Tea and Thunder Dragon: Darjeeling with Bhutan
Darjeeling & Bhutan is an ideal combination for those who want to enjoy the majestic Eastern Himalayas at its best.
As soon as we hear the word “Darjeeling”, visions of snow clad peaks, lush green tea gardens, breathtaking views, majestic Kanchenjunga comes to our mind. It is popularly known as “Queen of Hills”. The finest blend of Tea comes from various tea gardens of this region. During the times of the British times, Darjeeling was to Kolkata what Shimla was to Delhi i.e. a place higher up in the north where officials and people alike could go in the summer months to cool off.
After the completion of the tour to Darjeeling, you would be driven to Bhutan “The Land of Thunder Dragon”. It also has the distinction of being the world’s happiest country. Here mountains are blanketed with lush green forests and with Buddhist temples scattered around. If you love natural beauty and stunning mountains, there is perhaps no other country in the world that can rival the pure innocence of Bhutan. Finally, add to everything the hospitality of the locals and the cuteness of the kids, the result is you get an irresistible holiday destination.
- Visit Kolkata, India’s intellectual Capital
- Feast on local Bengali Cuisine
- “Joy Ride” in Darjeeling on Darjeeling Himalayan Railways
- Opportunities to experience how the foothills grows into big Himalayan Slopes
- Visit old Monasteries and majestic fortresses including Tashichhodzong
- Explore a capital city with no traffic lights.
- Feast on Ema Datsi and Red Rice, two of the most popular dishes of Bhutan
- First-hand experience of untouched Nature and unique Culture
- Experience the Sacred Spirituality.
- Prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
- Village houses and rural life
- Shop for Silks, Souvenirs and More
- Structures adorned with Phallus paintings.
- Hike through pine forests to visit “Tiger’s Nest”
- Beautiful landscapes and spectacular Himalayan scenery.
- The must visit Dochula Pass and the Druk Wangyal Chhortens
Day 1. Arrival in Kolkata:
After the completion of immigration formalities at the Kolkata Airport, at exit door you will be received by your local representative. Afterwards you are driven to your hotel for Check-In. Rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening you have an option to go on a walk near your hotel.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Kolkata.
Day 2. Kolkata Sightseeing:
Today you would be driven in and around Kolkata covering key places of interest. After breakfast you would visit
- Victoria Memorial, a large marble palace built between 1906 to 1921 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 25-year reign in India. It is filled with vast collection of remnants from the period of British Empire Rule in India. Adjacent to the structure, you can enjoy Maidan, one of the largest urban park in the world.
- BBD Bag heritage zone (Dalhousie Square), Drive past St. James Church, Kolkata High Court, Town Hall, Governor House, Eden Garden Stadium, GPO, Writer’s Building.
- Howrah Bridge, the most prominent land mark of the City. It is one of the busiest bridge in the world and caters to more than 100000 vehicles daily.
- Indian Museum, the largest and oldest Museum India. It has huge collection of rare antiques, ornaments, fossils etc. The museum is replete with the most impressive collection of archaeological, geographical and botanical objects.
- Mother Teresa Home, a holy place of pilgrimage established by blessed Mother Teresa in 1950. Attached with the building is a small museum named ‘Mother Teresa’s Life, Spirit and Message’ which displays Mother Teresa’s worn sandals, battered enamel dinner-bowl, sari, crucifix, rosary, a few handwritten letters and spiritual exhortations.
- Kali Temple (locally known as Kalighat), devoted to Goddess Kali. It is the most prominent and popular temples in Kolkata visited by scores of devotees every day. It is one of the 52 Shaktipeeths of the Hindus.
In between, the above sightseeing, you would taste some of the most authentic Bengali cuisines. On completion of the city tour, you would be driven back to your hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Kolkata.
Day 3. Bagdogra Airport – Darjeeling:
Driving Distance: 98 Km, Driving time: 3.5 hrs., Altitude of Darjeeling: 2,045 m
Post breakfast, you would be driven to the Airport for your onwards journey to the hills. On arrival at Bagdogra Airport, you would be greeted by your guide. After lunch you would proceed to Darjeeling. On the way, you would get good vantage points from where you could appreciate the view of the Himalayas. The car would meander through the roads with sharp hairpin bends. Most of the drive you would enjoy breathtaking views of the valleys. On arrival at Darjeeling, Check-in to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to walk around this beautiful hill station especially the
- The Mall Road (Chowrasta), which originates and culminates at the Chowrasta. It is ideal for a leisurely walk around a setting that is perfect. A walk around The Mall is a must at any time of the day with the pleasant view of the mountains, valleys with rhododendron trees and old houses.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Darjeeling.
Day 4. Darjeeling Sightseeing:
Early Morning at 04:00 am drive to
- Tiger Hill, famous for its spectacular panoramic view of Mount Everest (8,848 m) and Mt. Kangchenjunga (8,586) together. Dawn is the best time to witness this marvel. The first rays of the sun shoot ahead and shed light on the twin peaks of Kangchenjunga, painting it pink and then bathing it in a beautiful orange color.
On your way back, visit
- Ghoom Monastery, the most famous Buddhist monastery around Darjeeling which belongs to Gelugpa, Yellow Sect. It was founded in the late 1800s by Lama Sherab G around Darjeeling Yatso. The most revered image in the monastery is a 5 meters/16 feet tall clay statue of the Maitreya Buddha.
After Breakfast, you would be taken for “Joy Ride” on the
- The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), nicknamed the "Toy Train" – It is a narrow-gauge railway from Siliguri to Darjeeling in West Bengal run by Indian Railway. It was built between 1879 & 1881 and is about 88 kms long. It is still powered by steam engine. UNESCO has declared the DHR as a World Heritage Site. The landscape can only be described as spectacular and view of Himalayan peaks are breathtaking. The famous Joy Ride on Toy Train ride over DHR can be enjoyed from Darjeeling to Ghoom and back. The fare also includes free entry to DHR museum at Ghoom Station. It operates 4 times in a day for the tourist only. During the Joy Ride, you would also enjoy photo stop over at
- Batasia Loop, name given to a portion of the Toy Train tracks just below Ghoom, 5 km from Darjeeling. Batasia means Windy Place. It is an engineering marvel where the railway line negotiates a graceful circle and descends 305 meters / 1000 ft. almost imperceptibly.
Lunch would be served in a local Restaurant. Rest of the day free for leisure.
Please note – The itinerary for this day may be altered depending on the “Joy Ride” schedule.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the hotel in Darjeeling.
Day 5. Darjeeling Sightseeing:
After breakfast, you would be taken for city tour covering
- Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa), located in the Jalapahar hill, the Japanese Temple is built in traditional Japanese style where you can join the prayers and feel the spiritual peace amongst humming and chants. Close to it, is the Peace Pagoda where there are four large avatars of Lord Buddha. It was established by Nipponzan Myohoji, a Japanese Buddhist order.
- Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), premier mountaineering Institute in the country established in 1954 after the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by late Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, under the personal initiative of Late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
- Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, situated adjacent to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. It is a high altitude (situated at an elevation of 2,133 m) wildlife park, where we can find Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Bear, Deer, Red Panda, Snow Leopard and Birds. It is closed on Tuesdays.
- Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre, established on 1st October 1959 to rehabilitate displaced Tibetans Refugees who had followed His Holiness, Dalai Lama, to India in early 1959. This Centre produces excellent carpets, woolen goods, wood work, leather work etc. It is closed on Sundays.
- Tea Garden (Happy Valley Tea Estate), one of the seventy tea gardens in this hilly region. This is one of the nearest Tea Garden, about 3 km from the town. Here one can see the processing of the world famous Darjeeling tea. Timing: 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. closed on Sundays (afternoon) and Mondays (full day).
You would have your lunch in a local restaurant. Post lunch, you return back to the hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Darjeeling.
Day 6. Darjeeling – Phuentsholing:
Driving Distance: 210 Km, Driving time: 5 - 6 hrs, Altitude of Phuentsholing: 293 mtrs
After breakfast Check-out from hotel on time and get transferred to Phuentsholing for onward journey. We hope by now you must have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of the Great Himalayas. The drive to Phuentsholing is very beautiful, serene and nice. During, the drive you would enjoy Lava, a small hamlet in the midst of Alpine forest. In Dooars you would be driving through lush tea gardens, dense forests and dancing rivers flowing from the mountains. The roads are generally good. You can stop at few places for taking photographs to the nature at its best. Lunch would be provided on the way in local restaurant. On arriving at Jaigaon, as we are leaving India, you would have to complete the immigration formalities at Jaigaon Check Post before entering Bhutan.
On arrival in Phuentsholing, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide with traditional “Tashi Khadar” at the Phuentsholing Gate. You should also spend time taking the photographs of the huge ornate gate that welcomes you to Bhutan. Your guide shall assist you with the Immigration Formalities and then check in to hotel. This is one the few occasions where you cross into a new country over foot. As soon as you enter Bhutan, you would notice how drastic the transition is. You leave the crowd and the congestion behind. You would notice how cleaner the roads are with little or no litter. The architects of the building, increases the feeling that you have entered into new country. Later you may choose to relax in the hotel. Alternatively, if the time permits, you may also have an option of exploring the Phuentsholing town or visiting:
- Zangtopelri Lhakhang, a small Buddhist temple situated in the heart of Phuentsholing town representing celestial abode of Guru Rinpoche. In the ground floor, there are the statues of eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche and paintings on Buddha's life. The next floor contains eight Bodhisattvas and statues of Avalokiteshvara and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The top floor consists of the main statue of Amitabha, is a celestial Buddha described in the scriptures of MahÄyÄna Buddhism
- Crocodile Centre, a collection of marsh mugger and gharial crocodiles. The center also breeds these crocodiles for release in natural reserve. The crocodiles are fed every other day at noon.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Phuentsholing.
Day 7. Phuentsholing – Thimphu:
Driving Distance: 176 Km, Driving time: 5 - 6 hrs., Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 mtrs.
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. A few kilometers ahead, visit the
- Kharbandi Goemba, a monastery was founded by the Royal Grand Mother, Ashi Phuntsho Choden in the year 1967. The Monastery lies at an altitude of 400 m. It contains paintings on the life of Buddha, statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpoche. A fascinating view of Phuentsholing town and surrounding plains can be seen from the Monastery garden.
Drive further to Thimphu. For the way, it is preferable that you carry your own snacks, fruits and water as villages you past, may not have what you want. On the way you shall see and experience how the plains become small foothills and then the big Himalayan Slopes. You would find yourself in sky heights above the clouds. You shall come across diverse flora, fauna, beautiful landscapes, villages and other elements of nature such as waterfalls. Stop at places for sightseeing, photography and lunch. You would drive past, one mountain range after the other, past some extremely well-laid out roads, past little villages and charming Bhutanese houses. On arrival in Thimphu, check in hotel. You may choose to rest for a while. A private traditional Cultural Show would be organized especially for you in the evening.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 8. Thimphu Sightseeing:
Today you would be driven in and around Thimphu covering key places of interest. After breakfast you would visit
- Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.
- National Memorial Chhorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten. You may choose to light butter lamps and also circumambulate around the Chorten.
- Zorig Chusum, Premier institute of traditional arts and crafts in Thimphu established with an objective of preserving “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”.
- Folk Heritage, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households
Thereafter, you would be taken to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon you would be taken to
- Sangaygang View Point, also known as BBS Tower offering panoramic view of Thimphu Town situated at an elevation of 2,685 m.
- Takin Preserve Centre, see Takin (National animal of Bhutan) It is a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope
- Tashichhodzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM.
On the completion of sightseeing, you are driven back to your hotel. After relaxing for some time you shall be served with dinner.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 9. Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue:
Driving Distance: 76 Km, Driving time: 2.5 - 3 hrs., Altitude of Punakha: 1310 m
After breakfast you are driven to Punakha/Wangdue, for your second leg of the tour. On the way, after roughly an hour’s drive, you would stop at
- Dochula Pass, lies at an elevation of 3,150 m and is a great place to view the higher Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.
You would drive through curvy, mountainous road, patches of which are being repaired. Owing to road widening work, you may find too many stalls along the road side selling snacks and water. It is preferable you buy it at the start of the tour. The drive from Thimphu to Punakha over Dochula leads from cool heights of Thimphu to balmy, lush landscapes of Punakha. After arrival at Punakha, check in to the hotel. Post lunch, you would visit
- Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second King, it served as the seat of the Government. It is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (The Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan)
- Chhimi Lhakhang, a famous Temple, which is also known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley.
Later you are driven back to the Hotel. Evening free for leisure activities.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 10. Punakha – Paro:
Driving Distance: 135 km, Driving Time: 4-5 hrs., Altitude of Paro: 2280 m
After breakfast, you would check out of the hotel to proceed to Paro for the final leg of the tour. On the way stop at
- Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi, also known as the Rhododendron Garden. It is the first Botanical Garden of Bhutan. It is famous for 46 species of rhododendrons.
Till you reach Thimphu, you would drive through the same route which you took which driving to Punakha. Again owing to road widening work, you may find too many stalls along the road side selling snacks and water. It is preferable you buy it at the start of the tour. After arriving at Paro, you would be transferred to you Hotel for Check In. Post lunch, you would be taken around to visit
- Paro Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646
- Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum.
Later you are driven back to the Hotel. Evening is free for leisure activities and shopping around the Paro Town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 11. Paro Sightseeing & Hike to Taktsang:
After breakfast, start your day with a hike to
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's nest), the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
After the completion of the hike, you would be served picnic lunch among the woods. Post lunch, visit
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.
Later in the day, you would then drive to village house to witness the traditional rural life in a Bhutanese village. Also you have an option of experiencing a Traditional Hot Stone bath in the village house. You can also choose to have your dinner in the house with the Family or also spend your overnight in the village house (needed to be confirmed at the time of confirmation of the Tour) or be driven back to your hotel.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 12. Departure:
Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country and take an early flight back. We hope by now you must have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of Bhutan. We certainly hope of serving you again on your next visit to this great country or the Last Shangri-La. Tashi Delek.