Eastern India And Bhutan Tour

You will be met on your arrival at Kolkata International Airport and transferred to Hotel The Peerless Inn. Kolkata, Eastern India’s largest city, will be the first stop of your tour. Overnight in Kolkata

After breakfast, transfer to airport in time to board flight for Bagdogra, the gateway to the eastern Himalayas. Met on your arrival at Bagdogra airport and transfer to Darjeeling by road (90 kms /3 ½ hrs). On your arrival in Darjeeling check in at Hotel The Elgin. Overnight in Darjeeling.

Early morning visit to Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery. The early morning visit to Tiger Hill will always be remembered by you as the highlight of your Eastern India and Bhutan tour, because of the magnificent views of some of the highest peaks in the world. Later visit the Himalayan Zoological Park, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Gumbu Rock site and Tibetan Refugee self-help centre as well as an evening visit to the tea gardens. Overnight in Darjeeling.

After breakfast, depart for Gangtok (Capital of the Hill state of Sikkim) by road (98 kms/4 ½ hrs). On your arrival in Gangtok check into the Hotel Norkhill. Overnight in Gangtok.

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a sight-seeing tour of Gangtok visiting the Rumtek Monastery, the Research Institute of Tibetology, Do Drul Chorten, the Institute of Cottage Industries and the 200 year old Enchey monastery. Overnight in Gangtok.

After breakfast, depart for Indo – Bhutan border (220 kms/approx 07 hrs). From here, our Bhutan representative will receive you and take you to Phuntsholing, from where your tour to Bhutan begins. The gateway to the south, Phuntsholing is a thriving commercial Centre on the northern edge of the Indian plains. Situated directly at the base of the Himalayan foothills, it is a fascinating mixture of Indian and Bhutanese, a perfect example of mingling of people and their culture. On your arrival in Phuntsholing check into the Hotel Druk or Similar. Overnight in Phuntsholing

After breakfast, depart for Thimphu by road (180 kms/06 hrs). 4 km ahead of Phuntsholing, visit Kharbandi Gompa, the beautiful monastery situated in garden of tropical plants and flowers. The monastery contains paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rimpoche. From the monastery garden there is a splendid view of Phuntsholing and plains of West Bengal and their tea gardens beyond. Proceed further to Thimphu. Lunch stop en route. Five miles, before Thimphu, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now houses the School for religious and cultural studies. On your arrival in Thimphu check into the Hotel Kisa or similar. Overnight in Thimphu.

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a sightseeing tour of Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, visiting the National Library housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts, the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) which conducts training courses in Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. After lunch, visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”, the centre of Bhutan’s government and religion, King's Memorial Chorten and the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Overnight in Thimphu.

After breakfast, depart for Paro by road (55 kms/1 ½ hr). On your arrival in Paro check into the Hotel Olathang or similar. Later sightseeing tour of Paro visiting the Ta Dzong, with it’s fascinating collection of arts, paintings, exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts. Also visit the Rinpung Dzong, known as ‘fortress of the heap of jewel's. Overnight in Paro

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by an excursion to the Taktsang Monastery. Perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor, according to the legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress, and meditated at this place, hence the monastery is also called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. After lunch drive to Drukgyel Dzong. This dzong, with a picturesque village nestling below its ramparts, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Also visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 7th century, it is one of the two oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Overnight in Paro.

Transfer to Paro airport in time to connect your flight for Kolkata, where your Eastern India and Bhutan tour ends. Arrive Kolkata and further connect your flight home.