Meet Your Tour Guides: Amit & Pat

Amit Chopra and Pat Archibald

The heart and soul behind every Darjeeling Tours journey.

When you join a Darjeeling Tours adventure, you’re not just signing up for a rail journey or a cultural escape — you’re stepping into the world of two passionate guides who bring India’s landscapes, people, and traditions vividly to life.
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Meet Amit Chopra and Pat Archibald — two very different travellers with one shared goal: to create experiences that linger long after the journey ends.

Amit Chopra: A Journey Fueled by Passion and Hospitality

If you’ve ever travelled with Amit, you’ll know he has an infectious energy and a talent for making everyone feel instantly at home. A graduate in Tourism from Delhi University, Amit grew up surrounded by the warmth of Indian hospitality — quite literally. His family welcomed guests from across the world, instilling in him the belief that nothing is too big or too small when it comes to looking after people.
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With over two decades in the industry, Amit’s “never say no” attitude has taken him (and countless delighted travellers) across India and beyond. As the owner of Darjeeling Tours, he personally curates and escorts most journeys, ensuring that every itinerary captures the essence of India — from its iconic railways to its quiet, soulful corners.

Amit in Ladakh

Amit’s enthusiasm for trains is legendary. Whether it’s the steam whistle of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or a scenic run along the Konkan coast, his eyes light up at the sight of rails curving through misty hills or coastal palms. Off the tracks, he’s just as happy chatting about aviation, cricket, or photography — often over a well-earned pint of proper beer!
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Travelling with Amit isn’t just about seeing India; it’s about feeling it. His thoughtful care and deep local knowledge ensure that every traveller leaves not only with wonderful memories but with a genuine affection for the country he calls home.

Pat Archibald: Weaving India’s Textile Stories

While Amit brings India’s landscapes and railways to life, Pat Archibald opens the door to another kind of journey — one stitched with colour, culture, and craft. A celebrated textile artist from Scotland, Pat has spent decades guiding travellers through the rich world of global textiles. For over ten years, she’s been exploring India’s regional weaving, dyeing, and stitching traditions, helping others discover the artistry behind every thread.

​Pat’s fascination with fabric began early, inspired by her grandmother’s scrap bag filled with velvets, satins, and lace from the 1920s and 30s. What started as childhood play evolved into a lifelong creative pursuit — from running Scotland’s first dedicated patchwork and quilting shop, Purely Patchwork, to exhibiting her award-winning quilts across the UK, Europe, and the USA.

Pat with textile

On her tours with Darjeeling Tours, Pat transforms travel into a hands-on creative adventure. Travellers don’t just observe — they engage. Whether you’re chatting with village weavers, exploring bustling textile markets, or working on your own stitched project inspired by the journey, Pat’s warm guidance and infectious enthusiasm ensure a deeply personal connection to India’s craft heritage.
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As Pat says, “Each collection of quilts has its own identity — it captures the essence of a place and the spirit of its people.” With her, you’ll discover that fabric is more than material; it’s a storyteller.

Two Guides, One Unforgettable Experience

Together, Amit and Pat represent the perfect blend of discovery and detail. Amit’s logistical mastery and local insight pair seamlessly with Pat’s artistic sensibility and cultural depth. Whether you’re aboard a heritage train winding through the Himalayas or sitting cross-legged beside an artisan at a loom, you’ll be in the hands of two guides who live and breathe what they love.
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Their shared mission? To make every Darjeeling Tours journey more than a holiday — a heartfelt encounter with India itself.