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At the crossroads of Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, on the land that formerly belonged of the kingdom of Sikkim, there is a unique settlement that brings you face to face with small tea producers in Darjeeling. The area is marked by serenity, beauty, and a harmony between the nature and its inhabitants. At the heart of these villages in Darjeeling, the tea producers wait to welcome you.
On this tour, you will first discover the amazing city of Darjeeling and the diversity it offers, owing to its British history and Tibetan Buddhist culture. Then you'll head for the hills of the Mineral Spring where the tea producers await. Closely tied to their land, they live in perfect sync with nature and grow tea on plots of less than one hectare according to the principles of organic farming and agro ecology. You will visit their gardens where tea plants are grown amidst crops of orange, mango, ginger, cardamom, and pineapple.
The producers will share a part of their life with you wherein you'll get a rare chance to discover the richness of their culture and traditions. You'll share home-made meals with tea producers, visit the school of the village, spend a few nights in an eco-lodge, attend a tasting of teas, and learn about their work and their cooperative from up close.
This unique trip gives you an opportunity to know the source where the tea you consume everyday comes from. It also allows you to forge new relationships with small tea producers halfway across the world. A journey full of meaning and warmth, it combines relaxation and discovery, fun and authenticity, the discovery of tea and meetings with the men and women who grow it.
Seasons:
• Best times for harvest: mid March to mid June, mid September to end of November • Best times to visit: early March to late April, early October to mid November
Airport reception (usually in the evening). Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.
Airport reception (usually in the evening). Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.
You explore Delhi, where the splendour of the great Mughal Empire exists in tandem with the modernism of the new city. You visit Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in India and a masterpiece of Mughal art. You go on subsequently to the north of the city to discover Old Delhi, the historical centre of the city and one of its oldest shopping areas. You can shop in and around Chandni Chowk. Wander into the spice market and revel in this uniquely animated place that stimulates all your senses. After lunch, you head out to the Shahpur Jat area, towards the south of the city; a visit to this friendly and fashionable neighbourhood is a must. You pause briefly for a tasting in a tea shop run by a family that has been in the tea trade for a long time. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
The capital of India, founded on the site of seven historic cities, today consists of the old town and the new, two halves that make up a chaotic yet stimulating unit. The fortified citadel and the Red Fort remind you of the serene strength and elegance of the Mughal Empire. The lively Chandni Chowk, famous for its gold and silver merchants, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, and the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, are some of the interesting stops on a Delhi tour.
New Delhi is a vibrant city with buildings with multiple floors, boulevards, fountains, and large parks. Some iconic stops include the Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, and Connaught Place, which is a true mirror of the capital and combines street vendors, silk window displays, cinemas and chic restaurants.
You explore Delhi, where the splendour of the great Mughal Empire exists in tandem with the modernism of the new city. You visit Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in India and a masterpiece of Mughal art. You go on subsequently to the north of the city to discover Old Delhi, the historical centre of the city and one of its oldest shopping areas. You can shop in and around Chandni Chowk. Wander into the spice market and revel in this uniquely animated place that stimulates all your senses. After lunch, you head out to the Shahpur Jat area, towards the south of the city; a visit to this friendly and fashionable neighbourhood is a must. You pause briefly for a tasting in a tea shop run by a family that has been in the tea trade for a long time. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
The capital of India, founded on the site of seven historic cities, today consists of the old town and the new, two halves that make up a chaotic yet stimulating unit. The fortified citadel and the Red Fort remind you of the serene strength and elegance of the Mughal Empire. The lively Chandni Chowk, famous for its gold and silver merchants, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, and the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, are some of the interesting stops on a Delhi tour.
New Delhi is a vibrant city with buildings with multiple floors, boulevards, fountains, and large parks. Some iconic stops include the Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, and Connaught Place, which is a true mirror of the capital and combines street vendors, silk window displays, cinemas and chic restaurants.
Early departure to the airport and flight to Bagdogra. From here you leave the Himalayan piedmont to climb the high hills and meadows of the Himalayas. Taking the traditional route of tea trade, you ascend for more than two thousand meters to reach Darjeeling, a hill station established by the British in the nineteenth century. They were the ones who developed the most famous tea gardens of the world here.
The name Darjeeling comes from the Tibetan word Dorje, literally meaning the mystical thunderbolt wielded by the Indian god Indra. Indra is believed to bring water to the land and is considered a symbol of fertility. Darjeeling was ceded by the King of Sikkim to the British East India Company in 1835. The British then built a resort here, dedicated to recuperation and recovery. It was in 1850 that the English realized what an exceptional climate the place offered for tea cultivation. They created large plantations that still produce some of the best teas in the world.
Early departure to the airport and flight to Bagdogra. From here you leave the Himalayan piedmont to climb the high hills and meadows of the Himalayas. Taking the traditional route of tea trade, you ascend for more than two thousand meters to reach Darjeeling, a hill station established by the British in the nineteenth century. They were the ones who developed the most famous tea gardens of the world here.
The name Darjeeling comes from the Tibetan word Dorje, literally meaning the mystical thunderbolt wielded by the Indian god Indra. Indra is believed to bring water to the land and is considered a symbol of fertility. Darjeeling was ceded by the King of Sikkim to the British East India Company in 1835. The British then built a resort here, dedicated to recuperation and recovery. It was in 1850 that the English realized what an exceptional climate the place offered for tea cultivation. They created large plantations that still produce some of the best teas in the world.
Morning departure for a ride to Ghoom aboard the mythical "Darjeeling Himalayan Railway" or Toy Train, a UNESCO world heritage site and you visit the monastery where Alexandra David-Neel once lived; back to Darjeeling, the city which used to be the summer residence of the viceroys of India when Calcutta was the capital. After lunch, you visit the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre and the Museum of the Himalayas.
You will discover a stunning diversity and richness in the city, with its British colonial houses and Catholic churches standing alongside Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries. Darjeeling was for long the gateway to Tibet. Its people are mainly of Nepalese and Tibetan origin, giving it a unique character.
You will also have time during the day to stop in one of the shops in the streets and enjoy freshly hand-picked spring tea or the famous Indian chai.
Morning departure for a ride to Ghoom aboard the mythical "Darjeeling Himalayan Railway" or Toy Train, a UNESCO world heritage site and you visit the monastery where Alexandra David-Neel once lived; back to Darjeeling, the city which used to be the summer residence of the viceroys of India when Calcutta was the capital. After lunch, you visit the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre and the Museum of the Himalayas.
You will discover a stunning diversity and richness in the city, with its British colonial houses and Catholic churches standing alongside Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries. Darjeeling was for long the gateway to Tibet. Its people are mainly of Nepalese and Tibetan origin, giving it a unique character.
You will also have time during the day to stop in one of the shops in the streets and enjoy freshly hand-picked spring tea or the famous Indian chai.
Calcutta - Delhi, Day 11 (daily prices subject to change at the time of booking according to the occupancy).
The night train from Siliguri to Calcutta, Day 9.
The services of an English-speaking guide for the entire duration of the trip (the price includes his meals, salary, housing, and transport).
1 to 2 persons of the cooperative Mineral Spring, Days 5 and 6.
Dinner, Days 2 to 8.
Lunch, Days 5 and 6.
At the Eco-lodge, Days 5 and 6.
Double rooms excluding surcharge for booking single room.
Double rooms at the eco-lodge.
Toy train ride in Darjeeling, Day 4.
'Food Tour' in Kolkata, Day 10.
International flights and airport taxes (international).
Lunches (except Day 5 & Day 6).
Visa fees.
Repatriation Assistance.
Very Important: Make sure that your insurance covers, in the event of accident, all medical expenses, cost of helicopter evacuation and repatriation back home by an international flight. Also note that the Gold Card does not cover evacuation by helicopter
Entries into temples, monuments, monasteries, and museums
Your personal first aid kit.
Drinks and personal expenses.
Tips.
Any expenses not mentioned in 'The price includes'.
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