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Day 01:Arrive Kolkota
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands
clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we
are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel.
Overnight: Vedic Village Resort Kolkata
Day 02:Kolkota
After breakfast visit the Victoria Memorial, the impressive
reminder of Kolkata’s past as capital of the British rule. The
Victoria Memorial Hall was opened in 1921 by Lord Curzon. As
night descends on Kolkata several of the city's landmarks are
Illuminated giving theMaidan area a fairy tale look. It is also
a museum where people could See pictures and statues of men who
played a prominent part in the history of India.
Potters Colony, Kumartuli the clay model-makers haven, is older
than Kolkata, which grew Out of three little villages, viz.,
Gobindapore, Kalikutta and Sutanooti way back in 1690. The
history of the Kumartuli potter can be traced back to
Krishnanagar in South Bengal. Since the seventeenth century,
potters have been living by making earthenware pots, clay Toys
and cooking utensils for household use. Overnight: Vedic
Village Resort Kolkata
Day 03: Kolkota / Bagdogra / Darjeeling
Fly to Bagdogra and take the 4-hour scenic drive to Darjeeling.
Situated at an altitude of 2134 meters, Darjeeling has been a
popular hill station ever since the British established it About
hundred and fifty years ago. Blessed with cool climate, it has,
perhaps, the most Stunning view of the Kanchenjunga range.
Darjeeling has a mixed population of various races and religions
living in perfect harmony. This is vividly reflected at the
shrine on a top Observatory Hill where Hindus and Buddhists pray
together. Also Gorkhas, Tibetans, epchas And migrants from the
plains have made Darjeeling their home. Though Workaholic, Hindi
and Bengali are widely spoken, almost every one understands
English.
Overnight: (2 nights Hotel New Elgin.)
Day 04: Sightseeing in Darjeeling
Early morning we drive 11 KM through primitive forests of Oak,
Magnolia, beautiful ferns ablaze with color, adorning the
hillsides on the way to Tiger Hill to view Sunrise, standing at
a height of 2590 m (8482 ft.). Also viewing one of the world's
most majestic mountains- "Khang- Chen-Dzod-Nga" of mighty
Kanchenjunga.
Sometimes Mount Everest can also bee seen through the clouds
with its two other peaks Mahakalu (27,769ft) and another Tibet's
Chomol Hari mountain most beautiful peak.
After breakfast we ride on the famous toy train of Darjeeling.
Toy Trains’ they have been making daily journeys for over a
century. - The trip is more of an experience rather than the
quickest way of transport
From here, we proceed to Ghoom Monastery, Padmaja Naidu
Himalayan Zoological Park (Zoo), Himalayan Mountain Institute
and Tibet Self help centre where we can pick up some local
handicrafts.
Day 05: Drive to Gangtok (1600 m / 117
km / 4 1⁄2 hours)
After breakfast we depart to Gangtok, we drive through semi
tropical forest, cardamom plantation and small villages. This
small but beautiful land lies almost Hidden in the eastern
Himalayas, Sikkim or Denzong - "The Hidden Valley of
Rice", is a paradise of natural beauty believed to be the abode
of Gods, Mount Kanchenjunga (8686 meters- Third highest mountain
of the world) is revered by The sikkimese as their protective
deity. Religion forms an integral part of the daily Lives of the
Sikkimese More than 200 Buddhist. Monasteries can be found
around this tiny Himalayan State. The 22nd state of India. After
lunch visit the famous Rumtek Monastery also known as Dharma
Chakra Centre. This monastery is one of the most important seats
of the Kagyu lineage outside Tibet. In the early 1960's, His
Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa founded this seat near
the 300-year-old Kagyu monastery. Rest of the evening is free to
rest or explore the town.
Overnight: (2 nights at the Hotel Norkhill)
Day 06: Gangtok
After breakfast we visit Enchey Monastery - 3 kms from Gangtok
town. This monastery is an Important seat of the Nyingrna order.
This 200 years old monastery has in its premises Images of Gods,
Goddesse and other religious objects. The Dodrul Chorten is one
of the Largest Stupas in Sikkim and a very sacred icon to the
Buddhists. Later visit the Sikkim Research Institute of
Tibetology (SRIT) - This institute was established
To promote research on the language and traditions of Tibet as
well as the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. There are about 30
thousand volumes, mostly xylographs, (xylographs are Documents
that are printed using wooden slabs that have the matter
embossed on them in The reverse) translations of the original
teachings of the Lord Buddha, and treatises by Distinguished
Buddhist scholars from different parts of the world. The museum
at the Institute consists of rare collection of antiques like
statues, coins and thangkas.This institute Is a premier
institute in the world that conducts research in the language
and culture of Tibet. It has on its faculty eminent scholars.
Afternoon is free for personal activities
Day 07: Drive to Kalimpong (85 kms 3
Hrs) & Kalimpong Sightseeing
Early morning drive to Kalimpong passing though small villages
and upon arrival Check into the hotel. The town of Kalimpong is
situated at an altitude of 1,250m. The name, Kalimpong, has
three different origins. Owing to it's rich flora, Kalimpong Is
a blaze of colors through out the year. The orchids of this
region in particular Are famous for their infinite variety as
well as their delicate lint's. Afternoon, visit Durpin Darea
which means “binoculars” is at an altitude of 1402 meters and
five kilometers away from the town. From here we get
breathtaking views of the Himalayas including the whole Chola
range of Sikkim and the Jelepa pass. On the northwest we can see
the panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range. On the Southern
horizon looms the famous Tiger Hill (Sunrise view point) of
Darjeeling and the Tista valley. Down below we see the
confluence of the Relli, Riang and Teesta River near the Rambi
Bazaar. The fairly new monastery Zong Dog Parli Fo-Brang is
located here.
Overnight at Silver Oaks hotel in Kalimpong
Day 08: Drive Kalimpong-Phuentsoling
(179 km - drive 5-6 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Phuentsholing - Bhutan. Enroute stop
over at Jai Gaon, a boarder town between India and Bhutan and
complete the formalities of exiting out of India. After that
continue drive into Bhutan.
Overnight: Lhaki hotel or Druk Hotel.
Day 09: Drive Phuentsholng to Thimphu
(drive 180 km – 6/7 hours drive approx)
After an early breakfast, we drive to Thimphu. We arrive at
lunchtime. Then we visit Memorial Chorten (a huge Stupa) and the
National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved and the
Handicrafts Emporium where traditional textiles, Arts and crafts
are displayed and can be bought.
Overnight: Bhutan Tourism Hotel (2 nights)
Day 10: Thimphu
We enjoy a full Day tour of Thimphu visiting the
Institute for Traditional Medicine, the School of Traditional
Arts and Crafts where young Bhutanese students are taught the
art of traditional method of painting Thankhas, the gold and
silver bazaar, the Simtokha Dzong.
Day 11: Drive Thimphu to Paro - Bhutan
(drive 65 kms – 1 hr driving hr approx)
Early morning we drive to Paro to Satasam Chorten and hike to
Taktsang Monastery. The round trip hike takes about 4 hours with
picnic lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria overlooking beautiful
scenery. Evening we stroll through the narrow lanes of Paro town
meeting local folks and chatting over tea.
Overnight: Bhutan Tourism Hotel (2 nights)
Day 12: Paro
Our Paro experience starts with a visit to the National Museum,
the flagstone of Paro Rinpung Dzong, the Tower (Utse), built in
1645, of the Dzong with its superb wood work, the vista of Mount
Chomulhari, " The mountain of Goddess (altitude 7329 m / 24045
ft) and a typical Bhutanese farm house. Evening we take a
leisurely stroll in Paro, a great opportunity to meet the
people.
Day 13: Fly Paro / Kathmandu-Nepal
(Flight)
A scenic mountain flights gets us from Paro to Nepal and into
Katmandu where we are met and transferred to our hotel. We enjoy
the Nepali hospitality and take time to walk through the town
that is so well known, visit Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.
Overnight: Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza or Similar. (2nights)
Day 14: Katmandu
Morning we visit the major temple towns in the Katmandu Valley
including the famous Gilded Copper Gate in Bhadgeon, the Hindu
Temple of Shiva and the Buddhist shrine of Bodhnath. Later we
drive through the countryside to the "City of Artists" - Patan -
and see beautiful art and architecture. We also stop at the
fascinating Tibetan Refugee Craft Centre and visit the temples,
pagodas and palaces in Durbar. Afternoon is free to enjoy
Katmandu the proper way, on your own and with no plan in
advance. For those not continuing with us to Tibet, this will be
our night to say farewell.
Day 15: Katmandu / departure
Morning we are transferred to the airport for our departure
flight to Home |
