Travel with Pacific Horticulture Society April 18 – May 2, 2015 to the far north of India where the spectacular scenery and cooler climate of the hill country first beckoned early British travelers. At 6,000 feet Darjeeling and Changtok cling to hilltops with views of the Himalayan Mountains beckoning around every turn of the road. Sikkim, an Indian state, is bordered by Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. – See more at: http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/tours/the-sikkim-darjeeling-himalayas/#sthash.Ra9Wjnr9.dpuf.

Itinerary includes:

Makaibari Tea Estates where tea is produced within an integrated forest management system.
Lloyd Botanic Garden in Darjeeling featuring indigenous Himalayan plants, alpine plants and ferns, and plants and trees from China, Japan, and beyond as well as traditional British style glass conservatories housing many of the garden’s extensive orchid collections.
A trip on the nearly hundred-year old Darjeeling Himalayan Railway providing a breathtaking view of neighboring cities from the narrow-gauge tracks that cling to the hillsides and a chance to experience life as it’s been since the 1800s.
Yumthang, the “valley of flowers,” and the site of the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary.

Other stops on this 15-day tour provide insight into the people of this high country who call this area of the world their home and include visits to cultural, historic, and craft centers in Darjeeling, Changtok, and Kalimpong. PHS Board member Paul Graves will accompany the trip.