North East India:
Sikkim and West Bengal
Overview
From the foothills of West Bengal to the hidden valleys of Sikkim, this journey takes you into one of India’s most culturally rich and least explored regions. Drift into the Himalayas by toy train as Darjeeling’s tea estates unfold below, waking to misty ridgelines and, on clear mornings, glimpses of Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain. Ride ropeways over deep valleys, taste tea straight from the source, and visit hilltop monasteries where the sound of afternoon prayer hangs in the air. Gangtok, Sikkim’s lively capital, adds markets, Himalayan culture, and crisp mountain energy to the mix.
Then the trip goes deeper in Upper Dzongu, the protected homeland of the Indigenous Lepcha community. Together with our local partner specialising in sustainable, community-led tourism, we stay with Lepcha families and experience a side of the Himalayas few travellers ever reach. Slow forest hikes lead through villages and terraced fields, sacred lakes, and hot springs, while meeting artisans preserving centuries-old weaving traditions and farmers tending cardamom. Evenings are spent around bonfires listening to stories of Mayal Lyang, the Hidden Land, and sharing home-cooked meals with your hosts.
For those who want to continue onwards, there is the option to add on Varanasi (one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and India’s holiest), and the Taj Mahal (one of the new 7 World Wonders) to the trip.
Why Sikkim?
You might not have heard of it, which is part of its charm. But it’s wild how little-known Sikkim is, given everything it has going for it. Sikkim is the world’s only fully organic state, earning international recognition from the UN. It’s a leader in tackling plastic pollution, having banned plastic bags since 1998 (!) and plastic bottles since 2018. Peaceful, relatively untouched, and tucked between Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, Sikkim shares their awe-inspiring landscapes and spiritual heritage while remaining under the radar to foreign tourists due to its remoteness. Its unique indigenous cultures, including the Lepchas, add another layer of richness, making it a place that feels both ancient and alive.
Who are the Lepchas?
The Lepchas are the original guardians of the Eastern Himalayas, an Indigenous community whose worldview is rooted in animism and a deep kinship with the natural world. For them, mountains, rivers, forests, and even rocks or trees are not just scenery – they are living beings with spirits, stories, and responsibilities. This philosophy shapes everything, from how they farm and build their homes to how they move through the landscape.
Their environmental ethos is ancestral, not a trend. Water sources are protected as sacred, forests are treated as extensions of the community, and rituals honour the spirits believed to inhabit the land. You feel this immediately in Dzongu, where nature is not something to visit but something to be in relationship with.
Spend time with Lepcha hosts and you’ll notice how this philosophy flows into everyday life: the way they weave bamboo and nettle fibre, cultivate cardamom without disturbing the forest floor, and tell stories that blend ecology with myth. It is sustainability without the buzzword, a way of living that is both ancient and incredibly relevant.
Connecting with the Lepchas is more than cultural immersion. It is a glimpse into a worldview where humans and nature are intertwined, where respecting the land is part of being a good ancestor, and where travel becomes an opportunity to witness and support a way of life that has thrived for centuries.
This is our most off-the-beaten-path adventure yet and we’d love for you to be part of the journey.
Day 1 — Kolkata
Arrive in Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport) and settle in before the welcome dinner. Airport transfer included.
Day 2 — Darjeeling
Fly from Kolkata to Siliguri, then wind up into the hills toward Ghoom by Jeep. At Ghoom, India’s highest railway station, we’ll hop on the ‘Darjeeling Express’ – the iconic toy train into Darjeeling and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Settle into a cosy hotel or guesthouse with panoramic views of surrounding tea estates and Kanchenjunga on a clear day.
Day 3 — Darjeeling
A full day exploring Darjeeling’s Himalayan culture and former history as a hillstation for the British.
Take the ropeway to Tukvar in the morning and visit Tukvar tea estate. Enjoy an afternoon tea at Glenary’s, a century-old establishment on busy Mall Road. Stop by the Japanese temple for the afternoon prayer session, and explore the Peace Pagoda and Dali Monastery.
Day 4 — Gangtok
Travel from Darjeeling to Gangtok by road, stopping for a local lunch along the way. Enjoy dinner in town and settle into your guesthouse for a relaxing evening in Sikkim’s capital.
Journey to the Upper Dzongu
Day 5 — Arrival in Dzongu (Hee-Gyathang)
Your journey continues into Upper Dzongu, a protected reserve for the Indigenous Lepcha community and one of the most culturally rich, offbeat regions of the Himalayas. We’ve designed this section with a community-led tourism company that focuses on preserving cultural identity, protecting biodiversity and ensuring that travel benefits the people who call Dzongu home. Move into your homestay and meet your Lepcha hosts. Enjoy a bonfire evening of storytelling, myths, and insights into “Mayal Lyang,” the sacred Hidden Land.
Day 6 — Slow Village Trails & Sacred Sites
Visit Hee-Gyathang Monastery, stop by the Mutanchi Lom All Shezum offices (a local organisation working on the conservation, documentation, and sustainable development of Dzongu region), and then drive to sacred Tungkhyong Lake, Sikkim’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site.
End the day learning how traditional Lepcha dishes are cooked with your hosts.
Day 7 — Artisans, Hot Springs & Waterfalls
Take a forest and village hike, meeting farmers and learning about traditional agriculture, cardamom cultivation and local planting practices. Meet women artisans at the Dzongu Handloom Centre and learn about traditional weaving and bamboo craft. Soak in a natural hot spring, visit Lingzey Waterfall, and arrive at our second homestay. If there’s time, take an easy forest walk before returning to your homestay.
Day 8 — Kalimpong
Explore Tingvong Village before leaving the Upper Dzongu region to arrive in Kalimpong. Free time in the afternoon to wander the hill town.
Optional paid extra: Visit the Lepcha Museum and a handmade paper workshop to learn about sustainable, fibre-based papermaking.
Day 9 — New Jalpaiguri & Overnight Train
Enjoy breakfast in Kalimpong, explore or relax, then travel to New Jalpaiguri before boarding your overnight train back to Kolkata. An India experience isn’t complete without a sleeper train adventure
Day 10 — Kolkata Return
Spend the day revisiting Kolkata’s food, culture and energy. Enjoy lunch in the city, catch a Bollywood movie, and share a final farewell dinner together.
Day 11 — Departure day (or stay on for more)
If you’re not joining for the Varanasi + Taj Mahal add-on, this is where the trip ends. Kolkata airport transfer included (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport). If you’re continuing onwards, we will travel to Varanasi overnight. Read on for details
Varanasi and Taj Mahal add-on
Varanasi and Taj Mahal add-on
Days 12-14 — Varanasi
Arrive in Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest living cities and a place where spirituality, daily life and centuries of tradition all blur together. To avoid the intense midday heat from April to July, activities are scheduled for early mornings and late afternoons, which are also the golden hours when the city feels most alive. The hotter part of the day will be free for you to rest indoors, tuck into a cold lassi or wander shaded backstreets with your trip leader on a spontaneous walk.
In the morning of day 13 you’ll take a sunrise boat ride down the Ganges, watching the sky shift from blue to red and observing steadily increasing activity along the holy river as the city wakes. When the sun sets you will witness the Ganga Aarti, a Hindu ceremony performed by monks. Other activities also include a visit to the Hanuman Temple and an optional stroll around the campus of Banaras Hindu University, one of the largest university campuses in Asia.
Leave Varanasi on the evening of the 14th by sleeper train to Agra.
Day 15 — Agra
Free time on arrival.
Day 16 — Delhi
Sunrise at the Taj Mahal before heading to Delhi after lunch, where we’ll stay the night. A goodbye dinner is scheduled for this day.
Day 17 — Departure day
Breakfast and airport transfer included.
If you don’t have time for the add-on but still want to see the Taj Mahal before leaving India (fair – it’s a world wonder for a reason), the easiest option is to fly from Kolkata to Delhi on Day 11, stay the night, and head to Agra early the next morning. You don’t have to go alone if you’d prefer not to – plenty of operators run Taj Mahal day trips, covering all transport between Delhi and Agra. From there, you can fly out on the evening of Day 12 or take your time and leave on Day 13.
At a glance
Sikkim & West Bengal (11 days, 10 nights)
Food
29 meals (10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners)
Accommodation
Hotels / guesthouses (6 nights), Homestays (3 nights), Sleeper train (1 night)
Note: accommodation type may change based on room availability
Transport
Flight (Kolkata – Siliguri), Shared / Private Jeeps, Private Vehicle (Sikkim), Train (Ghoom – Darjeeling), Overnight train (NJP – Kolkata), Transport to group activities and dinners if not within walking distance
Airport transfers to / from the hotel included on arrival and departure
Permits and guides
Inner Line Permit (to enter Sikkim) and Protected Area Permit (for Upper Dzongu)
24/7 OTW trip leader
Additional local guides for Sikkim
Activities
- Darjeeling toy train ride
- Tukvar ropeway and Tukvar tea estate tour
- An afternoon hot drink at Glenary’s bakery
- Japanese Buddhist Temple + Peace Pagoda visit
- Dali Monastery
- Bonfire and storytelling with Lepcha hosts
- Guided hike learning about local farming and agricultural techniques
- Hee-Gyathang Monastery visit
- Visit to the offices of Mutanchi Lom All Shezum – a local organisation working on the conservation, documentation and sustainable development of Dzongu
- Tungkyong Lake visit
- Learn traditional Lepcha dishes with homestay hosts
- Dzongu Handloom centre visit
- Natural hot spring and Lingzey Waterfall
- Forest walk
- Tingvong Village exploration
- Indian cinema experience in Kolkata
Optional extras (for an additional fee unless specified):
- Handmade Paper Workshop visit in Kalimpong
- Lepcha Museum
More details
What’s included
You’ll be backpacking and on the move – we keep things comfortable but real, and put the budget where it matters: local culture, meaningful encounters, and experiences you can’t book on Google.
Food
Three meals a day are included. Some days with early starts or where we’re on the move may mean a lighter packed meal on the go.
Accommodation
Shared rooms with individual beds across guesthouses, hostels, homestays and mid-range hotels. We prioritise places rated 8.5+ on major booking platforms, and when we go off-grid to family-run stays (where online ratings don’t exist), we choose places with the same level of care and comfort. Private rooms can be arranged for an extra fee.
Transport
All domestic travel is covered – planes, trains, taxis, buses, jeeps, and whatever else it takes to get you into the places most travellers never reach.
Permits and local guides
Sikkim and Upper Dzongu are remote, protected areas that require special permits to enter. We handle all of this for you, plus coordinate with local partners who know the region inside out. This means no hassles with bureaucracy, no wasted time, and access to experiences most travellers can’t arrange on their own – from hidden village walks to sacred lakes and community homestays. Tips for local guides are included, though you’re welcome to give extra if someone goes above and beyond.
Support
24/7 on-the-ground support from your experienced OTW trip leader
Opportunities to lead
If you’re up for it, you can apply to be a trip leader. You’ll be assessed on your first trip and if you pass the assessment, you’ll be able to lead future trips and travel for free (we’ll cover your costs on the ground, you cover your flights and extras). If you’re interested, let us know when signing up.
What’s not included
Flights to and from India, visas, travel insurance, personal expenses, and optional add-ons beyond the group itinerary.
Varanasi & Taj Mahal add-on
Varanasi & Taj Mahal add-on (7 days, 6 nights)
Food
17 meals (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners)
Accommodation
Hotels / guesthouses (5 nights), Sleeper train (1 night)
Transport
1 sleeper train, 1 intercity train, transport to / from group activities
Airport transfers to / from hotel on arrival and departure
Activities
- Guided walk in Varanasi
- Hanuman Temple
- Sunrise Ganges boat ride
- Taj Mahal
Why choose us over the big operators?
Groups that make sense – We’re for 18–35s who want to get to know the places they’re visiting, not tick off a cookie-cutter itinerary. Everyone’s at a similar stage in life, keeping the energy active, curious, and ready to engage. Plus, we keep our groups small (no more than 8 people), which means you get to know each other and travel as new friends.
Experiences you can’t find elsewhere – From hidden corners to unique local encounters, our trips include activities and access built from years of local knowledge and trusted contacts. Some experiences aren’t even bookable on Google.
Leadership opportunities – Come back as a team leader and travel for free while gaining hands-on experience running a trip.
Give back for real – We work directly with communities. Volunteer and learn from local organisations to understand challenges in the places we’re visiting.
A community beyond the trip – Meet like-minded travellers who often become lifelong friends or adventure partners.
Mentorship – The team is around if you want guidance before, during, or after the trip.
Everything essential included – All group activities, 3 meals a day and experiences on the itinerary are covered unless specified. Add-ons exist, but only if you want them.
Sikkim and West Bengal
April 6th 2026 – April 16th 2026
11 days, 10 nights
Deadline: February 6th 2026
Price
£1590 if you sign up before 6th February 2026
Otherwise £1790
Optional extras:
- Private room supplement = £160 (You’ll have a private room on most nights. During homestay stays in Upper Dzongu, private rooms are only available if there is extra space, otherwise you’ll be in a shared room)
Can’t make these exact dates? Sign up anyway and we’ll see what we can do: Apply now
More dates and destinations to be announced, let us know your availability here: https://www.otwtravels.com/future-trips/
Varanasi and Taj Mahal add-on
Varanasi and Taj Mahal add-on
April 16th – April 22nd 2026
7 days, 6 nights
(17 days, 16 nights total including Sikkim and West Bengal)
Price
£490 (price when booked with Sikkim and West Bengal)
Private room supplement = £150
Price for Varanasi & Taj Mahal Only: £740 (priority given to travellers booked on the Sikkim and West Bengal trip)
We’re not your standard “book and go” travel company. We create trips for curious, open-minded travellers who want real experiences. Our groups are small, so it’s important that everyone gets along and knows what to expect before committing.
There are two ways to join:
1. Join as a Traveller
If you want to relax and enjoy the trip, knowing everything is taken care of:
Step 1: Sign up using the application form below
Step 2: We’ll schedule a quick call so you can ask questions and know exactly what to expect
Step 3: Once you’re ready, we’ll send a link to pay your deposit and secure your spot (non-refundable once confirmed)
Step 4: The full balance is due at least one month before departure – we’ll send you a reminder
2. Join as a Future Trip Leader
If you want to take on more responsibility — leading groups, creating content, or being part of the community behind the scenes:
- Step 1: Submit the same application form
- Step 2: If shortlisted, you’ll have a short video chat with our founder
- Step 3: If it’s a fit, we’ll confirm your place, and you’ll be assessed during the trip
