(13N/14D) - CODE ( 45 )
Day - 1 : NJP Rly. Stn. / IXB Airport - Gangtok (About 125 kms / 04 Hrs. drive)
On arrival at NJP Railway station / IXB airport welcome to our Representative & transfer to Gangtok. On arrival check-in to your hotel & rest of the day free at leisure. Night halt at Gangtok.
Day - 2 : Gangtok -Lachung (About 117 kms / 06 Hrs. drive)
After breakfast pick up from hotel at Gangtok & drive to Lachung (altitude 8610 ft & 117 KM). Enroute visit Singhik View point (depends on weather condition), Seven Sisters Water Falls, Naga Water Falls. Night halt at Lachung.
Day - 3 : Lachung -Yumthang Excursion (24 Km. & 11,800 ft)
Early Morning drive to Yumthang-valley (known as Valley of Flowers). On the way back visit Sulpher Hot Spring. Back to resort for lunch. Afternoon visit local Lachung village & villegers for there day-to-day lifestyle & Lachung Monestry. Night halt at Lachung. Zero point optional.
Day - 4 : Lachung- Gangtok (About 117kms/06 Hrs. drive)
After breakfast drive to Gangtok on the way visit Bheema & Twin Falls. Check-in to your hotel. Night halt at Gangtok
Day - 5 : Gangtok-Darjeeling (About 115kms/ 04 Hrs. drive)
After breakfast drive to Darjeeling. Check-in to your hotel. Night halt at Darjeeling.
Day - 6 : Darjeeling (Local sightseeing)
After breakfast proceed for city tour covering Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, P.N. Zoological Park (closed on Thursday) Tenzing Rock, Tibetan Refugee Centre (closed on Sunday), Tea Garden (outer view), Pace Pagoda, Japanese Temple,Rope Way (Ticket Guest Own), Ghoom Monastery,Batasia Loop & Tiger hill (sunset point over Mt. Khanchendzongna. Evening free for shopping by guest own. Night halt at Darjeeling. Note: If any guest interested for Tiger Hill Sunrise time visit it will be depend on permit & extra additional cost .
Day - 7 : Darjeeling - Mirik Excursion
After breakfast excursion trip to Mirik Lake an excellent scenic spot, nestled in forested hills at an altitude of 5800 ft. it is famous for its man-made Sumendu Lake, Tea Estates enhance the Surroundings here on the way back visit Pasupati Market - (Vehicle go up to India Border). Night halt at Darjeeling.
Day - 8 : Darjeeling - Phuentsholing
Morning free for packing & personal activities. After breakfast Check out from hotel drive to Phuentsholing. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Rest of the time explore the town on own. Overnight at Hotel
Day - 9 : Phuentsholing - Thimphu
After breakfast we will depart for Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan. On the way we will visit the famous Kharbandi Gonpa, from where we will have the scenic view of the plains of India. We will pass numerous small town of Gedu, Chukha and Chunzom, the confluence of Pa Chu and Thin Chu. Continue the drive to reach the capital. Rest of the time at leisure.Overnight at Hotel.
Day - 10 : Thimphu
Today we will begin our day with the visit to the famous landmark of the capital, the Memorial Chorten, consecrated in the memory of the Third kind of Bhutan who is regarded as the father of the modern Bhutan. Just as you enter the Chorten, you will be amazed to witness the local people, young and the old alike, circumambulate the Chorten with the prayer beads or the prayer wheel in hand, murmuring the sacred words of prayers. The tall four storied Chorten contains statues and iconography of deities from the tantric teachings.
National Library. Originally established in 1967 and housed inside the Tashicho Dzong, it was moved to the present site in 1984. It houses the important historical documents and photographs. The World's biggest published book that weighs 68 kilograms and about 02 meters in height is also housed here.
After this interesting visit, we will now visit the rich Art and Crafts Centre of Bhutan at the Institute of Zorig Chusum. This institute provides opportunities for vocational training on the Bhutanese Arts and Crafts. We can witness the students training and gives an idea to the visitors on the traditional form of the Arts and crafts.
After your lunch visit the Royal Textile Museum.
Established in 2001 under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the National Textile Museum showcases a wide range of beautiful Bhutanese textiles including the crowns and attire used by the Monarchs and members of the Royal Family. It also introduces visitors to major weaving techniques and local style of dress and the centre to preserve the rich textile heritage of the Country.
After your lunch visit the famous Changangkha Lhakhang, built in 13th century. Situated on a small hill overlooking the Thimphu valley the monastery was built by Lam Phajo Dugom Zhigpo. Children born in Thimphu are taken to this temple because it is considered the spiritual home of the children born in Chang valley and their names are considered here by taking the blessings from the protector deity Tamdrin. If we are lucky, we can witness the local family with the child here performing the rituals. Inside the Lhakhang, the central statue in the temple is Avalokitesvara, Buddha of compassion, in his manifestation with 11 heads, a thousand hands and eyes; it is built with bronze and plated with gold.??
It is time to witness the National Animal of Bhutan, Takin, at the Takin Reserve. Takin are related to sheep and weigh up 650 kgs. According to the local folktale, the Devine Madman, Drukpa Kunley, created the Takin by joining the goat's head in the body of the Cow. This interesting animal is an endangered species found only in few pockets of the Himalayas.
A further short drive will bring us to the Sangaygang BBS point from where we get a great view of the Thimphu town.
Also visit Buddha Dordenma, which is one of the largest Buddha statue in the World at 169 feet. The body of the Buddha is filled with 1,25,000 smaller statues of Buddha. The view of the Thimphu valley is spectacular from this point.
Day - 11 : Thimphu - Punakha - Paro Day Excursion
After breakfast, we will drive towards the Dochula Pass, a 16 kilometers, 40 minutes drive through the winding road, admist the forest of Pines and Juniper and the lovely view of the Simtokha Dzong as we ascend slowly towards Dochu La Pass.
In 2003, Bhutan chased the Indian rebels, hiding in Bhutan in the eastern border, out of the country with a minimal loss to the Bhutan army. Some wanted to erect a monument for the victory, but the King replied that war should never be glorified. So instead he commissioned this monument honoring the dead soldiers and the dead rebels from the conflict.
The 108 stupas is a memorial built then.
The Dochula Pass an altitude of about 3100 m is the places where this memorial is built. Set admist the fluttering prayer flags, it is a visitor's delight to spend some time here.
The 108 beautiful Chortens is built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. From this pass, on a clear day, you can have a superb view of the highest peaks, the sharp peak being Masagang (7200 m) dominating the region, others are Tsendagang (6960 m), Terigang (7060 m),Jejegangphugang (7158m) and Kangphugang (7170m).
We will spend our time here, taking a stroll in between this 108 chortens, breathing in the fresh air, admiring the mountain ranges and getting lost in nature.
After this wonderful visit, we will take the downhill drive towards Punakha.
After your lunch, it is time to take a beautiful hike on the paddy fields towards Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Devine Mad Man called Drukpa Kuenley. We can take a picturised and leisurely walk through the paddy field, no steep climb here, just easy walk in the paddy field. The return journey takes about an hour and a half or two.
Further drive to Punakha, and visit the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan built in 1637 by Shabdrung, the spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan prior to the present dynasty. It is an old capital, which still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. . It is now the winter residence of the Central Monastic Community and administrative headquarters of Punakha district. Drive back to Thimph to Paro. Overnight in Hotel. Overnight at Hotel
Day - 12 : Paro Sightseeing
After Breakfast we will drive to Chelali pass, which gives the best place to see the Himalaya Mountains. Drive back to Paro visit the Ta Dzong, the National Museum and the Rinpung Dzong [Paro Dzong]. The Museum boasts of its collection of fine arts, paintings and bronzes. There are also textiles, jewellery, and handicrafts sections as well as galleries of stuffed animals and butterflies from Bhutan. The stamps' hall is very popular and displays, among others, 3-D stamps, record stamps, silken stamps, embossed stamps and the famous triangular stamp depicting the yeti. Located below the Museum is Paro Dzong. Also called the Rinpung Dzong, the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, Paro Dzong was built in 1645 by the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It is an imposing square fortress with a central tower and courtyards housing the administrative quarters and the monastic section. After the visit, we will take the leisurely downhill walk to cross the typical Bhutanese Cantilever Bridge, one of the finest specimens in Bhutan with its shingle roof and two guard-houses at each end. Overnight in Hotel
Day - 13 : Paro - Hike to Tiger Nest
Tiger's Nest, Taktsang. The Tiger's Nest owes its name to the 8th century saint Padmasambhava who, according to myth, visited here mounted on a flying tiger. Also Known as Guru Rinpoche, he subdued the local deities and converted Paro to Buddhism. He is said to have meditated in the cave, now the lower floor of the monastery, and is enshrined in his fierce aspect of Dorji Droloe standing on a tiger. The scenic hike is a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity for the guest. The return hike till the cafeteria is about 05 hours. The view of the Taktsang from the cafeteria will leave the visitors spell bound. One the way visit Kichu Temple.
Day - 14 : Paro - Pahuentsholing - Bagdogra
Tour Ends Here