North East India and Bhutan 16-day
Table of Content
- Overview
- At a glance
- Detail Itinerary
- Day 1 - Arrive Kolkata
- Day 2 - Visit Kolkata
- Day 3 - Kolkata to Bagdogra, Darjeeling
- Day 4 - In Darjeeling
- Day 5 - Darjeeling to Pelling
- Day 6 - In Pelling
- Day 7 - Pelling to Gangtok
- Day 8 - In Gangtok
- Day 9 - Gangtok to Kalimpong
- Day 10 - Kalimpong, Bagdogra to Kolkata
- Day 11 - Kolkata, Paro to Thimphu
- Day 12 - In Thimphu
- Day 13 - Thimphu to Punakha
- Day 14 - Punakha to Paro
- Day 15 - In Paro
- Day 16 - Paro Flight to Kolkata, departure
- What’s included
- What’s not included
- Enquiry
Overview
This 15-nights itinerary starts from Kolkata and ends in Paro. Highlights are colonial influence in Kolkata, monasteries in Darjeeling, Gangtok and Pelling, Tiger’s Nest in Paro, Dochula Pass also Indian and Bhutanese culture on this wonderful 2 weeks.
At a glance
| DATE | SERVICE | ACCOMMODATION |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Meet an greet at Kolkata airport | The Kenilworth - Meals: BB |
| Day 2 | Visit of Kolkata | The Kenilworth - Meals: BB |
| Day 3 | Kolkata to Bagdogra | Elgin - Meals: BB |
| Day 4 | In Darjeeling | Elgin - Meals: BB |
| Day 5 | Darjeeling to Pelling | Elgin Mount Pandim - Meals: BB |
| Day 6 | In Pelling | Elgin Mount Pandim - Meals: BB |
| Day 7 | Pelling to Gangtok | Elgin Norkhill Hotel - Meals: BB |
| Day 8 | In Gangtok | Elgin Norkhill Hotel - Meals: BB |
| Day 9 | Gangtok to Kalimpong | Elgin Silver Oaks - Meals: BB |
| Day 10 | Kalimpong to Bagdogra to Kolkata | At Hotel - Meals: BB |
| Day 11 | Kolkata, Paro to Thimphu | Kisa hotel - Meals: FI |
| Day 12 | In Thimphu | Kisa hotel Meals: FI |
| Day 13 | Thimphu to Punakha | Meri Puensum - Meals: FI |
| Day 14 | Punakha to Paro | Tashi Namgyal - Meals: FI |
| Day 15 | In Paro | Tashi Namgyal - Meals: FI |
| Day 16 | Paro – Kolkata - Departure |
GLOSSARY
- BB = Bed and breakfast
- FI = Fully inclusive
Detail Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Kolkata
Arrive at Kolkata Airport. Kolkata, on the Hooghly, retains the aura of days long gone, weaving the past and the present, the intense and the fun loving into a charming fabric. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at the hotel. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 2 - Visit Kolkata
This morning you would be taken for the Heritage Walk of Dalhousie Square. The walk takes place in the morning so that you can leisurely take in the architecture and history of the city’s many unique and spectacular buildings without any traffic on the roads. Later proceed for city tour visiting the Victoria Memorial (remains closed on Monday). Proceed for Kali Temple, which is the most profound Hindu Temple in the region. Evening visit Kumartuli, meaning "potter locality", is over 300 years old. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 3 - Kolkata to Bagdogra, Darjeeling
Morning transfer to Kolkata Airport to board flight for Bagdogra, departure 10:25 hrs / Arrive 11:30 hrs. Upon arrival in Bagdogra you will be met by our representative and later by surface you will travel to Darjeeling, also fondly known as the "Queen of hill stations", is nestled in the Himalayas and is famous for its tea production and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at the hotel. Stay overnight at hotel.
Distance and Time of Travel is 1hr 5m by air and 72kms / 2hrs30m – By private car
Day 4 - In Darjeeling
Early morning proceed to visit Tiger hill 2590 meters to view the sunrise on Kanchenjunga. Later visit to Ghoom Monastery. In the afternoon, you will be taken for a half day sightseeing tour of Darjeeling – visiting Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Wind up your day with a visit to the Tibetan Refugee Centre – started on 1st Oct. 1959.
Day 5 - Darjeeling to Pelling
Morning by surface travel to Pelling. Pelling located on the foothills of Kanchendzonga is the second biggest touristic destination in Sikkim after Gangtok. Pelling offers mesmeric views of the Kanchendzonga and surrounding ranges. The place has a number of waterfalls along the hillside. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Stay overnight at hotel.
Distance & Time of Travel: 110km / 4hrs
Day 6 - In Pelling
Morning enjoy sightseeing of Pelling visiting to Pemayangtse Monastery and Rabadantse. Pemayangtse Monastery was built in year 1705 A.D. by Gyalwa Lhatsun Namkha Jigme. Pemayangtse literally means 'Perfect Sublime Lotus'. You will experience beautiful views of Kanchendzonga range from Pemayangtse. Rabadantse was the erstwhile royal capital of Sikkim. The ruins can be accessed by a two km trek from Pelling. Stay overnight at hotel
Day 7 - Pelling to Gangtok
Morning by surface travel to Gangtok. the capital city of Sikkim; is a beautiful hill station nestled in the clouds and surrounded by plush greenery, deep valleys and scenic view of the Kanchenjunga. Gangtok is famous for its monasteries, stupas and the picturesque view of the Himalayas. The city acts as an epicenter for travelers who wish to explore Sikkim. Rest of the day is at leisure. Stay overnight at hotel.
Distance & Time of Travel: 127km / 6hrs
Day 8 - In Gangtok
Morning enjoy full day sightseeing tour of Gangtok visiting Rumtek Monastery, Do Drul Choren, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom and Enchey Monastery.
Enchey Monastery is one of the most important monasteries of Sikkim. It is almost 200 years old and is a residence for about 90 monks.. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 9 - Gangtok to Kalimpong
Morning by surface travel to Kalimpong. Kalimpong is a small hill station between Siliguri and Gangtok. Begin sightseeing of Kalimpong with Tharpa Choling Monastery- built in 1937 belongs to the Gelupka Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and headed by the Dalai Lama. Then visit, Thongsa Gompa built in early 17th century is a Bhutanese monastery and perhaps the oldest in Kalimpong. Third in number is Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery located 03 miles from the town centre, it preserves wall paintings besides offering views of the town. Stay overnight at hotel.
Distance & Time of Travel: 90Km / 3Hrs
Day 10 - Kalimpong, Bagdogra to Kolkata
Morning transfer to Bagdogra airport to board flight for Kolkata. On arrival in Kolkata, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Evening is at leisure. Stay overnight at hotel.
Distance & Time of Travel: 80 km/ 2h by road / 1hr 15mins by air
Day 11 - Kolkata, Paro to Thimphu
Morning transfer to Kolkata International Airport to board your flight to Paro. The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Stay overnight at hotel.
Distance & Time of Travel: 2hrs by air & 55 km/ 2hrs by road
Day 12 - In Thimphu
Morning proceed for sightseeing of Thimphu visiting Buddha Point, King’s Memorial Chorten, National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum, Textile Museum, Simply Bhutan, Takin Preserve and Trashichhoe Dzong. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 13 - Thimphu to Punakha
Morning travel by surface to Punakha through Dochula Pass. Dochula pass is the most known pass in Bhutan, about 25 km drive from the Capital City Thimphu on the way to Wangduephodrang/Punakha. Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong or (Palace of Great Happiness), built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic to us, though long established here. Stay overnight at hotel.
Distance & Time of Travel: 70Kms/ 3hrs
Day 14 - Punakha to Paro
Morning enjoy excursion to Chimi Lhakhang. The Chimi Lhakhang situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. Later drive to Paro. En route visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching, this dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language. Afternoon visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. Evening, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. Stay overnight at hotel.
Distance & Time of Travel: 125km / 4hrs
Day 15 - In Paro
Morning enjoy excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approx. 5 hours walk). It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. Afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. Later visit a traditional farm house. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 16 - Paro Flight to Kolkata, departure
Morning transfer to Paro International Airport to board your flight to Kolkata for your onward/return flight
What’s included
- Hotels & Meals Dbl/Twin sharing room on bed and breakfast basis
- Accommodation in Bhutan in the mentioned hotels as per the itinerary in Dbl/Twin sharing room on full board basis
- Arrival/Departure transfers as per the itinerary using AC Transports depending on the number of people traveling together
- All drives and sightseeing as per the itinerary using AC Transports depending on the number of people traveling together
- Services of English speaking local guide for sightseeing and excursions in Bhutan
- Entrances to monasteries and monuments in Bhutan
- Internal flights from Kolkata/Bagdogra/Kolkata & Kolkata/Paro/Kolkata in economy class
- Assistance on arrival and departure transfers
- Bhutan Visa fees
- All applicable government taxes
What’s not included
- Any international airfare and airport tax
- Any change in tax structure resulting from the hike in published tariff.
- Any expenses of personal nature including alcohol, laundry, gratuities etc.
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums in India
- Medical /Travel Insurances
- Gratitude and tips that you wish to pay happily
- Any expenses arising due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control.
Enquiry
- email ecoindiajourneys@gmail.com
- call +91 8800777421
- what's App