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Himalayan Kingdoms - Sikkim and Bhutan
From $8,867 - 22 Days Fully Inclusive From Australia
Our Himalayan Kingdoms tour encompasses the remote regions of Sikkim in India’s north-east and the reclusive Druk Yul, ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’, Bhutan. Both Sikkim and in particular Bhutan are still relatively unspoilt by tourism. Bhutan opened for tourism in 1974 and is perhaps the world’s most exclusive tourist destination. This journey takes you to a region of high altitude to look over unrivalled scenery of the Himalaya Mountains and valleys, visit monasteries (in Tibetan: Gompas) as well as a national park especially known for the rare one horned rhinos.
TOUR ITINERARY
"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!"
Mrs Denise Brownbill, New South Wales - March 2009
Day 1: Australia to Kolkata
Fly with Singapore Airlines to Kolkata for 2 nights.
Day 2: Kolkata
Visit a Jain temple, a Kali temple and the Victoria Memorial. Drive past the Howrah Bridge, Dalhousie Square and Fort William, Secretariat Building, Old Court House Street, the flower market and Pauli artisan district.
Day 3: Kolkata to Darjeeling via Bagdogra
Fly to Bagdogra and travel up through hills and tea plantations to Darjeeling.
Day 4: Darjeeling - Ghoom
Rise early for a jeep ride to Tiger Hill and visit one of Ghoom’s oldest monasteries. Later we head to the railway station to board the World Heritage ‘Toy Train’ and enjoy a ride through the hills. This afternoon visit a tea plantation and the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute.
Day 5: Darjeeling to Pelling
Head north crossing into the state of Sikkim and drive to Pelling, where we visit Pemayangtse Monastery.
Day 6: Pelling
Visit Khecheopalri Lake, considered to be one of the most sacred lakes of Sikkim by both Buddhists and Hindus and Kanchenjunga Falls.
Days 7-8: Pelling to Gangtok
Drive to Gangtok visiting Tashiding Monastery en route. Tomorrow 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
Today is at leisure to explore the quaint town of Kalimpong.
Day 11: Kalimpong to Gorumara
Today we venture to the rarely visited Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy a jeep safari in the park this afternoon.
Day 12: Gorumara to Phuentsholing
Drive to Phuentsholing today where we will meet our Bhutanese National Escort.
Day 13: Phuentsholing to Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, via the Kharbandi Gompa.
Day 14: Thimphu
Visit Trashi Chhoe Dzong, National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum (Painting School), view the National Institute of Traditional Medicine and visit the National Memorial Chorten, state-run Handicrafts Emporium, Folk Heritage Museum and National Textile Museum. Drive out of town to an enclosure which is part of Thimphu Zoo to see the unique Bhutanese takin.
Day 15: Thimphu to Punakha
Today we leave Thimphu Valley and drive up to Dochu La stopping en route to view Simtokha Dzong. Later visit Punakha’s dzong and the newly built Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
Day 16: Punakha to Bumthang
Drive to Bumthang via Trongsa crossing Pele La and Yotong La and stopping at the Nepalese style Chendbji Chorten.
Day 17: Bumthang to Trongsa
This morning visit Kurje Lhakhang where the Saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon. We then visit Jambey Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang, Jakar’s dzong. This afternoon drive back to Trongsa and visit Trongsa’s dzong.
Day 18: Trongsa to Punakha
Not long after passing back through Pele La we leave the National Highway and drive into Gangtey Valley continuing to Punakha or Wangdue Phodrang for an overnight stay.
Day 19: Punakha to Paro
Drive to Paro, upon arrival visit Ta Dzong and walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong.
Day 20: Paro
Drive to the starting point for our hike to Taktshang Gompa, the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The moderate hike takes all morning and we have lunch at the cafeteria run by monks, located halfway up the trail overlooking the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Return to Paro in the afternoon, visiting Kyichu Lhakhang on the way.
Day 21: Paro to Kolkata
This morning we have an early transfer to the airport for our flight back to Kolkata. The remainder of the day is at leisure. After dinner transfer to the airport to board our flight home.
Day 22: Arrive Australia
Arrive home in Australia.
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