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
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Thursday, May 23, 2024
Arrive at Delhi.Our representative will welcome and transfer to the hotel.Overnight stay at hotel
Day 2: Delhi - Paro
Thursday, May 23, 2024 - Friday, May 24, 2024
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
Friday, May 24, 2024 - Saturday, May 25, 2024
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
Saturday, May 25, 2024 - Sunday, May 26, 2024
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
Sunday, May 26, 2024 - Monday, May 27, 2024
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
Monday, May 27, 2024 - Tuesday, May 28, 2024
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
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 - Wednesday, May 29, 2024
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
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - Thursday, May 30, 2024
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
Thursday, May 30, 2024 - Friday, May 31, 2024
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
Friday, May 31, 2024 - Saturday, June 1, 2024
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
Saturday, June 1, 2024 - Sunday, June 2, 2024
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
Sunday, June 2, 2024 - Monday, June 3, 2024
Morning after breakfast drive to Siligiri.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 13: Siliguri - Darjeeling
Monday, June 3, 2024 - Tuesday, June 4, 2024
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
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 - Wednesday, June 5, 2024
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
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 - Thursday, June 6, 2024
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
Thursday, June 6, 2024 - Friday, June 7, 2024
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
Friday, June 7, 2024 - Saturday, June 8, 2024
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
Saturday, June 8, 2024 - Sunday, June 9, 2024
In time assistance and transfer to airport for flight for onward journey.
