The Dragon Trail – Sikkim And Bhutan
| Duration : 9 Nights / 10 Days |
| Destinations : Delhi – Bagdogra – Darjeeling - Maneybhanjang – Tonglu – Kalpokhari - Sandakphu - Rimbick - Gangtok - Kalimpong - Bagdogra – Delhi |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, our Executive will meet you at the Airport followed by transfer to hotel. Morning sightseeing of New Delhi where you visit the mighty Qutub Minar, the unique lotus shaped Bahai Temple, Humayuns Tomb, India Gate and Sikh Temple at Bangla Sahib. Afternoon visit Old Delhi with visit to Raj Ghat: the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi followed by visit to Mughal monument of Jama Masjid. Overnight in hotel at Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi – Bagdogra (By Fly) – Darjeeling
This morning transfer to the domestic airport to board flight for Bagdogra. The flight to Bagdogra runs parallel to the Himalayas and if the weather is clear, we have views of all of the Himalayan giants; including Nanda Devi and Panch Chuli, and then all of the Nepalese 8000 meter peaks; Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Everest, Makalu and then the massive bulk of Kangchenjunga, just as we come in to land. From Bagdogra, it is a four-hour drive to Darjeeling. At first, drive through flat rice fields and Assam tea plantations, before the road starts to climb into the foothills of the Himalaya. Darjeeling, built on top of a ridge, faces the Himalaya and is a popular tourist destination for Westerners and Bengalis alike. The British originally acquired the thickly forested land in 1833, which introduced tea growing and promoted the settlement as a Health Resort. 150 years on, Darjeeling is now a thriving and busy town but retains links to its past.
There is a possibility to meet the famous toy train between Bagdogra/Darjeeling, which you may like to ride. Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the upper mall road. Stay overnight in the hotel at Darjeeling.
Day 03 : Darjeeling
Early Morning Excursion To Tiger Hill To Behold The Most Spacta-Cular Sunrise And The Mountains With The Vst To Ghoom Monastery(Yiga-Choling) To See The Statue Of Maitrya(Coming Buddha). After Breakfast Toy Train Ride Upto Ghoom & Back By Car (Subject To Operation Of This Train & Availability Of The Seats)After Lunch Vst Tibetan Refugee Centre, Himalayan Mountaineering Instt & Zoo.
Day 04 : Trek
Drive Darjeeling Maneybhanjang – 26 Kms/1.5 Hrs – Trek: Maneybhanjang-tonglu 3078 M/11 Kms/5 Hrs.
One Can Cover The Distance Of 26 Kms By Car Takes 1.5. Hrs To Maneybhanjang At An Altitude Of 2134 M Which Is The Starting Point Of This Trek. The Trek From Maneybhanjang To Tonglu Covering 11 Kms/5 Hrs Is Steep And Up A Zigzag Road. One Can See Different Varieties Of Rhododendrons And Magnolias(Best Season For This Flower Is Aprril & May)Enroute And Can See The Magnificent View Of Kanchenjunga.O/N At Camp On Full Board Basis.
Day 05 : Trek
Trek: Tonglu - Kalpokhari - 3108 M/13 Kms/4.5 Hrs
Tonglu To Gairibans Which Is 9 Kms Is Down Hill Trek Then It Is 4 Kms Uphill Trek To Kalpokhari. O/N At Camp.On Full Board Basis.
Day 06 : Trek
Trek:kalipokhari-sandakphu-3636m/8 Kms/3.5 Hrs:
Kalipokhari To Sandakphu Is Gradually Climbs Up & Last Part Of The Trek Is Very Steep. Once You Reach The Top You Will Forget All Your Tiredness And Enjoy The Magnificent Views Of The Mountains Of This Part Of The World Like Mt.Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse And Other Peaks Of Sikkim And Nepal Himalayas.O/N At Camp On Full Board Basis.
Day 07 : Trek
Trek:sandakphu-rimbick-2331m/16 Kms/6 Hrs:
Khola Passing Villages And Farmland And Then All The Way Uphill Through The Forest To Rimbick. Drive:Rimbick To Darjeeling – 56 Kms/4 Hrs.
Day 08 : End Trek & Drive Gangtok
After Breakfast Tranfser From Darjeeling To Gangtok Via Rumtek Monastery,Tibeology & Do Drul Chorten, 120 Kms/6 To 6.5 Hrs,Late Pm: Vst Enchey Monastery & Cottage Industry.
Day 9 : Gangtok - Kalimpong
After Breakfast Tranfser From Gangtok To Kalimpong 80 Kms/3 Hrs, Pm: City Tour In Kalimpong.
Places Covered : Kalimpong – Phuntsoling- Thimpu –Trongsa- Bumthang –Gangtey – Paro - Delhi
Day 10 : Kalimpong – Bagdogra – Delhi (By Fly) – London (By Fly)
Early morning we’ll depart towards Bagdogra to take the flight for Delhi. On arrival transfer to the hotel later in the evening Farewell Dinner followed by transfer to board your flight for home.
Day 11 : Kalimpong – Phuntsoling - Bhutan
Drive for about 175 Km, to the Bhutanese borders. This journey takes us through flowering forests and past endless tea plantations with gentle sloping hills carpeted in green velvet. Check into hotel. After lunch we drive to ‘ kharbandi” to see the monastery. Overnight at hotel in Phuntsoling.
Day 12 : Phuntsoling – Thimpu
This morning after early breakfast drive to Thimphu, the capital of this beautiful mountain Kingdom. Stay at hotel.
Day 13 : Thimpu
Morning: Visit the Memorial Chorten (a huge sputa) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reined the country from 1952-1972. Visit the Painting and Wood Craft School where traditional art and craft is still kept alive. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon: Visit Simtokha Dzong. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan located about 6 Kms. from Thimphu town. It houses the largest Monastic schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive fortress houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the office and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot. Evening: Free to do some shopping in the town.
Visit Thimphu bazaar, Tachisho Dzong, Painting school, Memorial Chorten. Overnight in hotel.
Day 14 : Thimpu – Trongsa
Drive out of Thimphu valley towards Bumthang. Stop to get the views of Bhutanese Himalaya from over the Dachu La. Take a detour to visit Punakha Dzong and Wangdi Dzong. Over night at Trongsa.
Day 15 : Trongsa – Bumthang
Continue drive to Bumthang. Stay at guesthouse. Visit yambulakhang, the one of the oldest monasteries of Bhutan.
Day 16 - 19 : Bumthang Trek
Start your around the Bumthang valley.
Trekking Details This three-day trek is ideal for average walkers as the altitude does not go over 3,400 meters (11,155 feet). The four valleys of Bumthang, is revered by the Bhutanese as the sacred land of Bhutan with many important Nyingmapa saints coming from here including the famous Pema Lingpa. The trek crosses several villages and wends through the picturesque Bumthang countryside, giving an exceptional opportunity to be in contact with rural life. This trek is best done from October to May.
Day 01: Start trek to Nanglakhang. Camp.
Day 02: Continue trek to Ugencholing. Camp.
Day 03: Trek at Mambertsho.
Day 04: walk towards Jakar and then Drive to Jakar. Over night Hotel.
Day 20 : Bumthang – Gangtey
Retrace your steps on the same road towards Wangdi. Take a detour to this beautiful valley of Gangtey, famous for its annual breeding of black neck cranes that flies from central Asia during wintertime. Visit Gangtey gompa in the evening and watch young monks in practice.
Over night stay at the lodge.
Day 21 : Gangtey – Paro
A quite long day on road driving back on the same road by passing Thimphu and taking a new road to Paro valley. Since most of the day is spent on road, take it easy and relax at your hotel.
Day 22 : Paro
Start early morning and spend a half-day hiking to Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest. This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 4000 ft. above the valley floor. Legend says that Guru Padmasambhava flew here on the back of a tigress - hence the name - to meditate. The tigress was actually his favorite consort, Yeshe Tsogyel, whom he transformed to a flying tigress for the purpose of this journey. The Guru finished his meditation; he instructed that a monastery be built. The hike to Taktsang Monastery takes about 4 hours. Picnic Lunch.
In the afternoon visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This was originally the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. It is located on top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and river. On the way back from the Museum, take a leisurely stroll in the Paro market and along the beautiful Paro River. Overnight in hotel.
Day 23 : Paro – Delhi (By Fly) – London (By Fly)
Depart from Paro for Delhi. Met upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Later farewell dinner followed by transfer to airport to catch flight back home.
