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Days 01 :
Arrive at Tribhuwan
international airport,
Kathmandu, you are welcomed
by the hospitable meeting
and then you will be
transferred to your hotel.
Short briefing will be
followed about necessary
formalities and rest of the
program. Depending on
arrival time you will have
choice of visiting nearby
sanctuaries or have a rest
day.
Days 02 :
After breakfast we drive to
Swoyambhunatha stupa has it
that Manjushree, found of
Kathmandu valley, and
discovered the lotus of
ancient valley lake on which
site the great stupa of
swoyambhunath was later
built. The omni sighted
stare of Buddha greets
visitors & residents a like
compassion. This is one of
the oldest Buddhist stupa in
the world, which has been
registered in UNICEOO
heritage side. We then visit
to Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Kathmandu durbar square
situated the center of
Kathmandu where you can see
the House of Living
Goddess”KUMARI” Kasthamandup
temple” Said that was built
from single tree in 16th
century, big bell-big drams,
erotic carving in old
temple, old palace etc. We
then finally were
sightseeing to Patan Durbar
Square. Patan Durbar square
is one of the beautiful
Durbars square in Kathmandu
valley. It is very famous
for woodcarving, Metal
works, Temples and
Monasteries. Tour of Patan
includes tour of Krishna
temple, Patan king’s palace,
Golden temple and much more.
Days 03 :
We fly Kathmandu to
Bhadrapur/Biratnagar and on
arrival at Bhadrpur/Biratnagar
airport meet our assist and
drive to Darjeeling.
Darjeeling (Place of the
Thunderbolt) has spectacular
scenery. Due to its altitude
of (2134m) and soothing
temperature in summers
Darjeeling has become a
famous hill resort in India.
If the weather is clear we
can enjoy the impressive and
unforgettable views of
Himalayas.
Days 04 :
Very early in the morning we
drive to Tiger Hill (around
11-km) to enjoy the sunrise
at the Tiger hill. Tiger
hill (2590m.) is the highest
point in this area. There is
a breathtaking view of the
sunrise on Kanchanjunga.
Mount Everest is also
visible on a clear day. The
moments of sunrise from
Tiger Hill are described by
most of the visitors as
unforgettable. In the
afternoon we explore
Darjeeling and its
surroundings. We visit the
village Lablong and the
institute of mountaineering
where we get the detailed
information about the
natural surrounding and its
habitants of this area.
Days 05 :
This day we leave the state
West Bengal and enter into
Sikkim. Sikkim is the second
smallest state in India.
Sikkim, in the East
Himalayas is sandwiched
between Nepal to its West
and Bhutan to the East. In
the North is Tibet/China.
Sikkim has so rich of flora,
fauna and a diverse ethnic
and cultural population as
no other state in India. We
drive through the forests
and tea gardens and proceed
to our today's destination
Pemayangtse (The perfect
Sublime Lotus). We visit
headquarter of the Nyingama
sect in Pemayangtse.
Days 06 :
We shall have an excursion
today to the monastery
belonging to the Nyingmapa
order, which is known as
Tashiding. The monastery of
Tashiding lies nestled on
the top of a hill that looms
up between the Rathong River
and the Rangit River and is
surrounded by a profusion of
Prayer flags that flutter in
the air. There are also many
chortans dedicated to some
Chogyals and some religious
personalities of Sikkim.
Carved skillfully on stone
plates surrounding the
monastery are holly Buddhist
mantras like "Om Mane Padme
Hum" by the master crafts
man Yanchong Lodil.
Days 07 :
This day we drive through
wonderful landscaping to
Gangtok, the capital city of
the former Royal state of
Sikkim. Rest of the day is
free to relax though it is
advised not to miss to have
walks in the local markets.
Days 08 :
Enchey monastery: Today we
drive to the monastery of
Enchey. This monastery is
believed to be 200 years
old. The monks of this
monastery belong to the
Mahayana Buddhism. After the
visit of Enchain monastery
we proceed to Martha
Village-Resort, where we
have afternoon at leisure.
Here one can have nice walks
or have a ride on the local
horses of this area.
Days 09 :
Rumtek monastery: This day
we visit the unique Research
Institute of Tibetology on a
hilltop, which was
established in 1958 to
promote research on Tibet
and Mahayana Buddhism. Here
we will see the biggest
collection of Tibetan
scripts and an excellent
collection of rare Tank has,
bronze and cult objects. We
also visit orchid Sanctuary
which is lying south of the
institute. This Sanctuary
contains over 450 indigenous
species. Sikkim is
considered paradise for
orchid lovers. After the
visit of sanctuary we walk
through the bazaar of
Bangkok through the area of
old palace and visit the
monastery Gylwa. The main
attraction of our excursion
remains today the monastery
of Rumtek. Rumtek monastery
was built as a true copy of
a Tibetan monastery in
recent years. Armtek is
headquartering of Red hat
sect of Tibetan Lamaistic
Buddhism.
Days 10 :
This day we have a long way
ahead (around 8 hours) as we
will be leaving India and
crossing the border between
India and Bhutan. After your
immigration formalities are
cleared by the help of Indo
Vacations representative we
shall proceed to the hotel
on the Bhutanese territory.
The rest of the day at
leisure at the hotel.
Days 11 :
We have a drive today
through the hilly area of
Bhutan to Thimphu, today's
capital city of Bhutan. In
the evening there will be a
welcome festival by the team
of Indo Vacations in the
hotel.
Days 12 :
In the fertile valley of the
Wang chu river, the capital
Thimphu is an engaging blend
of the old and the new. The
capital's most striking
visual landmark is the
magnificent Taschichho-Dzong,
which is the seat of the
Royal Government and Central
Monastic Body. We visit
today the national library
to see the collection of
rare and precious collection
of Buddhism. Today we also
visit a painting school and
the center of the
traditional medicines. In
the evening we visit the
Taschichho-Dzong and
Memorial Chorten. The
postage stamps of Bhutan are
very famous. Therefore we
shall drive to the main post
office to see and buy the
stamps for our postcards.
Days 13 :
This day we drive to Punakha.
On the way to Punakha we
will cross the pass Dachu-La
Pass (3100 m). At 4,300 ft
Punakha with its
sub-tropical climate is
Bhutan's ancient capital and
winter seat of the Central
Monastic Body. Punakha has
its own festive, the Panache
Douche that concludes with
the Sera, a colorful
re-enactment of an episode
of the war against the
invading Tibetans in the
17th century. The body of
the Shabdrung, who died in
1651 while in meditation at
Punakha, is preserved at the
Dzong. After our arrival in
Punakha we shall visit the
unique Pungthang Decent
Hording Dozing, built in
1637 by the Shabdrung. The
Dzong is situated on a
triangular spit of land at
the confluence of the Mo chu
and Pho chu river.
Days 14 :
This day we will drive to
Bumthang. The valleys of
Bumthang are known for their
beauty, temples and palaces
of historical significance.
Bumthang offers some of the
best treks in Bhutan,
ranging from easy walks in
the idyllic countryside to
extended treks to explore
hidden alpine valleys, where
the warm, unquestioning
hospitality of the people
and the pristine beauty of
the land belong to another
age.
Days 15 :
This day we have enough time
to discover the town of
Bumthang. As distances are
not very long we will walk
to some of the monasteries (Lamey
Gompa, the Lashings of Jape,
Keri, Tasting Lashing). In
the afternoon we leave the
tropical jungle area and
drive through the Auto-La
pass (3400 m) to Tongsa.
Days 16 :
Ancestral home of Bhutan's
ruling dynasty and site of
Bhutan's most impressive
fortress, Tongs is a
strategically located town
on the east-west route. The
sprawling Dozing is built on
a spur and the view of the
Mangle river valley extends
for many kilometers. We will
visit the Doing of Tongs,
which is one of the most
famous impressive one in the
country. In the afternoon we
will drive again to Panache.
Days 17 :
Paro is the site of Bhutan's
only airport and is the most
beautiful western valley.
Besides the colourful spring
tsechu (festival), Paro has
a number of sights and
monuments to enthrall the
visitor. The pastoral beauty
of Paro valley, magnificent
views of Mount Jhwmolhari,
the incredible monastery of
Tartan which clings to a
sheer rock cliff, the ruins
of Drukgyel Dzong (fortress
of the victorious Drupas)
and the National Museum,
housed in an ancient
watchtower, are a few of the
attractions that make Paro
one of the high-points of
any holiday in Bhutan. If we
happen to be during the
festival time in Paro the
sightseeing of Paro will
start in the early morning
so that we enjoy the most of
the festival.
Days 18 :
This day we start our day by
visiting the National
Museum. After the visit of
the National museum we go
for an excursion to Takstang
monastery. In April 1998 a
fire destroyed the main
structure of Tatiana
Monastery, perhaps Bhutan's
most photographed and famous
site, perched on the side of
a cliff 900m above the
valley floor. It is also
known as 'tiger's nest'
because Guru Rinpoche is
said to have flown to the
site on the back of a
tigress in the eighth
century. It has been one of
the kingdom's most sacred
sites ever since, and will
be rebuilt in its original
style once an auspicious
date has been chosen.
Days 19 :
This day we leave the
country of dragons and drive
early morning to the
airport. We fly with Bhutan
Air from Paro to Kathmandu.
On arrival in Kathmandu
transfer to the hotel. The
remainder of the day has
been left free.
Days 20 :
After breakfast we drive to
Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is one
of the oldest cities in
Kathmandu valley. It is well
known as Living Museum. Old
brick paved enclave of old
Royal palace, Nyathapola
Temple, Datatriya temple
exquisite artwork offers a
picture of the grandeur of
medieval Nepal. It is very
famous for woodcarving and
pottery products. We then
proceed on tour of
Changunarayan: This is one
of the oldest Hindu temples
in Kathmandu valley that
exists in the valley dating
back to the 4th century then
evening we drive to
Nagarkot. Nagarkot is
situated (2300m) above the
sea level. This spot
provides an excellent view
of the sunset and Mt.
Everest can be seen on a
clear day.
Days 21 :
Wake up early to watch the
sunrise spectacular down the
first rays of the sun firing
the peaks a hilliest red
slowly lighting of the
Himalayas from Kanchenjunga
and Everest in the far east
of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri
in the west. After breakfast
we'll drive to Dhulikhel.
Which is situated (1700m)
from sea level and 30-kms
north of Kathmandu. This is
perfect place to see the
sunset, sunrise & Himalayan
ranges. Afternoon enjoy the
optional activities such as
hiking to Navabouddha,
Buddhists call it "Tamangligi",
the famous Buddhist spot,
where Lord Buddha (on 7th
re-incarnation) sacrificed
his body to hungry Tigress
and its cubs then return to
hotel.
Days 22 :
After breakfast we drive to
Daksinkali to see the animal
sacrifices. Daksinkali
temple located at the
foothills south of the
valley is the most important
venue of animal sacrifices
to the goddess Kali.
En-route we visit Pharping
Monastery & Chovar Gorge.
The Buddhist history says,
Milerapa from Tibet took one
night shelter in the cave,
and accordingly blessed this
monastery. Hindus have their
version that it was Pancha
Pandav who had visited this
place. The Chovar gorge
which god Manjushree to
create the Kathmandu valley
drained the waters of
primeval lake. We then
finally visit to Patan
Durbar Square. Patan Durbar
Square is one of the
beautiful Durbar Square in
Kathmandu valley. It is very
famous for woodcarving,
Metal works, Temples and
Monasteries. Tour of Patan
includes tour of Krishna
temple, Patan king’s palace,
Golden temple and much more.
Days 23 :
After breakfast you will
have some free time until
the time to leave the
international airport for
your final departure.
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18 DAYS SIKKIM - DARJEELING & BHUTAN TOUR
