Red pandas in the wild: Singalila National Park & Sikkim holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 1 night Delhi
• 6 nights Singalila National Park 
• 1 night Kalimpong 
• 2 nights Gangtok 
• 2 nights Darjeeling 
• 1 night Delhi

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flight  

Day 2: Arrive Delhi

On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be taken to your hotel and check in for the night. If you’d like to go out and explore you can, or we can add in a guided tour depending on what time your flight arrives. Otherwise, you can relax at your hotel, ready to fly to Sikkim tomorrow. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Fly to Bagdogra, transfer to Singalila National Park 

After an early breakfast, you’ll be driven to the airport in time for your flight to Bagdogra in Sikkim. On arrival, you’ll be picked up and driven to Singalila National Park, around 4 hours drive. You’ll stop for lunch on the way, before arriving at Habre’s Nest, a lovely homestay where you’ll be based for the next 5 days. 

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, transfers, dinner, Habre’s Nest Homestay  

Days 4 - 8: Singalila National Park 

Welcome to Singalila National Park, a beautiful region tucked into the Himalayas, right on the border of India and Nepal. This breath-taking mountain landscape is such a special place to explore, full of animals and birdlife, with misty mornings, shocking pink rhododendrons and peaceful sunsets. Your time here will be dedicated to looking for as much wildlife as possible, from the larger cats and famous red pandas to colourful birds and reptiles. 

One of the cutest animals around, red pandas are an endangered species, found in a strip along the Himalayas and into China, through Nepal, India, Bhutan. You’ll spend days exploring the hardwood forests, looking for one of the adorable creatures strutting along a branch or snoozing amongst the pine trees. Other creatures you might spot include clouded leopards, black panthers, marbled cats and even Himalayan Black bears and although many of these species are rare, we’ve given you 5 full days to get the best possible chance for wildlife spotting. 

Birdlife is prolific – spot parrotbills and wren babblers, blood pheasants and fulvettas in the thriving high-altitude forests. It's also a wonderful areas for plants and flowers, from the dozens of different rhododendron species that bloom in riotous colours in springtime, to unique orchids, wild raspberries and beautiful magnolias. 

You’ll be staying at Habre’s Nest, an experiential homestay with four cosy rooms, each with it’s own balcony overlooking the mountains towards the sunset. The lodge has a little library and a small lounge with a warm fireplace to keep you feeling snug on cold, Himalayan nights. Food is a delicious mix of local and western options, with electricity available during the dark hours and many trained naturalists, guides and porters ready to provide a wonderful experience. 

The passionate men and women who work here take great care in teaching you about this unique region, with 20% of profits from the homestay going towards the conservation of red pandas and their habitats. 

Included: All meals and guiding, private homestay room at Habre’s Nest              

Day 9: Travel to Kalimpong 

After your final breakfast at Habre’s Nest, you’ll be driven towards Kalimpong, a small but buzzing bazaar town in the rolling foothills of the Himalayas. Once part of the lands belonging to the Rajas of Sikkim, it was then taken from them by the Bhutanese, before passing into he hands of the British. Nestled amongst the lush valleys, it’s a lovely place to explore.               

Included: Breakfast, guiding, dinner, 4* hotel     

Day 10: Kalimpong to Gangtok 

Today, you’ll spend the morning exploring Kalimpong, exploring the monasteries, churches, library and orchid nurseries – all the while enjoying scenic views over the surrounding countryside. The town is famous for its flower nurseries; you’ll see so many blooms including roses, lilies, dahlias and orchids. 

In the afternoon you’ll be driven to Gangtok, around 3 hours away. Cradled in the snow-clad Himalayas, Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim. This scenic city enjoys views of the Kanchenjunga Range and is surrounded by picturesque valleys, mountain lakes and trekking trails. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, dinner, 4* hotel   

Day 11: Gangtok

This morning, you’ll head off for a morning of sightseeing in Gangtok. Start at the Rumtek Monastery, the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. You can explore the monastery, including the jewel-studded Golden Stupa before visiting other local Buddhist sites, like the Insititude of Tibetology and the Do Drul Chorten. Watch traditional Sikkimese art and carpets being woven on handlooms before driving out of town to visit the Enchey Monastery. Perched on a ridge above the cicty, you’ll enjoy stunning views over the town and learn about local lore and history amongst the pretty surrounding woods. 

The afternoon is yours to relax in the hotel or explore the city more at your own pace. 

Included: Breakfast, guiding, dinner, 4* hotel     

Day 12: Gangtok to Darjeeling

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to Darjeeling, around 4 hours away. You’ll check into your room at the Glenburn Tea Estate, a little plantation on a hill beside the River Rungeet, high in the Himalayas. Started by a Scottish tea company in 1859, it then passed into a pioneering Indian tea-planting family, the Prakashes. Inspired by the vineyards of Europe, you can observe the tea-making process, taste the local specialities and shop for your favourite blends. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, dinner, Glenburn Tea Estate        

Day 13: Darjeeling

Darjeeling conjures up images or vibrant green hills and vast tea fields under the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, and you’ll see just how true this vision is as you head out to explore. After breakfast, you’ll head to enjoy a ride on the Toy Train, before discovering more of the city. Drive past Observatory Hill, a sacred viewpoint for Hindus and Buddhists and visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute to see the collections of history mountaineering equipment, specimens of Himalayan flora and fauna and history of the mountain climbing in these regions. 

In the afternoon you’ll enjoy the Glenburn Tea Tour, watching the tea plucking where cheerful ladies pick the tea and collect it in the traditional wicker baskets on their back, singing and chatting as they work. You’ll have a picnic lunch on the banks of the river before visiting the factory to see more of the tea planting process, from weighing to sorting. You’ll end with a spectacular tea tasting, learning about the different varieties and aromas of tea grown on the estate. 

Included: breakfast, guiding, lunch, dinner, Glenburn Tea Estate              

Day 14: Fly to Delhi

After breakfast, you’ll drive back to Bagdogra in time for your flight back to Delhi. Here you’ll spend the rest of your day at leisure before your flight home tomorrow

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, 4* hotel   

Day 15: Delhi to UK 

This morning, you’ll be driven to the airport in time for your flight home, arriving in the UK later that day. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights