Botanical Histories in the Himalayas - West Bengal & Sikkim, northeast India

This remote region provides a haven for over 500 different species of orchids and is famous for rhododendrons and other alpine flora that bloom at different altitudes. Visit Lloyd’s Botanical Garden in Darjeeling and The Flower Exhibition Centre in Gangtok.

The rugged terrain, dense forest and cascading waterfalls of these national parks provide a home to rare orchids, exotic rhododendrons, elusive red pandas, and majestic Himalayan black bears.

Take the Toy Train to one of Darjeeling’s oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. In Gangtok visit an authentic warehouse of woven and naturally dyed Tibetan carpets and learn about Buddhism in the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology which was established by the present Dalai Lama.