East India with Bhutan
Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days
Itinerary: Kolkata - Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong – Phuentsholing- Thimpu- Trongsa – Bumthang - Punakha- Paro - Kolkata
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Day 01 : Arrive Kolkata (Previously known as Calcutta)
On arrival at the Airport and transfer to the hotel. Kolkata, the most important gateway to Eastern India is also the city where the East India Company first set up their base in the 17th century. Overnight in Kolkata.
Day 02: In Kolkata
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a sight-seeing tour of Kolkata visiting the Victoria Memorial, Birla Planetarium, Fort William, Mother Theresa Ashram and the Eden Gardens. Overnight in Kolkata.
Day 03: Kolkata –Bagdogra - Darjeeling
After breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight to Bagdogra ( 9W 617 ;Departure 1220 Hrs / Arrival 1320 Hrs). On arrival in Bagdogra drive to Darjeeling (90 Kms / 03 Hrs). Darjeeling at an altitude of 2134m facing the Himalayas dominated by Mt. Kanchenjunga, was the summer resort of the British, and now one of Eastern India's most popular Hill stations. On your arrival in Darjeeling check into the Hotel. Afternoon free for leisure. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 04: In Darjeeling
A very early start to the day for an excursion to Tiger Hill, to witness the beauty of the sun rise over the Himalayas. Later transfer to the Darjeeling station to catch the train to Ghoom station by Toy Train Joy Ride dep. 10:40 hrs and arr. Ghoom 11:30 hrs. Arrive Darjeeling at 12:30 hrs. Later leave for a guided tour of Darjeeling town visiting the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park, Tibetan Refuge Centers, Tenzing Rock, Gomby Rock, Tibet Handicraft Centre and the Tea gardens. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 05 : Darjeeling – Gangtok
After breakfast, depart for Gangtok (the capital of Sikkim) by road (98 kms / 4 hrs). On your arrival in Gangtok, check in to the hotel. Day free for leisure. Overnight in Gangtok.
Day 06: Gangtok
After breakfast sight seeing tour of Gangtok includes Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. It was built in 1958 and is a research center for Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan culture. Directorate of Handicrafts and handlooms, Enchey Monastery, Do Drul Chorten (Stupa) and rumtek Monastery. Overnight at Gangtok.
Day 07 : Gangtok – Kalimpong
After breakfast, depart for Kalimpong by road (83 ms / 3 hrs). Together with Darjeeling and Gangtok, this small and quiet hill resort forms the Golden Triangle of the Eastern Himalayas. On arrival in Kailmpong, check into the Hotel. Overnight in Kalimpong.
Day 08 : In Kalimpong
Breakfast at the Hotel followed by a sight-seeing tour of Kalimpong visiting Dr. Graham's Home, started in 1900 by a Scottish missionary, who along with his wife, dedicated their lives in building up this beautiful complex for the education & care of orphans & other deprived children, the Thapa Choling monastery, Thongsa monastery and Durpin Dara which towers over Kalimpong & affords a breathtaking view of the plains rolling down to Siliguri. Overnight in Kalimpong.
Day 09 :Kalimpong – Phuentsholing
After breakfast drive to Phuentsholing ( 181 Kms / 06 Hrs) ,which is Bhutan’s border town. Enroute passing through lush greentea gardens.on arrival transfer to the hotel. Evening visit Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang ,the temple representing heaven of Guru Rinpoche. Then take a stroll around town and local market. Overnight in Phuentsholing.
Day 10 :Phuentsholing – Thimpu
After breakfast drive to Thimpu ( 180 Kms / 06 Hrs ). The drive on this route is very pleasant with numerous scenic sports enroute. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Later visit National Library , Memorial Chorten , Handicrafts Emporium . Overnight in Thimpu.
Day 11 : Thimpu / Trongsa
After an early breakfast leave for Trongsa as the drive may take 7 to 8 hrs. On the way you will drive over Dochula pass 31 00 m from here you can get beautiful mountain views on a clear day. Overnight stay in Trongsa.
Day 12 : Trongsa / Bumthang.
Morning after breakfast visit the Ta Dzong or watchtower for the Tonga Dzong in the early days From Trongsa a 2 hrs drive will get you to Bhumtang the holiest valley in Bhutan .In Bhumtang you can visit the Wangdichholing Dzong .Peling Serman Chhorten ,Palrithang ,New Ura Thankhang ( monastery) , and the Member Tsho (flaming Lake ). Also a Swiss farm house and the apple juice factory. Overnight Bhuthang.
Day 13 : Bumthang
Morning visit the Jakar dzong built in the 17th century during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang namgyel the first religious ruler of Bhutan. It is now the administration center of Bumthang valley. Then visit the Kurjey monastery where Guru Padmasambhava left his body imprint in the 8th century. Then visit the Tamshing Lhakhang the treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings.Visit the Membar Tsho (Burning lake) where Terton Pemalingpa, the reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhava is supposed to have discovered religious treasures in the 12th century. Overnight in Bhuthang.
Day 14 : Bumthang - Punakha
After breakfast leave for Punakha the old capital of Bhutan approximate 07 hrs drive .Visit the dzong when the monk body is in Thimphu (winter months ) and local town.
You van visit the town of Wangdiphodrang too on the way of hotel. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 15 : Punakha – Paro
After breakfast drive to Paro about 03 Hrs . There visit the National Museum, which houses ancient weapons and artifacts and housed in an ancient watchtower. You can get a good view of the Paro Rimpung Dzong from here .Drive to the Taktsang viewpoint and then to see the ruins of Drugyel Dzong ,the fort of the victorious drupes ,as it was here that the Tibetans were defeated and driven back ,though it is novin ruins due to a fire. Drive back to see the local shops. Overnight in Paro.
Day 16 : Paro - Kolkata
After breakfast transfer to Paro airport to connect flight to Kolkata (by Druk Airlines ) .On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight in Kolkata.
Day 17: Departure from Kolkata
After breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination.