Overview
Discover vibrant North East India and mysterious Bhutan. Explore colonial influences in Kolkata, monasteries in Darjeeling and Gangtok and Pelling tigers’nests in Paro. This tour gives glimpses into Indian and Bhutanese culture. Embark on an epic Himalayan adventure on this small group tour. Ride the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or ‘Toy Train’ to India’s highest railway station and watch the sunrise over Mt Kanchenjunga. Explore Gangtok’s Tibetan Buddhist monuments; get up close to snow leopards and Himalayan wolves at the Padmaja Naidu zoo;Discover some of Bhutan’s most important cultural treasures. Visit some of Bhutan’s finest dzongs, from regal Punakha to imposing Paro. Trek up to the spectacular setting of the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery and visit the imposing grandeur of Trashilang Dzong. A journey through Bhutan will take you through deep valleys, and high mountain passes, and will certainly be a memorable experience.
Pit Stops
- UK – Kolkata (3N)
- Darjeeling (2N)
- Gangtok (2N)
- Kalimpong (1N)
- Phuntsholing (1N)
- Thimpu (2N)
- Gangtey (1N)
- Punakha (1N)
- Paro (2N)
- Kolkata (1N) – UK
Tour Includes
- International flights (and domestic flights if applicable).
- UK departure and overseas airport taxes.
- 16 nights in hotels, and 1in flight (accommodation as specified or similar)
- 32 meals: 16 breakfasts & 16 dinners
- Local Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Guided Excursions as described.
- Entrance fees unless otherwise stated.
Tour Highlights
- Visit Rumtek Monastery an esteemed Buddhist religious place.
- Visit Tiger Hill to view sunrise over Kanchendzonga Peak.
- Visit the beautiful Khecheopalri Lake in Pelling.
- Look out over the high Himalaya from the breathtaking Dochu La pass.
- limb up to cliff-tumbling Tiger’s Nest monastery.
- Explore the cultural highlights of the Bhutanese capital, Thimpu.
- Drive through the breathtaking landscapes of rural Bhutan.
Day By Day Itinerary
DAY 1 UK – KOLKATA
Fly to Kolkata.
DAY 2 KOLKATA (D)
On arrival Kolkata you will be welcomed and transferred to hotel The Lalit.
DAY 3 KOLKATA (B/D)
After breakfast we tour Kolkata’s most famous landmarks on this small group sightseeing tour of the city. Check out Mother Teresa’s Mission and Mother House and admire the impressive architecture of iconic structures like the Howrah Bridge and Victoria Memorial. Experience local religion with stops at the Jain Temple and Magen David Synagogue, then tour the University of Calcutta for a bit of academic flavor. Finally, make a stop for photos on the Howrah Bridge—the sixth largest cantilever bridge on earth.
DAY 4 KOLKATA (B/D)
Start your morning with a stroll through the somber South Park Street Cemetery and its moss-covered tombs and monuments. Spend the remainder of the morning at the city’s largest green area, the Maidan, where you can stop in for a cricket match at the Eden Gardens stadium. From there, head to the Indian Botanical Gardens to sit beneath what may be the largest banyan tree on earth.
DAY 5 KOLKATA – BAGDOGRA – DARJEELING (B/D)
After breakfast transfer to Kolkata airport to board your flight to Bagdogra .On arrival Bagdogra you will be welcomed and transferred Darjeeling and check in at to hotel May Fair. Then the afternoon is free for your own leisure and other activities .
DAY 6 DARJEELING (B/D)
Take a train ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (‘Toy Train’) – the highest railway station in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — up to the summit, Tiger Hill. You’ll be met here with a spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas, with rays projected beautifully on Mt Kanchenjunga. Your guide will also take you to Ghum Monastery and Batasia Loop War Memorial. Here, enjoy a gorgeous panoramic view of Darjeeling with Kanchenjunga and the snowy mountains as a backdrop. Then we visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, which has a successful breeding program for snow leopards, endangered Himalayan wolves and red pandas.
DAY 7 DARJEELING – GANGTOK (B/D)
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic 3-hour drive to Gangtok, the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim located in the eastern Himalayan range. When you arrive, check in to your hotel May Fair and enjoy the rest of the day to relax or explore at your leisure.
DAY 8 GANGTOK (B/D)
After breakfast we visit Rumtek Monastery, also called the Dharmachakra Chakra Center, which is currently the largest monastery in Sikkim and home to a community of Tibetan Buddhist monks. Here, see several sacred Buddhist relics, some of which date back to the 16th century. Afterward, head to Enchey Monastery — said to have been a residence of the deities Khangchendzonga and Yabdean – where you’ll see images of Buddhist gods and goddesses.
DAY 9 GANGTOK – KALIMPONG (B/D)
After breakfast transfer from Gangtok to Kalimpong. The drive will take about three and half hours. Upon arrival check in the hotel The Elgin Silver Oaks, Kalimpong. Afternoon we suggest to visit the Dzong-Do-Phalri Monastery, a flower nursery and around Kalimpong market.
DAY 10 KALIMPONG – PHUNTSHOLING (B/D)
After breakfast drive to Phuntsholing, border town of Bhutan. This drive will take about 06 hours. There will be some paper work formalities at the border which you have to go through. After finishing the paper work please proceed to your hotel Druk. Rest of the day leisure or if you wish you can go for a walk around the Phuntsholing town.
DAY 11 PHUNTSHOLING – THIMPU (B/D)
Transfer from Phuntsholing to Thimpu. This drive takes about 06 hrs passing through virgin forest and uninterrupted landscape. This is an unbelievable and beautiful drive. After this beautiful journey check in the hotel Le Meridien Thimphu.
DAY 12 THIMPHU (B/D)
After breakfast, today we drive up to the viewpoint- BBS Tower in Sangaygang and take a hike beyond to enjoy a stunning view of the valley. Then we visit the National Memorial Chorten. Here, the finely executed wall paintings and delicately fashioned statues within the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. Dinner this evening with a local family. If time permits, we will also visit Zangto Pelri Lhakhang or hike to Cheri Goemba, an ancient monastery perched high on the hillside.
DAY13 THIMPHU – GANGTEY (B/D)
Today we head for Gangtey, about 150 kilometers away from Thimphu. En route, stop at Dochula Pass appreciate the striking view of Mt. Himalaya. You will also visit the grand 108 stupas. After that, we continue driving to Gangtey. It is a beautiful and tranquil place surrounded by lush forests. On arrival check in at hotel Aman Kora Resorts. This evening remains free for you. If you are interested, you can stroll around the Gangtey Valley and pay a visit to the exquisite Gangtey Goempo.
DAY 14 GANGTEY – PUNAKHA (B/D)
After breakfast we take a scenic drive to Punakha. As the valley is at a lower elevation of about 1250m (4100 ft.) above sea level, it enjoys subtropical climate with warm summers and pleasant winters. On arrival check in at Dhensa Boutique Resort. Later we visit Punakha Dzong. It is a very beautiful Bhutanese architecture located at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers.
DAY 15 PUNAKHA – PARO (B/D)
After a short drive from Punakha, we start a leisure walk through paddy fields and villages and arrive at a hillock where the Chimi Lakhang is situated. This Lakhang is dedicated to a popular saint Drukpa Kuenley, also known as divine Madman. After that, we continue driving to Paro via Dochula Pass. En route, you will visit the Simtokha Dzong. On arrival check in at hotel Le Meridien Paro. Then we visit to Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower housing the National Museum and descend for a while to the Paro Dzong, also named Rinphung Dzong.
DAY 16 PARO (B/D)
After breakfast we hike to Taktsang Monastery’s viewpoint. Taktsang meaning “Tiger’s Nest”, is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (also known as Guru Padmasambhava) meditated. The monastery clings seemingly impossible to a cliff of rock at 914m above the valley floor. For the local people it is a place of pilgrimage, but for a tourist, a hike up to the viewpoint opposite the monastery is exhausting, thrilling and mystical. The legend has it that Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress from Tibet and meditated in the cave there for three months. Drive to the end of the valley to look at the old ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong or the Fort of Drukpa Victory (14km from Paro), the historical site from the ramparts of which the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders, time and time again.
DAY 17 PARO – KOLKATA(B/D)
After breakfast transfer to Paro airport to board your flight to Kolkata. On arrival check in at hotel The Lalit.
DAY 18 KOLKATA – UK (B)
Morning transfer to Kolkata International airport to board your flight to UK. Arrive home today.
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