Bagdogra – Darjeeling – Pelling – Gangtok – Phuentsholing – Thimpu – Wangdue – Paro
11 Nights / 12 Days
This itinerary is customizable according to your need.
On arrival at Bagdogra Airport (400Ft / 122Mts), you will be met by our local representative who will assist you to board your vehicle to (7380 Ft / 2250 Mts). Evening; free to explore the town.
Overnight at Darjeeling Hotel.
Early morning tour to Tiger Hills (8364 Ft / 2550 Mts at around 4 AM) to view sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak (subject to clear weather). On way back visit Ghoom Monastery. After breakfast visit to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Closed on Thursday), Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tibetan Refugee self-help (Closed on Sunday) Center & Tea Estate.
Overnight at Darjeeling Hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Pelling (6100 Ft / 1890 Mts, 116 kms / 5-6 hrs). Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel and later day free at leisure.
Overnight at Pelling Hotel.
After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour in Pelling visiting Khecheopari Lake (6000 Ft / 1829 Mts); Khecheopalri Lake is one of the sacred Buddhist mountain lakes wherever it is believed that whatever is wished in front of the lake comes true. Myth has it's that when a leaf falls on the placid clear water surface is picked by a bird. Afternoon, you cover Pemayangtse Monastery which belongs to the Nyingma-pa order of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built as a small temple in late 17th century by Latsun Chenpo. On the top floor there is a wooden sculpture portraying the Mahaguru's Heavenly palace Sangthokpalri & Rabdengtse palace ruins - once the second capital of Sikkim is now a historical monument.
Overnight at Pelling Hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Gangtok (5500 Ft / 1677 Mts). Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel and rest of the day free at leisure.
Overnight at Gangtok Hotel.
After breakfast proceed for a sightseeing tour in Gangtok visiting Rumtek Monastery, Droul Chorthen, Research Institute of Tibetology, Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom (Closed on Sunday) and Flower Show & Enchey Monastery. Evening free to explore Gangtok.
Overnight at Gangtok Hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Phuentsholing (Bhutan), upon arrival at the border of Bhutan, meet by our Bhutan representative and transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Overnight at Phuentsholing hotel.
Post breakfast, visit Zangtho Pelri, situated in the city centre, this small temple represents the heaven of Guru Rinpoche. On ground floor there are statues of eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche and paintings of Buddha's life while the next floor contains eight Bodhisattavas and statues of Avalokiteshvara and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. On top floor, there is a main statue of Amitabha. On the way to Thimphu, 4 km ahead of Phuentsholing, visit Kharbandi Gompa. The monastery contains paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rimpoche. Upon arrival in Thimphu, visit Trashichho Dzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government's offices and King's Throne room lt is aldo the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot.
Overnight at Thimphu hotel.
Post breakfast; visit National Memorial Chorten. The buildlng of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan's third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ("the father of modern Bhutan") erected this monument for world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. Later, visit Motithang Takin Preserve and Shakyamuni Buddha Statue (Kuensel Phodrang), the largest and highest sitting Buddha statue in the world.
Later proceed to the National Library which houses an extensive coUection of Buddhist literature, with some works dating back several hundred years. Later visit the Folk Heritage Museum and the Handicrafts Emporium that display a wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products. After lunch proceed to Wangdue, crossing Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft), stopping briefly for tea. Fantastic view of the Himalayan Range and the Choden Menmoridl Walls decorated with prayer flags located at the highest point of the road.
Overnight at Wangdue hotel.
Post breakfast, visit to Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the head monks. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuckwas crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood several damages from fire, earthquake and flood. The latest flood of Oct 1994 caused great damages to the fortress but miraculously spared the statue of Buddha Jojampa. Also visit to Chimi Lhakhang Monastery (Temple of Fertility) before driving to Paro. Upon arrival, visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (udge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it. lt is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in the spring.
Overnight at Paro hotel.
Post breakfast; excursion to Taktshang Monastery (1 and half hour up by ponies and 2hours hike down). It's one of the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley. lt is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called 'Tiger's Nest'. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. After lunch, visit Kyichu Lakhang : It is the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century (the other is Jambey Lhakahng in Bumthang). The Lhakhang complex is composed of two temples. The first temple built by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and in 1968, H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in same original pattern. The temple is made famous by the marriage of Hong Kong movie actor Tony Leong and Carina Lau. Evening cultural show and buffet dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Paro hotel.
Post breakfast; transfer to Paro airport to board the flight to onward journey.
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