| DAY
01 |
ARRIVE DELHI |
| |
Assistance upon arrival and transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel. |
| DAY
02 |
IN DELHI |
| |
Full day sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. Among some of the most interesting highlights of your city tour of Old and New Delhi are the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat in the old city area and the Government Buildings, a drive through the majestic Rajpath to the India Gate, the Laxmi Narayan Temple, the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutab Minar etc. Overnight at the hotel.
|
|
|
| DAY
03 |
DELHI-PARO |
| |
Morning transfer to airport to board KB 205 at 0515/0800 hrs to Paro. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon free at leisure and to visit local shops. Overnight at the hotel.
|
| DAY
04 |
IN PARO |
| |
This beautiful
valley, where nature and man conjured to
create their dearest image is home to some
of Bhutan's oldest temples, monasteries,
the National Museum and country's only airport.
Situated strategically and commanding spectacular
view of valley, Rinpung Dzong meaning "forests
of the heap of jewels" was built by Shabdrung
Namgyal in 1646 it now houses Paro monastic
school and office of civil administration.
It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu (festival)
and it begins from this day and you could
get a chance to see the festival, held once
a year in spring. Above Dzong is Ta Dzong
or National Museum, which has vast collection
of Bhutanese art, artifacts, weapons and
stamps. Overnight at
the hotel.
|
 |
|
| DAY
05 |
IN PARO |
| |
Morning a short drive north overlooking Paro river is Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan, dating from the introduction of Buddhism. Further ahead, at the end of valley lies Drukgyel dzong, a sympon of all the unsuccessful attempts armies from North made on Bhutan in the early past. The Dzong, built by Shabdrung commemorates early victory. Overnight at the hotel.
|
| DAY
06 |
PARO-WANGDIPHODRANG-PUNAKHA |
| |
Morning
drive to Punakha en route visiting Wangdiphodrang
(approx 17 kms/40 min), which is a typical
small Bhutanese town, with bustling market
and well-stocked shops. The place is also
known for its fine bamboo work, slate, stone
carvings, yak dairy research station. Wangdi
Dzong is a town's most visible feature,
situated majestically at the junction of
Punakha Chu and Tang Chu rivers. After lunch
drive to Punakha, a low lying sub tropical
valley, Punakha served as the capital of
Bhutan until 1955 and still it is home of
Chief Abbot in winter months. Punakha Dzong,
built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
has played prominent role in civil and religious
life of Kingdom. Destroyed four times by
fire and an earthquake in 1897, the Dzong
has been now fully restored in its original
splendor. Overnight
at the hotel.
|
 |
|
| DAY
07 |
PUNAKHA-THIMPU |
| |
Morning drive to Thimpu (approx. 76 kms/3 hrs) en-route visiting Douchula Pass (3,100 m) offering visitors their first glimpse of the eastern Himalayan range. Overnight at the hotel.
|
| DAY
08 |
IN THIMPU |
| |
Visit Memorial Chorten is town's another landmark, built in memory of the Late King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is popularly regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. Visit to Painting School. Also visit the National Library which houses vast collection of manuscripts and texts related with Buddhist studies. Visit traditional medicine Institute where centuries old healing art are still practiced and Handicrafts Emporium. Evening take a stroll through Thimphu's market area visiting local shops and mingling with people. Overnight at the hotel.
|
 |
|
| DAY
09 |
THIMPU-PUNTSHOLING |
| |
Morning drive to Puntsholing (approx. 172 kms/6 hrs). Shortly before leaving Thimphu City, visit the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built by Shab drung Ngawang Namgyal in 1627, which now houses the School for Buddhist studies. En route also visit Kharbandi Gompa, the beautiful monastery built by Royal Grandmother Ashi Phuntsho Cheordron and situated in garden of tropical plants and flowers. From the monastery garden there is a beautiful view over the plains and town of Phuntsholing. Overnight at the hotel.
|
| DAY
10 |
PUNTSHOLING-KALIMPONG |
| |
Morning leave by surface to Kalimpong (approx 180 kms/6 hrs) - the gateway of India.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Kalimpong city. Overnight at the hotel.
|
| DAY
11 |
KALIMPONG-GANGTOK |
| |
Morning drive to Gangtok en route visiting Rumtek Monastery. On arrival check- in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
|
| DAY
12 |
IN GANGTOK |
| |
Morning half day sightseeing tour visiting the Enchey Monastery, Tashi view point, Tashiling and the Cottages Industries Institute. Afternoon visit of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, the Chorten (Memorial for the dead). Overnight at the hotel.
|
 |
|
| DAY
13 |
GANGTOK-DARJEELING |
| |
Morning leave by surface to Darjeeling (97 kms/4 hours approx). On arrival check-in at Hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
|
| DAY
14 |
IN DARJEELING |
| |
Early morning excursion to Tiger Hill to view sunrise. Take a toy train ride (subject to operations) to the Tibetan Monastery at Ghoom. Afternoon visit the highest race course in the world at the Lablong Village and also visit the Mountaineering Institute House of Tenzing Norgay. Overnight at the hotel.
|
 |
|
| DAY
15 |
DARJEELING-BAGDOGRA-DELHI |
| |
Morning transfer to Bagdogra (approx 90 kms/3hrs) airport to board 9W 602 at 1415/1640 hrs to Delhi. Assistance on arrival and transfer to city center for a Farewell Dinner at one of the typical Indian restaurants. Late evening departure transfer to the airport to board flight back home.
|
| DAY
16 |
DEPART DELHI |
|
END OF THE TOUR |
