Edge of Empire | Journey Across Northern India: Meghalaya, Darjeeling+Sikkim

Namaste Northern India!

This cross-state adventure takes you through three of the region’s most significant locations, in a corner of India that has always stood slightly apart.

Set along the country’s northern and eastern edges, Meghalaya, Darjeeling and Sikkim are shaped by mountains, mist and borderland histories that have given them identities distinct from the Indian heartland.

Culturally and geographically closer to neighbouring regions and countries than to their countrymen to the south, these states reflect influences from far beyond India’s borders. Languages, beliefs, architecture, and daily life follow different patterns here, creating places that feel Indian, yet not entirely of India.

Longstanding questions of belonging and loyalty linger beneath the surface, shaped by shifting borders and strong local identities. Travelling through these regions reveals a shared sense of independence and difference, linking them more closely to each other than to the rest of the country.
Together, they form a connected highland world at India’s edge, offering a journey into stunning landscapes and rich cultures that challenge expectations and are bound to amaze.

Meghalaya
Bordering Bangladesh, the state of Meghalaya is a natural paradise and a playground for adventure, its geography shaped by water, altitude and time. Receiving some of the highest rainfall levels in the world, its climate has created a lush landscape of dense forests, cascading waterfalls and raging rivers.
Known for its rolling hills, mist-filled valleys, and expansive, breathtaking views, Meghalaya is often referred to as the “Scotland of the East” for its cool climate and dramatic highland scenery.

One of Meghalaya’s most remarkable cultural and environmental features is its living root bridges, found only in this region. Developed by the indigenous Khasi community, this practice involves guiding the aerial roots of the Indian rubber tree across rivers and ravines. Over time, the roots strengthen and interlock, forming durable bridges that continue to grow as the trees mature.

Some living root bridges are over 400 years old and can support up to 50 people at once. In certain locations, bridges are built one above the other, creating double-decker structures. Known locally as Jingkieng Jri, approximately 100 living root bridges have been identified across 72 villages and are included on UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage.

Beyond its cultural traditions, an endless mix of waterfalls, caves and cliffs awaits us around every corner here. Get ready to be endlessly amazed by the scale and variety of mighty Meghalaya!
https://vimeo.com/1015667082

Darjeeling
Part Victorian hill station, part world-famous tea region, Darjeeling sits 2,200 meters up in the eastern Himalayas. More than 70 years after the British departure, traces of colonial life remain clearly visible, and the town continues to attract visitors from across India.
Darjeeling’s greatest draw is its extraordinary mountain setting. On clear days, Kanchenjunga, India’s highest mountain and the third highest in the world, dominates the northern skyline, joined by a dramatic chain of snow-covered peaks that frame the town and its surrounding hills.
Of course, the name ‘Darjeeling’ is inseparable from tea, with the area producing some of the finest in the world. Cultivation began nearly 200 years ago, when the British first planted tea here in the mid-1800s. The region’s climate and soil proved ideal, and plantations quickly spread across the hills, with much of the workforce coming from neighbouring Nepal and Sikkim.
After Indian independence in 1947, the estates were sold to Indian owners, and Darjeeling tea went on to gain global recognition. Today, 87 tea estates spread across the seven valleys of the Darjeeling Hills, together producing around 9.6 million kilograms of tea each year.

Once in Darjeeling, the surrounding mountain range draws the eye at every turn. Covering 2,100 square kilometers, the district offers some of the best trekking routes in the Himalayas. Longer routes reward hikers with rare views across four of the world’s five highest peaks.
Get ready for high-altitude walks, sweeping panoramas and mountain views that stay with you long after you leave Darjeeling.

Sikkim
Sandwiched between Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet, Sikkim is one of India’s smallest states and one of its most surprising. Tucked away in the eastern Himalayas, this often overlooked area delivers dramatic scenery, a strong cultural identity, and a sense of place that feels distinct from anywhere else in the country.

For travellers drawn to mountain air, open landscapes, and cultural discovery, Sikkim is for you! Almost 35% of the state is a protected area covered by Khangchendzonga National Park. Glaciers, alpine meadows filled with wildflowers, and sharp Himalayan peaks dominate the terrain, including the 8,586-meter Kangchenjunga. Winding through these landscapes are paths leading to clifftop Buddhist monasteries such as Pemayangtse, built more than 300 years ago.
Sikkim’s history is as complex as its geography. Founded as a Buddhist kingdom in the 17th century and ruled by priest-kings known as the Chogyal, it became part of the British Indian Empire in 1890. After Indian independence, Sikkim remained an independent protectorate with its own monarchy, maintaining a degree of separation from the newly formed Indian state.

That changed in 1975, when the Sikkim Parliament abolished the monarchy and declared the kingdom an official state of India. The decision was quickly ratified by India’s Parliament but widely protested by the Sikkim people.

These events continue to shape local identity today, with ideas around independence, belonging and political choice still debated in day-to-day life. Travelling through Sikkim, expect strong opinions and conversations you won’t forget!

Let's go!

DAY 0 // THU 12 MAR // DEPARTURE
Meet at DXB Terminal 1 for our flight to Guwahati via Delhi,

DAY 1 // FRI 13 MAR // GUWAHATI & POBITERA
Welcome to India! We’ll arrive in Guwahati, the capital of Assam state and the main entry point to Northeast India, located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River. The city is a major administrative and commercial center and is surrounded by hills and river landscapes. We’ll visit Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill, one of the most important Hindu shrines in India and a key centre of Tantric worship. The temple complex contains historic sculptures and stone inscriptions and attracts pilgrims from across the country.

In the afternoon, we drive to Pobitera Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its population of one-horned rhinoceros, with an optional boat or jeep safari before checking into our hotel for the night.

DAY 2 // SAT 14 MAR // POBITERA ELEPHANT SAFARI & DRIVE TO MEGHALAYA
Early start to embark on an elephant back safari among the rhinos, with guaranteed close encounters in their natural habitat. After breakfast, we’ll begin the drive to Meghalaya, stopping at Nohkalikai Falls along the way. At 340 meters, it’s the tallest single-drop waterfall in India. We’ll view the falls from above, and conditions permitting, hike down to the pools at its base. Afterwards, we’ll continue on to Shillong, where we spend the night.

DAY 3 // SUN 15 MAR // LIVING BRIDGES OF TYRNA
In the morning, we’ll make the short drive to Tyrna village and start the challenging descent into the valley, involving approximately 3,500 stone steps. It’s all worth it for the stunning scenery, with the trail leading to the UNESCO-recognized Double Decker Living Root Bridge, a well-known natural structure created by training the roots of rubber fig trees. We’ll continue exploring the area to see additional living bridges, then visit the Blue Lagoon for a swim. If conditions allow, we’ll also make a stop at nearby Rainbow Falls. Return to Tyrna in the afternoon.

DAY 4 // MON 16 MAR // MAWSYNRAM RIVER HIKE & SPLIT ROCK
After breakfast we’ll drive to Mawsynram, one of the wettest places on Earth, where we’ll set out on a river hike involving shallow crossings and walking through limestone formations. We’ll arrive at the magnificent Umkhakoi Lake, where we’ll have time to kayak in the serene waters. After lunch, it’s time for our Indiana Jones moment as we walk through Split Rock, a narrow rock passage formed by natural geological processes – quite possibly ruptured by an earthquake. Overnight in guesthouse.

DAY 5 // TUE 17 MAR // LAITLUM CANYON & SACRED FOREST, DRIVE TO GUWAHATI
Today we say goodbye to Meghalaya, hitting the road back to Guwahati. On the way we’ll pass through a sacred forest, and stop at Laitlum Canyon for views over the surrounding valleys. Overnight in Guwahati.

DAY 6 // WED 18 MAR // DARJEELING
Today we have a short morning flight to Bagdogra, and from there drive to Darjeeling. After lunch, we visit the Happy Valley Tea Estate to learn about tea cultivation and processing. We’ll walk through the plantation, sitting a lofty 2,100 meters above sea level, and take in views of the surrounding hills. Later, we’ll enjoy afternoon tea at Glenary’s, one of the oldest tea houses and bakeries in the town. Overnight in Darjeeling.

DAY 7 // THU 19 MAR // TIGER HILL & SIGHTSEEING
If the weather is clear, we’ll have a 4am wake-up call and drive to Tiger Hill (2,560m) to watch the spectacular sunrise over Mt. Kangchenjunga. After breakfast, we’ll hop aboard the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a tiny “toy train” running through the landscape. We’ll disembark at Ghoom to visit Yiga Choeling (Ghoom) Monastery, known for its large statue of the Maitreya Buddha and its stunning mountain views. In the afternoon, we drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, where we spend the night.

DAY 8 // FRI 20 MAR // SIKKIM: WATERFALLS, MOUNTAINS & MONASTERIES
After breakfast, we’ll head to the Lhasa and Bakthang waterfalls located near Gangtok, before continuing on to Tashi Viewpoint to take in the incredible vistas of the Kanchenjunga range. Next we visit Gonjang Monastery, Do-drul Chorten, and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology to learn about Buddhist education, history and art in the region. We’ll stop at Ganesh Tok for views over the city, then head back to Gangtok to visit the Handicraft and Handloom Centre. We’ll end the day with a ride on the Gangtok Ropeway, followed by free time in the evening.

DAY 9 // SAT 21 MAR // CHANGU (TSOMGO) LAKE, BABA MANDIR & NATHU LA
This morning we’re taking it higher! We’ll head to the dizzying elevations of East Sikkim, where we’ll find Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, a glacial lake located approximately 3,800 meters above sea level. We continue to Baba Mandir (3900m), a shrine maintained by the Indian Army. Subject to weather and permits, we’ll proceed to Nathu La Pass (4450m) on the India–China border, a historic trade route between India and Tibet. We’ll return to Gangtok in the afternoon, with the evening free to relax or explore as you choose.

Note: Access to Baba Mandir and Nathu La Pass is subject to weather conditions and permits. In case of non-availability, we will visit Hanuman Tok temple instead.

DAY 10 // SUN 22 MAR // DEPARTURE
After breakfast we’ll say bye-bye to magical Sikkim and hit the road back to Bagdogra Airport, to make it in time for our evening flight home. We’ll be back in Dubai just after midnight.

Note to travellers: India has beautiful discoveries around every corner…but this amazing country can often test travellers' patience with regards to waiting, delays, changes in procedures and general perceptions of logic! Please note that trips may require adjustments and changes in sequence due to unforeseen circumstances. Be ready to go with the flow.

Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate (day 3 & 7)
Activities: Trekking, swimming, kayaking, caving, sightseeing, rhino safari on elephants back.
Room & Meals: hotels, guesthouses and mountain resorts - double sharing, meals excluded.

Cost: 7,250 AED incl. flights until FEB 28.
Past this date cost will change.

Specifically Excluded: visa, meals, insurance.
Visas:
[https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html ]([https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html)-](https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html)-) in particular for evisa.

See yah in the North x
Trekkup Crew

Whatsapp 050 - 4848238 / info@trekkup.com
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