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| Destinations Covered: Paro- Punakha- Wangduephodrang - Thimphu- Phuentsholing - Darjeeling- Gangtok -Kalimpong-Bagdogra-Delhi-Kathmandu- Pokhra - Chitwan National Park-Kathmandu. | |||||
Your day to day itinerary
Day 01: Paro
Begin your tour
Land Paro International airport
Welcome to your "Himalayan Jewels- Bhutan, Sikkim & Nepal"
Vardhman's representative will meet & greet you & then will transfer you to your hotel. Relax for the remaining part of the day. Evening you may take a stroll around town's main street.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 02: Paro
Morning proceed to visit Taktshang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest. It is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the father of the Bhutanese strain of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. Taktshang was severely damaged by fire in 1998 and at present its restoration work is in progress. But tourists are still able to visit the look-out point.
In the afternoon visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons and country's exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong situated at commanding height, overlooking Paro valley. This Dzong is symbolic as the religious and secular centre of all affairs of the valley.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 03: Paro-Punakha
After breakfast drive to ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, about 18 km from the town. From this fortress, Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples of the Kingdom, reflecting the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
After that drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,050m) which heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan. Visit Punakha Dzong built in 17th century at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. It has been destroyed by four fires and an earthquake in 1897 and has frequently been devastated by flood water coming from the great northern glaciers. The Dzong has now been fully restored to its original splendor.
In the evening you may visit local market.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 04: Punakha- Wangduephodrang - Thimphu
After breakfast, drive to Wangduephodrang. The last town in the west before arriving at the central region of Bhutan. Visit Wangduephodrang -the town's formidable Dzong is its most visible feature. In the 17th century Wangdue played a critical role in unifying the western, central and southern Bhutanese districts.
In the afternoon drive to Thimphu, small charming city sandwiched in the heart of Himalayas. Thimphu's charm is not only embedded in its wealth of museums or places of historic interest but visitors must wander along the main street and into shops, all of which are decorated in traditional style. Reach & check into your hotel. In the evening you may visit local market.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 05: Thimphu
Morning visit Trashichhodzong, situated on the banks of Wang Chhu. It is home of the National Assembly & the summer residence of capital's venerated monastic community. The Dzong is the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure sanctioned by the Third King, HM Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, when he moved Bhutan's permanent capital to Thimphu.
Bhutan's National Library is located close to the Thangkha painting school and contains arguably the best collection of religious and historic literature in the Himalayas. The country has its own brand of Himalayan medicines and this can be seen at the Indigenous Hospital. The Memorial Chhorten, a pious landmark for Thimphu's residents, was erected in 1974 by the mother of Third King, in memory of her son. Visit Handicrafts Emporium which displays wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 06: Thimphu- Simtokha Dzong & Kharbandi Goemba -Phuentsholing (179 km, 6 hours)
After breakfast drive to Phuentsholing enroute visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1629, which now houses the School for Buddhist studies. Thimphu / Phuentsholing road was built in 1962 by Dantak, the Indian Border road organization. The drive on this route is very pleasant with numerous scenic spots enroute.
Also visit Kharbandi Goemba, the monastery built in 1967. It houses the large and fascinating statues of Sakyamuni, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rimpoche.
Reach Phuentsholing & check into your hotel for an overnight rest.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 07: Phuentsholing - Darjeeling (200 km, 6 hours drive)
After breakfast depart for Darjeeling driving through lush green tea garden en route. Enroute visit Siliguri, the commercial hub of North-Eastern part of India. Reach Darjeeling & check into your hotel. Relax for the remaining part of the day.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 08: Darjeeling
Full day sightseeing of Darjeeling.
Early morning sunrise view from Tiger Hill. The view from this point is unforgettable, for colours changing from grey to pink and to luminous gold. Mt. Everest (8,848m), the world's highest peak is visible from Tiger Hill but being 170 km away does not stand out as strikingly as the nearer Kanchenjunga.
After breakfast, visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the house of Late Tenzing Norgay, the sherpa who first climbed Mt. Everest with Edmund Hillary in 1953. Then visit Natural History Museum, Lloyd Botanical Garden established in 1878 and the Zoo, specializing in high altitude species.
Afternoon visit to Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre which produces and sells a wide range of Tibetan artifacts and curios. Here you can see Tibetan craftsman making traditional items like carpets, woolen boots, wood carvings and leather boots. The centre was established in 1954 to rehabilitate those refugees who had fled Tibet with Dalai Lama in the wake of the Chinese invasion.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 09: Darjeeling - Gangtok (98 km, 4.1/2 hours)
After breakfast drive to Gangtok. Reach & check into your hotel. Rest of the day free at your own, you may go for shopping and leisure activities.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 10: Gangtok
Full day sightseeing of Gangtok. Visit following places of tourist interest:
Enchey Monastery -a beautiful monastery, in an equally beautiful setting, approached along an avenue of hundreds of multi-coloured prayer flags.
Government Institute of Cottage Industries, here you can watch young students being taught the traditional art of thangkha paintings along with weaving, wood carving and carpet making.
Institute of Tibetology, housed in a beautiful building, built in traditional Tibetan style, with mural decorated columns and a wonderful smell of beeswax polish from the creaky wooden floor.
Then drive through picturesque, terraced rice fields to the headquarter of Dharma Chakra Centres (Rumtek Monastery), the present seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyupa sect. Said to be the replica of the monastery at Tsurphu. Tibet with its traditional architecture, exquisite paintings, intricate wood work, housing treasures of manuscripts and icons. Rumtek is a splendid example of Tibetan monastic art.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 11: Gangtok -Kalimpong
Morning drive to Kalimpong. Reach & check in at your hotel. Afternoon visit Tharpa Choling Monastery, belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Dalai Lama. Then drive to Deolo Hill, the highest point in Kalimpong at 5,500 ft, which offers good view of the surroudnign region. It also has two water reservoirs, the source of Kalimpong drinking water.
Then visit Zong-Dog Palri Fo-brang Monastery followed by visit to Gauripur House, the favorite retreat of Rabindra Nath Tagore who wrote many of his works here.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 12: Kalimpong- Bagdogra airport (210 km, 7 hours) -Delhi
On day 12 of your tour transfer to Bagdogra airport to board flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi airport, Vardhman representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Fresh up & then proceed to visit Delhi. Visit Qutab Minar, Humayun's tomb, Parliament House, Red fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 13: Delhi -Kathmandu by flight
This morning transfer to Delhi International airport to board flight for Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, Vardhman representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Relax for the remaining part of the day.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 14: Kathmandu
After breakfast proceed for Kathmnadu sightseeing.
Visit Swayambhunath, perhaps the most glorious stupa in the world and one of the holiest Buddhist sties in Nepal. Its establishment is linked to the creation of Kathmandu valley out of a primordial lake. The whole area around the stupa is an array to small chaityas and monsteries.
Then visit Kathmandu city, known as Kantipur; the capital of King of Nepal. Visit here the temples of living Goddess who acknowledge the greetings of devotees from the balcony of her temple residence. Kasthamandap; the source of the word Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and Durbar Square, the area holding the array of temples overlooked by Hanuman, Dhoka Palace, the ancient palace of Nepalese Royalty.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 15: Kathmandu - Pokhra
After breakfast drive to Pokhra, a very scenic drive lasting for above six hours through the beautiful riverbanks and gorges. Reach & check into your hotel. Fresh up & then see Pokhra. The major attractions of Pokhra are Pehwa Lake, Barahi Temple, Devid's fall, Bindabasini Temple and Seti Gorge.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 16: Pokhra - Chitwan National Park
After breakfast, you may enjoy a pleasant boat ride [at your own cost] in Pehwa Lake reflecting the panoramic view of Mt. Fishtail on its backdrop. Then drive to Chitwan. Reach Chitwan & check into your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 17: Chitwan National Park
Full day free to explore Chitwan National Park, most famous in Nepal which offers 450 species of birds including four species of deer, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar and many other faunal species. The park is well known of one horned Rhinoceros and it also offers shelter to Royal Bengal Tiger.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Enjoy jungle activities such as jungle walk, elephant ride and also visit to villages.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 18: Chitwan - Kathmandu
After breakfast drive back to Kathmandu (6 hours) passing through beautiful valleys. Reach & check into your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 19: Kathmandu
On day 19 of your tour see the sightseeing in Kathmandu includes, visit following places of tourist interest:
Boudhnath, this stupa stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal direction keeping watch of righteous behavior and human prosperity. It was built by King Man Deva on advice of Goddess Mani Jogini. Situated on the octagonal base inset with prayer wheels, this shrine is ringed by houses of Lamas or Buddhist priests.
Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst lush green natural settings on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river, the temple built in Pagoda style has gilted roof and richly carved silver door.
Bhaktapur City, also known as Bhadgaon, this place is the home of medieval art and architecture. Bhaktapur was founded in the 9th century and is shaped like a conch shell. Visit Durbar square with range to temples overlooking the palace of 55 windows built by King Bhupindra Malla and Nyatapola Temple.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 20: Kathmandu
This morning after breakfast transfer to Kathmandu international airport to board flight for your onward destination with sweet & pleasant memories of your tour escorted by Vardhman Vacations.
END OF VARDHMAN SERVICES
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