Sikkim & Bhutan – The Land of the Thunder Dragon
- Rumtek Monastary and the tea gardens of Darjeeling
- Thick Forested Country Sides
- Across The Land Of The Thunder Dragon
- Bhutanese way of life
- Interaction with the local people of the beautiful valley
- Dzong or National Museum, rated among the best natural history museums in Asia
| Title | Sikkim & Bhutan – The Land Of The Thunder Dragon |
| Details | Delhi – Bagdogra – Darjeeling – Pelling - Gangtok – Kalimpong – Jaigoan - Thimphu – Wangdue Phodrong - Paro – Delhi |
| Duration | 12 Nights / 13 Days |
A Combined trip of Sikkim & Bhutan takes you to the regions of the world’s most spectacular Himalayas. This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade - the flaming red rhododendrons, the sparkling white magnolias, the miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir - all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confirms Darjeeling as the QUEEN OF HILL STATIONS.
The land of the Thunder Dragon gives you an insight into the customs, traditions and way of life in this fabled Himalayan kingdom. At Paro valley – a living cultural centre and visit Taktsang monastery considered as one of the most venerated places of pilgrimage in the Himalayan world.
Thereafter the trip takes you to Thimpu a visit to the textile museum which showcases weaving as an art form. The folk heritage museum connects people to the Bhutanese rural past. The Dzong is awesome in its splendour.
Visit to Wangdue Phodrang Dzong that is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers. The position of the Dzong completely covers the spur & commands impressive views over both the north-south & east-west roads.
Shabdrung Nyawang Nangel built Phunakha Dzong in 1637. Guru Rinpoche had blessed the site in the 8th century & issued a prophecy that said that ‘on the front edge of the hill that looks like an elephant trunk, a man named Namgel will come & build a fortress.’ Exactly covering a spit of land at the confluence of two rives, the Dzong resembles a gigantic ship.
Some of them which could cherish your mind with the beauty of places such as Red fort, India Gate, Jama Masjid. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi – a truly memorable experience. A visit to Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India
Fly today from Delhi to Bagdogra. On arrival you will be received and undertake a three hours’ drive to Darjeeling along verdant hillsides carpeted with well-maintained tea bushes of the tea gardens. This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade - the flaming red rhododendrons, the sparkling white magnolias, the miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir - all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confirms Darjeeling as the QUEEN OF HILL STATIONS
Day 03 : In Darjeeling
You have an early morning start to view the sunrise on Mt Khanchen Dzonga (the third highest mountain in the world) from Tiger Hill. On your way back to the hotel you can visit Ghoom Monastery. After breakfast at the hotel you will have the opportunity to ride the Toy Train. It was a tiny four-wheeled trolley when it first rolled out. People, sacks of tea, bags of potatoes, wool from Tibet, Kalimpong oranges, jute and paddy stacks and more used to find space under its canvas roof and two quaint wooden benches.
After your Toy Train ride you drive out of Darjeeling for about an hour to the picturesque hill town of Kurseong. After lunch you get to visit Tea Garden. By the evening you will be back in Darjeeling. Take a relaxed stroll on the Chowrasta under the watchful gaze of the mighty Khanchen Dzonga range in the east and the rolling hills of Sikkim in the north to enjoy the flavor of this picturesque hill station.
Day 04 : To Pelling (2,121 m / 7000 ft) – by surface / 123 km / approx. 5 hrs
Setting out from Darjeeling you divert from Jor Bunglow to the right for your journey in to Sikkim. Pelling is bestowed with nature’s beauty and the majestic Mt Khanchen Dzonga peak provides an awe-inspiring backdrop.
In the evening visit Pemayangtse Monastery. It has been entrusted with the task of performing all religious functions of the erstwhile monarch.
From Pelling you drive to the State Capitol – Gangtok. En-route you cross the Rumtek Monastery, which is perched on a hilltop facing the city of Gangtok. After visiting the Rumtek Monastery drive a distance of 26 km in approx 40 minutes to arrive at Gangtok.
Day 06 : To Kalimpong – by surface / 79 kms / approx. 2 hrs
During the day, visit Enchey Monastery, Lama Druptob Karpo is supposed to have built a small hermitage at this spot after he flew here from Maenam Hill more than two hundred years ago. On your way back from the Monastery you can visit the Government Institute of Cottage Industries. A visit to the Research Institute of Tibetology can be quite engrossing. .
In the afternoon you will drive to Kalimpong, which is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. After checking in to your accommodation, visit Handmade Paper Industry renowned for the craft of paper making, which is an ancient tradition in the Himalayan region. From here one can proceed to the Lepcha Museum. Later in the evening, proceed to some of the famous flower nurseries in Kalimpong.
An early morning at Kalimpong will give you excellent views of the surrounding countryside from Durpindra Monastery. From Kalimpong your journey takes you via Lava (2,182 M) to the Doars at Chalsa. This drive up to Lava is along a ridge through thickly forested countryside.
A scenic drive through the tea gardens brings you to a typical Bhutanese Gate that greets visitors at the entrance of Phuntsholing, on the banks of the Tosar River. Whilst you have some refreshments at Phutsholing, your visa requirements will be looked into and then you continue your journey to Thimpu.
Visit the Textile Museum. In Bhutan textiles are an art form integrated with all aspects of life. This is followed by a visit to The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim). Later in the evening visit Tashichoedzong. Dominating the scene is Thimpu’s Dzong, named Tashichoedzong, which delights the eye with its balanced proportions and air of majesty.
After breakfast you set off on your drive to Punakha. On arrival at Punakha you visit the Punakha Dzong, the winter seat of the Jhe Khenpo (Chief Abbot). After leaving Punakha you stop over at Lobesa for a lunch at a Bhutanese farm house. After lunch take a short hike to Chime Lhakhang (a special monastery for sterile women) which is about 30 minutes from the farm house. After the hiking trip, proceed to Wangdue Phodrang.
Today you travel to Paro. In the evening you can visit the Rinpung Dzong or Paro Dzong at the confluence of Do Chu and Paro Chu. It now houses the administrative offices of the Government of Bhutan. Thereafter take a stroll along the main street of downtown Paro.
You leave Bhutan by a Druk Airways flight and come to Delhi. You will be received at Delhi and the rest of the day is free for some last minute shopping to pick up some souvenirs, if you so desire.
After breakfast, in the morning you will be transferred in time to the International Airport to board your flight for home