The Himalayan Trail
- A Secret Retreats journey -
This journey has been personally designed by Karma Lotey who originates from beautiful Trongsa, nestled in Central Bhutan. His educational journey spans across Bhutan, India, and the United States, offering him a diverse perspective on both local and international dynamics. Leveraging his adeptness in outdoor activities alongside his managerial acumen, Karma curates adventure programs aimed at ensuring visitors experience the utmost satisfaction.
All our itineraries have generally been constructed on the basis of the rooms that have the most charm or best view, and not necessarily the first prices, nor the most expensive suites.
We can of course adjust according to your request.
We can of course adjust according to your request.
Highlights of the Journey:
- The rich history of Calcutta
- The tea gardens of Darjeeling
- The mysteries of Bhutan
- Chitwan National Park
- Pokhara and view over the Annapurna
Through the cultural heartlands of India, Bhutan, and Nepal, where history, nature, and tradition intertwine. From the bustling streets of Kolkata to the serene tea estates of Darjeeling, the mystical valleys of Bhutan, and the wildlife-rich jungles of Chitwan, this adventure offers a seamless blend of exploration and relaxation. Traverse ancient palaces, hike to cliffside monasteries, savor storytelling feasts, and witness breathtaking Himalayan vistas—all while immersing yourself in the rich heritage and warm hospitality of these diverse regions.
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Your Journey Day by Day
from 11,300 USD /person for 21 days / 20 nights
based on 2 people traveling together and sharing the same room
Day 1 - 2 : Kolkata (B/-/-)
Fly into the heart of West Bengal, land at the Airport of Kolkata. A transfer will be waiting for your arrival and take you to your stay at Glenburn Penthouse, perfectly nestled in the center of Historic Calcutta, facing the Victoria Memorial. Here you will be able to explore this massive city and all of its deep cultural roots. You will have two full days to explore this city.
On the second day, a guide will come and give you a special deep dive into the city of Kolkata, starting with an early morning visit to the riverside flower market, where you will get to see where the community gets its flowers for religious offerings and rituals. Then visit the British Raj in India, in and around Dalhousie Square. See where the City of Palaces Started. Take a break with some tea and a snack during a walk through St John’s Church or a local Dhaaba experience. From there, you will visit the Metcalfe Hall, the Park Street Cemetery, and the Victoria Memorial. Then end with lunch at a Bomti’s, a nineteenth-century old home-cooked restaurant in Kolkata specializing in Kolkata’s culinary heritage, before heading back to your stay for the day.
On the second day, a guide will come and give you a special deep dive into the city of Kolkata, starting with an early morning visit to the riverside flower market, where you will get to see where the community gets its flowers for religious offerings and rituals. Then visit the British Raj in India, in and around Dalhousie Square. See where the City of Palaces Started. Take a break with some tea and a snack during a walk through St John’s Church or a local Dhaaba experience. From there, you will visit the Metcalfe Hall, the Park Street Cemetery, and the Victoria Memorial. Then end with lunch at a Bomti’s, a nineteenth-century old home-cooked restaurant in Kolkata specializing in Kolkata’s culinary heritage, before heading back to your stay for the day.
HOTEL: Glenburn Penthouse
Day 3 : Kolkata - Murshidabad (B/L/D)
Enjoy some breakfast before checking out and boarding the train to Murshidabad, located by the Ganges River. You will arrive in the early afternoon at the station, and a transfer will be waiting to take you to your next stay at Bari Kothi. Once checked in, you will get to enjoy a five-course storytelling lunch, then get the full Ganges Experience, where you will get to visit organic farms, experience the sunset with a snack and tea boat ride.
In the evening, you will get a five-course storytelling dinner.
In the evening, you will get a five-course storytelling dinner.
HOTEL: Bari Kothi
Day 4 : Murshidabad (B/L/D)
On your second day at Murshidabad, you will get to dive deeper into Sherawali culture. In the early morning, you will take a heritage walk, exploring Jain Temples, old palaces, and terracotta temples. Then you will get to enjoy a five-course breakfast after your walk. After your filling feast, head out on a sightseeing tour to see the Hazarduari Palace, Immambara, Katra Mosque, Kathgola Palace, Footie’s Mosque, Wasif Manzil, and Weavers Village. Then enjoy a five-course storytelling lunch with some high tea, then check out to prepare for your overnight train to Darjeeling. In the afternoon, you will be taken on a storytelling tour of Bari Kothi.
Then return to have your full-course storytelling dinner before catching your overnight train ride to Darjeeling.
Then return to have your full-course storytelling dinner before catching your overnight train ride to Darjeeling.
HOTEL: Overnight train
Day 5 - 6 : Darjeeling – Glenburn Tea Estate (B/-/-)
You will arrive in Darjeeling train station in the early morning and a transfer will be waiting for your arrival, You will be driven to your next stay at Glenburn Tea Estate, one of the most active tea plantations that makes one of the most refined tea on Earth. At this estate you will stay for your two full days to explore the remarkable area of Darjeeling. Here you will get you will get to experience your own personal tours of the tea estate, the factory and tea tasting sessions. Go on nature walks through private forested areas and along river banks.
Take this chance to explore your surroundings and relax for the following days that you spend here.
Take this chance to explore your surroundings and relax for the following days that you spend here.
HOTEL: Glenburn Tea Estate
Day 7 : Glenburn - Phuentsholing Border (Bhutan) (B/-/D)
After your breakfast and checking out, prepare for a cross-country drive to Bhutan through Phuntsholing. All your visas and formalities will be pre-arranged by us so that you will be free of worry. Upon arrival at the border, your Indian driver will drop you off, and once you go through the checkpoint, your Bhutanese driver will be waiting for you on the other side. Once you are picked up, your driver will bring you to a hotel nearby to rest for the day. It will now be mid-afternoon because of how long the drive is, so this is now your chance to relax and enjoy dinner provided in the evening.
HOTEL: Lotus Villa
Day 8 : Phuentsholing -Thimphu (B/L/D)
This following morning you will continue on your journey with your driver after breakfast to get to Thimphu. On the way, you will get the chance to stop by the Chorten Memorial and the Chorten itself. There will be a lot of beautiful scenic views that you will get to see and stop by to take in. Once you arrive at your beautiful stay and check in, you will be taken on a sightseeing tour around Thimphu. You will get to drive up the mountain and get to see the full panoramic view of the city. Then you will get to visit the great Buddha of Dordenma and the nearby forests to discover the national animal of Bhutan, Takin.
Then head back for the evening to rest and enjoy dinner.
HOTEL: Zhiwaling Ascent
Day 9 : Thimphu (B/L/D)
Today you will have the chance to participate in many available activities. Today you will get the chance to learning how they make traditional handmade paper at the local paper factory. Get the chance to see the Textile academy and Museum where you can learn about the history of Bhutan’s textile cultural importance and history. Visit the Handicraft emporium run by the National Women’s Association of Bhutan where you can get the chance to check really neat craft creations and support the women of the area. Take the chance to see the Folk Heritage Museum to to learn more about the livelihood of the people of Bhutan and their culture. You can visit over thirteen different traditional arts and crafts schools. Vist the local Archery grounds where you might be able to catch a local match. If you go on the weekend, you can visit the weekend farmer’s market where you can see the local groceries and might be able to enjoy some local foods.
HOTEL: Zhiwaling Ascent
Day 10 : Thimphu - Punakha (B/L/D)
After breakfast and checking out, a driver will be pick you up to take you on a two hour driver to Punakha. Along the way you can get the chance to excursions and a stop at the beautiful Dochula pass, with a hundred stupa/chorten at the center of the pass as a memorial of martyrs, for those who fought at Bhutan-China border. A monastery is also built here. After your travels and excursion you will arrive at your hotel in the mountains to enjoy your dinner and rest for the evening.
HOTEL: Dhensa Boutique Hotel
Day 11 : Punakha (B/L/D)
Your program today after your breakfast will be to explore the valley of Punakha. Your first activity is to hike to the Khamsum Yulley Chorten which was built by the Queen of Bhutan for the wellbeing or sentient beings and world peace. Next you will do the Chimi Lhakhang Hike, visit the temple that is dedicated to the 15th century figure known as the divine mad monk Lama, Drukpa Kuenley. The locals go there to receive blessings of fertility. You can also get the chance to go on a gentle raft cruise on the Punakha River.
After your excursion, head back and relax for the evening.
HOTEL: Dhensa Boutique Hotel
Day 12 : Punakha – Paro (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you will check out and journey onwards with a driver to Paro. The drive will take around three hours. Once you have reached Paro, enjoy some lunch before getting to visit the Ta Dzong. A 17th century monument, which now houses the National Museum with an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities. It served as a watch tower during the Tibetan invasion and played a strategic role in Bhutan’s successful defenses. Then drive up to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang dedicated to Buddha, which was built in the seventh Century similar to the Jampa in Bumthang. Next, visit the Paro Dzong. This again, as with all Dzongs, is the Centre for civil and religious activities.
The evenings are free to look around the small quaint town of Paro before retreating back to your stay.
HOTEL: Zhiwaling Heritage
Day 13 : Paro (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you will embark on a hike to Taktsang, The Tiger's Nest. This serene monastery clings to a steep granite cliff about seven hundred meters above the valley floor. Legend has it that the Guru Padmasamhava flew to this rocky cave in the eighth century to meditate. He flew here on the back of a tigress hence the name. Being one of the most revered pilgrim sites, many thousands of pilgrims come here every year, some walking for a month to reach here. The surrounding area has many temples, monasteries and cells where many monks, nuns and lay people can meditate. Some even for a lifetime. Although we are not allowed inside the monastery we can hike up to the view point, where a cafeteria is situated. From here you can get a most spectacular and breath-taking view of Taktsang. It takes about two hours to get there and about two hours to return down. Then head back to your hotel to rest for the evening.
HOTEL: Zhiwaling Heritage
Day 14 : Paro – Kathmandu Valley (B/-/D)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short morning flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. We will try to secure seats on the right of the aircraft so you will be able to see Mount Everest and all the other High Peaks in that section of the Himalayas as you descend. Upon arrival a pick up and transfer will be arranged to your next hotel located in Bhaktapur, filled with artisans and history. This evening you will enjoy dinner at the hotel.
HOTEL: The Nanee
Day 15 : Bhaktapur (B/L/D)
This morning, go on a walking tour of the local communities of Bhaktapur. See how the town springs to life with the sounds of the markets, temple bells and the sounds of local prayers. Browse through local markets, to see the local groceries, arts and crafts of the local people. Smell the brew of fresh Chiya and the chatter of local people as the run rises on this morning tour. You will have the midday, to as explore at your own pace. In the evening you will get to meet and spend an evening with a local artisan. Where you will be able to see their house, their workshop and their galleries. Where you will get to exchange and share stories whilst sipping Himalayan Tea in their living. You will the get to explore Bhaktapur by night, where you get to see the town in a different tone, where you get to see the town illuminate with soft glow of streetlights as you stroll through streets.
HOTEL: The Nanee
Day 16 : Kathmandu - Chitwan (B/L/D)
Check out after having breakfast so that you are ready to be picked up by your transfer from Bhaktapur to Chitwan which will take approximately six hours. You will arrive around midday, just in time for lunch. Once you arrive and checked in, you will have time to relax before going on a village tour to learn about Tharu culture and their lifestyle. After the visit you will head back to your hotel to relax and enjoy your dinner. At around seven in the evening, there will be a presentation by a naturalist, to give you an in depth background and history of the Chitwan National Park and the wildlife.
HOTEL: Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
Day 17 : Chitwan (B/-/-)
Have an early breakfast, before going on your nature walk in the middle of the national park. Where you will get the possibility to discover over eighth hundred species of birds with the help of the naturalist guiding you. After your walk through the the park, come back to your hotel to enjoy some lunch. A jeep will be ready to take you on a Safari tour after you have eaten. Start excursion from the open grassland area followed by riverine which continues inside the dense forest. During the trip, the guide naturalist provides information about the flora, fauna and wildlife and assists to spot wildlife during the ride. As the sunsets, you will get to enjoy a Sun-Downer on the river banks with varieties of homemade snacks and beverages. You will then a to enjoy a Tharu Cultural Show, where community comes and performs their traditional songs and dances in their traditional ethnic attire. After the show you will head back for dinner and rest for the night.
HOTEL: Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
Day 18 - 20 : Chitwan - Pokhara (B/L/D)
This morning, make sure to grab some breakfast before checking out. A driver will provided for your transfer to the Bhaktapur Airport for your flight to Pokhara. Which you have reached and landed in Pokhara, a transfer will arranged to your next stay at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. This lodge has the most spectacular view of Annapurna Massif, the tenth hights mountain in the world. Upon arrival you and checking in, you will get the opportunity to choose a variety of different activities offered by the lodge such as walks, visits of local villages, exploring different regions such as the Khahare/Naudanda, visiting the lake and the river.
You will be spending three full days here so you can move at your own pace.
HOTEL: Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge
Day 21 : Pokhara – Kathmandu Departure (B/-/-)
Enjoy your last breakfast in the heart of the Himalayas and breathing in the fresh mountain air before checking out to catch your ride to the airport to catch your flights to Kathmandu then connecting to next destination.
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Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary
Lotus Villa
Dhensa Boutique Hotel
Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
The Himalayan Trail
21 days / 20 nights
from 11,300 USD /person
based on 2 people traveling together and sharing the same room
The journey price includes:
All accommodations at suggested hotels
3 Flight Tickets : Paro to Kathmandu / Bharatpur (Chitwan) to Pokhara / Pokhara to Kathmandu
All meals specified in the programme (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner).
All transfers by private, spacious, air-conditioned car, with provision of water and refreshing towels, and a professional driver
All other transportation used for travel (Train to Darjeeling)
The Vehicles service we use are vetted by us to ensure well maintained, correctly licensed, good and safe drivers.
Licensed English speaking guide, activities, excursions and entry fees for places mentioned in the program
Visa fee to Bhutan only
Government taxes currently in force (VAT, etc...)
The total price does not include:
International Flights to Kolkata and from Kathmandu
Visa – Please verify latest requirements for India and Nepal. Make sure passports are valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date
Beverages, personal expenses and other services not clearly mentioned
Tipping guides and drivers, which are of course not mandatory, but always appreciated, are subject to your discretion.
Travel insurance of any kind. We recommend you to subscribe personally to a Travel insurance.
This Secret Journey was designed in cooperation with Yangphel Travel (license #1000138)
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