Darjeeling Sikkim Bhutan Tour

Before dawn, you have an option to hire/share a cab to visit Tiger Hill for a sunrise view (extra). After breakfast, begin our sightseeing tour. Visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. Then visit the Tibetan Self-Help Center which boasts of high-quality Tibetan handicrafts and on the way back, visit a tea estate. In the afternoon, visit Dali Gompa monastery, and the rest of the time is free to stroll around the town or take a toy train joy ride until Ghoom(Optional).

Drive through the tea gardens and descend through sub-tropical Teesta valley and enter Sikkim at Rangpo. After permit formalities, continue to drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. (Total 4-5hr). In Gangtok, visit Namgyal Institute of Tibetology a repository of Tibetan works, iconography, and religious arts, and the nearby Deorali Dodrul Chorten surrounded by 108 prayer wheels. In the evening walk through the iconic MG Marg, a Pedestrian cobbled Boulevard lined on both sides with interesting neon-lit shops, and also visit the Lal Bazaar vegetable and food market.

Visit a Flower Exhibition Center-wide arrays of orchids, some indigenous plants, and flowers on display. Drive to Enchey monastery affiliated to Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism and continue further uphill to reach view Points such as Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, and Tashi viewpoint which overlooks gorgeous view below. On the way back visit the Directorate of Hand-loom and Handicrafts which houses workshops for carpet weaving, Blackstrap loom, Bamboo craft, Painting school followed by a museum and handicraft sale emporium. The afternoon is free to rest or pursue your own interests.

Drive for about an hour to Rumtek monastery on the opposite hilltop. This was the main seat of Karma Kagyu lineage in exile. The architecture itself is the replica of the original monastery in Tsurphu Tibet. After visiting this famous monastery, drive to Kalimpong (3hr), another hill town with good views, a bursting bazaar, and rich history. Visit Durpin Dara viewpoint, commanding a panoramic view of the whole town, Teesta river below, and the backdrop peaks. Favorable climate and conducive soil contribute to the growth of horticulture extensively, so we’ll visit some of the Flower nurseries. Remnants of the colonial era are still conspicuous in form of medieval Churches, homes, and schools such as over century-old Dr. Grahams Homes campus. After the visit drive to Deolo Hill, the highest point in Kalimpong with a panoramic view of Kalimpong town and neighboring hills. On the way back stroll through the charming bazaar.

Descend from the hills into Dooars, flanked by lush green sub-tropical vegetation, and tea gardens – originally planted by the British. These lush green areas constitute the floodplains and foothills bordering Bhutan, Darjeeling, and the plains of Assam. It takes a little over 2hr to reach Chalsa. In the afternoon, explore the nearby tea gardens, off the beaten road villages, an open school under a tree, tea garden worker’s colony, and the small bazaar area. The option is available to visit the nearby National Park and Wild Life Sanctuary. (Entrance fees and safari fee extra).

After early breakfast, drive for about 2hrs through the plains to cross the border into Phuentsholing, Bhutan. After completing immigration formalities, drive up the hills to the capital Thimphu, which takes another 5+hrs. En-route, stop and visit the Rinchending monastery and other villages and towns along the way. Thimphu being the capital has a lot of monuments and attractions – some contemporary and some medieval. Upon arrival, you can choose to rest or relax after long hours of drive or instantly get a feel of the pulses of Thimphu by visiting Tashicho Dzong – the main government seat. Evening free to take a stroll around the town.

Drive across spectacular Dochula pass (3100m) that separates Thimphu from Punakha valley. Take a brief stop at Dochula to experience the spellbinding view of snow-clad peaks of the Himalayas. Descend into sub-tropical and agrarian Punakha valley. Once there, visit astounding Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful Dzong, located at the confluence of the two rivers. Late in the afternoon embark on a short hike of 45 mins to visit Khamsum Chorten. The hike is a mixture of paddy fields and the village trail walk. The view of the meandering Punakha River, terraced rice field, and village below is simply spectacular.

Visit Chhimi Lhakhang temple dedicated to saint Drukpa Kinley (15c) popularly known for his offbeat antics and jokes, and as a protagonist in most of the local folklores. Drive further to Wangdue and visit the remains of its Dzong and continue to Thimphu. Upon arrival in Thimphu, we can begin with a visit to Memorial Chorten, Buddha Statue, Takin Reserve, Zilukha Nunnery, Textile museum, and the weekend market as per your interest and time.

After breakfast, visit the remaining attractions if you have missed the previous day and then drive to Paro. The drive to Paro takes about an hour. Paro is one of the serene and loveliest valleys in Bhutan. Upon arrival, cross the archaic wooden cantilever bridge to visit Rinpung Dzong erstwhile fortress converted into the office of district administration and monastic body now. Also, visit the nearby National Museum that houses some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese arts. Then we drive a short distance to visit some monasteries that define Paro such as Kichu & Dungtse Lhakang. Subsequently, walk into the village and visit a local farmhouse, strike in conversation with locales to gain insights into their daily life.

Transfer to the trailhead and hike to iconic Taktsang Monastery(Tiger’s Nest Monastery) one of the most sacred and pilgrimage sites for Himalayan Buddhists. One can marvel at its architecture and gravity-defying location precariously clinging to a vertical granite cliff. There is an option to hire a mule or pony for the uphill part but you should be able to walk downhill. If for some reason, you are unable to visit Taktsang, our Guide can arrange other suitable alternatives. Even after Taktsang, we may have time to visit some sights in Paro and to wander around the charming township of Paro.

Transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight. Depending on the Druk Air schedule, you can fly to Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, or Kathmandu.