North East India and Bhutan
This intense journey begins from Calcutta, then travels through the hills of tea plantations of Darjeeling, near the Himalayan range of Mount khanchendzong, one of the third highest peak in the world. A journey of varied environments, including climatic, biodiversity of flora and fauna, and ethnic groups with ancient traditions and cultures. Passing the border between India and Bhutan through spectacular valleys, visiting monasteries among the most beautiful of Bhutan and ancient villages and cities like Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan situated at a height of 2300 meters s.l.m. Unforgettable, the legendary climb of Taktshang Monastery ("the nest of the tiger") in Paro.
Day 01: Arrival in Kolkata
Arrive Kolkata airport. Meeting with our staff and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight
Day 02: Kolkata / Bagdogra (by flight) Bagdogra / Darjeeling (km. 90 - approx 3-4 hrs)
Breakfast and flight to Bagdogra. Upon arrival, meet our staff. Departure to Darjeeling and accommodation in hotels. Darjeeling (mt. 2200), already appreciated by the British in the nineteenth century for its climate and for its excellent tea grown in the green valleys of the Himalayas is now the refuge of many Tibetans fled from Chinese occupation of their country.
Day 03: Darjeeling
Before dawn, departure for the Tiger Hill (mt. 2585) on Mount Kanchendzonga, to enjoy the sunrise on a magnificent 360 ° view of the Himalayas. Stop at Batasia Loop and visit of the Ghoom monastery dated 1850 that houses a huge image of Maitreya. Breakfast and visit to a processing center of tea. Visit the Institute of Mountaineering Tenzing Norgay, Himalayan Zoological Park and the tibetan refuge center. In the afternoon ride on Toy train. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Darjeeling / Pelling (Km. 140 - approx 5 hrs)
Breakfast and departure to Pelling (2,085 m.) At the foot of the 'Himalayas, Sikkim, popular for its panoramic view of Mount Kangchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. Visit the Buddhist monastery of Pemayangtse of 1705, the Nyingma school and the most important of Sikkim. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 05: Pelling / Gangtok (Km.124 - 5 hrs)
Breakfast and departure to Gangtok (1200 m.), The capital of Sikkim, through a nice mountain road between lush forests. Stop to visit the Rumtek monastery, the largest in Sikkim, the main venue of the "Black Hat sect" established in Tibet in 'twelfth century, with the golden stupa, 4 meters high, studded with turquoise and coral, and the relics of the sixteenth Karmapa. Continue to Gangtok. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: Gangtok
Breakfast and tour of the city, including the Enchey Monastery, a small Gompa mid-nineteenth century. Do visit Drul Chorten, with its 108 prayer wheels. Visit to the shrine of orchids, the flower symbol of Sikkim. Free time. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 07: Gangtok / Phuntsholing (Km. 180 - approx 6 hrs)
Breakfast and departure for Phuntsholing, the border with Bhutan. Upon arrival, handling of border formalities and pass in Bhutan, a kingdom that preserves its own culture and traditions related to the Mahayana Buddhism. Full board.
Day 08: Phuntsholing / Thimpu (Km. 168 - approx 5 hrs)
Breakfast and departure for Thimpu (2300 m.), The capital of Bhutan, full of beautiful temples and ancient gompa , photo stop at Tschogang Lhakhang temple, the 15th century. Afternoon free for acclimatisation to the altitude. Full board.
Day 09: Thimpu
Breakfast and visit the National Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in 1974 and dedicated to King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, one of the most important religious buildings in the city. Visit a Painting School (the National Institute of Zorig Chumsum) and Handicraft Emporium, with typical local products. In the afternoon, visit the Chan Gangkha Lhakang and imposing Trashi Chhoe Dzong where are located the house of Ministers, the National Assembly Hall, the King's throne room and the summer home of the Abbot of Bhutan, head of Bhutanese monks . Full board.
Day 10: Thimphu / Punakha (75 km. - approx 3 hrs)
Breakfast and departure to Punakha via Dochu step - La (3,000 m.) Which offers a 360 degree view of the Himalayan mountain range, spectacular on a clear day with snowy mountains that form the backdrop to the 108 chorten of the valley. In the afternoon visit the Punakha Dzong, the intersection of Phochu Mochu and rivers, built in 1637. Then, between rice fields and villages, walk for about 2 hours Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility, frequented by couples who want a child, founded by the great Lama Kunley, "I'illuminato madman" whose phallic emblem adorns the entrance of many houses. The path leads through the rice fields to a small village that will bring you closer to the lifestyle of its inhabitants. Full board.
Day 11: Punakha / Semthoka / Paro (Km. 125 - approx 4 hrs)
Breakfast and departure to Paro step down from Dochu La and river valleys Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu. Stop to visit the Simtokha Dzong, place of tantric teaching. In the afternoon visit the Ta Dzong, the National Museum. The extensive collection includes thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor, artefacts. Then, walk along a path, you can reach and visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a fascinating history. In the evening, stroll through the streets of Paros. Full board.
Day 12: Paro (to Taktshang Lhakang Excursion)
Breakfast and visit the Taktsang Monastery, "the nest of the Tiger", visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lives, perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters which is reached by an uphill walk, on foot or by mule. On the way back, stop at Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders. Next, visit Kichu Lhakhang temple, the 7th century, the construction of which marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Paro / Kolkata (by flight)
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to the airport to board flight for Calcutta. Upon arrival, transfer and accommodation in hotels. Calcutta, one of the four large urban centers of India, was the greatest colonial cities of the East. City tour including the Kalighat, typically Bengali, 1809, dedicated to the goddess Kali to which even today are offered in sacrifice animals; visit the tomb of Mother Teresa, one of the orphanages tended by missionary sisters of Charity. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14: Kolkata
Early morning transfer to international airport and boarding the flight to return home.
We inform you that all our trips may be changed, if required, according to your needs!