Day By Day Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Delhi IGI Airport. On arrival, met by representative and transferred to hotel. Overnight hotel at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi Bagdogra-Darjeeling: Morning after breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Domestic airport, Fly Delhi-Bagdogra. On arrival met by the Safari team at the airport and drive (03 Hrs) to Darjeeling (2135 m) one of the most fascinating hill station of India which was built by the British in 18th Century. The town is still dotted with old English buildings which were used by the British as summer retreats. On arrival check in hotel.
Day 03: Darjeeling: Early morning wake up around 0430 hrs and drive for about 30 minutes to see the dawn views over the Kanchenjunga (8,548 m) massive and other Eastern Himalayan peak from the Famous Tiger Hill, incidentally Tiger Hill is the highest point of this area (2,540 m) and is about 11 km from Darjeeling. On return one visits the famous Ghoom monastery, which is one of the most famous monasteries in Darjeeling, it also enshrines an image of "MAITREYA BUDDHA". Return to Hotel in time for breakfast. After breakfast we commence local sightseeing, visiting Botanical Gardens, Observatory Hill, Planters Club, Bhutia Busty Monastery. Return to Hotel for Lunch. Afternoon visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the First home of the famous climber Tenzing Norgay. HMI, also has a small museum which houses all the equipment used on the First successful expedition on Everest lead by Tenzing Norgay & Sir Edmund Hillary From here one drive to a nearby Tea Estate to get a first hand experience of the Famous Darjeeling Tea. Return to Hotel in the evening. Meals & overnight at Hotel.
Day 04: Darjeeling-Pemayangtse: After breakfast commence drive for Pemayangtse (2,045 m), the drive takes about 06 - 07 hrs. The first part of the drive is through some very spectacular Tea Gardens over a gradually descending road. The later part of the drive we follow the mighty Rangit river, which is one of the main tributaries of the Teesta river. Pemayangtse, lies in the west part of Sikkim overlooking the mighty Kanchenjunga range. Enroute we stop at Jorethang for an early lunch. Pemayangtse, monastery is one of the states oldest and important monasteries. It was originally founded in 1705 but was totally damaged in the earthquake of 1913 & 1960. It has been constructed several times and belongs to the Tantric NYINGMAPA SECT. On arrival in Pemayangtsee by late afternoon, check into Hotel. Late afternoon visit Pemayangtsee monastery. Dinner & Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05: Pemayangtse-Martham: After breakfast we commence drive towards Martham (1,800 m) 04 hours. Meals and overnight at resort.
Day 06: Martham-Gangtok: Commence drive to Gangtok (1,600m)06 hours, through the heart of Sikkim. The drive is over a winding road and occasionally passes through the Cardamom plantations and Orange orchards. En route we stop to visit a monastery. We arrive in Gangtok by late afternoon. Gangtok, is the capital of the tiny Shangri-la and is dotted with some very interesting Monasteries, The Kings Palace (which is out of bounds for the outside world) and numerous other interesting places. Evening is at leisure for one gets the first glimpse of this beautiful place. Meals & overnight at Hotel.
Day 07: Gangtok-Phuntsholing: In the morning drive to Phuntsholing and upon arrival met by representative and will help with immigration formalities and later check-in at hotel Druk. Dinner and overnight at hotel Druk.
Day 08: Phuentsholing - Thimphu: After breakfast drive to Thimphu (4 hrs). The road to Thimphu winds itself through some spectacular country of mountains, rivers and water falls. The journey should start around 8:00 am, so as to reach Thimpu comfortably by 1:00 or 1: 30 pm. One can break journey at Taktichu or at Chhukha, the Hyde installation on the Chhukha river. Both places have facilities for refreshments and public conveniences. The capital of the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan, Thimphu, is situated at 7500 feet and is the hub of all major activity. It is the only world capital without traffic lights. Thimphu's main shopping street is a delight not so much for what you can buy there, but for the picture sequences of the architecture and national costume. Beautiful weaves in wool, silk and cotton, basketwork, silver jewelry, thangkas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available in various Handicraft Emporiums.
Day 09: Thimphu: Morning after breakfast visit to the National Library, Zelukha Nunnery, Painting School, Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion) and Memorial Chorten. Afternoon, stroll through Thimphu town. Dinner and overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Day 10: Thimphu to Punakha (1350 m): Morning after breakfast drive to Punakha via Dochula -Pass 3150 we stop for lunch at Punakha. Visits includes the exquisite Punakha Dzong, which it was the old capital of Bhutan. On the 17th December 1907, the first king of Bhutan was crowned here and every consecutive year on this date we celebrate national day in Bhutan. After visiting the Dzong drive further to do a mini hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten and once you reach the top you will see the winding view of the Mo-Chu River and villages below. If you look towards the north you will see the snow capped mountains.
Day 11: Punakha to Paro : Morning after breakfast a half an hour drive takes us to Wangdue Phodrang. Just before the district of Wangdue Phodrang we do a village walk to the divine Madman monastery. This is the only monastery which belongs to him and reveals about his unorthodox teachings. This Saint from Tibet who came to Bhutan in 15th century to introduce the Drukpa Kagyugpa sect of Buddhism to our country built this monastery; he is known as the Lama Drukpa kuenley and called the divine mad man. His sexual nature and jokes were to be a very unique of spreading the religion to the local communities From here further drive to the Punatsangchu check point where we halt for a short time for the checking formalities. After crossing the bridge we drive to Paro via Thimphu. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Paro-Delhi-Home: Early morning drive to Paro Airport, Fly Paro-Delhi. Evening transfer to International airport fly Delhi-Home.
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