Sikkim and Bhutan

Arrive Kolkata by International flight.
After clearing the customs and immigration formalities, proceed towards the arrival hall, where you will be met by our Representative and accorded a traditional Indian Welcome, assistance and a transfer from the airport to the hotel

Kolkata – the Gateway to Eastern India, was founded by the remarkable English merchant trader Job Charnock in 1690. It is a city with a rich heritage, bustling streets and a bewildering variety of facets. From October to March, Kolkata wears a radiant look. Sunshine, mild winter, lights, colours, fairs, festivals, galas and excursions, the mood is infectious and spirit sweeping. Overnight in Kolkata.

Morning City tour visiting the Victoria Memorial, a huge white-marble structure and an enduring monument of the British Raj in India housing some interesting memorabilia. The structure is floodlit at night. See the temple of Kali – the demonic attribute of Parvathi at Kalighat. Drive past by Fort William, the Eden Gardens, the Dalhousie Square and the Writers Building, all interesting relics of Colonial India.
Stop by at the Howrah Bridge, a miracle of engineering skill. This is a huge cantilever bridge supported by two piers 270 ft. high from the road level. The span of the bridge between the piers is 1,500 ft while the total distance between the two sheet anchors is 2,115 ft. Time permitting, also visit the Missionaries of Charity, the home of Late Mother Teresa.
Afternoon it is recommended that you visit the Indian Museum, built in 1874. An interesting and rather dilapidated structure, it is the oldest museum in India and has some of the rarest collections of archeological importance. Overnight in Kolkata.

Morning at leisure for independent activities.
Later transfer to the domestic terminal to connect the flight for Bagdogra.
Meeting and assistance on arrival at Bagdogra Airport drive to Darjeeling (93 kms/ 3 ½ hrs)
Darjeeling (about 100 kms from New Jalpaiguri) is at 7000ft above the sea level. The drive to Darjeeling is through interesting mountain country of rhododendrons, magnolias (in season) and majestic pines. The mountain slopes gently flow down in waves of green tea-bushes. The toy train of the Himalayan Railways can be seen chugging along the roadside. Enroute stop at Kerseong to get your first taste of Darjeeling Tea, often referred to as the “Champagne of Teas”.
Arrive Darjeeling and check -in to the hotel
Rest of the day at leisure to relax and get acclimatized to the altitude. Overnight in Darjeeling.

Early morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Darjeeling visiting Tiger Hill (2673 m). On a clear morning, one can have a panoramic view of the entire Himalayan range and see sunrise over the peaks. With some luck, it is possible to see Khachenjunga (8585 m) and Mt Everest (8878 m).

On your return, visit the Ghoom Monastery, 8 kms from Darjeeling. Built in 1875 in the Tibetan style, it enshrines a 5 metres high statue of the Maitreya Buddha (The Coming Buddha).

Afternoon city tour of Darjeeling visiting the Lloyd Botanical Gardens; the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park which has high altitude animals, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, where mountaineers are given training. Tea Estates can be seen all around. Visit the Tibetan self-help Centre. (The Mountaineering Institute is closed on Thursdays). Overnight in Darjeeling.

Morning transfer to the Ghoom Railway Station by toy train (the departure on this day will be coordinated according to the train timings.
The train journey is very fascinating (and extremely cold) as its winds its way through the mountainside, offering spectacular views. The train, built by the English over 100 years ago, negotiates the mountains using special traction. The most exciting part of this trip is at the Batasia Loop when the front engine almost touches the tail!

Arrive Ghoom Railway station and carry on to Pemayangtse (75 kms), enroute driving through Jorethang and Naya Bazaar. These two towns just 2 kms apart were once important stops on the road to Gangtok. Today they are just stops enroute. 20 kms before getting into Pemayangtse, at a place called Legsip, take a 20 kms round-trip diversion to see the remote Tashiding Monastery founded around 1716.
The town of Pemayangtse commands an impressive view of Mount Khangchendzonga. The monastery houses numerous religious idols and other objects of worship, most of which are precious because of their antiquity. On the top floor of the monastery there is a wooden structure depicting the Mahaguru’s Paradise `Sangthokpalri’

Afternoon: visit, one of the oldest Monasteries in Sikkim, Pemayangtse Monastery. This monastery was originally established by Lhatsun Chempo, one of the reverend Lamas to have performed the consecration ceremony of the 1st chogyal (religious monarch) of Sikkim. This ancient monastery belongs to the Nyingma Monasteries in the State, having been entrusted with the task to perform all religious functions of the erstwhile monarch.

Later, visit the local market. Dinner and Overnight in Pemayangtse. Overnight in Pemayangtse.

Morning drive from Pemayangtse to Gangtok (140 kms/ 5 hours) enroute visiting the Rumtek Monastery, 24 kms from Gangtok.
Rumtek is noted for its carved and painted woodwork, magnificent murals, icons and rare manuscripts. A special hall holds the remains of the late Karmapa Gyalwa Karmapa. Participation in the prayers in the monastery, if in progress, is possible.
Arrive Gangtok and check-into the hotel.
Gangtok, the capital of the State of Sikkim. The city lies on a ridge overlooking the Ranipool River. The simple, ever-smiling hill people, colourful lamas, exotic monasteries and prayer flags fluttering in the wind, combined with the scenic beauty of the Himalayan terrain, provide a fascinating sight.
Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight in Gangtok.

Morning visit the Monastry at Phodang which lies 38 kms north of Gangtok along a winding and somewhat torturous but largely tarmac road. Much less visited by tourists this Monastery commands spectacular views and the murals are interesting.
Late afternoon visit the Enchey Monastery built by the 8th Namgyal of Sikkim, in 1840, belongs to the Nyingmapa Sect of Mahayana Buddhism. The monastery has been renovated in recent times. The Do Drul Chorten, considered to be one of the most important chortens of Sikkim, was built in 1945 and has 108 Mani Lhyakor (Prayer Wheels) around it besides two huge statues of Guru Padma Sambhava. The Deer Park has an image of the Buddha in preaching posture like the one at Sarnath near Benaras. The Tsukla-Khang – the royal monastery of the former Chogyals, has priceless Buddhist treasures.

Visit to this Monastery is through application for permission. The Research Institute of Tibetology has a large collection of icons, tankhas (tapestries) and rare books. Overnight in Gangtok.

Leave Gangtok for Phuntsholing enroute visiting Kalimpong (80 kms/ 3 hour).
Kalimpong is a quiet resort town 50 km from Darjeeling, and has a population of about 5000. While at Kalimpong, visit the Tibetan Monastery which dates back to 1836, the Blind school and the Durpin Dara Hill from where you have a panoramic view of the Himalayas.
Continue drive to Jaigaon (181 kms/ 6 hrs) – the last Indian town on the border with Bhutan. Cross over the border on foot; complete the necessary passport formalities and then walk into the Druk hotel in Phuntsoling.
Phuntsoling is the Gateway to Bhutan and is the commercial and industrial centre of Bhutan. This Mountain Kingdom is well known for its stamps and Phuntsoling is the Philatelic Centre of Bhutan.
Rest of the evening at leisure for independent activities. Overnight in Phuntsoling.

Morning drive to Thimpu (176 kms / 06 hrs).This drive is through breathtakingly beautiful mountain country.
Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan since 1960, lies at an elevation of over 7600 feet in the fertile valley of the Thimpu Chhu River. The wooden houses stand side by side with concrete buildings, all painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese architectural styles.
Assistance on arrival at the hotel and check into the rooms.
Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight in Thimpu.

Morning visit the Taschichhodzong the main secretariat building, which houses all the Ministries, the National Assembly Hall, the office of the King and the Throne room. It is also the summer residence of the monk body and the religious chief, the “Je Khempo”.
Visit the Handicrafts Emporium, which displays a wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven carpets and indigenous crafts.
Morning visit the Memorial Chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck – the 15th century Changangkha Monastery and the new Drupthob nunnery temple.
Afternoon drive for to Wangduephodrang (70 km/ 03 hrs) crossing the Dochula pass (3100 meters). On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Dzong from outside and the market area.
Arrive at the hotel and check into the room.
Wangdiphodrang– This is the last town on the highway before entering Central Bhutan. Sitting on top of a hill the formidable Dzong is the town’s most visible feature. In the 17th century Wangdue played a critical role in unifying western, central and southern Bhutan.
Evening stroll around the town. Overnight in Wangdiphodrang

Morning visit the Punakha Dzong (15 kms/ 45 minutes), strategically built at the junction of the two rivers in the 17th century by the first Shabdrung to serve as the religious and administrative centre. It also houses sacred temples including the Marchen where the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal lies in state. The Dzong has been fully restored by the present King.
Afternoon proceed on a 3 hrs walk along the river returning to Wangdiphodrang en route visiting the Chime Lakhang (temple) set above rice paddy fields. (For those who prefer to drive back, arrangements will be made accordingly.)
Later drive back to Wangdi.
Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight in Wangdiphodrang.

Morning drive to Paro ( 135 kms/4 ½ hours) en route visiting the Simtokha Dzong which stands on a lofty ridge and is the first fortress built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the year 1627. This old Dzong now houses the Dzongkha Language and Religious University.
Paro, “the beautiful valley”. To the north, Mount Chomolhari (“Mountain of the Goddess”), reigns in white glory. The glacier waters from its “five sister” peaks, plunge torrentially through deep gorges, finally converging to form the Paro Chhu River that nourishes the rice fields and the apple and peach orchards of the Paro Valley.
On arrival, check into the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight in Paro.

Morning: day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. The hike is all the way uphill and takes about 2 to 3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery which clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley was devastated by fire in 1998 but the Royal Government has taken immediate steps to restore the monastery to its original structure. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time.
Afternoon: Visit the Rimpung Dzong, literally meaning ‘Heap of jewels’. This is situated across the river on the knoll that rises from the river, commanding a view of the Paro Valley. Today it houses the Paro Monastic Body. Behind Rimpung Dzong, high on the hillside, is the majestic castle-shaped Ta-Dzong. This one-time lookout and stronghold played an active part in the defence of the Rimpung Dzong. It has been the National Museum since 1967. The Drukgyel Dzong – the burned out shell of a fortress is 18 kms away from Paro. Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the kingdom’s oldest and most sacred temples and Dungtse Lhakhang are also centres of attraction. Overnight in Paro.

Morning transfer to the airport to board flight to Delhi
Leave Paro for Delhi by KB-202 (0730/ 1030 hrs)
Meeting and assistance on arrival at Delhi airport and transfer to the hotel where rooms are booked for day use.
Late evening transfer to the International airport to board flight for onward destinations.