Kolkata ,Darjeeling and Bhutan

Bhutanese People Day 01 Arrive Kolkata
Our executive will receive you at the Kolkata airport and escort you to the hotel for hassle free check in. Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is known as city of Joy. It was capital of India until 1911 during the Britsh Raj. Today Kolkata is the largest city in India, with a population over 10 million It is a city that shocks on first impression but eventually the visitor falls in love with it. This city was home of Metro rail system in India but now this city is economically decline than other metropolitan city in India. Overnight stay

Victoria Memorial Day 02 Kolkata-Sightseeing
We start our sightseeing to visit flower market followed by St. John’s Church, Raj Bhavan (the residence of the Governor of West Bengal), High Court, Legislative Assembly, Eden Gardens, Strand (River Side), Race Course. Visit the Victoria Memorial, (closed on Mondays) an imposing marble edifice, the picture-postcard symbol of Kolkata. It stands serene and unmindful of the bustling commercial quarter nearby, a tribute to Queen Victoria. Inside are the memorabilia of the British Empire. Drive past Chowringhee lane.

Rikshaw puller in Kolkata Day 03 Kolkata/Bagdogra-Darjeeling (flight & Surface 03 ½ Hrs)
Today in time transfer to Kolkata airport to board the flight to Bagdogra On arrival met to our representative and drive to Darjeeling enroute visit Tea plantation and on arrival check in at hotel for 02 nights stay. Darjeeling nestled at an altitude of 2134 m Darjeeling is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Eastern India, Darjeeling still has an undeniable feel of the colonial British, with the life-style, the tea gardens. Overnight stay

Tea Gardens Day 04 Darjeeling -Sightseeing
Our sightseeing start early morning around 04 am for Tiger Hill where we get the opportunity of magnificent view of the sunrise over the "Kanchanjunga" and the great eastern Himalayan Mountains even Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.Later joy ride on The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which is now UNESCO World heritage site. During your short journey from Darjeeling to Ghoom you will pass by local market and picturesque Darjeeling valley which you can catch in your camera. On arrival at Ghoom we visit Tibetan Monastery at Ghoom, one of the oldest (1857) in the area.Later we visit to the Himalayan Mountaneering Institute and Himalayan Zoo.Finally we visit Tibetan refugee self help center which was established in 1959 to help rehabilitate Tibetan refugees who fled from Tibet with the Dalai Lama following Chinese invasion.In evening you can stroll around Mall road near Governor House. Overnight stay

Steam engine Toy Train in Darjeeling Day 05 Darjeeling –Gangtok (04 Hrs drive)
Today morning drive to Gangtok for two nights stay The capital of Sikkim , Gangtok ( which means ‘hilltop’) At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid 19th century .Gangtok is also a resting ground for people travelling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a travellers delight. Now Sikkim is the part of seven sister’s state of North-East India. Overnight stay

Courtyard of Rumtek Monestry Gangtok Day 06 Gangtok -Sightseeing
Full day city tour of Gangtok including excursion to Rumtek Monastery.The Rumtek Monastery: 22 kms. from Gangtok main city a drive through beautiful countryside takes one to Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre built in the 1960’s by His Holiness, the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa (believed to be next to the Dalai Lama in the Buddhist hierarchy) when he took refuge in Sikkim after the Chinese attack on Tibet. It is an excellent replica of the original Kagyu headquarters in Tibet. It houses some of the world’s most unique art objects, ancient manuscripts and icons. Orchid Sanctuary: visit the orchid sanctuary, which boasts of over 200 species of orchid Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts: -This Directorate was set up to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Overnight stay

Monastery Day 07 Gangtok- Phuntsholing ( 07 Hrs drive)
Today morning drive to border town of Bhuntan Phuntosholing an overnight stay Phuntsholing, a border town to the south bordering the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a hub of commercial activity. Jaigaon, a small Indian town is located near Phuntsholing Overnight stay

Relegious flags on footbridge Day 08 Phuntsholing -Thimphu (06 Hrs drive)
Today morning long drive to Thimphu capital of Bhuntan. Enroute we stop for photography of scenic picturesque country side. Evening stroll in Thimphu market. Here we stay for 02 nights stay Overnight stay

National Memorial Chorten Thimphu Day 09 Thimphu -Sightseeing
After leisurely breakfast proceed for a guided tour of Thimphu. Start with the visit of National Library which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion. Walk a little further down to visit Painting School this school teaches the techniques of traditional thangkha paintings. On a visit, one can see students at work producing intricate design on cloth.Visit textile and Folk Heritage Museum: These museums, both of which opened in 2001, provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life.You can also visit weekend market which runs from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening.Late afternoon visit Trashichhoedzong: This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and central monk body. Overnight stay

Dochu-la pass Day 10 Thimphu- Punakha (03 Hrs drive)
After early breakfast, drive to Punakha enroute stop to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. After lunch visit to Punakha Dzong, Built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Overnight stay

Punakha Dzong Day 11Punakha (excursion to Gangtey and Phobjika valley)
Today enjoy a drive through dense forests and oak and rhododendron trees to the scenic Gangtey Valley. Here visit Gangtey Gompa. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here. We will drive further to Phobjika valley which is home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measures to ensure the safety of the Cranes.While the cranes reside in the winter valley from late October till March months.After visit return to Punakha for overnight stay

River in Bhutan Day 12 Punakha- Paro (05 Hrs drive)
After breakfast drive to Paro, en route visit Simtokha Dzong on way to Paro, this is the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now houses the School for religious and cultural studies.After checking into hotel, proceed on to visit Ta Dzong (remains closed on government holidays) once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan's National Museum in 1968. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps.Visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Overnight stay

Tiger Nest Paro Day 13 Paro (Tiger’s nest hike)
Morning after breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery (5hrs hike) : It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Visit Kyichu Lakhang : It is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century (the other is Jambey Lhakahng in Bumthang). Overnight stay

Day 14 Leave Paro
After breakfast transfer to Paro airport to board your flight to onward destination.