Tea & Red Panda Himalayan Adventure | 9-Nights
$4199 per person
*Prices are CAD per person, based on 2 people sharing (operating with 2 passengers)
*Operating with 3-4 paying passengers the rate is $4099 CAD per person based on 2 people sharing
*Prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes. Trip Merchant reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets.
Delhi – Bagdogra – Tea Estate – Singalia National Park
This itinerary involves light walking including birdwatching & searching for the rare Red Panda along with a charming stay & experience in a Darjeeling Tea Estate. The landscapes of the Himalayas are beautiful & on clear days there are fantastic views of the Himalayan mountain range.
What’s Included:
– Accommodation and meals as per itinerary, transfers & vehicle support as per itinerary, all entrances & taxes as per itinerary.
– Total 09 Nights / 10 days – (2 Nights in Delhi Airport hotel, 3 Nights in Tea Estate, 4 nights in homestay in Singalila)
Not Included:
– Expenses of a personal nature, beverages, tips & gratuities, international or domestic airfare (quoted separately )
– Domestic Airfare ($395 CAD approx)
*MEMBER BENEFIT: Use the promo code EHG01 and as a Trip Merchant Member, when you book an Exotic Heritage Group program, you will receive your normal 2% Trip Merchant Loyalty Reward Dollars PLUS an extra $100 CAD in Loyalty Reward Dollars per person.
Call for assistance: 1-800-481-9739 ext 3
Mention Promo Code for Savings: EHG01
Departure Dates
*2022/2023 dates available upon request – various departure dates offered in the following months;
April
October
November
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Destination
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Arrival City
Delhi, India -
Departure City
Delhi, India -
Activity Level
This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven grounds and cobblestone streets. -
Passenger Limit
2 passengers
1
Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and transfer to the airport hotel.
Hotel: Overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza Airport Hotel
Hotel: Overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza Airport Hotel
2
Fly Delhi / Bagdogra / Transfer to Tea Estate ( 5500Ft )
After breakfast transfer to airport to fly to Bagdogra. Upon arrival drive approximately 2 hours to the Tea Estate.
Today we proceed to a Tea Estate in lower valley of Darjeeling Hills. The pure air, the crisp breeze, the soft, misting rain all come together in a wonderland where the tea grows with a finer flavor than anywhere else in the world. (Tea Factory and Garden activity is closed from November to March and each Monday. However, a walk in the garden and meeting with workers is still possible)
Hotel: Overnight at Tea Estate
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we proceed to a Tea Estate in lower valley of Darjeeling Hills. The pure air, the crisp breeze, the soft, misting rain all come together in a wonderland where the tea grows with a finer flavor than anywhere else in the world. (Tea Factory and Garden activity is closed from November to March and each Monday. However, a walk in the garden and meeting with workers is still possible)
Hotel: Overnight at Tea Estate
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3
Tea Estate tour full day with picnic lunch by a river ( 5500Ft )
Today we have a guided tea garden tour in the Tea Estate. Start the walking from a small Shiva temple, which is located on a hill top offering a nice birds eye view of the surrounding valley. Walk on the gentle road through the garden with the morning sun. Meet the workers on the way plucking the tea (during April to October). You also have the option of visiting the tea factory during the harvest time, where the garden manager will explain the various process of tea manufacturing. A special tea testing session can also be arranged for you here. The tea estate is also a very interesting place for bird life. You can walk to the river bed below the garden for about an hour and we will serve a picnic lunch for you. Interested people can also take a bath in the stream, which can be very refreshing. Spend your time in the serene environment before coming to the resort. You can walk back or also have an option for car pick up. Afternoon at leisure. (Tea Factory and Garden activity closed from November to March and each Monday. However, a walk in the garden and meeting with workers is still possible) As the sun sets behind the majestic Himalayas, enjoy the evening with a great opportunity for a brilliant night sky.
Hotel: Overnight at Tea Estate
Meals Provided:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4
Tea Estate / Singalila National Park ( 9200 Ft )— Approximately a 5 Hrs Drive
Today we have a very early breakfast and then drive to Singalila National Park – a beautiful hiking route in the highest part of Bengal, lying between Nepal and India. Singalila National Park is known for a vibrant Rhododendron Valley with sweeping view of a 360 degree panorama of Greater Himalayan Range, which includes the highest mountain peaks of the world Mt Everest and Mt Kanchenjunga. The bumpy ride over the steep gravel road, which is accessed mainly by foot or old fashioned 4-wheel jeep is challenging but the discomfort is overcome by the mesmerising view on your way. From Manebhanjang we change our vehicle to a 4-wheel drive and ride to Tonglu. At 10 000ft above sea level Tonglu – known as a trekkers’ paradise', is an excellent camping area in the higher Darjeeling Hills. The vast panorama of the greater Himalayan Ranges which includes Kunchenjungha Range in Sikkim, Mt Everest in Nepal, Chola Range in Bhutan is visible over the layers of valleys. We have the opportunity to walk in the beautiful trails as the jeep follows.
Our homestay is located in a quaint hamlet on the India and Nepal border, built in Nepali design and houses minimum basic amenities such as private hot shower and room heating, essentially a research hub cum wildlife tourism centre promoted by like-minded wildlife enthusiasts.
Hotel: Homestay
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5
Singalila - Full day Red Panda Activity - We have a full day in the Singalila park exploring the Panda Trail - ( 9200 Ft )
Singalila is one of the best places in India to see the elusive Red Panda. There are an estimated 32 Red Pandas within the limits of Singalila. Apart from the Red Panda, other mammals found here are: Himalayan Black bear, Clouded Leopard, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Himalayan Serow, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Wild Boar, Pangolin, Pika and many other Eastern Himalayan exotics. This is a Birding Paradise as well. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded here. It has a huge list of exotic birds, like- Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Kalij Pheasant, Brown and Fulvous Parrotbills, Rufous-vented Tit, and Old World babblers like the Fire-tailed Myzornis and the Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Rosefinchs, bullfinches, Wren Babblers, Laughingthrushes, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Yuhinas, Minivets, Partridges and many more.
Hotel: Overnight at Tea Estate
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6
Singalila - ( 9200 Ft )
Today we have another full day to explore on foot in the surrounding forests in search of Red Panda and also have the opportunity to see many Himalayan birds. Continuous jeep back-up.
Hotel: Overnight at Tea Estate
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Overnight at Tea Estate
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7
Singalila - ( up to 12108 Ft )
Drive to Sandakphu which commands a magnificent view of the entire snow ranges of Kunchenjungha Mountains. All major peaks of Kunchenjungha range with Mt Everest and Makalu in the far Western Nepal, Donkyala Pass and Chola Range in the Tibetan Frontier with Chomolhari Range in Bhutan are distinctly visible on a clear day. Watch the splendours of nature - as the day progresses mists coil up from the valley below to form a vast sea of clouds beneath your feet. Walk back or by vehicle to the the homestay.
Hotel: Overnight at Tea Estate
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8
Singalila to Tea estate return by jeep — ( 9200 Ft ) – apprx. 5hrs Drive
After breakfast we will return to the Tea Estate by a 4W Jeep. The bumpy ride of about 3hrs will end at Manebhanjang and from here we change our vehicle to a more comfortable ride to Tea Estate in 30min. Have a relaxed evening in the garden.
Hotel: Overnight at Tea Estate
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9
Tea Estate to Bagdogra, 50kms in 2hrs / Fly Delhi
After breakfast check-out from Tea Estate & drive approximately 2 hours to airport to connect to flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi & check-in at airport hotel.
Late evening transfer to International airport to connect to flight early morning of Day 10.
Hotel: Overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza Airport Hotel
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza Airport Hotel
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10
Delhi / Abroad
After breakfast check-out from hotel to connect to International Flight home.
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Meals Provided: Breakfast
11