The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Destinations
Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim, India is one of the highest lakes in the world at an altitude of about 17,800 feet. The lake is named after Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, who is said to have visited in the 8th Century, and it is considered sacred by Buddhists, Sikhs, and Hindus. Photographer: Abhishek Singh.
Explore India’s eastern Himalaya with Garry Weare and Nawang Tsering
By Tiffany West
Garry Weare has been guiding and writing about the Indian Himalaya since the 1970s. A former director of (and now consultant to) World Expeditions, Honorary Secretary (Australia) of the Himalayan Club, and a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, Garry authored Lonely Planet’s definitive guide ‘Trekking in the Indian Himalaya’ for over 25 years. He is a founding director of the Australian Himalayan Foundation and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Himalayan exploration. His deep knowledge is also reflected in his books ‘A Long Walk in the Himalaya’ and ‘Kashmir: A Journey Through History’.
Garry led his first trek to Kashmir in 1973, and 50 years on and over 25,000 kms later, he is still going strong regularly leading high-altitude treks in Ladakh and Nepal. In 2003, at the age of 55, Garry embarked on a five-month trek from the source of the Ganges to Kashmir. The ensuing adventure formed the basis of his travel narrative ‘A Long Walk in the Himalaya: A Trek from the Ganges to Kashmir’, published by Transit Lounge. His latest book ‘Kashmir – A Journey Through History’ was published by Niyogi Publications, Delhi, in January 2020. Garry will be accompanied on this journey by Nawang Tsering, a senior World Expeditions leader with a wealth of experience amassed over the past 25 years.
Garry Weare authored Lonely Planet’s definitive guide ‘Trekking in the Indian Himalaya’ for over 25 years.
World Expeditions’ new cultural itinerary for October 2026 offers travellers the rare opportunity to travel alongside Garry to experience Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong without trekking or high-altitude travel. Over 14 days, the ‘Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong with Garry Weare and Nawang Tsering’ journey reveals the rich heritage of West Bengal and Sikkim, from the tea-cloaked slopes of Darjeeling to the tranquil monasteries of Gangtok and Kalimpong. Throughout the journey, travellers will stay in charming 4-star heritage hotels, many of which are historic buildings steeped in character.
Buddha overlooking Kalimpong. Photographer: Garry Weare.
“For those who have longed to experience the magic of the Indian Himalaya without the rigours of trekking, this journey is ideal,” Garry told The Solo Traveller. “The itinerary brings together my favourite elements of the region, which include the mountain views, the monasteries and the people, in a way that’s accessible to anyone who prefers comfort and culture over challenge.”
Unlike Garry’s previous adventures that were based around trekking, this journey is purposefully designed for cultural immersion and an opportunity to experience the Himalaya in comfort.
A local artisan in Rajmahal, Jharkhand, on the banks of the Ganges. Image supplied.
“Garry Weare has long been a consultant to World Expeditions as well as a much-loved trekking host,” Jaclyn Beagley, Brand Manager for World Expeditions Curated Adventures, told The Solo Traveller. “We are introducing a tour that will suit some of his avid fans as well as those who are keen to see parts of the Himalaya alongside Garry but either could not, or no longer wish to, trek and travel at high altitude.”
Views of Kanchenjunga from Darjeeling. Photographer: Garry Weare.
Highlights of this journey include panoramic views of Kangchenjunga – the world’s third-highest peak – from Pelling, a ride on the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, guided visits to Pemayangtse and Rumtek Monasteries, and exclusive walks through Kolkata’s colonial heart, including the potters’ district and vibrant flower market.
The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria, was built between 1906 and 1921. Photographer: Abhisek Paul.
You can explore the World Expeditions’ ‘Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong with Garry Weare and Nawang Tsering’ itinerary here.
Tiffany West is The Solo Traveller’s Editorial and Pictorial Assistant Lead. This feature includes information provided by international news agencies and public relations representatives, published here with editorial oversight. You can read The Solo Traveller’s editorial policy regarding external sources here.