The Himalayan Kingdoms of Sikkim, Darjeeling & Bhutan – 15 Days / 14 Nights
This tour takes you through the hills of Darjeeling and Sikkim. Replete with towering peaks and unspoiled pastoral beauty. Darjeeling, known for its tea, is situated at a height of 2134m and faces the Himalayas, providing some of the best views of lofty peaks in this mountain range. Sikkim, a Buddhist state, is full of monasteries, some dating back to the 15th century. Continue your journey through Bhutan, the land of the thunder dragon. Kolkata (1), Darjeeling (2), Gangtok (2), Pemayangtse (1), Kalimpong (1), Phuntsoling (1), Thimphu (2), Punakha (1), Paro (2), Kolkata (1) Itinerary Day 1Arrival & TransferArrive Kolkata After clearing immigration and customs, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Day 2Flight, 3 hours driveKolkata / Bagdogra / Darjeeling After breakfast, our representative will convoy you to the airport to board the flight to Bagdogra. (Flight AI 721/1340 hrs) At Bagdogra a beautiful drive through the tea gardens will take you to Darjeeling. On arrival, check-in to the hotel. Day 3DarjeelingDarjeeling Well before dawn you will approach the Tiger Hill which is famous for its magnificent views over Kanchenjunga and eastern Himalayan peaks. On the way back, visit the Ghoom Monastery, which enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha. This exciting day will take you to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) and the museum. Adjacent to this is the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park which is a high altitude wildlife park and a home for the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Deer, and Panda. Day 43 hours driveDarjeeling / Gangtok After breakfast, drive to Gangtok through the beautiful landscaped tea gardens of Darjeeling & Teesta valley. In the evening, you are at leisure to explore the markets. Day 5GangtokGangtok This morning after breakfast, indulge in the exploration of the famous monastery of Rumtek which was the official seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa – the head of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. Lunch would be followed by a visit to the Tibetan Institute which is dedicated to further Tibetan studies, Buddhist philosophy and religion. A pleasant walk through the Orchid Museum is an excellent way to mark the end of the day. Day 62 hours driveGangtok / Pemayangtse Leave for Pemayangtse after breakfast and check-in to a hotel on arrival. The Pemayangtse monastery in West Sikkim which is held in highest regard and considered to be the oldest monastery built (1705) is a sight you wouldn’t want to miss. Day 72 hours drivePemayangtse / Kalimpong After breakfast, set out on a drive to Kalimpong. You will be taken to the Durpin Dara which is the highest point in Kalimpong accessible by car and the Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery. The Flower Nurseries which export exotic flowers like Amaryllis Lilies, Roses, Gerbera, dahlias, gladiolas as well as Orchids and Cacti is the ultimate destination to appreciate the color and beauty of nature. In the evening you would be guided on a walk through the interesting bazaar of Kalimpong. Day 83 hours driveKalimpong / Phuntsoling This morning drive to Doars. Visit the Jaldapara Sanctuary which not only provides a home to the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros but it also serves as a frequent feeding ground for elephant herds. Day 96-7 hours drivePhuntsoling / Thimphu After an early breakfast, set off to drive to Thimpu, en route cross the border between India and Bhutan. On the way you will come across Chuzzom, a place where you will not only set eyes on the confluence of the rivers Parochu and Thimpuchu but also behold the sight of the three stupas representing the three different styles of stupa architecture – Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese. Day 10ThimphuThimphu Receive an insider’s perspective of Bhutanese culture with exposure to the traditional arts at the famed School of Arts & Crafts in Thimphu, Tango Gompa and the National Library which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature, with some works dating back several hundred years. Your experience will be further enhanced by a visit to the nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School). A walk through the colorful market of Bhutan would be an amiable way to conclude the day. Day 113 hours driveThimphu / Punakha Have an early breakfast and drive to Punakha, where in the afternoon, you will delve into the depths of the Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers followed by a visit to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. Day 125 hours drivePunakha / Paro Morning drive from Punakha to Paro. Later in the day after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artefacts. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala. Day 13ParoParo After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery (approx. 5 hours walk): It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour. On the way back to town stop at Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of