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Itinerary
East India / Sikkim and Bhutan
KOLKATA • DARJEELING * PELLING • GANGTOK • KALIMPONG• PHUENTSHOLING• THIMPHU • PUNAKHA • BUMTHANG • WANGDUEPHODRANG •PARO
EAST INDIA-SIKKIM-BHUTAN
Base cost for National Escorts from 4 pax up.
All lunches must start between 1200-1330. Touring is to start early enough in the day to ensure lunch falls within the above time frame.
There is to no extra shopping stops at factories other than those listed in itinerary. Ample time must be given to walks through local markets and street shops as listed in the itinerary.
Must be one remote village stop somewhere during the itinerary so clients can experience rural life.
All buses are to carry chilled bottles of water for passengers to buy during the day.
Tour is based on full board from point of arrival in India to departure. Late checkout on day of departure required as flights back to Australia via Singapore leave late at night.
Day 1: Your Country to Kolkata (L,D )
Fly to Kolkata. Upon arrival welcomed by National Escort and transferred to hotel, (meals as required due to flights i.e. flights arriving before lunch will mean lunch and dinner will be required that day)
Day 2: Kolkata (B/L/D)
Visit the Victoria Menorial, St Paul Cathedral, Jain Temple and the Indian Museum.
Day 3: Kolkata / Bagdogra / Darjeeling (2134m) (B/L/D)
Visit local markets after hotel check-in
Day 4: Darjeeling
Visit Tiger Hill for sunrise views over Mt Kangchenzonga (8585m), 3rd highest mountain in the world. Visit Ghoom by a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery Toy Train, Himlayan Mountaineering Institute and Tibetan Refugee Camp.
Day 5: Darjeeling / Pelling or Pemyangtse (B/L/D)
Drive to Pelling, Tour Monastery of Pemyangste
Day 6: Pelling / Gangtok (1520m) (B/L/D)
Drive to Gangtok.
Day 7: Gangtok (B/L/D)
Visit Enchey Monastery, tashiling (The secretariat Building), Tsuk-La-Khang (Royal Chapel) and Namgyal Institue of Tibetology.
Day 8: Gangtok / Kalimpong (1250m) (B/L/D)
Visit Rumtek Monastery en-route. Visit Botanical Gardens
Day 9: Kalimpong / Bagdogra / Phuentsholing (B/L/D)
Ttransferto Phuentsholing. The gateway to the south, Phuentsholing is a thriving commercial centre on the northern edge of the Indian plains. Situated directly at the base of the Himalayan foothills, it is a fascinating mixture of Indian aril Bhutanese, a perfect example of mingling of people and their culture.
As the time permits, visit Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang, this small temple built in the centre of Phuentsholing town represents the heaven of Guru Rimpoche. Later take a stroll around town's market area. Overnight at the hotel in Phuentsholing. Lhaki Hotel or similar
Day 10 : Phuentsholing - Thimphu (B/L/D)
After 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, managed by Bhutan Tourism Corporation Ltd.
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. Hotel Phuntsho Pelri or similar
Day 11 : Thimphu (B/L/D)
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 nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School), where a six year training course is given in the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Also visit (outside only), the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where the medicinal herbs abundant in the kingdom are compounded and dispensed.
After lunch, 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.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. Hotel Phuntsho Pelri or similar
Day 12 : Thimphu/ Punakha (B/L/D)
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.
Later visit to Punakha Dzong, the 17th century fortress which has played important role in building up of modern Bhutan followed by visit to local market. Then visit, Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, the newly built stupa.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha. Hotel Zangtho Pelri or similar
Day 13 : Punakha / Bumthang (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive to Bumthang via Wangduephodrang visiting Dzong and local market. The district of Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings. Drive further via Trongsa across Pelela pass (3,300 m ), the traditional boundry between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop enroute at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a Lama named Shida, it is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points.
Further enroute visit Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral abode of Bhutan's Royal family. Drive onwards to Bumthang crossing 3400m Pelela pass en route.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang. River Lodge or similar
Day 14 : Bumthang (B/L/D)
Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys - Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries.
Visit to Kurje Lhakhang, where the saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock., the Jambey Lhakhang (7th century temple), Tamshing Lhakhang (housing some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan ) and Jakar Dzong (administrative center of the region). Stroll in the village, visit the little handicrafts shop at the entrance to the town, and perhaps take refreshments at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang. Wangdichholing Resort or similar
Day 15 : Bumthang / Wangduephodrang (B/L/D)
Morning after visiting Bumthang market, drive to Wangduephodrang. Evening take a stroll around Wangduephodrang town and main street.
Overnight at the hotel in Wangduephodrang. Hotel Dragon Nest or similar
Day 16 : Wangduephodrang / Paro (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive to Paro.
Afternoon in Paro .visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17 th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan's National Museum in 1968. Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro. Hotel Olathang or similar
Day 17 : Paro (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive up the valley to view the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, 18 km from Paro town on the northern side of the valley. It was from here that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17 lh century. Nearby visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people.
Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery view point, the most famous of Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery hence it is called "Tiger's Nest". The excursion to monastery's view point takes about 5 hours for round trip.
While return to Paro town visit en route Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom. Overnight at the hotel in Paro. Hotel Olathang or similar
Day 18: Paro / Kolkatta (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Paro Airport to board flight by Druk Air for Kolkatta, Remainder of day at leisure.
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