TRANS HIMALAYAN TOUR(23 Days / 22 Nights)
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 representative of Zamling Tours & Travels 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 Sightseeing
After breakfast, a brief tour of the historic Dr Graham's Homes. 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. Other places to visit are Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center for handicraft goods; Tharpa Choling Monastery, a repository of old scriptures, and documents; Thongsa (Bhutan) Monastery, the oldest in the area; Dharmodaya Vihar, a Nepalese Buddhist temple;; Durpin Danda from where the mountain ranges of Sikkim, including Jelepla, Tiger Hill and the confluence of the Relli, Riang and Tista rivers can be viewed;: and Kalimpong famous flower nurseries. Evening stroll around the local bazaar. Overnight Hotel.
Day 12:
Kalimpong-Gangtok
After breakfast, visit the Parnami Mandir and Mangal Dham; the famous Kalimpong Flower Nurseries; Zong Dog Palri FO Brang Monastery at Durpin Danda and drive to Delo View Point for magnificent views of the valley. After lunch drive to Gangtok. The drive appx takes 3 hours; Evening at leisure in town. Overnight Hotel
Day 13:
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 14:
Gangtok-Darjeeling
Early breakfast and the day begins early today. 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. Continue drive to Darjeeling and check into the hotel.
Afternoon local sightseeing – Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park, Panda Breeding Center, and the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center. Overnight Hotel
Day 15:
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 16:
Darjeeling-Kakarbhitta-Bhadrapur-Kathmandu
After breakfast, drive gradual climbing down hill, following the route of the toy train you reach Siliguri; continue drive to Nepal Border Kakarvhitta and drive across to Bhadrapur to fly to Kathmandu. Meet our representative and transfer to Hotel.
Day 17:
Kathmandu Sightseeing
Visit Kathmandu Durbar square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupati Nath Temple, Bouddha Nath Stupa, Swyambhunath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square
Day 18:
Kathmandu Chitwan
Drive to Chitwan and transfer to the Hotel; Lunch upon arrival; Village Tour and Sunset view from beach Rapti river; Dinner at Hotel
Day 19:
Chitwan Sightseeing
Early morning walk around the Jungle. After breakfast: Canoeing and Trip to Elephant breeding center; after lunch, Elephant ride; Evening: Cultural program and Dinner around the camp
Day 20:
Chitwan-Pokhara
Bird Watching (or extra elephant ride) early morning tea/coffee.8.00 AM: Breakfast 9.00 AM: drive to Pokhara, transfer to the Hotel; One hour boating in Fewa lake. Overnight Hotel
Day 21:
Pokhara Sightseeing
Sight seeing at Vindyavashini Temple, Seti Gorge, Mahendra cave, Davi's fall, Begnash Lake and overnight in Hotel
Day 22:
Pokhara-Kathmandu
Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to the Hotel.
Day 23:
Departure
Transfer to Airport for your departure flight onwards
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