Northern India Tour – 14 Days of Pure Experience

Upon landing in Delhi, the capital of India with nearly 33 million inhabitants, you will be greeted by your local guide at the airport. Following that, you'll be transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have some time to rest from your flight and prepare for the upcoming adventure.

In the evening, you'll enjoy a group dinner where you can get to know your guide and fellow travelers better, and share your initial impressions of the trip.

After breakfast, you'll transfer to the airport for your flight from Delhi to Northern India (approximately 2.5 hours). Upon arrival in Guwahati, you'll first head to our hotel for a brief rest before visiting the renowned Maa Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill. This site is considered the holiest and oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas (sacred sites dedicated to the goddess Shakti). Later, we'll also visit the famous Guwahati Paltan Bazar market.

We’ll end the evening with a sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra River. As one of the longest rivers in the world, spanning approximately 3,100 km, the Brahmaputra flows from its source in Tibet (China) through India and Bangladesh to the Indian Ocean, and is known as the most water-rich river in Asia. Overnight stay at the hotel in Guwahati.

Today, we’ll continue our journey to Shillong in the state of Meghalaya in Northern India. During the approximately 3-hour drive, we’ll make a stop at the picturesque Umiam Lake. This reservoir is renowned for its natural beauty, nestled among green hills and dense forests. Locals also cherish the lake, often visiting for activities like boating, water sports, fishing, or picnicking.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Shillong – often referred to as the “Scotland of the East.” Depending on your preference, we can take a leisurely stroll through the Botanical Garden or Lady Hydari Park, and visit the State Museum to gain insight into the lifestyle and heritage of the people of Meghalaya. Overnight stay at the hotel in Shillong.

Continuing on our round trip: Cherrapunji, here we come! After a hearty breakfast, we head into nature today, driving towards Cherrapunji, a small town in northern India. The area is known for being one of the wettest places on Earth and is famous for its numerous waterfalls. We will visit several of these, including Elephant Falls, Dainthlen Falls, and Nohkalikai Falls.

The highlight of our day is the hike (approximately 5 hours) to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge—these famous bridges are made from the aerial roots of the rubber tree. The path involves many stone steps, but the effort is well worth it! After our hike, we drive back to Shillong. Overnight stay at a hotel in Shillong.

Today, we start a bit earlier: first, we head to the village of Mawlynnong, renowned for its clean streets and blooming gardens, and often referred to as the cleanest village in North India. There, we also take a short hike through the lush jungle to the Single-Decker Living Root Bridge, an impressive example of the traditional culture of the Khasi tribes from this region.

In the afternoon, we continue to Dawki, a small town on the banks of the Umngot River, known for its crystal-clear waters. Here, we embark on a kayaking tour, where we can enjoy breathtaking views from the water. Later in the afternoon, we return to Shillong. Overnight stay at a hotel in Shillong.

The day is free for you to spend as you wish. You can either relax or try one of the many activities available, such as rock climbing (via ferrata), mountain biking, caving, zip-lining, canyoning, and more.

After some exciting days in and around Shillong, today we return to Guwahati. Upon arrival in the city, we have a free afternoon to spend as we please: we can take a stroll along the river or visit the local market, explore the Assam State Museum, or visit other temples.

We end the evening with a relaxing dinner. Overnight stay at a hotel in Guwahati, North India.

After breakfast, we transfer to the train station for our journey. Today, we will travel by train for approximately 7 hours to New Jalpaiguri. Enjoy the scenic landscapes of Assam as the train leisurely passes through lush valleys and small villages. Following the panoramic train ride, we will transfer to Darjeeling, the "Land of Tea."

The charming hill station in North India sits at an altitude of approximately 2,050 meters and is much more than one of the world's most renowned tea-growing regions. The Buddhist culture and the stunning landscape of the lower Himalayas make this area truly unique. Overnight stay at a hotel in Darjeeling.

Today, it's an early start: from Tiger Hill, an observation point near Darjeeling, we have the chance to witness a magical sunrise, weather permitting, with a view of the world's third-highest peak, Kangchenjunga (8,586 m). Afterward, we visit the Ghoom Monastery, one of the most important Gelug (Yellow Hat) monasteries in the area, to gain insight into Tibetan Buddhism.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, a special experience awaits: a ride on the "Toy Train" (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway). This narrow-gauge railway is a landmark of the region and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In the afternoon, we visit the fragrant tea plantations, where we’ll gain insight into the tea production and processing process and have the opportunity to taste the world-famous tea. The eventful day concludes with a visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and a stroll through the local market. Overnight stay at a hotel in Darjeeling.

Fueled by breakfast, we drive today through stunning mountain and river landscapes to Gangtok, the capital of the Sikkim state. (Driving time: approximately 4 hours).

Nach Ankunft vertreten wir uns die Füße bei einem Spaziergang am lokalen Markt, bei dem wir das typische Leben der Einheimischen beobachten können. Vom Markt aus fahren wir weiter in ein kleines Dorf namens Busty ca. 15 km von Darjeeling entfernt. Hier kommen wir in den Genuss eines traditionellen Abendessens sowie einer Cultural Show und haben die Gelegenheit zusammen mit den Locals die typischen „Village Games“ zu testen. ÜN im Hotel in Gangtok.

We start the day with a walk, specifically the "Royal Sikkim Heritage Walk," where we’ll learn about the history of the last king of Sikkim and his family. Following this, we visit the Rumtek Monastery, the residence of the head of the Kagyu Order, featuring its beautiful temples and shrines.

On the way back, we stop at the Institute of Tibetology, which is dedicated to the research and promotion of Tibetan culture. Here, you'll find the largest collection of Tibetan manuscripts—over 30,000 works on subjects including astrology, philosophy, religion, and many other topics.

In the afternoon, we visit a cotton factory, followed by a hands-on experience: a cooking class where we’ll learn about the unique ingredients and spices of the traditional cuisine from this region. Afterward, we enjoy the dishes we’ve prepared together with our host family. Overnight stay at a hotel in Gangtok.

Today, we travel along the region's only main road to Siliguri, the largest city in West Bengal. (Driving time: approximately 5 hours).

After checking in at the hotel, we take a city tour in the late afternoon and visit the local market. It’s a great opportunity to pick up any last-minute gifts and souvenirs. Overnight stay at a hotel in Siliguri.

Back to the capital! In the morning, we fly back to New Delhi (flight time: approximately 2 hours). After a brief rest at the hotel, we explore the vibrant metropolis in the afternoon.

With wonderful memories in tow, it’s time to say goodbye to North India and the adventures of the tour. Depending on the flight time, we will transfer to the airport for the return flight to Austria.