Bhutan Sikkim Tour (18 Days / 17 Nights)
Take this classic tour of Sikkim and the dragon kingdom of Bhutan to experience the history and culture of these East Himalayan kingdoms first hand. Said to have one of the most distinct cultures in the world, the Bhutanese rate their country more on the Global Happiness index rather than Global productivity index. Here centuries old Buddhist monasteries cling to mountain cliffs and rice paddies stair step down steep hillsides.
Day 1: Delhi
Monday, February 10, 2025 - Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Arrive at Delhi.Our representative will welcome and transfer to the hotel.Overnight stay at hotel
Day 2: Delhi - Paro
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Morning after breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight from Delhi to Paro.On arrival Check-in at hotel and Overnight stay.
Day 3: Paro
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 - Thursday, February 13, 2025
After early breakfast, drive up to 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. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): 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.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 4: Paro - Gangtey
Thursday, February 13, 2025 - Friday, February 14, 2025
Morning after breakfast drive to Gangtey.Stop enroute for lunch at Wangdi Phodrang. Gangtey is one of the most beautiful open valleys in Bhutan. Gangtey is the winter heaven to the rare Black Necked Crane, which migrates down from the Tibetan Plateau. On a hillock overlooking the small villages is the Gangtey Monastery. This is the only Nyingmapa temple in the country.Overnight stay at tourist lodge.
Day 5: Gangtey - Bhumthang
Friday, February 14, 2025 - Saturday, February 15, 2025
This morning leave for Bhumthang stopping enroute at Trongsa for lunch. Later continue on to Bhumthang.Arrival and overnight stay at tourist lodge.
Day 6: Bhumthang
Saturday, February 15, 2025 - Sunday, February 16, 2025
This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Visit Kurjey, Jamby and Tamshing Lkhakhangs. Also the Jakar Dzong, seat of the district adminstration. Meals and overnight at the Lodge.
Day 7: Bhumthang - Trongsa
Sunday, February 16, 2025 - Monday, February 17, 2025
After breakfast drive to Trongsa. Tongsa Dzong at an altitude of 2200M is the most impressive of the Dzongs in Bhutan. Built in 1647by the Shabdrung, it is a masterpiece of architecture.Overnight at Lodge.
Day 8: Trongsa - Punakha
Monday, February 17, 2025 - Tuesday, February 18, 2025
A five hours drive down the Pele La Pass, crossing the Black Mountains, which divide western and central Bhutan. Cross the Nikarchu bridge leaving the Tongsa regions of Central Bhutan. A great white stupa from 18th century built in Nepalese design stands below the road. Stop for lunch at Gangtey or Wangdiphodrang. In Wangdiphodrang visit the Dzong perched on a spur at the confluence of the Sunkosh and Tangmachu rivers. This Dzong was built in 1638. Later arrive Punakha and check-in at and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 9: Punakha - Thimphu
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Morning visit Punakha Dzong. Punakha until 1955 served as the capital of Bhutan and still is the winter seat of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. Punakha Dzong was built in the 17th century and is situated at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. In the afternoon drive to Thimpu. The drive is via Dochula pass (3050 M), which provides a superb view of the highest peaks of Bhutan. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10: Thimphu
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 - Thursday, February 20, 2025
Full day sightseeing of Thimphu valley, visiting Taschihhodzong; the seat of the Government, Chorten Memorial, the Stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King, and then the Handicrafts Emporium displaying rich traditional crafts of the Kingdom, the National Library which has a fascinating collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and texts, the Painting School: famous for traditional thankhas paintings and the traditional Medicine Institute where centuries old healing arts are still practiced.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 11: Thimphu - Phuntsoling
Thursday, February 20, 2025 - Friday, February 21, 2025
After breakfast leave for Phuntsholing visiting enroute Kharbandi Gompa, the beautiful monastery situated at an altitude of 1300 ft, in a garden of tropical plants and flowers. It was founded in 1967 by royal Grandmother, Ashi Phuntsho Choedron. From the monastery garden there is a fascinating view of Phuntsholing town and the surrounding plains. Also visit Zangtho Pelri, a small temple built in the centre of Phuntsholing.Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12: Phuntsoling - Siliguri
Friday, February 21, 2025 - Saturday, February 22, 2025
Morning after breakfast drive to Siligiri.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 13: Siliguri - Darjeeling
Saturday, February 22, 2025 - Sunday, February 23, 2025
Morning after breakfast drive to New Jalpaiguri train station to board the "Toy Train" for the 9:00 AM departure on the scenic ride into Darjeeling where you will be met on arrival at approximately 3.00PM and taken to the hotel. The train runs on narrow gauge thru the mountains and provide superb view of the valley, tea gardens and settlements along the route.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 14: Darjeeling
Sunday, February 23, 2025 - Monday, February 24, 2025
Nestled in the Himalayas Darjeeling, surrounded by tea plantations, is one of the most popular hill stations of India. Until the beginning of the 18th century, Darjeeling (then called Dorje Ling) was with the rajas of Sikkim. It was invaded by by Gurkhas in 1780 and later by the British after a series of wars. The major development of this pretty hill station took place between 1840-1857. In the morning you will have a visit to Tiger Hill, the highest point and
Ghoom Monastery In the afternoon you will have a city tour, including the Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Museum, Botanical Gardens and the Tibetan Refugees Self Help Centre.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 15: Darjeeling - Gangtok
Monday, February 24, 2025 - Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Drive from Darjeeling to Gangtok, Sikkim crossing the Tista river on the way.On arrival, check-in and Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 16: Gangtok
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 - Wednesday, February 26, 2025
A morning drive through the countryside brings you Rhumtek Monastery, which was built as an exact replica of the monastery at Chhofuk in Tibet. In the afternoon you will have a sightseeing tour of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim including Tsuklakhang, the Royal Chapel of the Chogyals, the Institute of Tibetology whose museum has a vast collection of old tankhas, icons, prized object d'arts and objects used in ritual Tantric worship and the Orchid Sanctuary where many rare varieties of Himalayan orchids are cultivated.
Day 17: Gangtok - Bagdogra - Delhi
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - Thursday, February 27, 2025
After breakfast drive to Bagdogra(4 hrs) from where you catch the flight to Delhi.Arrival at Delhi and transfer to the hotel.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 18: Delhi
Thursday, February 27, 2025 - Friday, February 28, 2025
In time assistance and transfer to airport for flight for onward journey.
