Update

Sadly, we have moved on from the temperate mountains. We spent a couple nights in the town of Kurseong, a bit lower in altitude and way fewer crowds. A tour of an organic tea factory, yoga lessons (ending with laugh therapy) and a 'stick massage' rounded out our stay in the area. (The massage involved percussive motions with cylindrical wooden sticks about 3 cm in diameter, and it didn't hurt a bit, much to my surprise).
We took an overnight train last night, and arrived in Varanasi (city beside the Ganges river) this afternoon, welcomed by a stifling 41 Celcius. I know, I know, we knew what we were getting into...and we will survive. Speaking of survival, Steve is feeling much better.