Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour
Small Group Journeys

Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour

Sikkim Darjeeling Tour with Festival in Bhutan

  • duration 17 Days
  • Activity Culture Tours
  • Activity Festival Tours
  • Easy
    Easy
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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

Overview

cultural_tour Trip Type Culture Tours
Activities Included Activities Included
Accommodation Accommodation 3-4 star hotels, boutique lodges and best available lodges
Meal Meal All meals (except in Delhi, where only breakfast is included)
Best Seasons 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.
Route Route Delhi, Bagdogra, Gangtok, Darjeeling, Phuntsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang and Paro
  Best Months Best Months January, March, April, May

Good Months Good Months April, May, July

Lean Months Lean Months April, May, June

Not Recommended Months Not Recommended Months April, December

  • 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

Cost Information

During the tour, all your foods are included in the package (Lunch, Breakfast, and Dinner with hot drinks), the foods will be served as per the package program and besides that, any personal and Barber bills would be extra.

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

Detailed Itinerary

Expand All
25/04/2023

Arrive in Delhi

Meet and transfer to the hotel in Aero city. Free to pursue your own interests.

MEALS:
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 225m
Duration Duration: 2 Hrs drive from Airport to Hotel
Day 02-03

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.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 1,650m
Day 04-05

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.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 2,045m
Day 06

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.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 293m
Day 07-08

Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan

Journey up the hills, through changing vegetation, past villages and waterfalls to the bucolic capital of Bhutan.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 2,307m
Day 09-10

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.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 1,200m
Day 11

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.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 2900m
Overnight 3 star hotel
Day 12-13

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.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 3,650m
Overnight 3 star hotel
Day 14-15-16

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.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 1,000m
12/05/2023

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.

MEALS:
Breakfast

Group Travel Dates

Start Date
End Date
Status
Remarks
 

Traveller Review

Guides

These guide have years of experience and are very good at their job. They are friendly and can entertain you throughout the whole journey.

Trip Photos

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

Overview

cultural_tour Trip Type Culture Tours
Activities Included Activities Included
Accommodation Accommodation 3-4 star hotels, boutique lodges and best available lodges
Meals Meals All meals (except in Delhi, where only breakfast is included)
Route Route Delhi, Bagdogra, Gangtok, Darjeeling, Phuntsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang and Paro
Max Group Size Max Group Size Max. 9
Best Seasons 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.
Best Months Best Months January, March, April, May

Good Months Good Months April, May, July

Lean Months Lean Months April, May, June

 Not Recommended Months Not Recommended Months April, December

Route Map

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