Darjeeling Tours has been running special interest tours to India for over eight years and has recently expanded its programme to include Sikkim, Bhutan, New Zealand and Colorado. We’ve developed an enviable reputation for our series of successful tours to India and, in particular, to delivering what is promised – and more!   The company is owned and operated by Sarah Thompson, Clive Thompson and Karen Viney.

Sarah

Sarah handles all of DTL’s marketing, including advertising, customer communications, newsletters and the website content - as well as acting as Tour Manager. She’s visited many countries including India (where she and Clive spent three months travelling around the country by train). Sarah has worked in many industries in marketing, business development and operations roles.  Sarah says, “I get a real buzz whenever I meet our clients on tour - it’s so rewarding to develop holidays that people enjoy so much. India is such a fascinating country - there really is something for everyone there. Whatever your interest, we’re sure we can help you with the holiday of a lifetime!”

Clive

Clive’s runs all of DTL’s ground operations, liaising with and managing our Indian agents. Clive is a keen railway enthusiast, having also worked on the Severn Valley Railway as a volunteer for almost 20 years – as a fireman and on the permanent way. He has also developed a keen interest in the history of India, and is developing a new tour with British Indian history as the theme. Clive often accompanies Sarah on tours - they make a good double act!

Karen

Karen joined Darjeeling Tours in August 2009. Previously she spent time working overseas including organising international conferences for the EEC and then as a “publisher” with Reed Elsevier in marketing before opening her own consultancy business. She says, “I  love working in the travel industry. It’s always a thrill to find out about different lives and different cultures.  India is probably the only country that offers so many different experiences. The focus of our tours is unique and attracts so many fascinating people who want to get behind the scenes of the tourist trail - whether that be finding out about the steam or narrow gauge railways, the textile arts and crafts world or about the fascinating history of this stunning and diverse country. Our tours are led by such fun and informed tour guides, they never fail to excite and stimulate everybody’s interest on all of the holidays we offer!”

Our Associates and Tour Managers

Peter (“Fuzz”) Jordan

Giving up his “day job” as an accountant, Peter founded Darjeeling Tours in 2003 after running his first Indian tour for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society in 1999  – and has run most of the tours since then. He’s a real expert on all things Indian (particularly the railways) having travelled there regularly for the last 25 years!  Fuzz says "Since I first visited the country in 1979, the colour, the atmosphere and the railways of India have always ensured that a further visit was necessary: India’s like that - there’s always a reason for another visit.  The people are so friendly and the sights so remarkable that each day brings something new and exciting. It's a privilege to introduce others to the magic of India, and Darjeeling's Railway in particular."

Keith Froom

Keith has been interested in railways for as long as he can remember, and has served as Chairman of the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Museum. He has travelled widely in the Indian sub-continent, not only in India but also in Pakistan and Nepal. His interest in railways, and love of India, make Darjeeling Tours a natural "home" for him. He has also worked for various tour operators escorting tours to India, the Far East, the Middle East and Latin America.

Enid and Eddie Lang

Enid and Eddie have lived and worked for the greater part of their lives overseas, principally in Africa and the Far East. They have travelled extensively around the world and first went to India forty years ago. Since then, they have visited India on numerous occasions. They are both deeply interested in the history, culture and wildlife of the sub-continent. Eddie has been a member of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society since 2000 and, together with Enid, has participated in tours to Darjeeling in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008 – the last as Tour Managers. Eddie’s lasting regret is that there are no railways in Kashmir – his favourite heaven on earth!

Join the Team!

We are looking for experienced freelance Tour Managers to run our tours to India.

Click here for more information.