Incredible North East India

After breakfast, explore colonial Kolkata. Begin at Dalhousie Square, the city's historic heart, taking in Raj Bhawan, St. John's Church, the Writers' Building and the GPO — grand reminders of British rule. Continue to the Mullick Ghat Flower Market beneath Howrah Bridge, the 1943 cantilever marvel, and Kumartulli, the 400-year-old artisan quarter where Bengal's festival idols are sculpted. Wander College Street's book stalls and pause at the legendary Indian Coffee House before an evening cruise on the Hooghly River. Overnight in Kolkata.

After breakfast, continue exploring Kolkata. Visit the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, built in 1847 and famed for its association with the mystic Ramakrishna Paramhansa, its courtyard ringed by twelve shrines to Shiva. See the white-marble Victoria Memorial (closed Mondays) and St. Paul's Cathedral with its soaring spire and Florentine frescoes. Explore the Indian Museum (closed Mondays), one of Asia's oldest, founded in 1814, then visit Mother Teresa House (closed Thursdays), home of the Missionaries of Charity. Overnight in Kolkata.

After breakfast, fly to Bagdogra and drive on to Darjeeling (around three hours). Standing at 2,134m in the Himalayas, 'Dorje Ling' — the place of the thunderbolt — offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, with Kanchenjunga rising above them all. Often called the 'Queen of the Hills', it charms with tiny waterfalls, little villages and its narrow-gauge mountain railway, all surrounded by world-famous tea gardens. Graeme Westlake described its outlook as 'a view scarcely unrivalled on Earth'. Overnight in Darjeeling.

Rise early for the drive to Tiger Hill to watch the sunrise paint the Himalayan range — Kanchenjunga and, on clear days, Everest — in shifting gold. Return for breakfast, then ride the famous Darjeeling Himalayan 'toy train', a UNESCO-listed feat of 1881 engineering still steaming gently across the hillside. Visit Ghoom Monastery, the area's oldest, home to a 15-foot Maitreya Buddha, and the Tibetan Self-Help Centre (closed Sundays), where carpets, paintings and woodwork are crafted by hand. Overnight in Darjeeling.

After breakfast, set out on a city tour. Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, founded after Tenzing Norgay's ascent of Everest, with its fascinating Everest Museum, and the adjoining Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (closed Thursdays), home to snow leopards, Tibetan wolves, yaks and Himalayan black bears. Continue to the Japanese Peace Pagoda on Jalapahar hill, a serene white sanctuary in classic Japanese style built in 1972. The evening is free to explore Mall Road. Overnight in Darjeeling.

After breakfast, drive to Pelling, a laid-back town in West Sikkim near the foothills of Kanchenjunga, dotted with scenic viewpoints and ancient monasteries. In the afternoon, walk up to Pemayangtse Monastery — 'The Perfect Sublime Lotus' — perched on a wooded hilltop at 2,085m. Built in the late 17th century, it is among the oldest and most important Nyingma monasteries in Sikkim; its chief treasure is an intricate wooden replica of Zangdog Palri, the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava. Overnight in Pelling.

After breakfast, walk up to Sangachoeling Monastery, one of Sikkim's oldest, established in the 17th century atop a forested ridge with sweeping views of snow-clad peaks; inside are beautifully preserved wall paintings and clay sculptures. Next, visit the Chenrezig Statue, a 135-foot image of the Buddha of compassion beside the Pelling skywalk, consecrated by the Dalai Lama. Continue to sacred Khecheopalri Lake, a wish-fulfilling lake cradled beneath the holy Khachoedpaldri hill that draws pilgrims from across the region. Overnight in Pelling.

After breakfast, drive to Gangtok, stopping en route at the Buddha Park of Ravangla (Tathagata Tsal), centred on a 130-foot statue of the Buddha consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2013, with the important Ralang Monastery nearby. Continue to Gangtok, the Sikkimese capital set at 1,750m. Surrounded by monasteries and orchids, its lively downtown is the gateway to North Sikkim. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Gangtok.

After breakfast, explore Gangtok. Visit the awe-inspiring Rumtek Monastery, seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, with its jewel-studded Golden Stupa holding the relics of the 16th Karmapa. See the Do Drul Chorten, encircled by prayer wheels, and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, holding one of the world's finest collections of rare Mahayana Buddhist manuscripts. Continue to ridge-top Enchey Monastery, built in 1910, and finish among the carved friezes, hand-woven carpets and choktse tables of the Handloom and Handicrafts centre. Overnight in Gangtok.

After breakfast, drive to Kalimpong (1,250m), a quiet hill town renowned for its orchids and gladioli. Once part of the Sikkim raja's domain and later Bhutanese, it thrived as a wool-trading hub with Tibet; today it is a relaxed retreat. Visit the Zang Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery at Durpin Dara, with panoramic views and a rare three-dimensional mandala, the celebrated flower nurseries, the Gelug-order Tharpa Choling Monastery, and Thongsa Gumpa, Kalimpong's oldest monastery, dating to around 1692. Overnight in Kalimpong.

In time, transfer from Kalimpong to Bagdogra airport for flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Delhi.

Post breakfast, enjoy a fascinating exploration of Old Delhi. Drive past the Red Fort (closed Mondays), Shah Jahan's red-sandstone citadel, and the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, then take a memorable cycle-rickshaw ride through the winding lanes of Chandni Chowk. In New Delhi, drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan along the grand Rajpath to India Gate. Visit Humayun's Tomb, the first great example of Mughal architecture, built in 1565, and the 72-metre Qutab Minar with Delhi's famous un-corroded 4th-century Iron Pillar. Overnight in Delhi.

In time transfer to international airport for onward flight and tour terminates.