Lower Himalayas – Previous

Walks, Local Culture & Music

Enquire Now – I’d love to talk you through the details!

Annual trips in Oct/Nov and April/May

Welcome to my new adventure exploring the breathtaking grandeur of the Lower Himalayas.

Each journey combines walking, music, culture, and connection with the people who call these mountains home. Across 14 days we travel in small groups, staying in character-filled hotels, homestays and mountain lodges, walking to monasteries, forests and tea estates, and sharing the warmth of village life.

Every trip has its own focus, whether it’s singing, yoga, or simply soaking up the peace and beauty of the mountains.

In 2025 and 2026 there are four upcoming trips:

November 2025, Walks and Local Culture (fully booked)
April 2026, Spring Walking Trip (now booking)
October 2026, Yoga and Walking with Louise Baker (now booking)
November 2026, Singing and Walking with Kavisha Mazzella (now booking)

A variety of Himalayan journeys run each year in both autumn and spring. If you’d like to hear about future trips, join the mailing list here.

The Journey

Your two weeks will include some combination of:

Stays in charming Raj-era colonial hotels
A journey on the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalaya Railway
Visits to tea plantations and mountain monasteries
7–10 days of panoramic walks through forests and villages
Evenings of song, conversation, and delicious local food
Time in the hill towns of Kurseong and Darjeeling, exploring their bazaars, cafes, and colourful markets
Optional yoga and meditation sessions, depending on the trip

Enquire Now – I’d love to talk you through the details!

Jo’s grandfather was an Engineer and General Manager on the Darjeeling Himalaya Railway that winds from the plains of India into the tea-growing hills of Darjeeling. Along the way, we’ll meet people whose lives have been shaped by this remarkable railway, hear their stories, and experience the blend of colonial heritage and Nepali culture that makes this region so special.

ITINERARIES

November 2025, Walks and Local Culture

A glorious adventure beginning on the Darjeeling Himalaya Railway, with a few days in the hill town of Kurseong and a week exploring the Kingdom of Sikkim. Trip itinerary and details are available via the link.

NOVEMBER 25 TRIP DETAILS

April 2026, Spring in the Kingdom of Sikkim

Our spring walking trip begins in the beautiful hill town of Kalimpong and ends in Darjeeling. Ten days are spent in the Kingdom of Sikkim, a stunning part of the Himalayas that retains its traditional way of life and remains unspoilt.

We’ll stay in small villages, enjoy spectacular walks to monasteries, forests and lakes, and experience the deep peace of mountain living. Trip itinerary and details are available via the link.

Now taking bookings, 10% early-bird discount until 30 November 2025.

APRIL 26 TRIP DETAILS

APRIL 26 HIMALAYAS REGISTRATION

October 2026, Yoga and Walking Trip

This holiday combines 1–2 hours of yoga most days with walks and cultural exploration. Our yoga teacher Louise Baker will be teaching mat and chair yoga, breathwork and meditation.

We begin on the Darjeeling Himalaya Railway, stay in a colonial hotel in Kurseong, then continue through the villages and forests of Sikkim with spectacular walks to monasteries and lakes.

Louise Baker, Yoga Teacher
Louise’s yoga brings people together in a joyful, grounded way to explore movement and connection between breath, body and mind. Her classes range from flowing, energising sequences to slow, nurturing sessions that restore balance and harmony.

Louise has completed 500 hours of Registered Teacher Training, with additional accreditation in Chair Yoga and Trauma Aware Yoga, and is completing Restorative Yoga Teacher Training. For 10 years she was an Aikido martial arts instructor, where her passion for energy, breath and movement first began.

Non-yoga partners are very welcome to join us.

OCTOBER 26 TRIP DETAILS

OCT 26 HIMALAYAS REGISTRATION

November 2026, Singing and Walking Trip

Our Singing and Walking experience begins with a journey on the Darjeeling Himalaya Railway, a stay in Kurseong, days spent walking through mountain villages, and a finale in Darjeeling.

Kavisha Mazzella, Singing Teacher
Kavisha is an ARIA-winning songwriter and choir leader who has released eight albums and founded several Italian choirs across Australia. She received an Order of Australia for her work sharing the stories of migrant and refugee communities through music.

Her singing workshops are joyful and heart-opening, filled with songs that bring people together in peace and harmony. During our trip, Kavisha will also present special concerts for our group.

NOVEMBER 26 TRIP DETAILS

NOV 26 HIMALAYAS REGISTRATION

YOUR GUIDES

Jo Cresswell
I’ve been leading walking, skiing and cycling tours since the 1980s across Europe and Australia, and am delighted to now offer these Himalayan journeys. I’m a musician on concertina and piano, a qualified cross-country ski instructor, and have spent many years managing folk festivals and concert tours.

Bhusan Chettri
Bhusan has over 25 years of experience as a high-altitude trekking and tour guide throughout Nepal, Northern India and Sikkim. He brings vast knowledge, calm leadership, and a wonderful sense of humour to our trips.