HIMALAYAN TOUR “Bhutan–Sikkim-Darjeeling”
(15 Days / 14 Nights)
Day 01: Aboard - Delhi
Arrival Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, meet our representative and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Hotel
Day 02:
Delhi Sightseeing
Morning full day sightseeing in Old & New Delhi. The tour of the 17th-century old city “Old Delhi” includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid, The main street of Old Delhi is the colorful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk (“Moonlit Street”). Drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.
The tour of New Delhi includes the Humayun's Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath (“the Kingsway,”) passing the India Gate (the memorial built to commemorate the unknown soldiers,) the President’s House, and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern and colourful Hindu temple. O/N Hotel
Day 03:
Delhi – Paro by Druk Air
Transfer to IGI Airport for your flight to Bhutan. 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.
You will be received by the representative of Zamling Tours & Travels at the airport; completion of your visa/immigration and customs formalities, transfer to the hotel. Evening visit a Bhutanese typical Farm House and stroll in Paro town. Overnight Hotel
Day 04:
Paro - Punakha (125 km, 4.1/2 hours)
Early breakfast and sight seeing – visit Taa Dzong (National Museum of Bhutan), Rimpong Dzong, Kichu Monastery, ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and a view of Takshang Monastery.
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.
Day 05:
Punakha – Wangdiphodrang – Gangtey
Early breakfast and sightseeing- Visit Punakha Dzong, Khuru town, Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, Chhimi Lhakhang (a pilgrimage site for barren couple), Wangdiphodrang Dzong. Lunch at a local restaurant in Wangdiphodrang and drive to Gangtey. Overnight Hotel/Guest House
Day 06:
Gangtey-Thimphu
Early breakfast and local sightseeing – visit the age old Gangtey Monastery and Phobjikha valley. This valley is a winter home of the endangered bird species “Black Necked Crane”, which starts to arrive by mid November and returns to Tibetan plateau by February.
After lunch, drive to Thimphu. Evening at leisure in town. Overnight Hotel
Day 07:
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 08:
Thimphu – Phuentsholing (176 km, 6 hours)
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 09:
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 10:
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; to the east lies the Kingdom of Bhutan separated by a tongue of Chinese controlled Tibet.
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 11:
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 12:
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.
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 13:
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 14:
Darjeeling-Bagdogra-Delhi
After breakfast, drive gradual climbing down hill, following the route of the toy train you reach Bagdogra airport for onward flight to Delhi; on arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel. Overnight Hotel.
Day 15:
Delhi – departure
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
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