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Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour

Sikkim Darjeeling Tour with Festival in Bhutan

17

Days

CULTURE

Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour Trip Map, Route Map
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

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

Day 2 & 3: 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.

Day 4 & 5: 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.

Day 6: 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.

Day 7 & 8: Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan
Journey up the hills, through changing vegetation, past villages and waterfalls to the bucolic capital of Bhutan.

Day 9 & 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.

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.

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.

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.

Day 17: 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.

  • Group Size Max. 9

  • MealsAll meals (except in Delhi, where only breakfast is included)

  • Trip Accommodation3-4 star hotels, boutique lodges and best available lodges

  • RouteDelhi, Bagdogra, Gangtok, Darjeeling, Phuntsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang and Paro

  • Trip Type Cultural Tour
    Festival Tours

  • Trip SeasonsWe 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 MonthsMarch, April, October, November

  • Good MonthsJanuary, February, May, September, December

  • Lean MonthsJune, July, August

Prices & Dates

Small Group Journeys

Please contact us for price details.

 

Start date End Date Remarks Status  

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

Accommodations


Hotels in Thimphu

  • Hotel Druk

    Hotel Druk a luxury four-star hotel is a part of the Tashi Group and has been in operation since 1985. Over the years, it has been renovated to give it a chic and modern edge that is powerfully felt in uncluttered spaces. Each floor, differently insp...

    Click here for full description and more photos

  • Namgay Heritage Hotel

    Namgay Heritage Hotel is one of the finest luxuries that Bhutan has to offer to its tourists. Located just a walking distance from the heart of Thimphu city. The property houses 4 different structures which are the main building, the Conference hall,...

    Click here for full description and more photos

Hotels in Paro

Hotels in Punakha

Hotels in Phobjikha

Hotels in Jakar

Hotels in Phuentsholing

  • Druk Hotel

    In the midst of the hustle and bustle Hotel Druk Phuentsholing offers a quaint setting. Combining classical architecture with modern comfort the Druk Hotel offers 32 beautifully appointed rooms including 2 junior suites and 1 presidential suite Hotel...

    Click here for full description and more photos

Hotels in Darjeeling

Hotels in Gangtok

Trip Guide/Leader


  • Anand Thapa

    Anand Thapa

  • Kezang Norbu

    Kezang Norbu

  • Namgay

    Namgay

  • Pankaj Pradhan

    Pankaj Pradhan

Reviews / Testimonials

  • Dr Lorenz Cueni
    Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
    April 3 -19,2017
    Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour ( Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour)
    4 " " Hello Anand, I'm writing at the end of a very busy week at my hospital; let's see how far I get before my energy and memory are failing. I'd like to break the trip into 2 segments: Bhutan and Sikkim/Darjeeling. I liked Bhutan. The country has a fascinating history based on it's religion.

    Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour Hello Anand, I'm writing at the end of a very busy week at my hospital; let's see how far I get

  • Avril
    Mill Valley, CA, USA
    April 05 - 16, 2015
    I would like to thank everyone for their help in such a splendid trip. ( I would like to thank everyone for their help in such a splendid trip.)
    4 " " Dear Anand - Thank you so much for your email. I was planning on writing and giving my thoughts, but you prompted me to get started. Firstly,  I would like to thank everyone for their help in such  a splendid trip.  We thoroughly enjoyed every moment.For the sake of simplicity and time,

    I would like to thank everyone for their help in such a splendid trip. Dear Anand - Thank you so much for your email. I was planning on writing and giving my thoughts, but you

  • Peter Wright
    Santa Barbara ,California USA
    Oct 03 - 19, 2014
    I am so pleased that we chose a tour group that is not only run by Bhutanese but also has a strong track record and an office presence in the United States ( I am so pleased that we chose a tour group that is not only run by Bhutanese but also has a strong track record and an office presence in the United States)
    5 " " TID 781 (Oct 03 - 19, 2014) My partner and I recently participated in the Windhorse Tour to Bhutan, Sikkim and Darjeeling. We had a marvelous time. We were both extremely impressed with the knowledge and enthusiasm of our Bhutanese Guide, Sonam. And our bus driver, Arun, did an amazing job

    I am so pleased that we chose a tour group that is not only run by Bhutanese but also has a strong track record and an office presence in the United States TID 781 (Oct 03 - 19, 2014) My partner and I recently participated in the Windhorse Tour to Bhutan, Sikkim and

  • Isabella & Bernard J
    24th road, Bandra, (W) Mumbai.
    Oct 27 -Nov 12, 2014
    My wife and I would like to thank Wind Horse for organizing an awesome trip through Nepal, Bhutan, n Sikkim and Darjeeling ( My wife and I would like to thank Wind Horse for organizing an awesome trip through Nepal, Bhutan, n Sikkim and Darjeeling)
    5 " " Bhutan Festival & Sikkim -Extension tour in Nepal (27th Oct- 12th Nov 2014)  TID My wife and I would like to thank Wind Horse for organizing an awesome trip through Nepal, Bhutan, n Sikkim and Darjeeling. (Bhutan Festival – 24.10 – 11.11). We found this tour operator through internet and Wind

    My wife and I would like to thank Wind Horse for organizing an awesome trip through Nepal, Bhutan, n Sikkim and Darjeeling Bhutan Festival & Sikkim -Extension tour in Nepal (27th Oct- 12th Nov 2014)  TID My wife and I would like to

  • Peter W
    Sonora Drive, Santa Barbara, California
    Oct. 03 - 19, 2014.
    We had an excellent experience not only in Bhutan, but also in Sikkim and Darjeeling. ( We had an excellent experience not only in Bhutan, but also in Sikkim and Darjeeling.)
    5 " " Bhutan Festival Sikkim Tour TID 781 Oct. 03 - 19, 2014. My partner and I recently participated in the Wind horse Tour to Bhutan, Sikkim and Darjeeling. We had a marvelous time. We were both extremely impressed with the knowledge and enthusiasm of our Bhutanese Guide, Sonam. And our bus driver,

    We had an excellent experience not only in Bhutan, but also in Sikkim and Darjeeling. Bhutan Festival Sikkim Tour TID 781 Oct. 03 - 19, 2014. My partner and I recently participated in the Wind horse

  • Michele H
    Sonoma. Ft. Myers Florida 33908 USA
    3 to 14 Oct, 2014
    I was provided with an abundance of information from the company ( I was provided with an abundance of information from the company)
    5 " " Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour ( 3 to 14 Oct, 2014) TID 781 Dear Wind Horse and future Wind Horse travelers, I would like to start off by saying thank you for providing such an amazing trip! Touring Bhutan and India with Wind Horse was actually my first experience out of the country.

    I was provided with an abundance of information from the company Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour ( 3 to 14 Oct, 2014) TID 781 Dear Wind Horse and future Wind Horse travelers, I

  • Rosemary J
    crescent Vernon,CANADA
    3 to 14 Oct,2014
    I had great confidence in Arun’s ability to get us safely through any potential dangerous situations. ( I had great confidence in Arun’s ability to get us safely through any potential dangerous situations.)
    5 " " TID 781 Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour (3 to 14 Oct,2014) Dear Anand: Thanks for your email looking for comments about my trip recently to Bhutan. It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip and made doubly so by Sonam's (Pelden) professional ability to guide us. He paid attention to all members and I was

    I had great confidence in Arun’s ability to get us safely through any potential dangerous situations. TID 781 Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour (3 to 14 Oct,2014) Dear Anand: Thanks for your email looking for comments about my

  • Mrs Gabriel K
    Vienna, Austria
    April 10 -24, 2014
    Thank you to Windhorse travel and all persons involved for the perfect planning, realization and finish of your trip. ( Thank you to Windhorse travel and all persons involved for the perfect planning, realization and finish of your trip.)
    5 " " TID 693 From 10.04.14 to 24.04.14 Dear Anand! We are very sorry for our delay for writing comments and feedback. Time now is a bit more relaxed, summer holidays already started and for the next 2 month sometimes even you are not on holidays you think somehow you are. You try to call

    Thank you to Windhorse travel and all persons involved for the perfect planning, realization and finish of your trip. TID 693 From 10.04.14 to 24.04.14 Dear Anand! We are very sorry for our delay for writing comments and feedback. Time now is

  • Sue Glassford
    United Kingdom
    Mar. 22-Apr. 07, 13
    It was a great experience to spend time in your wonderful country. ( It was a great experience to spend time in your wonderful country.)
    5 " " Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour TID 598 (Mar. 22-Apr. 07, 13) Ugen/Jambey.Hello Have returned home from the above trip which was enjoyed immensely. It was also nice to have met you after so many emails back and forth over the last few months! I enjoyed the trip very much indeed; it was

    It was a great experience to spend time in your wonderful country. Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour TID 598 (Mar. 22-Apr. 07, 13) Ugen/Jambey.Hello Have returned home from the above trip which was enjoyed

  • Jim & Carol
    United States Of America
    Mar 22-Apr 07 2013
    It was truly a journey of discovery!!!! ( It was truly a journey of discovery!!!!)
    5 " " Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour:TID 598 (Mar 22-Apr 07 2013) Dear Ugen,Jim and I have traveled to 106 countries. The Bhutan Festival & Sikkim tour we booked through you was fantastic and ranks as one of our favorites. It was truly a journey of discovery.The small group size (9 pax) was

    It was truly a journey of discovery!!!! Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour:TID 598 (Mar 22-Apr 07 2013) Dear Ugen,Jim and I have traveled to 106 countries. The Bhutan

  • Laura M Lucier
    USA
    Mar 22-Apr 07, 13
    I found the guides to be satisfactory, and the drivers to be wonderful. ( I found the guides to be satisfactory, and the drivers to be wonderful.)
    5 " " Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour TID 598 (Mar. 22-Apr. 07, 13) Ugen, Jambay:It was a pleasure meeting you too. I enjoyed the trip immensely, and would have no hesitation in recommending Wind horse in the future. I found the guides to be satisfactory, and the drivers to be wonderful. My only

    I found the guides to be satisfactory, and the drivers to be wonderful. Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour TID 598 (Mar. 22-Apr. 07, 13) Ugen, Jambay:It was a pleasure meeting you too. I enjoyed

  • Judith S
    Tucson, Arizona, USA
    Oct 16 - Nov 01,2013
    We really liked Bhutan, the sights and the people ( We really liked Bhutan, the sights and the people)
    5 " " TID 630 Bhutan Festivals & Sikkim (Jambay Lhakhang) Hi Ugen Just wanted to give you some feedback now that we are back home. We were on the festival tour Oct. 16. We really liked Bhutan, the sights and the people, but unfortunately we were not really satisfied with our guide. Namgyol was

    We really liked Bhutan, the sights and the people TID 630 Bhutan Festivals & Sikkim (Jambay Lhakhang) Hi Ugen Just wanted to give you some feedback now that we are back

  • Carol and J
    915 Talbot Avenue
    March 22 -April 7 2013
    It was truly a journey of discovery ( It was truly a journey of discovery)
    4 " " TID 598 Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour (March 22nd to April 7th 2013) Dear Ugen, Jim and I have traveled to 106 countries. The Bhutan Festival & Sikkim tour we booked through you was fantastic and ranks as one of our favorites. It was truly a journey of discovery. The small group size

    It was truly a journey of discovery TID 598 Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour (March 22nd to April 7th 2013) Dear Ugen, Jim and I have traveled to 106

  • Gregory L
    Texas, USA
    March 22 -April 7, 2013
    Bhutan is a beautiful country and I would certainly consider another visit with other family members. ( Bhutan is a beautiful country and I would certainly consider another visit with other family members.)
    5 " " TID598 Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour (March 22nd to April 7th 2013) Ugen: Bhutan, Sikkim and Darjeeling Tour. As my daughter Laura expressed in her earlier e-mail we were very satisfied with both the tour, our guides and our drivers.Bhutan is a beautiful country and I would certainly consider another visit with

    Bhutan is a beautiful country and I would certainly consider another visit with other family members. TID598 Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour (March 22nd to April 7th 2013) Ugen: Bhutan, Sikkim and Darjeeling Tour. As my daughter Laura

  • Judith Glasserr
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina
    Oct 12,2012
    Bhutan is a country to be seen now, not in ten years. ( Bhutan is a country to be seen now, not in ten years.)
    5 " " Bhutan is a country to be seen now, not in ten years. And Windhorse has a wonderful itinerary to explore Bhutan. Judith G - Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour Sept-Oct 2012

    Bhutan is a country to be seen now, not in ten years. Bhutan is a country to be seen now, not in ten years. And Windhorse has a wonderful itinerary to explore

  • Ute P.
    Feldafing, Germany
    Nov 7 - 23,2011
    My husband and I were very pleased with the tour. ( My husband and I were very pleased with the tour.)
    5 " " Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Nov.7,2011- Nov. 23,2011 Dear Ugen, Jambay and team, I prefer to give a personal comment (the links were indicated as perhaps insecure). My husband and I were very pleased with the tour. We think the guide, Robin Gurung, was very knowledgeable and went out of his way to help

    My husband and I were very pleased with the tour. Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Nov.7,2011- Nov. 23,2011 Dear Ugen, Jambay and team, I prefer to give a personal comment (the links were

  • Kathrina & Douglas M,
    Atlanta, GA, USA.
    Sept 28-Oct 14, 2011
    The trip was very well organised and we liked the guides as well as the hotels. ( The trip was very well organised and we liked the guides as well as the hotels.)
    5 " " Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour Sept 28-0ct 14, 2011 Hi Ugen,We are still digesting our trip - we had a great time and will write you a favorable review. The trip was very well organized and we liked the guides as well as the hotels. Kathrina & Douglas M, Atlanta, GA, USA

    The trip was very well organised and we liked the guides as well as the hotels. Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour Sept 28-0ct 14, 2011 Hi Ugen,We are still digesting our trip - we had a great

  • Lindsay & John
    Lindsay Holgrem & John Anderson
    March10,2009
    A good guide can make such a difference in one’s enjoyment of a tour ( A good guide can make such a difference in one’s enjoyment of a tour)
    5 " " Dear Amit, We were very happy with the Complete Bhutan tour. A good guide can make such a difference in one’s enjoyment of a tour and Sonam was wonderful. He’s very open and friendly and we learned a lot about Bhutan from him, not only about the places we visited, but

    A good guide can make such a difference in one’s enjoyment of a tour Dear Amit, We were very happy with the Complete Bhutan tour. A good guide can make such a difference in one’s

  • Julian acuna
    Wells Road, Beaumaris
    March22-April 07,2013
    I did manage to sneak a morning or two to just soak the ambience on my own ( I did manage to sneak a morning or two to just soak the ambience on my own)
    5 " " Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour:TID 598 (Start Mar 22-Apr 07 2013) Like the Canadian person before me, after a month of being back home, I too am suffering from Bhutan withdrawals.Before our trip, we checked out many of the travel operators in Bhutan. We chose WindHorse Tours for their quick response.We

    I did manage to sneak a morning or two to just soak the ambience on my own Bhutan Festival & Sikkim Tour:TID 598 (Start Mar 22-Apr 07 2013) Like the Canadian person before me, after a month of

  • G Fleming
    Jacksonville, Oregon
    March26 - April 08,2009
    Thank you for arranging a great trip and we are grateful for the wonderful experience of seeing a beautyful country and meeting interesting people ( Thank you for arranging a great trip and we are grateful for the wonderful experience of seeing a beautyful country and meeting interesting people)
    5 " " Fleming & Zabala Tour of Sikkim & Bhutan 26 Mar till 08 April 2009 Ugen, Just wanted to let you know that Teresa and I had a wonderful trip to Darjeeling, Sikikim and Bhutan. I am glad that my thought about leaving Bhutan to the end of the trip, was a

    Thank you for arranging a great trip and we are grateful for the wonderful experience of seeing a beautyful country and meeting interesting people Fleming & Zabala Tour of Sikkim & Bhutan 26 Mar till 08 April 2009 Ugen, Just wanted to let you know

  • Beth & Charles Joseph F
    West Hartford, Connecticut
    Nov 07-23,2008
    Beth and Joe have returned from their trip and everything was wonderful. They had a marvellous time. ( Beth and Joe have returned from their trip and everything was wonderful. They had a marvellous time.)
    5 " " TID 163: Bhutan Festival & Sikkim 17 days - Nov 7-23,2008 Dear Ugen, Beth and Joe have returned from their trip and everything was wonderful. They had a marvelous time. It was a pleasure to work with you and i look forward to working with you again. Thank you for everything. Rita

    Beth and Joe have returned from their trip and everything was wonderful. They had a marvellous time. TID 163: Bhutan Festival & Sikkim 17 days - Nov 7-23,2008 Dear Ugen, Beth and Joe have returned from their trip