Asia

Between bustling Calcutta and tranquil Sikkim and Bhutan, there are many cultural aspects of the East Himalayas to be discovered. The Bhutan, land of Shangri-La, is the only area in the world in which Buddhism is a state religion. It is a country full of quaint charm, with a recognised tradition of hospitality. It fought for a long time against Tibetan and Mongolian influences, which are still very present in its culture, and protected itself thanks to many fortresses ("Dzongs"), which still exist today. In this program, you will visit the Ta Dzong and the Punakha Dzong, as well as the monastery of Taktsang, eagle nests attached to cliffs, and Timphu, the intellectual capital with its famous school of painting. There are also the amazing subtropical valleys of Bhutan, which have brilliant views over the Kanchenjunga range - the third highest summit in the world.

Before crossing Sikkim, you will relax in the beautiful village of Martam and visit, amongst other things, the region of Kalimpong with its temperate climate and the beautiful monasteries of Dhog Palri, Enchey, Pema Yangste, Rumtek, as well as the hidden lake of Khecheopalri and the ruins of Rabantse. At the beginning of the trip, you will have the chance to discover the beauties of colonial India, in the town and the region of Darjeeling. The "queen of the hills" is famous across the globe for its tea culture, and you will have the opportunity to visit one of the worlds’ highest located tea plantations. This trip also integrates a visit to Calcutta, the amazing capital which was the epicentre of the British Empire in India.