EASTERN INDIA & BHUTAN TOUR

Duration : 16 Nights / 17 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalipong - Phuntsholing - Thimpu - Paro - Calcutta

Day 01: Delhi
Arrive Delhi, Welcome and assistance upon arrival at the airport. Later transfer to the hotel.

Day 02: Delhi
Morning free to relax and adjust to the time zone .Afternoon city tour of Old & New Delhi.

Old Delhi - Visit Jamma Masque (1650 AD). Drive through fabled Chandni Chowk (Silver Street) and visit Red Fort (1639 - 48 AD) built by builder of Taj Mahal - Emperor Shahjehan and famous for its delicately carved inlaid and marbled royal chambers. Raj Ghat where father of the nation memorial museum, Firoz Shah Kotla (1354 AD) ruins of the fortress and the Ashok Pillar (300 BC).

New Delhi - Visit Humayun's Tomb (1565 AD) aptly called predecessor of Taj Mahal. Drive past Safdarjung's Tomb (1753 AD), 72 meter high Qutub Minar (12th Century AD) - One of the most perfect towers in the world, nearby amidst the ruins of Quwate-Islam mosque stands the iron pillar which does not rust and has stood the vagaries of weather for 1500 years. Orientation drive through New Delhi viewing Embassy area (Diplomatic Enclave); Government Buildings ( 1921 -30 AD), Central Secretariat, Parliament House, Visit India Gate (1921 Ad).Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03: Delhi - Darjeeling
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Bagdogra. Arrive Bagdogra and transfer to Darjeeling By Toy Train ( Apprx.5 hours ).Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Darjeeling Himalayn Railway : The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is lovingly called the "Toy Train". The journey to Darjeeling is regarded as among the most spectacular in the world. Travellers are awed by both the scenery as well as the railway line which is truly an engineering masterpiece and without doubt one of the wonders of the world. The history of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is equally fascinating.

The whole railway track from Siliguri to Darjeeling is considered an engineering marvel. In 51 miles of track it climbes from near sea level to about 7,400 ft. altitude. To attain this climb engineers have used "loop" and "zig-zag reverses". In "loop" the railway track circles round and passes over itself by a bridge, thereby quickly attaining higher elevation. In "zig-zag reverse" for obtaining the same result by running the track back diagonally up the hillside for a short distance, and then again resuming an alignment parallel to the original alignment but higher up. There are no tunnels, as a result the railway line has very sharp curves depending on the contour of the mountain

Day 04: Darjeeling
Early morning visit Tiger Hill to watch the spectacular sunrise, where the sun's ray turns orange-gold bringing into the light and its amazing Ghoom Monastery and Batashia Loop War Memorial while returning to the hotel.

Afternoon city tour of Darjeeling, covering Padmaja and Zoological Garden, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tibetian Refugee Self-help Center and visit to all the local market (City Life). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Darjeeling
Full day free in Darjeeling to explore its tea, rose gardens. Overnight at the hotel.

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Day 06: Darjeeling - Gangtok
Morning drive to Gangtok ( Apprx.5 hours ) in the state of Sikkim also known as the queen of Himalayas at an altitude of 7,000 feet. Tucked in the foothills of Himalayas, it is Himalayan wonderland with its lovely views, exotic orchids, forest trails and adventure sports. Upon arrival check -in at the hotel. Rest of the day free to walk around the marketplace. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07: Gangtok
Morning city tour of Gangtok. Visit Chorten one of the most sacred stupas surrounded by 108 prayer wheels, Deer park, Enchey Monastery, Orchid Sanctuary, Research Institute of Tibetology, Dharma Chakra Centre. Afternoon Free. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08: Gangtok - Kalimpong
Morning drive to Kalimpong (Apprx. 4 hours ).Upon arrival checkin at the hotel. Afternoon visit Zong Dog Palri Monastery, Arts and crafts centre and the Flower Nursery.

Explore the town and it's ethnic market place.

KALIMPONG -The first thing that strikes the traveler visiting Kalimpong is its quiet atmosphere. The peaceful ambience that pervades is heightened by the presence of monasteries and churches across the town. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09: Kalimpong
Morning city tour of Kalimpong. This enchanting town, once ruled by Bhutan is a melting pot of Buddhist, Christians and Hindus. Visit the Raja Dorje market and Tibetan monasteries. Afternoon free. Overnight at the hotel .

Day 10: Kalimpong - Phuntsholing
Morning drive to Phuntsholing (Apprx.6 hours ) situated on the Indo - Bhutan border. Upon arrival check -in at the hotel.

Phuntsholing - This small modern. town in the south is the gateway of Bhutan for overland travellers. Like all other border towns, it is only a prelude. Phuntsholing is fascinating mixture of Bhutanese and Indian, a lively centre for the mingling people, languages, costumes and goods. On top of a low hill at nearby Kharbandi, a small Gompa situated in a garden of tropical plants and flowers, overlooks the town and surrounding plains.

Evening walk along the Phuntsholing Bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Phuntsholing - Thimpu
Morning drive to Thimpu (Apprx.7 hours ) passing through splendid Bhutanese houses, temples and Kharbandi Gompa - a Buddhist monastery. Upon arrival check - in at the hotel.

Thimpu - is a small, charming capital city sandwiched in the heart of the Himalayas. It sits in its own valley fanning out from the river. The skyline hardly changes as new buildings are all constructed under zoning regulations. Thimphu's development is strictly monitored and buildings cannot exceed a certain height, nor can they be designed in anything but the traditional Bhutanese style.

Afternoon free to walk around the city. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 : Thimpu
Morning city tour of Thimpu. Walk around the vibrant and colorful market where local Bhutanese are seen carrying on their daily routines dressed in traditional costumes. Visit King Wangchuk's memorial, Taschichho Dzong and Bhutanese handicraft centers. Afternoon free. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Thimpu - Punakha - Thimpu
Full day visit to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan passing through the breathtaking view of snow cloud Himalayas via Dochula Pass at 10, 500 ft. Visit the Punakha Dzong the Buddhist architecture built in 1637 at the confluence of Phochu and Mochu. Evening return to your hotel in Thimpu. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Thimpu - Paro
Morning drive to Paro (Apprx.2 hours) through picturesque mountain and valley view stopping at a Bhutanese farm house. Arrive Paro and check-in at the hotel.

PARO- Paro is home to the national museum and watchtower to one of the oldest and most celebrated dzongs in all Bhutan. Afternoon free. Overnight at the hotel.

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Day15 :Paro
Full day city tour of Paro. This magnificent terraced valley of Bhutan boats of its rich and pure ancient culture and heritage. Visit Ta Dzong a national museum, Drukgyel Dzong and see of the amazing ancient artwork. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16: Paro - Calcutta / Delhi
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to airport for flight to Calcutta or Delhi. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 17: Calcutta / Delhi - Onward Destination
Transfer to airport for flight to your onward destination /Optional Extension tour.

TOUR ENDS

IMPORTANT : Sequence of the itinerary subject to change without notice due to airline schedule changes or any other circumstances beyond our control.


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