DARJEELING SIKKIM & BHUTAN TRIP PACKAGE

DARJEELING SIKKIM & BHUTAN TRIP PACKAGE

Duration: 15 Days 14 Nights

Description : Kolkata, Darjeeling, Pelling, Gangtok. Bhutan: Phuntsholing, Paro, Punakha and Thimpu

Day 01: Kolkata

Upon Arrival at Airport, You will be met by our Representative and Transferred to Hotel.
Rooms will be reserved from today to ensure immediate occupancy.
Check-in at the Hotel.

(KOLKATA: The City was founded 300 years ago out of 3 villages namely Sutanati, Gobindapur and Kolkata. Once the capital of British India, the capital of un divided Bengal and now the capital of West Bengal since Independence. Kolkata, on the east bank of river Hooghly, retains the aura of days long gone, weaving the past and the present, the intense and the fun loving.)

Afternoon: City sightseeing includes Jain Temples – these temples are the true picture of magnificent art & architecture of India. Victoria Memorial – a splendid monument in white Makrana marble. Built in Italian Renaissance cum Saracenic style, Victoria Memorial was planned by Lord Curzon and opened by the Prince of Wales in 1921 is dedicated to Queen Victoria and houses a fantas-c collec-on of rare memorabilia from Colonial days. Drive past Howrah Bridge, Dalhousie Square, Fort Williams, Secretariat Building and Old Court House Street.

Overnight stay at the Hotel in Kolkata

Day 02: Kolkata – Bagdogra (By Flight) – Darjeeling (90 Km. by Car)

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Transfer to Airport.
Leave by Flight for Bagdogra Airport Upon arrival at Bagdogra Airport, you will be met by our local representative & will be driven to Darjeeling.

(DARJEELING: In the early 1840s it was noticed that the climate of Darjeeling was very conducive tothe growth of tea. Tea plantations were established and have expanded all over the area today becauseof growing demand. Darjeeling tea, which had a premium value in the international market, began to be called the ‘Champagne of the East’.)

After Arrival in Darjeeling, Check-in at the Hotel.
Rest of the Day Free.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Darjeeling

Day 03: DARJEELING

Early morning, you will visit Tiger Hill before the break of dawn, to see the sun rise over Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world (subject to clear weather).A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom, or an invigorating walk up a steep incline, leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill. The air is chilly with darkness and damp. To the east, a dull orange sun emerged painting the sky with brilliant strokes of magenta, gold, orange and fuchsia. View the snow-capped Everest, Kabru, Kanchenjunga and other peaks.

On your way back, stop at the Ghoom Monastery, the holiest monastery in Darjeeling. Breakfast at the Hotel.

After breakfast, you will be driven to the Darjeeling Railway station to board train – Darjeeling Himalayan Railway that is the first, and still the most spectacular instance of a hill passenger railway. UNESCO World Heritage Committee has inscribed the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway on the list of World Heritage sites. Only two railways have this status, the Semmering Railway in Austria being the other.

Passing through the Darjeeling roads and market area, you will reach the Ghoom railway station in about 45 minutes. Ghoom situated at 7410 Feet above sea level is the second highest railway station to be reached by a steam engine. Your vehicle will pick you up from the Ghoom railway station to take you to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursdays) and the Himalayan Zoo (closed on Thursdays) with Red panda as the main attraction of the visit. Also Visit Tibetan refugee Center where you would see how this refugee camp supports the homeless.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Darjeeling.

DAY 04: DARJEELING – PEMYANGTSE [90 KMS / 04. HRS]

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Today drive from Darjeeling to Pemyangtse. It’s a journey through the beautiful countryside, visiting a tea plantations en-route. During this drive you will cross the Sikkim border.
(PEMYANGTSE: {Pelling} the laid back, scenic, but rapidly swelling hamlet is situated at 2,085 m above sea level about 2 km beyond Pemyangtse. Pelling is famous for the magnificent view of the snow-capped mountains of Khangchendzonga. High above the forest covered hills, in an amphi theatre of cloud, snow and rock, the entire route from Yuksam over Dzongri La to the Rathong Glacier can be seen.)

After Arrival, Check-in at the Hotel.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Pelling.

DAY 05: PEMYANGTSE – GANGTOK [177 KMS / 5.5 HRS.]

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Visit the Pemayangtse Monastery the second oldest of its kind in Sikkim. The wallsand ceiling of the large prayer hall have numerous thangkas and wall paintings, and there is an exceptional collection of religious artworks including an exquisite wooden sculpture on the top floor depicting the heavenly palace of Guru Rimoche. Visit the Kheopalry Lakenearby. .Proceed onwards to Gangtok.

(GANGTOK: Gangtok is Sikkim’s largest city. It served as the royal administrative seat of the Kingdom of Sikkim from 1894 to 1975. The Chogyal’s durbar (king’s palace) crowns the ridge, naturally facing Kanchenjunga, and the yellow roof of the Tsuklakhang or Royal Chapel gleams from far across the valley.)

After Arrival, Check-in at the Hotel.
Rest of the Day Free.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Gangtok.

DAY 06: GANGTOK

Early Morning:Visit Tashi View Point to view the panoramic view of Mount Kangchenjunga.
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Visit Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the Karmapa Rinpoche, head of the Karmapa sub-sect of the Kargyudpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. The new four-level gompa was designed as a replica of the Kargyudpa’s head monastery of Tolung in Tibet. Thangkas and frescoes decorate the walls of this ancient monastery, renovated in 1960’s. Built on theflank of a ridge, Gangtok is at 5500. Proceed onwards to Enchey Monastery – an important seat of the Nyingmapa order, the Enchey Monastery is built on the site blessed by Lama Druptok Karpo, a tantrik master known for his powerof flying. Your visits of the day end with the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (closed on Sundays). The most prestigious of its kind in India, this Buddhist institute is a treasure of vast collection of rare Lepcha, Tibetan & Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and rare Thankas. Today it is a renowned worldwide centre for Buddhist philosophy and religion.
Afternoon: FREE
Overnight stay at Hotel in Gangtok

DAY 07: GANGTOK – PHUNTSOLING [230 KMS / 06 HRS,]

Breakfast at the Hotel.
T0-day, we will begin our journey to Phuntshilong (Bhutan Border).
Our Bhutan Representative, will meet you at the Border and Transfer to Thimpu.
After Arrival, check-in at the Hotel.
Rest of the Day Free.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Phuntsholing.

DAY 08: PHUNTSOLING – THIMPHU [260 KMS / 07 HRS.]

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Drive to Thimpu – modern capital town of BhutanEvening: visit National Memorial Chorten: The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (“the Father of modern Bhutan”) and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.)
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Thimpu.

DAY 09 : THIMPHU

Breakfast at the Hotel.
City sightseeing of Thimphu: visit of 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;Textile and Folk Heritage Museum.Afternoon: visit Trashichhodzong: This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and central monk body.
Evening:visit Handicrafts Emporium: This government-run enterprise displays a wide range of beautifully hand-woven textiles and craft products. It also a small collection of books on Bhutan, Buddhism and Himalayan culture.)
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Thimpu.

DAY 10 : THIMPHU / PUNAKHA(75Kms,3 Hrs Drive)

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Drive to Punakha passing through the Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. You can see from this pass Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana – finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. You can also see Wangduephodrang Dzong, the majestic fort sitting on top of the hill at the confluence of Punakha Chhu and Tang Chhu rivers, the Dzong is town’s most visible features.
After Arrival, Check-in at the Hotel.

Overnight stay at the Hotel in Punakha.

DAY 11 : PUNAKHA

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Morning visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers.It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907. Thefortress has withstood several damages from fire, earthquake and flood. The latest flood of Oct’ 1994 caused great damages to the fortress but miraculously spared the statue of Buddha Jojampa.
Also visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chhorten: A beautiful hike takes one to the regal Khamsum Yuelley Namgel Chorten, which was built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world.)
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Punakha.

DAY 12 : PUNAKHA/PARO(125Km,4.1/2 Hrs Drive)

Breakfast at the Hotel
Drive to Paro. After Arrival, Check-in at the Hotel.
Afternoon: 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. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. The museum circular shape augments its varied collection displayed over several floors.
Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal ,the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional coveredbridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it. It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in the spring.)
Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.

DAY 13 : PARO

Breakfast at the Hotel Excursion to Taktshang Monastery (5hrs hike) :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.
Afternoon: Visit Drukgyel Dzong: This Dzong, with a delightful village nestling atits foot, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Historically and strategically this Dzong withstood all its glory and was featured in 1914 vide National Geographic magazine.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Paro.

DAY 14: PARO – KOLKATA [FLIGHT]

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Transfer to Airport
Leave for Kolkata/Delhi
Upon arrival at Kolkata/Delhi. Check-In at Hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 15: DEPARTURE KOLKATA/Delhi [BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT]

Breakfast at the Hotel
Transfer to International Airport
Leave for Sweet Home
END OF TOUR