DARJEELING, SIKKIM & BHUTAN

16 days from GBP2,699 to GBP3,199 including flights
Tripcode: AKB

Countries Visited: Bhutan, India

The charming hillstation of Darjeeling, Himalayan vistas, and the untouched beauty and Buddhist culture of Sikkim and Bhutan

This corner of the Eastern Himalaya has a great deal to offer. Bhutan is unique in its appeal, almost completely unaffected by Western influences, and one of the true homes of Tibetan Buddhism. Sikkim is renowned for its flora and large number of Buddhist monasteries, including Rumtek, Labrang and the rarely-visited Phodang, with their fine collections of paintings and relics. Darjeeling, 2000m above the plains of Bengal, is surrounded by tea plantations and is the archetypal hillstation; slightly faded, but still a lively centre for the different hill peoples. The view from Tiger Hill at sunrise is one of the most impressive in the Himalaya, with the great bulk of Kanchenjunga dominating the northern horizon. The spring departure includes the Paro Tsechu, Bhutan's most important and colourful festival, whilst the autumn departure will visit festivals in Wangdiphrodrang and Thimpu.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Day 1	Depart London.
Day 2	Arrive Calcutta; free afternoon to explore.
Day 3	Early morning flight to Bagdogra; drive through Himalayan foothills to Darjeeling.
Day 4	Sightseeing, including visit to a tea plantation and Tibetan Refugee Centre.
Day 5	Drive through tea plantations to Gangtok, Sikkim's capital; visit Rumtek Monastery.
Day 6	Visit Phodang and Labrang Monasteries.
Day 7	Transfer to Kalimpong. Evening visit to Dorpin Monastery.
Day 8	Explore the markets and monasteries and walk up to Dr. Graham's school.
Day 9	Return to the plains to reach the Bhutan border at Phuntsholing.
Day 10	Drive to Thimpu, capital of Bhutan.
Day 11	Sightseeing in and around Thimpu including the Memorial Chorten and the National Library
Day 12	Drive to old capital of Punakha with superb mountain views from the Duchula pass (3050m); on to Wangdiophrodrang.
Day 13	Drive to beautiful Paro Valley.
Day 14	Full day to explore Paro. Visit the National Museum, Paro Dzong and the Tiger's Nest Monastery.
Day 15	Fly to Calcutta.
Day 16	Fly to London.

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