TOUR ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival Paro by Druk Air

In clear weather, Druk Air's flight to Bhutan provides a wonderful view of Himalayan scenery. Flying along the Himalayan range, it is a breathtaking journey, culminating in an exciting descent past forested hills into the kingdom.

Upon arrival, you will be received by our representative at the airport; completion of your visa / immigration and customs formalities, transfer to the hotel. Lunch and rest at the hotel. Evening visit a Bhutanese typical Farm House and a leisure time in Paro town. Overnight Hotel.

Day 02: Day Excursion to Takshang Monastery - Paro Sightseeing & Thimphu

Afternoon sightseeing - visit Taa Dzong (National Museum of Bhutan), Rimpong Dzong, Kichu Monastery, ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Evening at leisure in town. Overnight Hotel.

Day 03: Thimphu - Punakha

Drive to Punakha, across the Dochula Pass (alt.3050 Mtrs.). On a clear day, you will have spectacular view of the snow capped Himalayan Mountain range. Lunch at Dochula Café & Restaurant and continue drive to Punakha. Overnight Hotel.

Punakha is the old capital of Bhutan and is historically very important. Punakha Dzong, which lies in the river banks of Pho-Chu and Mo-Chu, gives you a spectacular view from the road view point. This Dzong has survived numerous catastrophes like fire, earthquake and massive glaciers flood. This Dzong is still the winter capital of the monk body, the head abode  Je-Khempo lives in this Dzong in winter, as Thimphu becomes very cold.

Afternoon sightseeing - Visit Punakha Dzong, Khuru town, Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten and a short leisure walk around the valley. Overnight Hotel.

Day 04: Punakha  Wangdiphodrang  Gangtey

Early breakfast and drive to Metshina to visit the famous Chhimi Lhakhang (a pilgrimage site for barren couple), continue drive to Gangtey. Enroute visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way. Afternoon visit Gangtey Monastery and Phobjikha valley, which is the winter home of the rare & endangered species bird  Black Necked Crane , which starts to arrive by mid November and returns to Tibetan plateau by February. Overnight Hotel / Guest House. 

Day 05: Gangtey-Bumthang

Drive to Bumthang, Enroute visit Trongsa Dzong. Evening at leisure in the valley on foot. Overnight Guest House / Lodge.

Day 06: Bumthang Sightseeing

Full day sightseeing in Bumthang - visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjee Lhakhang, Thamsing Lhakhang, Kenchosum Lhakhang & Swiss Farm. Overnight Guest House / Lodge.

Day 07: Bumthang-Thimphu

Early breakfast and drive back to Thimphu. Lunch on the way at a local restaurant. Overnight at Hotel

Day 08: Thimphu-Sightseeing

Full day sightseeing - visit Dup-Thop Lhakhang and the nunnery, Changangkha Lhakhang, the mini zoo to see  Takin the national animal of Bhutan, view point, Indigenous Hospital (Institute of Traditional Medicine), National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion, also houses the biggest book of the world; Zorig Chusum (Painting School, students are taught to learn on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan), Folk Heritage Museum, built in 2001, provides fascinating insights of Bhutanese culture and way of life, Textile Museum, houses a fine collection of Bhutanese textiles; Memorial Chorten, built and completed in the year 1974 after his(Third King of Bhutan) untimely death, it is both a memorial of the Late King and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy; Post & telegraph office to see Bhutanese stamps; visit/view Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten Tashichhodzong- This huge fortress houses the main Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot  Je-Khempo and the central monk-body; and visit Handicrafts Emporium: This government-undertaking Emporium displays a wide range of beautifully hand-woven textiles, craft, and a small collection of books on Bhutan, Buddhism and Himalayan culture. Overnight Hotel

Day 09: Thimphu Phuentsholing (176km,6hours).

Early breakfast and drive to Phuentsholing en route visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627, which now houses the School for Buddhist studies. Drive today is pretty long appx.6 hours and is pleasant with numerous scenic spots for photography. Visit Kharbandi Gompa, which is just before arriving Phuentsholing. This beautiful monastery situated in a garden of tropical plants and flowers, was built by Royal Grandmother, Ashi Phuntsho Choedron in 1967. You will have a grand view of Phuentsholing town and the continuation of Jaigaon town, a border town of the Indian state of West Bengal.

Day 10: Phuentsholing-Kalimpong

Early breakfast and drive to Kalimpong. (appx.110 kms, 4 hrs drive). First part of the journey passes through the plains; a large range of foothill forests crawling with wildlife, farm houses, tea gardens, transparent rivers interspersed with quiet villages and small townships of vibrant local culture then begins gradual climbing to the hill station. Check into the Hotel. After lunch local sightseeing  visit Durpin Monastery, Flower Nursery and local Bazaar. Evening at leisure. Overnight Hotel.

Day 11: Kalimpong-Gangtok

After breakfast stroll around in town and a brief tour of the historic Dr Graham's home. The extensive boarding and day school facility was established over a century ago. We will see its classrooms and boarding houses to get an idea how students of both sexes from all over India and neighboring countries like Bhutan & Nepal spend their days during the study year. There is an Anglican church with fine stained glass windows nearby and you can also visit one of the flower nurseries for which Kalimpong is well known across India. and drive to Gangtok. Evening stroll around the local bazaar. Overnight Hotel.

Located in the Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim forms a natural border between Nepal to the west and Bhutan to the east. To the north lies Tibet and to the south the Teesta and Ringgit Rivers form a natural boundary with the Indian state of West Bengal. The climate is subtropical in the lower valleys, but changing fast to temperate and alpine with increase in elevation. Vast rhododendron forests cover most of the slopes between 3300-4000 m (10,800-13,000 feet) and the Himalayan Cypress is widely found near the tree line. Mixed forests of bamboo and dozens of orchid species are common between 1500-3000 m (5,000-9,850 feet) - 660 varieties of orchids are known to grow in Sikkim. The cardamom spice is a cash crop that grows wild extensively around Yuksum and Phodong.

Day 12: Gangtok Sightseeing

Morning excursion to Phodong Monastery. Afternoon local sightseeing  visit Cottage industry, Enchey Monastery, Institute of Tibetlogy and the local bazaar. We will also tour the permanent 'Flower Show' that exhibits a number of native Sikkimese orchid and flower species. Later afternoon is free and we recommend a visit to the busy vegetable and spice market. Overnight Hotel.

Day 13: Gangtok-Darjeeling

A brief drive to Rumtek Monastery on the opposite side of the valley from Gangtok. Rumtek is the seat of the Tibetan Kagyugpa sect of monks and a major centre for Tibetan religious studies. The 16th Gwalpa Karmapa, the head of the Kagyugpa sect, took refuge in Rumtek after the Chinese invasion of Tibet in the 1950's; he and his followers escaped with whatever statues, 'thangka' paintings and scriptures they could and built Rumtek monastery as a replica of the Chhofuk monastery that they had left behind in Tibet also visit Do-Drul Chorten.

Drive to Darjeeling
Mark Twain quoted Darjeeling “The one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once-by even a glimpse would not give that glimpse for the shows of the rest of the world combined”.

Afternoon local sightseeing – Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park, Panda Breeding Center, and the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center. Overnight Hotel

Day 14: Darjeeling Sightseeing

Early morning excursion to Tiger Hill (11 km) to view the sunrise over Mt.Kunchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. En route visit Yigacholing Ghoom Monastery. Day excursion to Happy Valley Tea Estate; afternoon fun ride in the famous Toy train, which has received a place in the world heritage site lately. Overnight Hotel

Day 15: Darjeeling-Bagdogra-Delhi OR Darjeeling-Nepal Border-Bhadrapur-Kathmandu

After breakfast, drive gradual climbing down hill, following the route of the toy train you reach Bagdogra airport for onward flight to Delhi; OR drive across Nepal border to Bhadrapur and fly to Kathmandu. 

Tour cost:

2 pax: US$ 2490 per person
3-4 pax: US$ 2090 per person
Single Supplement: US$ 30 per person per night

Cost includes for Sikkim-Darjeeling portion (6 Days/5 Nights):

Hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis, all meals, airport transfers, land transportation as per itinerary in imported cars, mini vans-Toyota Hiace, English speaking guide, Entrance fees at Museums/Monuments, government taxes and royalty.

Complementary Service: Mineral water, welcome drink while in Thimphu

Cost includes for Sikkim-Darjeeling portion (6 Days/5 Nights):

Cost includes: Hotel Accommodation on twin sharing basis, all meals, guided sightseeing, land transportation as per itinerary in non a/c tourists jeeps, airport transfers, entrance fees at Museums, monuments, etc. and government taxes.

Hotels in Darjeeling & Gangtok: standard tourist category
Dekeling Hotel or similar in Darjeeling
Mintokling Guest House or similar in Gangtok

Cost doesn't include:

Flight cost, visa fees, personal expenses, alcoholic beverages, cold drinks, laundry services.