Special Sikkim-Bhutan Tour
Trip Info
When to Visit
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- Average time to visit
Trip Overview
The two tiny Himalayan nations, the Kingdom of Bhutan and Sikkim, which belongs to India, have retained an air of romantic exclusivity to this day. Removed from the present and nestled amidst a fantastic mountain backdrop, Sikkim and Bhutan are absolute dream destinations not only for alpinists, mountain lovers, and those interested in Buddhism and its history. Bhutan, where the right to happiness is enshrined in the country's constitution, is one of the last refuges where ancient tantric traditions have survived. The chortens scattered throughout the landscape and the fluttering prayer flags all testify to vibrant Buddhist traditions and fascinate visitors as much as the friendly people and the impressive architecture. One of our popular tour guide Shankar or Ketan accompanies us on our comprehensive cultural and educational tour. The Mongar Teshu monastery festival, with its colorful masked dances, is surely just one of the many highlights of our special tour.
Trip Highlights
- Comprehensive cultural study tour through two authentic Himalayan kingdoms with Christian Oertel
- In Sikkim, we visit the important monasteries of Tashiding and Pemayangste
- Darjeeling with its tea plantations and a ride on the legendary Toy Train
- Visit to the Tibetan Institute with its extensive collection of tangas and literary documents in Gangtok
- Overland trips to Bhutan
- Visit to the Takstang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
- Experience the Mongar Temple Festival with its masked dances
Itinerary
Upon arrival at New Delhi International Airport meet to our representative and transfer to hotel near by airport.
After breakfast an early breakfast transfer to airport & fly to Bagdora and then continue to Darjeeling (95 km, approx. 3 hours). The rest of the day is at our leisure.
Breakfast and dinner included
An early start to the day awaits us. We want to be at the Tiger Hill viewpoint in time for sunrise to admire the third highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga. On our way back to the hotel, we visit the Ghoom Monastery. After a hearty breakfast, we begin our sightseeing tour of Darjeeling. We visit the Zoological Garden, home to animal species adapted to alpine life and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. We also take a short ride on the Toy Train. This unique mountain railway project was initiated in 1878 by Sir Ashley Eden and is now a World Heritage Site.
Breakfast, dinner included
Today we travel to Pemayangste, which takes approximately 5 hours. After our lunch, a short drive takes us to the entrance of the ruins of Rabdentse Palace. From here, we enjoy a short walk through the jungle to the ruins of the palace, which was founded by the 2nd Chogyal of Sikkim, Tensung Namgyal, in 1670 and destroyed by the invading Nepalese army in 1814. A short hike (2 km) takes us to Pemayangste Monastery, the oldest and most important monastery in Sikkim.
Breakfast, dinner included
We depart for Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim (123 km, approx. 5 hours). En route, we visit
Tashiding Monastery, one of Sikkim's holiest and most important monasteries.
Breakfast and dinner included
In the morning, we visit Roomtek Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in the eastern Himalayas. After our visit, we continue to the picturesque Lepcha village of Rey Mindu, where
traditional agriculture and ancient practices still exist. We take a walk through the lush rice paddies and discover the 100-year-old traditional Lepcha houses. Back in Gangtok, we visit the Dro-Dul Chorten and the Tibetan Institute with an extensive collection of tangkhas and literary documents.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Today, a longer drive awaits us to Phuntsholing, the border town between India and Bhutan (250 km, approx. 7 hours). After our immigration formalities, we check in to our hotel.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
In the morning, we continue our journey to Paro (145 km, approx. 5 hours). On our way, we stop at the Kharbandi Monastery. In the afternoon, we visit the Paro Museum.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
A highlight of our trip is certainly the visit to the Taktsang Monastery, the "Tiger's Nest" clinging to a rock face. Our hike today will take about 5 hours in total.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Today we travel to Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan (65 km, approx. 2 hours). Upon arrival, we will enjoy a comprehensive tour of the Drubthob Goema, Zilukha Nunnery, the Bhutan Museum, National Memorial Chorten (Stupa), and Trashichhoe Dzong, the royal residence. Just outside of Thimpu, we will visit Buddha Point, a viewpoint with a magnificent view over the Thimpu Valley. We will also visit a painting and art studio, the Zorig Chusum Institute, and gain insight into the art of thanka painting.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
We travel to Punakha via scenic mountain roads and the Dochu La Pass. Upon our arrival, we visit Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century fortress at the confluence of the Pho and Mo Chu Rivers.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
On our journey to Bumthang (190 km, approx. 9 hours), we cross the Pele La Pass (3,988 m). We stop at several viewpoints and visit Chendbji Chorten, the Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong. From our last pass crossing of the day, the Yutong La Pass (3,400 m), we have a beautiful view over the Bumthang Valley. After our arrival, we have the opportunity to visit a traditional weaving workshop.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
We spend a day in Bumthang. In the morning, we visit Jagar Dzong, the temple Hakar Lhakhang, and Tamshing Lhakhang, with some of Bhutan's oldest murals. In the afternoon, we hike to the picturesque Bumthang Valley (approx. 3-4 hours). Our destination is Pelsing Gompa, a hilltop monastery.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
We reach Mongar in eastern Bhutan via the Thrumshinlga Pass, the second highest pass in Bhutan (3,780 m). (206km, approx. 6.5 hours)
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Today we experience the Mongar Festival with its colorful masked dances.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Continue to Trashigang (70km, approx. 2 hours). Visit Trashigang Dzong, built in 1659 by Trongsa Penlop Minjur Tenpa, the dzong served as an administrative center and monastery for centuries. We can also attend the Trashigang Festival celebrations in the afternoon.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Today we travel via Kanglung to Samdrup Jongkhar, the border town between Bhutan and India (175 km, approx. 6 hours).
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
After re-entering India and completing immigration formalities, we drive to Guwahati Airport (105 km, approx. 3 hours) and fly back to Delhi. Rooms in a hotel near the airport are available to us until our transfer for our return flight.
Breakfast included
Trip Cost Includes
- Domestic flights from Delhi to Bagdogra & Guwahati to Delhi, including all taxes and fees.
- English speaking guide (2 separate guide one for India part and second for Bhutan part)
- All activities as per above program including Toy train
- All land transport services with ac vehicle & English-speaking chauffeur.
- Accommodation in hotels of the same standard (national category) or equivalent as per the tour itinerary.
- Transfers, sightseeing, tours, and adventure program, including entrance fees.
Trip Cost Excludes
- Any personal expenses, international flight, Visa fee, tip, laundry, we are not responsible for any nature calamities (as road block, heavy rain, land slide, traffic jam etc).
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