Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour
Sikkim Darjeeling Tour with Festival in Bhutan
Trip Overview
Duration
17 Days
Trip Level
Easy 
Trip Type
Culture Tours 
Activities Included
Best Months
January, March, April, May 
Good Months
April, May, July 
Lean Months
April, May, June 
Not Recommended Months
April, December 
Accommodation
3-4 star hotels, boutique lodges and best available lodges
Meals
All meals (except in Delhi, where only breakfast is included) 
Best Seasons
We align this group departure with prominent festivals that fall during Spring and Fall. As for private trip this can be taken throughout the year. Trip Highlights
- Famous hill stations of Sikkim and Darjeeling
- Tea plantations
- Absorb diverse Buddhist traditions
- A journey between India and Bhutan to appreciate the natural and cultural diversities
- Wander in bazaars, villages, and towns
- Meet monks, nuns, farmers, and children and interact with them
- Join in the celebration of a colorful festival or two
- Try out local foods
- Hike to famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery
- Enjoy spectacular views of snow-capped Himalayas from several locations on this trip
Trip Description
Bhutan Festival and Sikkim tour is a journey of Geographical and cultural contrasts, as you travel from a rich mixture of ecosystems ranging from sub-tropical to the high mountain ranges, and across unique culture and traditions. Join us on this life-changing journey that begins in the Indian state of Sikkim, where you’ll explore mountain monasteries, sip tea beneath the Himalayan peaks at the Raj-era hill hotel in Darjeeling, then cross the vast plains of Dooars to the magical Kingdom of Bhutan.
Amid verdant valleys dotted with historic fortresses and shrines, delve into Bhutan’s rich culture, discovering how happiness is woven into the fabric of everyday life. As you travel into the heart of the Kingdom’s Bumthang district, meet with monks, nuns, farmers, children, and artisans. Explore villages, historic monuments, and sacred sights. On this trip, we also join in the celebration of one or more than one Tsechu, an extremely colorful local festival where the local community comes together to witness religious mask dances, receive blessings and socialize.
Wind Horse has been operating this tour for the last 10 years with a small modification each year. In the past, we used to start the tour in Bhutan, but this year, we are starting the tour from Sikkim. We have also have added a flight from Bumthang to Paro, to cope with changing road conditions.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Delhi
Day 2 & 3: Gangtok, Sikkim
Day 4 & 5: In Darjeeling
Day 6: Phuentsholing, Bhutan
Day 7 & 8: Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan
Day 9 & 10: In Punakha /Wangdue valley
Day 11: Gangtey, Phobjikha valley
Day 12 & 13: In Bumthang
Day 14, 15 & 16: In Paro valley and hike to Taktsang
Day 17: Departure
Trip Itinerary
Arrive in Delhi
Meet and transfer to the hotel in Aero city. Free to pursue your own interests.
Altitude:
225m
Duration:
2 Hrs drive from Airport to Hotel
Gangtok, Sikkim
Meet the group during breakfast. Transfer to the airport in time for the morning flight to Bagdogra airport, near Siliguri. Meet our local guide and drive to Gangtok, where you spend two nights. Visit monasteries, viewpoints, Flower Exhibits, the local market, and other attractions (some places will be covered on foot). Overnights in a hotel.
Altitude:
1,650m
In Darjeeling
Explore the queen of the hills, spread over the ridges, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations and towered over by majestic Khangchendzonga. Spend two nights in a comfortable Raj-era hotel.
Altitude:
2,045m
Phuentsholing, Bhutan
En-route to Phuentsholing, we have an opportunity to meet the natives of Dooars working in Tea Estates. Immigration formalities and enter the Bhutanese frontier town.
Altitude:
293m
Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan
Journey up the hills, through changing vegetation, past villages and waterfalls to the bucolic capital of Bhutan.
Altitude:
2,307m
In Punakha /Wangdue valley
Cross the spectacular Dochula pass with the panorama of Bhutanese peaks and descend into a semi-tropical valley, covered by terraced rice-fields.
Altitude:
1,200m
Gangtey, Phobjikha valley
Climb up to the alpine setting of Phobjikha valley (2900m), the highest night halt on your journey. For some departures, we visit Gangtey and stay in Trongsa.
Altitude:
2900m
In Bumthang
Visit Trongsa Dzong, perhaps the most spectacularly sited Dzong (fortress cum monastery) in Bhutan. Then cross into Bumthang, the spiritual and cultural heartland of the Kingdom. Spend two nights in the valley of buckwheat fields, apple orchards, and chalet-like houses, surrounded by pine-forested hills.
Altitude:
3,650m
In Paro valley and hike to Taktsang
This 20-min scenic flight whisks you to Paro, avoiding the long winding road back. You have one and a half-day to explore serene Paro valley and a day dedicated to hiking to the iconic Taktsang (tigers nest) monastery.
Altitude:
1,000m
Departure
Transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight. You could return to Delhi or go to Kathmandu, Kolkata, Bangkok, and some days even to Singapore.
Included
- All transfers
- Sightseeing with entrance fees
- English speaking local tour guides
- Accommodations in listed hotels or similar (3 & 4 star type mix, with good location, local character, and good, if not best reviews)
- All meals throughout the trip (except in Delhi, where only breakfast is included).
- Bottled water in the vehicle (during the day)
- Bhutan Visa and all required permits.
- Bhutan’s daily tourists’ fees
- Flight Delhi to Bagdogra
- Flight Bumthang-Paro
Not included
- Indian Visa.
- Flight into Delhi
- Flight out of Paro
- Medical Insurance
- Bar/Beverages, Laundry, Gifts, Gratuities and other personal expenses not listed in included section
GEAR INFORMATION
The following lists are the essential trekking gear that is recommended for trekking in Nepal and all listed gears can also be bought easily in Kathmandu, Kathmandu has a number of shops selling the necessary clothes and gear for trekkers.
- A few pairs of Thermal tops
- Fleece jacket/pullover
- Windcheater – waterproof shell jacket one pair
- Down jacket -( It will be provided by the company if you do not have your own)
- Comfortable Fleece/wool trousers
- Trekking pants- at least 2 pairs
- Mittens/woolen gloves
- Warm Hiking socks
- Trekking sue with spare laces
- Pair of flip flop
- Under wears & Swimming costume
- Hiking Cotton trousers/t-shirts
- Sun hat/scarf
- Sunglasses
- Sleeping bag -( It will be provided by the company if you do not have your own)
- Trekking poles (Not 100%)
- Day bag above 40 L
- 1 set- Headlamp
- Small lock for the day backpack
- Reusable water bottles- 2 letters
- Water purification tablets/ electric light
- Wash towel
- Toiletries (wet tissue, quick-drying towel, toilet paper, moisturizers, lip balms, sunscreens, sanitary pads, hand sanitizer, nail clipper, small mirror, toothpaste & brush, etc.)
- Rain poncho
- Basic personal first aid kit
Trip Map
