Overview
Tour Name : The Best of Sikkim & Bhutan
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Routing: Kolkata – New Jalpaiguri – Gangtok – Pelling – Darjeeling – Phuntsholing – Thimpu – Paro – Kolkata
Package Details
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Tour Highlights:- |
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Kolkata |
Indian Museum, Science City, Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, Eden Garden |
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Darjeeling |
Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, Windamere Hotel, Bhutia Busty Monastery, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park |
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Pelling |
Kanchenjunga Falls, Khecheopalri Lake, Pemayangtse Gompa, Singshore Bridge, Rabdentse Ruins, Sangacholing Monastery, Rimbi Waterfalls, Sangay Falls, Sewaro Rock Garden |
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Gangtok |
Nathula, Hanuman Tok, Rumtek Monastery, Phodong Monastery, Khecheopalri Lake |
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Phuntsholing |
Zanto Pelri Monastry |
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Thimphu |
Rinpung Dzone, Paro Taktsang, Gangteng Monastery, Teshichho Dzong, Dechen Phodrang Monastery |
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Punakha |
Explore on own |
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Paro |
Paro Taktsang, Rinpung Dzong, Lichu Lhakang, National Museum of Bhutan |
Package Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Kolkata
Arrive by International flight, after traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at the airport and transfer to the hotel for check in. Take the rest of the day to explore the city on your own.
Overnight at Hotel - Kolkata
Day 2 - Kolkata – Bagdogra - Darjeeling
After breakfast, transfer to the airport on time to board flight for Bagdogra. On arrival our representative would meet and assist you at the airport for your onward drive to Darjeeling (Distance 65.5 kms appx). On arrival check in at the hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Darjeeling
Day 3 - Darjeeling
Located at an altitude of 7000 ft., Darjeeling, one of the most reputed hill stations in the Indian Subcontinent, is nestled in the towering snow-capped mountain ranges, dominated by the almighty Kanchenjunga (8598m).
Early morning visit the Tiger Hill (8500m) to view the sunrise. Then we return to our hotel en route visiting the Ghoom Monastery, the most famous one of the area, built in 1875. Next is a Toy Train ride from Ghoom to Darjeeling. Visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Tibetan Refugee Camp and the Market. Afternoon we visit the Museum, Botanical Gardens and Tea Gardens within a 20 km radius.
Overnight Hotel – Darjeeling
Day 4 - Darjeeling - Pelling
Today we will drive to Pelling (Distance 75.2kms appx). Pelling, a fast-growing yet idyllic town 2,085 m above sea level, Pelling offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga, the guardian deity of Sikkim. The hillsides draped in Alpine forests are swathed in swirling clouds and bounded by majestic mountains.
Overnight Hotel – Pelling
Day 5 - Pelling – Gangtok
Today we will tour the beautiful hilly city of Western Sikkim. Visit Pemyangste Monastery, the most worshipped monastery of Sikkim, Sangacholim Monastery and the sacred Khechipelri Lake.
Later we drive to Gangtok (Distance 117kms appx), a fairytale capital in the clouds, balances precariously on steep mountain slopes, surrounded by lush rice terraces, swifts flowing rivers and distant snow views. It is situated in the lower Himalayas and was a small hamlet until the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840 made it a pilgrimage centre. It became a major stopover between Tibet & British India at the end of the 19th century. It is also a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture.
Overnight Hotel – Gangtok
Day 6 - Gangtok
Today we take an excursion tour to Tsongo Lake, considered extremely sacred by the local people. The place is a paradise for bird lovers with large number of Blue Whistling Thrush, Redstarts and Fork tails around. It hosts a number of migratory birds prominent among which is the Brahminy ducks. Next we visit Do Drul Chorten, two exquisite Stupas. The Dul-dul-Chorten was built to commemorate the victory of good over evil. Next we visit Rumtek Monastery. Meandering roads through emerald green rice terraces, lays Rumtek, the main monastery of Kagyud or 'Black Hat' sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Later we visit Himalayan Zoological Park also known as Bulbuley. Also explore Lal Bazaar, a melody of colour. Various ethnic groups from different villages gather to haggle, bargain, gossip their wares.
Overnight Hotel – Gangtok
Day 7 - Gangtok - Phuntsholing
Today we will drive to Phuntsholing (Distance 222 kms appx) located at India – Bhutan border. Upon arrival, check-in the hotel.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight Hotel – Phuntsholing
Day 8 - Phuntsoling - Thimpu
This morning after breakfast we visit Zantho Pelri Monestary. This small temple built in the center of Phuentsholing town represents the heaven of Guru Rinpoche. Now we assist you to complete the entry formalities in Bhutan and drive to Thimpu (Distance 165 kms appx). Upon arrival, our first stop will be Kharbandi Gompa. This beautiful monastery situated in a garden of tropical plants and flowers, was built by Royal Grandmother, Ashi Phuntsho Choedron in 1967. There is a splendid view of Phuentsholing and the Indian plains from the monastery garden. Upon arrival check in the hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Thimpu
Day 9 - Thimpu
Morning city tour of Thimpu. Walk around the vibrant and colourful market where local Bhutanese are seen carrying on their daily routines dressed in traditional costumes. Visit King Wangchuk's Memorial, Taschichho Dzong and Bhutanese Handicraft Centers and amazing Thimphu valley.
Overnight Hotel – Thimpu
Day 10 - Thimphu - Punaka
Morning drive to Punaka (Distance 85 kms appx). Upon arrival check-in the hotel. Later visit The Punakha Dzong built at the confluence of the Po and Mo Chu Rivers in the 17th Century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel served as capital of Bhutan until 1955. The Dzong houses sacred artifacts and the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.
Overnight Hotel – Punakha
Day 11 - Punaka - Paro
Morning we drive to Paro (Distance127 kms appx). Our journey runs through the typical country side of Bhutan dotted with traditional houses on the hill slope and river valley. On arrival check in at the hotel and later do a city sightseeing tour including Wang Chu and Paro Chu at Chozom.
Overnight Hotel – Paro
Day 12 - Paro
Today we start our full day tour of the valley of Paro, containing a wealth of attractions. In the morning we visit Ta Dzong. Once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan's National Museum in 1968. Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history.
Overnight Hotel – Paro
Day 13 - Paro – Kolkata
Today we check out from hotel and drive to Paro airport to take the flight to Kolkata. On a clear day, the flight from Paro is breathtaking, with views of major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu, and on the final approach Bhutan's own snowy peaks, the sacred Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsering Gang. Enjoy the bird's eye view of the entire Himalayan Kindom as you fly back home with a pleasant memory of a wonderful visit. We arrive at Kolktata and assist you to check-in to the hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Kolkata
Day 14 - Depart Kolkata
Morning we proceed for sightseeing of Kolkata, the proud intellectual capital of the country. The Victoria Memorial is a grand structure constructed in the memory of Queen Victoria. The second largest Planetarium in Asia, the Birla Planetarium is another site that attracts attention. The recently built Vidyasagar Setu is another architectural wonder, connects both the banks of the Hooghly River. The Metro Railway, Indian Museum, Dalhousie Square, St. Paul's Cathedral, National Library, Shaheed Minar, Eden Garden, Fort William, Rat Park and Marble Palace are some of the other sites of the city that are worth visiting.
Later in the evening make your way to the airport for your departure to your onward destination.
