Day 01: Arrival Delhi
You begin the Himalayan journey with your arrival in New Delhi. Our
Executive will be there to Welcome and transfer you to the hotel (rooms on
immediate occupancy).
Day 02: Delhi
Delhi the capital of India is one of the greenest capital cities in the
world and home to more than 11.5 million people. It is an interesting blend of
the past dating back to 1500 BC and the medieval time of the great Mughals
extending up to the modern colonial times into independent India of Mahatma
Gandhi and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
After a relaxed morning your can have a feel of these blending cultures by
vesting Government buildings and India Gate – a memorial to Indian soldiers who
sacrificed their lives for independent India. Later visit Humayun’s tomb – a
forerunner to the Taj Mahal. The last stop will be Qutub Minar - a transition
form Hindu to Islamic architecture. The complex also houses the famous iron
pillar which has withstood the vagaries of weather for the past 1500 years
without rusting.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Delhi
After breakfast, a sightseeing tour in the morning will take you through Old
Delhi visiting Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation was
cremated, Red fort (1639 – 1648 AD) - built by the great Mughal Emperor Shah
Jahan and Jama Masjid (1650 AD) – the largest mosque in India. Afternoon is free
to relax or go shopping.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 04: Delhi – Bagdogra – Darjeeling (By Flight + Drive)
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Bagdora. On arrival in Bagdora
transfer to Darjeeling (90 kms – 04 hrs).
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 05: Darjeeling
Before breakfast drive to Tiger Hill to watch the sunrise over the
Kanchenjunga (8597 mts) if good weather conditions prevail! On your way back
visit Ghoom monastery, one of the most important Tibetan monasteries in the area
with a 4 m high status of Buddha.
After breakfast visit a Tibetan Refugee Centre and the Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute. Sherpa tensing Norgay, who died in 1988, lived here for some time. He
along with Sir Edmund Hillary was the first to scale Mt. Everest. The afternoon
is tat leisure. Stroll among the mall to flavor the local bazaars.
Day-06: Darjeeling - Gangtok
Drive to Gangtok (94 kms – 4 hrs). On the way visit some very interesting
Tibetan monasteries. Take a detour to Kalimpong – a small colonial township
nestled in the Himalayas. Later evening arrive in Gangtok.
Day-07: Gangtok
After breakfast enjoy a full day sightseeing in the charming capital of
Sikkim, surrounded by Snow Mountains.
Visit Rumtek Monastery (24 kms), seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, the head of the
kagyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
A must in Gangtok is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetoloty, established in 1958,
which has one of the world’s largest collection of books on Buddhism, rare
manuscripts and incredibly finely executed silk-embroidered thangkas of Mahayana
sect.
Walk through the colorful bazaar and visit the Institute of Cottage industries
and Enchey Monastery on a Forest hill with excellent wall paintings (1840). From
the terrace enjoy a breathtaking view of Gangtok and Tsuklakhang, the temple of
the former king of Sikkim.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day-08: Gangtok - Pemayangtse
After breakfast drive to Pemayangtse (150 kms – 05 hrs). The winding roads
will take you to the beauty of this once upon a time Himalyan kingdom. The
accommodation is fairly simple yet comfortable.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day-09: Pemayangtse - Phuntsholing
En-route to the Bhutanese border town of Phuntsholing, enjoy a picnic lunch
in hilly environs. Take a walk around this beautiful trading town.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day-10: Phuntsholing - Thimpu
In the morning drive to Thimpu, the capital town on the kingdom of Bhutan,
built by the late king Jugme Dorje Wangchuk. On the way, visit the Kharbandi
Monastery.
Overnight stay at Thimpu
Day-11: Thimpu
In the morning visit Memorial Chorten, a stupa built, a stupa built in the
memory of a Bhutanese king Return to hotel for lunch. Afternoon is free to
stroll through the local bazaar.
overnight stay at the hotel
Day-12: Thimpu - Punakha
Drive to Punakha (70 kms – 03 hrs). the old capital of Bhutan via Dochula
pass. An hour’s drive from Thimpu will take you to this pass (3050 mts). Treat
yourself to the enchanting view of the mountain rangesLater drive on to Punakha
also the winter residence of the central monk body. After lunch visit Punakha
Dzong, the 17th century fortress which played an important role in building up
modern Bhutan. Evening visit Punakha town and local market.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day-13: Punakha - Paro
After breakfast proceed to Paro, en-route visiting village houses. Lunch at
the hotel.
Afternoon is free to stroll in the fascinating valley of Paro or take an
excursion to Kila Goemba, the serene home of Buddhist nuns.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day-14: Paro
Morning take an excursion to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, from where one can
have a marvelous view of the Holy Chomlhari Mountains, the highest mountains in
Bhutan. Also visit Kyichu Monastery. After lunch visit Ta Dzong along with
National museum and also the Paro Dzong.
Day-15: Paro – Kathmandu (By flight)
Transfer to the airport and fly to Kathmandu (flights operate only on
Wednesdays and Sundays). Evening is yours to reflect upon the mountain
experience.
Overnight at the hotel
Day-16: Kathmandu
In the morning visit the Old City and its spiritual heart – the Durbar
Square surrounded by temples and other important buildings like Hanuman Dhooka,
the famous temple of Goddess Kumari and the stupa of Swayambhunath. View the
Kathmandu Valley from top of the hill.
Evening take an excursion to Patan or Lalitpur – “the City of Beauty” an
important Buddhist center which prospered under Malla Kings. Till today the
remarkable vivacity of its temple architecture gives Patan a unique charm.
Amongst the 55 major temples and 136 monasteries you will see Bhumsen temple,
Krishna Mandir, jagannarya temple etc. Return to the hotel for overnight.
Day-17: Kathmandu
In the morning excursion to Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon), the third largest city in
valley with its medieval character, said to have been designed in the 9th
century, in the shape of Vishnu’s conch.
Visit the Durbar Square, statue of Bhupatindra malla, Taleju Chowk, Dattatreya
temple etc. On your way back stop at Pashupatinath on the banks of the holy
river Bagmati, Nepal’s most important Hindu pilgrim centre, 300 years old.
Day-18: Kathmandu – Onward Flight
Transfer to the international airport and fly back home.
