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Himalayan Kingdoms - Sikkim and Bhutan
From $7,704 - 23 Days, Fully Inclusive from selected Australian cities
Join us on this incredible journey through a relatively unknown part of India and to one of the world’s most exclusive tourist destinations, Bhutan.
Sikkim is located in northeast India and sits in the shadow of the world’s highest mountains. It is slower paced in comparison to the other parts of India, yet incredibly fascinating.
Bhutan is famous for its dramatic landscapes, architecture and colourful heritage. Buddhist culture is still richly intact and permeates every aspect of Bhutanese life.
Both Sikkim and Bhutan are still relatively unspoilt by tourism. Experience the mystique and beauty of these wonderful lands that not many can say they have explored. You won’t be disappointed!
DAY 1: AUSTRALIA TO KOLKATA
Fly with Singapore Airlines to Kolkata for an overnight stay.
DAY 2: KOLKATA TO NEW JALPAIGURI
Enjoy a tour of Kolkata today, visiting a Jain temple, a Kali temple and the Victoria Memorial. Drive past the Howrah Bridge, Dalhousie Square, Fort William, Secretariat Building, Old Court House Street, the flower market and Kumartuli. Transfer to the railway station this evening to board your overnight sleeper train to New Jalpaiguri.
DAY 3: NEW JALPAIGURI TO DARJEELING
Arrive into New Jalpaiguri this morning and continue by road up through the hills and tea plantations to Darjeeling.
DAY 4: DARJEELING
Rise early and enjoy a jeep ride to Tiger Hill and visit Ghoom Monastery. Later, head to the railway station to board the UNESCO World Heritage listed Toy Train for a ride around the hillside. This afternoon visit a tea plantation and the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute.
DAY 5: DARJEELING TO PELLING
Drive north to Pelling, crossing into the state of Sikkim, where you will visit the Pemayangtse Monastery.
DAY 6: PELLING
Today you will visit Khecheopalri Lake and Kanchenjunga Falls. Khecheopalri Lake is considered one of the most sacred lakes of Sikkim by both Buddhists and Hindus.
DAY 7: PELLING TO GANGTOK
Drive to Gangtok, visiting Tashiding Monastery en route.
DAY 8: GANGTOK
Today you will visit Enchey Monastery, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and Do Drul Chorten.
DAY 9: GANGTOK TO KALIMPONG
Drive to Kalimpong, a small but rapidly expanding market town, visiting Rumtek Monastery en route.
DAY 10: KALIMPONG
Enjoy the day free at your leisure to explore the quaint town of Kalimpong.
DAY 11: KALIMPONG TO GORUMARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Venture to the Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary today, famous for its population of the One-Horned Rhino. Enjoy a jeep safari around the sanctuary this afternoon.
DAY 12: GORUMARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY TO PHUENTSHOLING
Drive to Phuentsholing today, the gateway to Bhutan for overland travellers, where you will meet your Bhutanese Guide.
DAY 13: PHUENTSHOLING TO THIMPHU
Leave Phuentsholing and drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Visit Kharbandi Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery en route.
DAY 14: THIMPHU
Enjoy a tour of Thimphu today; visit Trashi Chhoe Dzong, the National Library and the Institute for Zorig Chusum (painting school). You will also visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the National Memorial Chorten, the government-run Handicrafts Emporium, Folk Heritage Museum and National Textile Museum. Later this afternoon visit an enclosure, which is part of Thimphu Zoo to see the unique Bhutanese takin.
DAY 15: THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA
Leave Thimphu Valley and drive up to Dochu La, stopping en route to view Simtokha Dzong. Later, visit Punakha Dzong and the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
DAY 16: PUNAKHA TO BUMTHANG
Leave Punakha and continue your journey to Bumthang via Trongsa. Cross Pele La and Yotong La and stop at the 18th-century Nepalese-style Chendbji Chorten en route.
DAY 17: BUMTHANG TO TRONGSA
Visit Kurje Lhakhang this morning, where Saint Padmasambhava is said to have subdued a local demon. Afterwards visit Jambey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong. This afternoon drive back to Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong.
DAY 18: TRONGSA TO PUNAKHA
Not long after passing back through Pele La, you will leave the National Highway and drive into Gangtey Valley continuing to Punakha or Wangdue Phodrang.
DAY 19: PUNAKHA TO PARO
Today is your last long distance drive as you head to Paro. Upon arrival visit Ta Dzong and walk down a hillside trail to Rinpung Dzong.
DAY 20: PARO
Drive to the starting point for your hike to Taktshang Monastery, known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The moderate hike takes all morning and lunch will be at the cafeteria run by monks, located halfway up the trail overlooking the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Return to Paro in the afternoon, visiting Drugyal Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang on the way.
DAY 21: PARO TO KOLKATA
Rise early this morning and transfer to Paro airport for your flight back to Kolkata.
DAY 22: DEPART KOLKATA
Today is free at your leisure. After a late check-out, transfer to Kolkata airport to board your overnight flight to Australia.
DAY 23: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
Arrive home this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours Review:
"Sikkim is very beautiful and serene. The tea plantations add a special aura, but it is still exciting India. Bhutan with the small population is very different. Walking to Eagle’s Nest was well worth the effort and the horse ride to the top of the first stage was an exhilarating experience not to be missed!"
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