Journey to Bhutan
Journey to Sikkim & Bhutan: Kingdom of Heaven (20 days / 18 nights)
Itinerary: Delhi-Baddogra-Darjeeling-Pelling-Gangtok-Kalimpong-Phuntsholing-Paro-Thimphu-Punakha-Tongsa-Bhunthang-Mongar-Trashigang-Samdrup Jongkhar-Guwahati-Delhi
Day 1 France -> Delhi
Flight from France to Delhi. Overnight on the plane.
Day 2 Delhi / Bagdogra / Darjeeling
Arrival in Delhi in the morning and flight to Bagdogra. Arrive in Bagdogra and receive a typical welcome with a flower necklace. Then departure for Darjeeling on a very winding road through a landscape of hills planted with tea bushes. Lunch en route. Arrive in Darjeeling at the end of the day at an altitude of 2,100 metres. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 Darjeeling
After breakfast, you will watch the sun rise over the Himalayas from Tiger Hill, dominated by the third highest peak in the world. Then visit the city that was once the summer residence of the vices kings of India, when Calcutta was its capital. Today, the city is famous for its tea plantations: the mall with its stalls, the tea factories and the Tibetan refugee craft centre. Finally, a visit to the Ghoom monastery, where Alexandra David Neel lived. Lunch during the visits. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 Darjeeling / Pelling
After breakfast, departure for Sikkim, on the eastern side of the Himalayan range. Lunch en route. Arrive in Pelling at the end of the day and check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 Pelling / Gangtok
After breakfast, the morning will be devoted to visiting the town of Pelling. You will discover the Pemayangste monastery. This was the refuge of the seventeenth Karmapa and later of the Red Cap sect, before they fled Tibet in 1959. You can also admire the marvellous Kechopari lake. You will then continue on your way, through hills and terraced fields, towards the capital of Sikkim. Arrive in Gangtok and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 Gangtok / Phodung / Gangtok
After breakfast, visit the lamasery and the Phodung monastery, one of the five largest in Sikkim. On the way, stop at Tashi Point View opposite Kanchen Junga (8590 m), where the panorama of the Himalayas is superb. Lunch stop. In the afternoon, a tour of the town, including the Institute of Tibetology, which contains some very interesting old books, sacred objects and superb painted and embroidered tankas. Finally, a stroll through the orchid garden, which boasts more than 250 varieties. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 Gangtok / Kalimpong
After breakfast, we drive through the hills where rhododendrons and cardamoms grow to reach the market town of Kalimpong. A pleasant stopover in this pretty landscape. Lunch en route. Arrive in Kalimpong and check into hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 Kalimpong / Phuntsholing
After breakfast, you will head back down to the plains before entering Bhutan. Arrive in Phuntsoling, the border town, in the afternoon. Lunch en route. Check-in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 Phuntsholing / Paro
After breakfast, departure for the city of Paro, where you can visit the city's most famous and interesting sites. First you will visit the marvellous Ta Dzong, which has been converted into a national museum. Then you'll visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century and resembling a veritable fortress. Finally, you will visit other monuments built in the 17th century, such as the splendid Drukgyel Dzong. From the Drukgyel Dzong, you will have a breathtaking view of Mount Jomolhari. Lunch during the visits. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 Paro / Tiger Sanctuary / Paro
After breakfast, you will begin your ascent to the monastery of Taksang, better known as the Tiger's Refuge. The monastery is situated on a mountain more than 3,000 metres above sea level. It is one of the most sacred places of pilgrimage in the Himalayas. Here you can enjoy an incredible view over the entire Paro valley. After visiting this magnificent monastery, return to Paro through the forests and plantations of the valley. Lunch during the visits. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Paro / Timphu
After breakfast, you will take the road to Thimphu. On the way stop at the Kharbandi monastery, from where there is a beautiful view over the plain and the town of Phuntsholing. Lunch on the way. At the end of the day, arrival in Thimphu at an altitude of 2,500 metres. The capital of Bhutan, Thimphu is nevertheless a quiet little town. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 Thimphu
After breakfast, departure to discover the city of Thimphu. You will explore the Motithang Takin Preserve, a small zoo where you can observe animals typical of the region. You will then visit the textile centre, where you will meet the workers who make Bhutan's famous high-quality garments. You will also visit the national archery stadium, the country's national sport. And you can watch a competition or a training session. Then, if you're lucky enough to be in the capital for the weekend, you can soak up the atmosphere at the local market. If you like, you can also buy a few souvenirs there. Finally, you'll discover the Tashichhodzong fortress, built in the 17th century and boasting some very special architecture. Lunch during the visits. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 Thimphu / Punakha
After breakfast, departure for Punakha. On the way you will discover Dochu La (3050m altitude) where you will have an incredible view of some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas. You will also see some 108 stupas representing the nature and teachings of the Bouda. Arrive in Punakha and check into your hotel. You will then explore the Punakha Dzong, which was built in the 17th century and is of key importance to the country's history. Then off to Talo, the city of queens. There you will begin a short trek during which you will meet the farmers and visit their barns. Return to Punakha at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.Day 14 Punakha / Tongsa
After breakfast, departure for Tongsa, through forests of giant rhododendrons and conifers. On the way, you'll gaze out over the mountains, with numerous views of the country's highest peaks. Arrive at Wandiphodrang for a breathtaking view of the Dzong. After a stroll through the town, you will arrive in Tongsa in the late afternoon. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 Tongsa / Bhumthang
After breakfast, departure for Bhumthang, a place full of mysteries and legends due to the bewitching mists of the region. It was in this part of Bhutan that Buddhism was introduced in the 8th century. Arrive and check into your hotel. Lunch at the hotel. Then discover Burning Lake, a veritable watering hole in the middle of the river, sacred to Hinduism. You will then visit the magnificent Thamshing monastery. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 16 Bhumthang / Mongar
After breakfast, you will set off to discover Bhutan's oldest monasteries in one of its most culturally rich regions. You will visit the main and most interesting monasteries, such as Jampa Lhakhang and Kurje. You will then trek for 2 hours to reach the Tangbi temple. Lunch during the visits. Then departure for Mongar. On the way, visit the village of Ura and cross the highest pass in the country: the Thrumsing La Pass (4000m). At the end of the day, you arrive in Mongar, passing through pine forests, small villages and maiz fields. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 17 Mongar / Trashigang
After breakfast, departure for Trashigang. On the way you will cross the Kuri Chu pass to reach Drametse, where you will visit the most beautiful temple in the eastern part of the country. Before arriving in Trashigang you will visit Kurje, a Buddhist temple of great importance in the region. Lunch en route. Arrive in Trashigang and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 18 Trashigang / Samdrup Jongkhar
After breakfast, departure for Samdrup Jongkhar through magnificent tropical vegetation of bamboo and teak plantations. On the way, visit the Zang Pelri temple built in honour of Guru Rimpoche. Lunch en route. Continue on to Samdrup Jongkhar. Arrive and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 19 Samdrup Jongkhar / Guwahati / Delhi (Flight)
After breakfast you will cross the border back into India towards Guwahati. Arrive and transfer to the airport for a flight to Delhi. During the flight you will be able to contemplate the incredible scenery of the Himalayan range. Arrival in Delhi, welcome and transfer to the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. You will then set off to explore New Delhi. You will visit the most important and significant places in the Indian capital. During the day, you will admire the Gate of India, a monument to the soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War. You can also visit the Humanyo Tomb, a magnificent example of Mughal architecture. Then the Raj Ghat, home to the memorial to Gandhi, the father of the nation. You will be able to contemplate the Qutub Minar, also known as the Victory Tower, which remains the tallest tower in India and the third tallest in the world. Finally, you'll head to the Connaught district, which is characterised by its lively, modern feel. Here you can see the Presidential Palace, Parliament and the country's other institutions. At the end of the day, return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 20 Delhi -> France
After breakfast, and depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport to catch your international flight to France. End of our services. Arrival in France.
