Day 0
Overnight travel to NJP
Travel overnight to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station.
Trips / Culture / Heritage & monastery experiences
Old Silk Route heritage experience
A journey through the eastern Himalayas' historic trade corridor across Pedong, Aritar and Zuluk, following settlements, monasteries and mountain landscapes that shaped its story.
Duration4 days / 3 nightsDifficultyEasy to moderateActivity levelModerateFrom₹10,499 per person
Journey overview
Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Activity level
Moderate
Region
Pedong • Aritar • Zuluk
Activity
Historical route exploration & Himalayan heritage
Format
NJP → Pedong → Aritar → Zuluk → NJP
Best season
October to May
Old Silk Route heritage experience follows one of the eastern Himalayas' historic trade corridors, where merchants, travellers and mountain communities exchanged goods, stories and traditions for generations.
Rather than treating the Old Silk Route as a scenic road trip, this journey explores the people, settlements and landscapes that shaped its history.
Through heritage walks, village interactions and cultural storytelling, travellers gain a deeper understanding of how these mountain communities developed along one of the region's most significant historic routes.
Journey highlights
What defines this journey.
01Explore sections of the historic Old Silk Route
02Heritage village experiences
03Local monastery and cultural landmark visits
04Himalayan storytelling sessions
05Traditional mountain settlements
06Historic trade route landscapes
The Untrails itinerary
The route we operate, day by day.
Day 1
NJP → Pedong heritage walk
Arrive at NJP in the morning and transfer to Pedong. Travel time is approximately 4 to 5 hours. After arriving, begin exploring Pedong through a guided heritage walk introducing the region's historic importance and local communities. Visit a nearby monastery before checking into your accommodation. Overnight stay.
Activities
- NJP pickup and transfer
- Guided Pedong heritage walk
- Nearby monastery visit
Day 2
Pedong → Aritar heritage & storytelling
Travel towards Aritar. Spend the day exploring one of the region's historic settlements while learning about traditional mountain life and local architecture. In the afternoon, continue with cultural storytelling sessions focused on the communities that lived and travelled along the historic trade route.
Activities
- Transfer to Aritar
- Heritage settlement walk
- Cultural storytelling session
Day 3
Aritar → Zuluk on the Old Silk Route
Travel onwards towards Zuluk. Explore sections of the historic Old Silk Route while learning about its strategic importance and the role it played in connecting Himalayan regions. Continue with visits to heritage locations and cultural landmarks before concluding the day with a final storytelling session.
Activities
- Transfer to Zuluk
- Old Silk Route exploration
- Heritage and cultural landmark visits
- Evening storytelling session
Day 4
Farewell → NJP
Enjoy breakfast before departing for NJP. Travel time is approximately 6 to 7 hours. The journey concludes at NJP.
What's included
Every detail, handled.
From
₹10,499 per person
Transport, accommodation, meals and cultural experiences included.
- NJP pickup and drop
- All transport during the journey
- Three nights accommodation
- All meals
- Heritage storytelling
- Old Silk Route exploration
- Heritage village experiences
- Monastery and cultural landmark visits
- Trip coordinator
Things to know
Before you set out.
Train tickets
Train tickets to and from NJP are not included.
Personal expenses
Any personal expenses during the trip are borne by travellers.
Permits
Permit-related costs, where applicable, are not included.
Activities not listed
Activities that are not listed under inclusions are not part of the journey cost.
Ready when you are
Book this journey.
Reserve your place with us. We respond personally to every enquiry.
Stories behind the heritage
Species and birdlife of the region.
The Old Silk Route
For centuries, this mountain corridor connected the eastern Himalayas with Tibet, allowing trade, cultural exchange and movement between distant communities.
Mountain settlements
Villages along the route developed as resting points for traders, travellers and local communities adapting to life in the high mountains.
Trade and exchange
Beyond goods, the route carried languages, traditions, beliefs and stories that continue to influence the region today.
Buddhist influence
Monasteries along the route became important centres of learning, hospitality and community life.
Historic landscapes
The mountains, valleys and passes that once shaped trade routes now provide a remarkable setting for understanding Himalayan history.
Responsible exploration
Travelling respectfully through these communities helps preserve both their heritage and the landscapes that have supported them for generations.
Gallery
Fragments from the trail.
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