This amazing journey to the Himalayan region of Eastern India and Bhutan uncovers a land awash with culture, tradition and natural beauty, from colonial Darjeeling to local villages in Sikkim and the fascinating kingdom of Bhutan. This itinerary is ideal for anyone that has a passion for history culture and keen interest in getting off the beaten track.
AT A GLANCE
– Ideal for walkers of all levels of fitness.
– The terrain is undulating and the routes tailored to you.
– With altitudes of 6400ft, Mount Kanchenjunga is a highlight.
– Perfect for off the beaten track explorers – stay in unspoilt villages, visit local schools, monasteries and markets of the Buddhist Kingdom of Sikkim
Day 01 Arrive Delhi (By Flight)
Meet assist at airport & transfer to hotel.
Half day city tour of Delhi.
Overnight at hotel.
Qutab Minar – In 1199, Qutbuddin raised the Qutab Minar either as a victory tower or as a minaret to the adjacent mosque. From a base of 14.32 mtrs. it tapers to 2.75 mtrs. at a height of 72.5 mtrs.
The Bahai Temple (Lotus Temple) – Completed in 1986, the Bahai temple is set amidst pools and gardens, and adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion.
Jantar Mantar (literally the ‘instrument and formula’ and often called the Jantar Mantar), is located in the modern city of New Delhi.
India Gate is a 42m high stone arch of triumph. It bears the name of the 85,000 Indian Army Soldiers who died in the campaigns of WW1, the North-West Frontiers operations and the 1919 Afghan Fiasco. Below the arch is the memorial to the Unknown Soldier. India Gate is surrounded by green grass lawns and trees.
Day 02 Delhi–Bagdogra (By Flight) / Bagdogra–Darjeeling (90 Km/ 4 hrs)
In the morning after breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Bagdogra.
Arrival Transfer from Bagdogra airport to Darjeeling.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Darjeeling
Darjeeling Local Sight Seeing (Full Day) – Early morning at around 3:45 AM drive to 8000 feet / 2440 meters through primitive forests of oak, magnolia to Tiger Hill to view sunrise over Kanchendzonga Peak (subject to clear weather) –
On the way back visit Ghoom Monastery, Peace memorial & Batasia Loop.
Back to hotel for breakfast – After breakfast rest for half an hour After breakfast next round of sight seeing.
Half day city tour includes Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday), Ropeway, Tensing Gumpo Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center (Closed on Sunday), Tea Estate. PM toy train ride upto Ghoom and back. Evening free to stroll around the area. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Darjeeling – Gangtok (By Road) (135 Kms. / 3.5 hrs. appx.)
Early Morning Breakfast – Drive to Gangtok.
Overnight at hotel.
Gangtok – The capital of the 22nd State of India, Sikkim is one of the most beautiful hill station with varied options for tourist – Gangtok the beautiful city of Sikkim suits all tourist due to its options i.e. tranquility to adventure, land of monastery, mystic rituals & festivals at an height of 1670 meters / 5480 feet and is the most visited spot of India – It is one of the most beautiful towns with varieties of Rhododendron, Orchids and butterflies – The road is along the River Teesta and is picturesque – Check into hotel at Gangtok – Evening free to roam around M G Road (Mall) or local Shopping center.
Day 05 Gangtok
In the morning – After breakfast drive for the city tour of Gangtok.
Overnight at hotel.
Sight seeing will be for half day hence the drive will be easy and comfortable – It is not possible to cover all the spot in single day hence we make the program with points covering minimum distance traveled – Visit to Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom, Research Institute of Tibetology, Do Drul Chorten (Stupa), Enchey Monastery, W, one of the finest falls close to Gangtok, etc – Back to hotel – Evening free to roam around M G Road (Mall) or local Shopping center – There are few discotheques in Gangtok to spend time.
Day 06 Gangtok – Phuntsholing (By Road) (270 Kms. / 7 hrs. appx.)
Transfer from Gangtok to Phuntsholing .
On arrival meet-assist at the border and transfer to hotel.
Check in the hotel and stall around the while we process your Bhutan Visa.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Phuntsholing – Thimphu (By Road) (180 Kms. / 6 hrs. appx.)
In the morning after breakfast drive to Thimphu, stop at Kharbandi Gompa.
Kharbandi Gompa – Built by the queen mother, the temple houses some monks. The temple has a great view over the plains.
Continue drive towards to Thimphu. On arrival visit Thimphu. Evening transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Thimphu is one of the most beautiful drives in Bhutan with the view over the remote villages, rice fields, water falls and virgin forest. You can make numerous stops to take pictures of people in the villages, beautiful landscape, prayer wheels turned by water and prayer flags.
Visit the Simtokha dzong. Built in 1629, it is the oldest fortress in Bhutan. It has some of the most beautiful paintings and temples.
Tashichhodzong: Built in the 17th century, this dzong is the summer residence of the central monastic body headed by the Je Khenpo (chief spiritual leader). The king’s office is also located inside this dzong. The woodwork and the paintings are among the finest in the country. You may take pictures in the courtyard. Explore the town
Day 08 Thimpu – Punakha (By Road) (70 Kms. / 3 hrs. appx.)
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Memorial Chorten, Takin
Preserve, National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Buddha point
Memorial Chorten It is one of the best places to take pictures, given the many pilgrims walking around this huge stupa. It was built in memory of the revered third king who passed away in 1972.
Takin Preserve The national animal of Bhutan, called the takin, is found only in the eastern Himalayas. In Bhutan, it is found only in the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park in the northern part of the country. This photogenic animal was believed to be created by a lama called Drukpa Kuenley, who is also popularly known as “the Divine Madman.” It was said that he had joined the head of a goat and body of a cow to form the takin. See what you think…
National Institute for Zorig Chusum (Institute for 13 different traditional arts and crafts): Established in 1971 by the Royal Government of Bhutan, it is one of the two institutes in the country that provide training in the 13 traditional arts and crafts.
Buddha point: Considered to be one of the biggest statues of Buddha, it dominates the valley of Thimphu.
Memorial chorten located in the heart of the town, it is the best place to meet the locals.
Trashichhodzong: The main secretariat building is where His Majesty the King has his throne room. It is also the summer residence for His Holiness the Je Khenpo (spiritual leader) and the central monk body.
Buddha point Considered to be the biggest statue of Buddha, it overlooks the Thimphu valley.
PM: Transfer to Punakha. Stop at Dorchula Pass (3150m/10,000ft) to enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayas. Overnight at hotel.
The pass is decorated with 108 Druk Wangyel Chorten, which were built to celebrate the stability and progress, brought to Bhutan by His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King. These stupas symbolize Bhutanese spiritual and artist traditions. Spend some time photographing this most beautiful pass in Bhutan. As you descend from the pass, you will observe dramatic changes in vegetation. At the lower elevations in Punakha and Wangdue, cacti, banana plants, poinsettias, and other semi-tropical plants dominate the exotic landscape.
Day 09 Punakha
In the morning after breakfast visit Phunakha.
Overnight at hotel.
Punakha dzong Built in 1637 between the confluence of the Po chu (male river) and Mo chu (female river), this fortress monastery is the winter residence of Bhutan’s spiritual leader, the Je Khenpo (Head Abbot) and the central Monk Body comprised of over 350 monks. Many have said that this is the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan.
Continue towards the Nyzergang village and hike towards Khamsum Yuley Namgyel temple. Buit for the current king, the temple dominates the entire Punakha valley.
Transfer towards Lobesa for Lunch, after lunch; take a short hike to Chhi-med Lhakhang, (which means “no dogs” temple) in the picturesque valley, to visit the temple of Bhutan’s foremost Saint, the Lama Drukpa Kuenley (popularly known as the “Divine Madman”).
Hike to Rinchengang village in the evening. This place will provide you with a general sense of the traditional Bhutanese way of life, and it will also give you an opportunity to photograph the local villagers.
Day 10 Punakha – Dochula – Paro (By Road) (118 Kms. / 3.5 hrs. appx.)
In the morning after breakfast drive to Paro, stop at Dochula for a cup of tea.
On arrival visit National museum.
Overnight at hotel.
The watchtower or the Ta- Dzong was built in 17th century to guard the Paro Rimpong dzong (fortress) below. It has the collection of rare stamps on display. It will bring the history from 6th century onwards to life. The visit to the museum will familiarize about the Bhutanese way of life and will also help you to learn the natural and cultural history.
Regal and imposing, dzongs are arguably one of the most distinct and important structures of Bhutan and are the architectural masterpiece and are as fascinating as their functions and beauty.
For the Bhutanese, the striking architectural marvels hark back to the earlier times, to the source of law and order, peace, harmony, legitimate authority, centre of learning, strength, defense, festivity and social life.
The original Paro dzong dates back to 17th century, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the man who unified Bhutan, but then it was burnt down in 1907 and was rebuilt in the same year with the same architectural design. Currently it is the head quarter of the district headed by the head administrator and the monastic body with about 200 monks.
Day 11 Paro
After breakfast visit Paro.
Overnight at hotel.
Drive 15 minutes to the starting point in order to hike to Takshang Monastery (the “Tiger’s Nest”).
Visited and sanctified by Guru Rimpoche, this place is one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan world. Over the years, many great Buddhist masters have visited and mediated here. Later, in the year 1692 AD, the fourth temporal ruler of Bhutan built the monastery over the cave where Guru Rimpoche and his consort Khandro Yeshi Tshogyal mediated. The monastic complex clings to the rock towering 800 meters above the valley (2950 meters above sea level).
Evening, stroll around Paro market and town.
Day 12 Paro – Delhi (By Flight)
After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Delhi.
Arrive Delhi – meet assist at airport & proceed for sightseeing.
Overnight at hotel.
Humanyun Tomb – It was built in 1565 A.D. nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (chaharbagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome.
Jama Masjid – One of the Architectural gift given by Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques not only in Delhi but in India.
Day 13 Depart Delhi (By Flight)
Transfer from hotel to airport for flight back to home.
| Place | Night (s) | Hotels |
| Delhi | 01 | The Imperial |
| Darjeeling | 02 | Ging Tea House |
| Gangtok | 02 | Mayfair Spa Resort |
| Phuntsholing | 01 | Tashi Namgay Grand Resort |
| Thimphu | 01 | Le Meridien |
| Punakha | 02 | Dhensa Boutique Resort |
| Paro | 02 | Le Meridien |
| Delhi | 01 | The Imperial |
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at the airport and hotels.
– 12 nights hotel accommodation.
– Bhutan Visa Fees.
– Daily breakfast, Lunch and Dinners.
– Toy Train ride in Darjeeling.
– All transfers, sightseeing, excursions by private AC vehicle as per the program.
– Delhi – Bagdogra & Paro – Delhi flight in economy class.
– Local English speaking guides during city tour, sightseeing and excursions.
– Entrance fees to the monuments as per the program.
– Masala Chai Demonstration during the tour.
– Indian Cuisine live demonstration during the tour.
– Cultural dance show with dinner during the tour
– 01 Yoga class during the tour.
– All taxes.
– Tips
– International Air Fare
– Visa Fees India
– Travel Insurance
– Personal expenses and drinks.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.