Custom tour between Sikkim and Bhutan

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Bagdogra – Darjeeling

  Your arrival at Bagdogra airport, where your driver will be waiting to take you to Darjeeling through lush jungle and tea plantations.

• day 2

  Darjeeling

  Wake up early in the morning and head to the famous Tiger Hill (11 km) to admire the sunrise over the summit of Kangchenjunga (weather permitting). Tiger Hill is famous for offering a panoramic view of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga together. At the first rays of the sun, you can see the peaks painted in shades of pink and orange. After enjoying this breathtaking sunrise, return to Darjeeling. On the way, visit the Ghoom Monastery, which is known for its magnificent thangkas. The monastery holds some rare Buddhist manuscripts. Next, you visit the Peace Pagoda, another major tourist attraction in Darjeeling. The place is said to be a symbol of peace and spirituality. There is a Buddhist temple and a monastery located near the Peace Pagoda. Built in the traditional Japanese style, they offer a serene atmosphere for meditation. You cannot miss the Toy Train of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a steam train listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 1999. It offers a breathtaking view of the mountains, valleys, forests, tea gardens, and local villages along the way. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  Darjeeling – Pemayangtse

  Ascent along the Rangit river and arrival at Pemayang. Visit of the beautiful monastery, admirably located, belonging to the Nyingmapa school.

• day 4

  Pemayangtse – Gangtok

  Stopover in Tashiding, visit of the monastery and the village. Stop at the Rumtek Monastery (seat of the Karmapa). Very beautiful architecture of Tibetan origin. Check-in at your hotel and the rest of the afternoon at your disposal to visit the Enchey Monastery, famous for its pagoda roofs. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  Gangtok

  You will depart for the Orchid Sanctuary. The sanctuary is famous for its rare collection of orchids: more than 454 different species. Visit the small Ganesh temple, popularly known as Ganesh Tok. It can only accommodate one person at a time and offers a magnificent view of Raj Bhawan, the Kanchunjunga, and the surrounding valley. A visit to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is an excellent way to become familiar with Tibetan culture. Considered the highest seat of learning among Mahayana scholars, this institute was built in 1958 and is today a famous global center for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion. It houses the largest collected works in the world as well as rare manuscripts on the theme of Mahayana Buddhism. In addition to this collection, the museum has more than 200 Buddhist icons, ancient paintings, thangkas, statues, shrines, tapestries, masks, and other religious works of Tibetan art. The Institute has also preserved about 30,000 volumes, most in the form of xylographs. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  Gangtok – Kalimpong

  Road to the picturesque town of Kalimpong, perched on its hill and famous for its renowned colleges, where the children of the best families from Calcutta, Tibet, Sikkim, or Bhutan studied. Colorful market, frequented by many Tibetans.

• day 7

  Kalimpong – Jaigaon

  Descent along the river to reach Jaigaon, an Indian town forming the border with Bhutan. In total, 5h of driving through beautiful forests and the immense tea or rice plantations of the Indian plain.

• day 8

  Jaigaon - Thimphu

  Entry into Bhutan at Phuntsoling. From there, the road climbs, turn after turn, towards Chhuka, Simtokha then Thimphu (2300 m, 6h drive). Very beautiful landscapes and typical architecture of the villages crossed.

• day 9

  Thimphu

  Visit of the Bhutanese capital: Tashichhodzong, painting school, Folk Heritage Museum, monasteries. Stroll through the colorful shopping streets of the city.

• day 10

  Thimphu - Punakha

  Route to Dochu La (3050 m); view of the Bhutan Himalayas and its peaks over 7000 meters. Descent through the forest to Lobesa, then Punakha. Discovery of the village and the dzong.

• day 11

  Punakha - Tongsa

  Continue to Tongsa via Pele La (3400 m). Stop at Gantey, an important Nyingmapa monastery, built on top of a hill. Arrival in Tongsa.

• day 12

  Tongsa - Bumthang

  Tongsa; visit of the Ta Dzong, former watchtower with very old chapels. Road to Bumthang (2h). Stop at Zugne, a village famous for its wool weavings called yathras, with particularly bright colors. Arrival in Bumthang.

• day 13

  Bumthang

  Visit to the main monasteries of the Bumthang valley: Jampa Lhakhang, Kurje. Walk towards Tangbi (2h), a temple built by the fourth Shamarpa in a very beautiful valley. Visit of Tamshing, founded in 1501 by Pemalingpa. Stop at the Swiss farm. Return at the end of the day.

• day 14

  Bumthang - Tongsa

  Last walk in the pretty Bumthang valley. Return to Tongsa.

• day 15

  Tongsa - Wangdiphodrang

  Back to the west. Stop at the great Chendebji chorten, built in the Nepalese style. Crossing of Pele La and arrival in Wangdiphodrang in the afternoon. Visit of the village and the market.

• day 16

  Wangdiphodrang – Paro

  Return to Thimphu. On the way, stop at Simtokha, the first dzong built in Bhutan (1627). School for young monks. Lunch in Thimphu. Free afternoon in the Bhutanese capital for sightseeing or shopping. Transfer to Paro.

• day 17

  Paro

  Visit of the valley: Drukyel Dzong, which offers a superb view of Jomolhari (7320 m). Optional walk to Taksang (3h), a temple hanging on a cliff of more than 1000 meters. Visit of the village; Paro dzong and Ta Dzong, a very interesting national museum in terms of archaeology and iconography (numerous thangkas, books, fabrics, and ancient weapons…).

• day 18

  Paro - Kathmandu

  Road to Paro airport and flight to Kathmandu. Start of the city tour.

• day 19

  Kathmandu and its valley

  Visit the magnificent Boudhanath stupa, the most important Buddhist cultural center in Kathmandu, as many refugees from Tibet stopped there and created more than 50 gompas (Tibetan monasteries). Since 1979, Boudhanath has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will then visit the Pashupatinath temple, the most important Hindu temple in Nepal, dedicated to the god Shiva. The original core dates back to the 6th century BC and is known for its pagoda-shaped architecture. This place, also known as Little Benares, is located along the Bagmati River. At the end of our day, we will stop at Swayambhunath, one of the greatest pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. A beautiful view of the Kathmandu valley, illuminated by the glow of the sunset, will be offered to us.

• day 20

  Kathmandu

  Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule and end of our services.