Himalayan Kingdoms

Fly overnight to Kolkata. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Enjoy a relaxed morning before venturing out for an afternoon tour with visits to the magnificent Victoria Memorial and Kalighat Temple – you will also see Fort William.

Rise early to visit a fragrant flower market and view the cantilever Howrah Bridge. Stop by Kumortuli, the potters' quarter, and see a Jain temple. Later board a train to New Jalpaiguri before driving to Siliguri to spend the night.

Head out of Siliguri through endless tea plantations to the famous hill station of Darjeeling, which is located at a cool 2,134 metres.

Wake before dawn to catch the sun rising over Mount Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill, which you'll reach by jeep. On the way back to Darjeeling visit Yiga Choling Monastery. Later, all aboard the famous 'Toy Train' which winds its way through the lush green hills and plantations before exploring the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute.

Drive north to Pelling, crossing into the state of Sikkim. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery, one of Sikkim's oldest, where you can find tranquillity along with amazing views.

Visit the spectacular Khecheopalri Lake, considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus, and the magnificent Kanchenjunga Falls.

Drive through more spectacular scenery to Sikkim's vibrant capital Gangtok, stopping at 18th-century Tashiding Monastery en route. There is nowhere better than Gangtok to enjoy exotic flowers and mountain panoramas. The next day visit the Enchey Monastery and the Sikkim Research Institute of Technology.

Begin the day at Dharma Chakra Centre and old Rumtek Monastery, before continuing to the bustling bazaar town of Kalimpong.

Take a day to catch your breath and enjoy some leisurely explorations of Kalimpong – there are plenty of spots to enjoy Himalayan panoramas and also flower nurseries full of local orchids.

Take a jeep safari into the depths of Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary, where you might be lucky enough to spot one-horned rhinos, elephants, leopards and bison.

Cross into Bhutan and continue to Phuentsholing. Later visit the Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang Temple in the centre of the town.

Follow the national highway to Bhutan's capital Thimphu, stopping en route at Kharbandi Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The next day, explore the city with time at the National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum, the Handicrafts Emporium and Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum and Trashi Chhoe Dzong.

Drive over the dramatic Dochu La mountain pass admiring the views as you travel to the Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in the region and explore Gangtey village and the surrounding valley.

Enjoy a day of leisure with the option of a hike through the valley for exceptional views across the stunning landscape.

Leave Gangtey for Punakha visiting the Black Necked Crane Information Centre en route. On arrival visit Punakha Dzong before hiking through the paddy fields and local villages to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple of fertility.

This morning visit the magnificent temple complex at Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang. Later appreciate the incredible views from Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten which is said to have been built to promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world.

Drive to Paro, stopping en route at the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the kingdom. Paro is surrounded by some of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, visit Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong.

Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) is Bhutan's most famous monastery, perched on the side of a cliff 900 metres above the Paro Valley. It can only be reached by a moderately challenging hike along a woodland trail – the views along the way are the perfect distraction! Returning to Paro, visit Kyichu Lhakhang.

Rise early to fly back to Kolkata, where you'll have the afternoon at leisure.

Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the same or following day.