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Day 2 · St John's Church, Kolkata Kolkata
A tour of the city's major sights.
- Hotel
- Peerless Inn or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Belur Math, Dakshineswar Kolkata
The flower market and temples.
- Hotel
- Peerless Inn or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Sundarbans Sundarbans
Into the mangrove forests.
- Hotel
- Sunderban Tiger Camp or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 · Dobanke Sundarbans
Cruise narrow creeks to look for wildlife.
- Hotel
- Sunderban Tiger Camp or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6 · Sudhanyakhali, Kolkata Overnight train
A last cruise, then the night train north.
- Hotel
- Overnight sleeper train
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 7 · New Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling Darjeeling
Drive up to the hill station.
- Hotel
- Summit Montana Suites & Spa or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Tiger Hill Tiger Hill
Sunrise over the Himalaya.
- Hotel
- Summit Montana Suites & Spa or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Ghoom Monastery Toy Train
Ride the Toy Train to Ghoom.
- Hotel
- Summit Montana Suites & Spa or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Pelling, Sanga Choling Monastery Pelling
A long drive and an evening walk.
- Hotel
- Norbu Ghang Retreat or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · Pemayangtse Monastery Pelling
The Chenrezig statue and monastery.
- Hotel
- Norbu Ghang Retreat or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 12 · Gangtok Gangtok
Via Sikkim's former capital.
- Hotel
- Summit Namnang Courtyard or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Gangtok Gangtok
A Tibetan craft centre and chorten.
- Hotel
- Summit Namnang Courtyard or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 14 · Rumtek, Kalimpong Kalimpong
Via Rumtek Monastery.
- Hotel
- Summit Barsana Resort and Spa or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 15 · Phuentsholing Into Bhutan
Through tea estates to the border.
- Hotel
- Lhaki Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 16 · Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu Thimphu
Drive to the capital.
- Hotel
- Bhutan Peaceful Residency & Spa or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 17 · Dochu La, Punakha Punakha
Over the pass through rhododendron forest.
- Hotel
- Zhingkham Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 18 · Punakha Dzong, Paro Paro
The riverside dzong, then Paro.
- Hotel
- Hotel Drukchen or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 19 · Taktsang Monastery Tiger's Nest
Hike to the cliffside monastery.
- Hotel
- Hotel Drukchen or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 20 · Kathmandu Kathmandu
A short flight across the Himalaya.
- Hotel
- Hotel Ambassador or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 21 · Kathmandu Trip ends
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Kolkata (3 nights) Peerless Inn or similar
- Sundarbans (2 nights) Sunderban Tiger Camp or similar
- Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri (1 night) Overnight sleeper train
- Darjeeling (3 nights) Summit Montana Suites & Spa or similar
- Pelling (2 nights) Norbu Ghang Retreat or similar
- Gangtok (2 nights) Summit Namnang Courtyard or similar
- Kalimpong (1 night) Summit Barsana Resort and Spa or similar
- Phuentsholing (1 night) Lhaki Hotel or similar
- Thimphu (1 night) Bhutan Peaceful Residency & Spa or similar
- Punakha (1 night) Zhingkham Resort or similar
- Paro (2 nights) Hotel Drukchen or similar
- Kathmandu (1 night) Hotel Ambassador or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 19 nights in hotels and a tiger camp, and 1 on an overnight train
- Meals 20 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners
- Private transport, overnight train and a flight from Paro to Kathmandu
- Kolkata sightseeing
- Sundarbans boat trips
- Tiger Hill and the Darjeeling Toy Train
- Sikkim monasteries and Bhutan sightseeing
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Visas for India and Nepal
- Meals not included 11 lunches and 13 dinners
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You dislike long drives — some days are around eight hours
- You want luxury
- You want an active trekking holiday
- You want flights to India included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–21 · Lunch: Days 4–6, 11 and 16–19 · Dinner: Days 4–5 and 15–19
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £5,675 per person, twin share, tour only. 1 upcoming departure. Single travellers from £6,734 (single supplement from £1,059).
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Will I see a tiger in the Sundarbans?
Tigers live here but are rarely seen. Crocodiles, deer and birdlife are more common.
Is the flight to Kathmandu included?
Yes, the flight from Paro to Kathmandu is included.
How long are the drives?
Some days in Sikkim and Bhutan involve around seven or eight hours on mountain roads.
Do I need visas?
UK visitors need visas for India and Nepal. Bhutan's permit is arranged as part of the trip.
Does the trip need a minimum number?
Yes, departures need at least 4 travellers to run.
How many people travel together?
Between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary