Hiking in the Himalayan Countryside

Discover beautiful landscapes and exotic wildlife in the Himalayan Countryside. See the towering Himalayas, visit the south bank of the mighty Brahmaputra river and prepare to be enchanted by the Kaziranga National Park and its famous inhabitants – the endangered Indian rhinoceros. At the western end of the massive mountain ranges lies a jewel called Darjeeling – a wonderful starting point for hiking into the mountains. Enjoy stunning views of the Mount Everest during your visit to watch the sunrise at Tiger Hill.

The Himalayan Countryside are fold mountains that began to rise when the Indian and Asian tectonic plates collided. The mountain ranges act as a barrier for cold winds from the north and the Kanchenjunga – the highest mountain in India, rises 8,586 meters above sea level.

What’s in store:

• The Kaziranga National Park, UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985
• Special activities such as elephant and boat safaris
• Guided mountain hikes through the Himalayas
• Spectacular sunrises over the Kanchenjunga Massif
• Unique monasteries and lush green tea plantations

ASSAM

Tea plantations, Brahmaputra and Himalayas

Image Caption: The ethnic diversity of Assam mirrors that of India, albeit on a smaller scale. This is true especially for Eastern Assam, where many smaller ethnic groups with a unique variety of traditions, have settled over the years.

Northeast India’s formative Union State of Assam is still shrouded in mystery and attracts travelers with an appetite for discovering the unknown. Almost 1,000 km long, the Brahmaputra Plain on the Assamese border of the Himalayas offers a fascinating blend of myriad landscapes and cultures, resulting in exotic and unique travel experiences.

KAZIRANGA

Home of the South Asian rhinoceros

Image Caption: Many a rhinoceros lives a peaceful life in the national park and you might just run into a few on a wildlife safari!

Kaziranga is an incredibly important sanctuary for the South Asian rhinoceros. Safaris in the park offer great insights into the flora and fauna of the region. With a little luck and a bit of patience, you may also witness elephants or even the Bengal tiger on camera.

PELLING

Kanchenjunga and Buddhism

Image Caption: Enjoy breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayas

Pelling is one of the most idyllic and fascinating regions of Sikkim. In addition to incredible views of the majestic Kanchenjunga massif, Pelling is also known for its Pemayangtse Temple, which offers an insight into Tantric Buddhism. Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, is at its best early in morning when the skies are clear.

DARJEELING

Welcome to East India!

Image Caption: The British established Darjeeling as an easily accessible hill station that gave respite from the stifling heat of the lowlands. Later, they recognised Assam as an excellent and extensive area for tea cultivation.

Beautiful Darjeeling sits pretty at a height of 2,100-3,000 meters above sea level, right in front of a mountain ridge on the border with Sikkim. The area is known for tea plantations and for fantastic views of the Himalayas. Experience stunning sunrises over the mountains – one of the most impressive in the world! The famous tea which gives the city its name, is also one of the very best.

GANGTOK

A Buddhist Center

Image Caption:  Buddhism in Sikkim was strongly influenced by Tibet.

The small hill city is located on an ancient trade route between India and Tibet. Its appeal lies in its Buddhist past as illustrated by the famous Rumtek Monastery that lies 24 kilometers west of Gangtok. It is ideal for a day trip and yields fabulous views of the beautiful Himalayan countryside.

KOLKATA

A symbol of British colonial heritage

Image Caption: The Victoria Memorial is made of white marble and is Kolkata’s pride and joy.

Kolkata was once the heart of the gigantic British Empire, and the political center of the Empire.

Discover the grandiose governmental and administrative buildings, villas and memorials, spacious parks and courtyards, and countless colonial houses. Kolkata is also known for its sophistication and for its friendly people. In recent years, the city has gained worldwide fame primarily through the work of one woman – the advocate of the poor, Mother Teresa.

From Assam through Sikkim and Darjeeling to Kolkata

What to expect:

• Jorhat, tea gardens and Majuli monasteries
• Kaziranga, habitat of the Indian rhinoceros
• Pelling, views of the Kanchenjunga
• Darjeeling, Welcome to West Bengal!
• Gangtok, Sikkim Buddhist Center
• Kolkata, former seat of the British Empire

The diversity of trips in the Himalayan Countryside are what make this region special. See the stunning Himalayan mountains at their best even as you delve into the heart of Buddhist culture, spend time in beautiful national parks and experience thrilling wildlife encounters in Sikkim. – Enchanting Travels
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Bradley Yandell, Enchanting Travels | April 19, 2017

Enchanting Travels was born more than a decade ago, in 2004, by two passionate travelers turned entrepreneurs. After finishing their MBAs at INSEAD in France, they knew they wanted to share their joy of travel in a more seamless, professional and authentic way in order to give guests better experiences and memories to last a lifetime. Today, the company is international with 6 offices across 4 continents, and in 32 different countries. Enchanting Travels employs nearly 130 people and is on a mission to continue redefining custom travel experiences