Days 13 Nights / 14 Days

Routing Delhi - Darjeeling - Pemyangtse - Gangtok - Kalimpong - Phuentsholing - Thimphu - Paro

Description

Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, the capital city of India and transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 02 - Delhi
Morning tour of New Delhi begins with a visit of the grateful mausoleum of the Moghul Emperor Humayun. Continue to the 13th century Qutab Minar, a dramatic 234 foot high fluted minaret. Proceed along the majestic promenade past the imposing India Gate War memorial, Secretariat Buildings, Parliament House and Raj Bhavan, official residence of the President. Discover Old Delhi this afternoon with a visit of Raj Ghat, the tranquil final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 - Delhi / Bagdogra / Darjeeling
Transfer to airport to board the early morning flight to Bagdogra Airport. Arrive and drive to Darjeeling, also known as the land of the mystic thunderbolt. Darjeeling is set amidst cool Tea Estates and an abundance of wild flowers, orchids and rhododendrons. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 - Darjeeling
Tiger hill offers magnificent views of the sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga and Everest (subject, as always, to the weather). An early morning excursion to Tiger hill by jeeps allows you to enjoy the sunrise, followed by a visit to the picturesque monastery of Ghoom. Morning at leisure. Visit to a Tea Estate to discover for yourself just why Darjeeling is famous for its preparations. A freshly brewed cup of tea is offered with our compliments. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 - Darjeeling / Pemayangtse
Early morning departure for Pemayangste in Sikkim, our first stop in the land of the Yeti or Abominable snowman.

Afternoon a visit to the Monastery. The Pemyangtse Monastery is one of the state's oldest and most important monasteries. The monastery is a three-storey structure and filled with wall paintings and sculptures. On the third floor lies the Zandog-palri, a wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche, complete with rainbows, angels and the whole panoply of Buddha's and bodhisattvas. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06 - Pemayangtse / Gangtok
Depart Pemayangtse for the capital city of beautiful Sikkim, Gangtok.

Afternoon visit the Enchey monastery with its collection of exquisite images and religious objects. Evening at leisure & overnight at hotel.

Day 07 - Gangtok
Visit the intriguing Rumtek monastery this morning. Home to the yellow Hat sec, the monastery houses magnificent murals, icons, rare manuscripts and displays rich carved and painted wood wok. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08 - Gangtok / Kalimpong
Depart this morning for a pleasant journey to Kalimpong. Afternoon visit to the Dirdindara monastery, home to the Ningapar sect. Evening at leisure and overnight at hotel.

Day 09 - Kalimpong / Phuentsholing (185 kms / 6 hours)
Depart Kalimpong for Phuentsholing, the frontier town of Bhutan, which is a fascinating mixture of intermingling of Bhutanese, Indian, Nepalese culture.

This evening take a stroll around Phuentsholing town and visit Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang, the temple situated in the city center, which represents the heaven of Guru Rinpoche. Overnight hoel.

Day 10 - Phuentsholing /Thimphu (180 km, 6 hours drive)
After early breakfast drive to Thimphu. 4 km ahead of Phuentsholing, visit Kharbandi Gompa, the beautiful monastery situated in garden of tropical plants and flowers. The monastery contains paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rimpoche. From the monastery garden there is a splendid view of Phuentsholing and plains of West Bangal and their tea gardens beyond.

Proceed further to Thimphu. This entire drive is very pleasant with numerous scenic spots en route. Lunch would be served at Bunakha cafetria, Fives miles, before Thimphu, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now houses the School for religious and cultural studies. Evening free in Thimphu. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 11 - Thimphu / Paro
Thimphu, perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, is the seat of government. This bustling town is home to Bhutan's royal family, the civil servants, and foreign missions with representation in Bhutan. It is also the headquarters for a number of internationally funded development projects.

Morning visit to Trashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government's office and King's Throne room It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. Proceed to the  National Library which houses an extensive collection of  Buddhist literature, with some works dating back several hundred years.

Visit the National Memorial Chorten. The building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan's third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan") who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. Visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and privately owned crafts shops, which offer a wide range of handcrafted products, including the splendid thangkha paintings and exquisitely woven textiles for which Bhutan is famous. Also visit the folk Heritage and National Textile Museums, opened in 2001.

Evening drive to Paro ( 55km, 2 hrs drive).  Upon arrival in Paro - transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay

Day 12 - In Paro
The valley of Paro contains a wealth of attractions. 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 covered bridge 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.

Afternoon visit Drukgyel Dzong :  This Dzong, with a delightful village nestling at its 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. The glory of Drukgyel Dzong remained even when it was destroyed by fire in 1951. On a clear day, one can see the commanding view of Mount Chomolhari from the village, below the Dzong.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 13 - In Paro
Excursion to Takshang Monastery : 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. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendor. Afternoon at leisure .
Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.

Day 14 - Depart Paro
After breakfast transfer to the airport to catch your flight to onward destination.