This part of the country is truly unique and the best way to discover the area is by immersing yourself in the life and cultures of the remote villages.
The Travel Club has run several amazing tours to India before but never to the remote Northeast of the country. For many years this has been on our bucket list. This part of the country is truly unique and the best way to discover the area is by immersing yourself in the life and cultures of the remote villages. Together with our trusted friend and ground operator in Delhi, Nadeem, we have designed our very first ‘ONTRACK Adventure’ to include WEST BENGAL, SIKKIM, ASSAM & NAGALAND’. This tour will allow us to add in some exciting and rewarding hikes/walks to an already awesome culturally diverse itinerary.
Please note that while an intermediate level of fitness is required, our vehicles will always be available on all walking components to transfer you to the days destination if you choose not to walk on any given day. Our local guides will also help to assess your fitness levels and make sure that you are fully capable of completing the planned daily activities. If this sounds like you, then make the commitment to join us on the first of our new range of ‘active tours’.
A single departure for our 21-day tour starting and finishing in Kolkata (Calcutta) commencing in 2025 with dates TBA. Email us with your ‘Expressions of Interest’ and we will add you to our VIP invitation list.
This tour will be hosted of course by Gools and Thommo!
NOTE: The departure date is not that far away as we are super keen to get the fitness party started, but there is time to commit to the date and get ‘Back ONTRACK’!
Most of you would have heard of Darjeeling, in West Bengal, probably because of the Tea industry. Many people do travel here and enjoy the spectacular mountain views from villages perched high on the fertile ridges. It is easily accessible and sometimes a place where travellers simply search out to escape the summer heat. But the area has a whole lot more to offer than just Darjeeling town.
Sikkim, located in the North-eastern part of India in the eastern Himalayas. It is one of the smallest states in India. Sikkim is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and northeast, by Bhutan to the southeast, by the Indian state of West Bengal to the south, and by Nepal to the west. Sikkim therefore is an absolute melting pot of culture! The People of Sikkim consist of three different ethnic groups, they are, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali. These people intermingle freely to create a harmonious and homogenous group. It’s here where Buddhist Monasteries coexist respectfully with Hindu temples, churches and mosques. These three cultures have produced a Sikkimese Culture that encompasses the different ways and walks of life. They have also, amazingly, managed to preserve their own individual identities. These identities can be seen in the various festivals, cultural dance styles and places of worship. Sikkim is also notable for its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates, as well as being a host to Kangchenjunga, the highest peak in India and the third highest on Earth at 8586 metres!
Assam is also a meeting ground of diverse cultures. The people of the enchanting state of Assam are an interesting mixture of various racial backgrounds such as Mongolian, Indo-Burmese, Indo-Iranian and Aryan. The Assamese culture is a rich and exotic tapestry of all these races that have evolved through a long assimilative process. The natives of the state of Assam are known as Assamese which is also the state language of Assam. The state has a great number of tribes, each unique in its tradition, culture, dress style and exotic way of life. Diverse tribes like Bodo, Kachari, Karbi, Miri, Mishimi, Rabha, etc co-exist in Assam. Interestingly most tribes still have their own languages. Assam is also famous for its tea plantations and the incredible Kaziranga National Park. This park, which hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses along with the beautiful Bengal Tiger is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nagaland is one of the least explored regions in this vast country! Accessed through a narrow corridor and nestled in the ‘far east’ of the state behind Bangladesh and bordering Myanmar. If you yearn adventure and want to travel to a place few (if any) of your friends have been, then this is the place for you! It is still raw and pure to a large degree, untouched by mass tourism which is due in part to its geographical location. English is barely spoken, and the accommodation here can at times be basic but comfortable, which is part of the charm for intrepid type travellers. The full itinerary does have a well-balanced blend of Luxury Heritage accommodation as well which is interspersed to add a level of comfort between the more basic options. Our luxury hotels chosen will be a real treat! The blend of culture, colour, and the music along with the natural beauty will leave you in awe!
On this tour you will interact with the locals who look more ‘Asian’ than the typical Indian* and whose culture differs greatly from the rest of India. (* India is such a large and diverse country that it’s difficult of course to identify what is a typical Indian. Only you can decide).
If you are looking for an adventure that encompasses 4 different ‘destinations’, all with their own cultural experience in a part of the world that oozes with natural beauty and stunning scenery and wish to do some amazing walks than this is certainly one to sign up for! Simply grab your walking gear and start a plan to work on your fitness (if you need to of course) and prepare to join us on a trip of a lifetime.
Our new touring style is being offered and has three new aspects.
EAST INDIA ITINERARY
VIEW THE NORTHEAST INDIA BROCHURE
TOUR INCLUDES
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20 Nights accommodation on twin/double share basis (single supplement applicable for single travellers).
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Airport arrival transfer on day 1 of the tour and departure transfer on day 21 of the tour.
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Daily breakfasts, lunch and dinners at hotels, except lunch on day 1 and dinner on day 2 in Kolkata. Lunches will be at local restaurants while we are out and about. This is a great opportunity to taste the local specialties.
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All the entry fees to monuments/activities as per the itinerary.
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Boat ride on Hooghly River, Kolkata.
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Toy train joy ride in Darjeeling mountains.
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An exclusive ferry from Nimati Ghat – Majuli Island – Nimati Ghat as per the itinerary.
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In Kaziranga NP. Two game drives by an exclusive 4×4 jeep with naturalist/guide (4‐5 Passengers in one jeep)
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English speaking local guide throughout the itinerary.
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English speaking local guide in Darjeeling‐Sikkim & Assam‐Nagaland as per the itinerary.
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The Indian Goods and Services Tax (GST)
TOUR EXCLUDES
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Comprehensive Travel insurance (Compulsory)
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Transfers outside of day 1 and day 21 are not included and will be added to the tour cost
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Lunch on day 1 & Dinner on day 2 in Kolkata.
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Expenses of a personal nature like laundry, internet, alcohol, snacks etc.
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Camera/video camera fees at some monuments.
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Local Airport departure taxes.
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India Visa Fees.
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Tips and Gratuities. (see special notes below)
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Any expenses caused by factors beyond our control like flight cancellation, roadblocks, vehicle malfunction etc.
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Any other services not mentioned in Price Inclusions above.