Places to see

From the hill tribes of Assam and Nagaland, to the vestiges of a colonial past in Calcutta, it’s a confluence of cultural and historical influences that make it one of the most intriguing areas of the country. Its geographic location, bordered by Nepal, China, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh, lends the region a distinctive cultural wealth, and whether visiting Buddhist monasteries in Gangtok or watching novice monks in Assam, it offers a richly varied experience for those interested in people.

Make time to visit a tea plantation in Assam to sample a freshly brewed cup of tea, just moments from where it was grown. Explore temples, churches, street vendors, cafés, mosques and synagogues in Calcutta to discover the varied tales of its past residents, and head out into the wilds of Kaziranga in search of the Bengal tiger and one-horned rhinoceros. Escape the heat of the plains as you wind your way through lush forests and bustling towns on the Toy Train, and travel back in time to the atmospheric hill stations of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. There’s no denying, this region of India is one of our favourites.