Calcutta, Sikkim and Bhutan (15 days)

After arriving in Kolkata, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

After time to freshen up and have lunch there will be a guided tour of the fascinating city of Kolkata, not long ago known as Calcutta. You will visit the Victoria Memorial, the impressive reminder of Calcutta's past as capital of the British rule, as well as the Indian Museum, the repository of the largest number of museum objects in India.

The Victoria Memorial Hall was opened in 1921. Lord Curzon conceived it and it was built with white marble from Markana, Rajasthan. As night descends on Calcutta, several of the city's landmarks including the Victoria Memorial Hall are illuminated giving the Maidan area a fairytale look. The Victoria Memorial is also a museum where people could see before them pictures and statues of men who played a prominent part in the history of India and develop a pride in their past especially in relation to the history of Calcutta.
The India Museum is housed in an Italian-style building and contains a remarkable collection of sculpture from around India. It has over sixty galleries including sections on art, archaeology, anthropology, geology, zoology and botany. Many rare specimens, of both Indian and trans-Indian origin, relating to humanities and natural science are preserved and displayed in the galleries of these sections.

Today you will visit the botanical garden and Missionaries of Charity.
Botanical garden of Kolkata is situated 8kms away from the city, on the west bank of the Ganges, covering an area of about 273 acres. Laid out in the year 1787, Calcutta botanical garden is one of the oldest and largest botanical gardens of India. It contains about 12,000 living perennial plants and millions of dried out plants gathered from world over. The main attraction of the botanical garden is the giant size banyan tree that is said to have the second largest canopy in the world. Over here, you can find a plethora of beautiful orchids and other colourful flowers. The garden also has a library, where you can find a valuable collection of books on botany. The botanical garden of Calcutta houses trees of rarest variety.

Missionaries of Charity is a Roman Catholic religious order established in 1950 by Mother Teresa of Kolkata, which consists of over 4,500 nuns and is active in 133 countries. Members of the order designate their affiliation using the order's initials, "MC." Member nuns must adhere to the vows of charity, poverty and obedience, and the fourth vow, to give "Wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor". In the year 1950, she received permission from the Vatican to set up her own order, originally known as Diocesan Congregation of the Calcutta Diocese. Thus was born the society or charitable institution, which later came to be known as the Missionaries of Charity.

Flying to Bagdogra, you will be met by representative and board the waiting vehicle to start what is a 4 hour, highly scenic drive to Darjeeling.

Darjeeling sits at an elevation of 2134 meters and became the mountain retreat of government officials during the days of the Raj, its climate providing a welcome relief from the humidity and heat of the Indian lowlands. It became renowned for the quality of the tea grown on the hills around the town and tea and tourism are still the main income earners for the area.

Darjeeling has been a popular hill station ever since the British established it as a rest and recreation centre for their troops over a hundred and fifty years ago. Blessed with a cool climate, it has, perhaps, the most stunning view of the Kanchenjunga range. With about 100,000 inhabitants, it has a mixed population of various races and religions living in perfect harmony. This is vividly reflected at the shrine atop observatory Hill where Hindus and Buddhists pray together. Gorkhas, Tibetans, Lepchas and migrants from the plains have made Darjeeling their home. Though Gorkhali, Hindi and Bengali are widely spoken, almost everyone understands English.

Early in the morning we begin by driving to Tiger Hill (2600m, 8060ft) to view the sunrise over the mountains (12km, 45min). On a clear day the sight of the sun’s rays painting the tips of the snow clad Himalayan giants is a most memorable spectacle.

After sunrise and on the way back to the hotel, visit the Ghoom Monastery. This monastery belongs to the Yellow Sect of Buddhists who worships a 15ft statue of the "Coming Buddha", Maitreya. Built in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyantso, it is the largest of the three monasteries of this sect in Darjeeling and contains images of Buddha's disciples "Chenrezig" and "Tsongkapa". Among the Buddhist texts available there are the Kangyur, the Buddhist Tibetan Gospel running into 108 volumes.

Later return to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast drive from hotel for about an hour and start the walk passing small villages and walking along the ridge of a tea plantation. Weather permitting we will be able to see the mighty Kanchenjunga range in front of us. After a walk of around 45 minutes we reach the Tukvar Tea Estate where we see how tea is processed. After the tour we walk further down passing small houses and tea plantations until we pause for a packed lunch.

After lunch we drive back for the afternoon sightseeing.

Next we drive to visit the Tibet Self Help Center which has some interesting places to watch the local handicrafts being made as well as a various range of choice handicraft souvenirs. The Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre is a self-supporting centre for Tibetan refugees, which manufacture some intriguing Tibetan handicrafts. Established for the rehabilitation of Tibetan refugees who had followed the Dalai Lama to India in early 1959. It offers a wide choice of Tibetan handicrafts and Tibetan woollen carpets.

On the way back to the hotel visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is the only Zoo in the world to breed Tibetan wolf in captivity and the first South Asian zoo to breed snow leopard, Siberian tiger and red panda. It is situated at an elevation of 2133meters against the glorious background of the mighty Kanchenjunga.

Also visit the famous Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) - "The lure of the Himalayas is spreading now all over India among our young people, and that is a sign and symbol of the new life and the new spirit that is coursing through India's veins" - Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (Founder President HMI). The Institute was established on 4th November 1954, which was then the hub centre of all mountaineering activity in India.

It takes approx. 8hrs to reach Pemayangtse from Darjeeling.

Located in the western part of Sikkim, Pemayangtse is a small but important Buddhist pilgrim centre. It is a beautiful place surrounded by natural splendour of Eastern Himalayas. Pemayangtse offers fascinating views of the mighty Kanchenjunga peak that overlooks the town. For the adventure lovers, there are many hiking and trekking trails in the vicinity of this city.

In the morning we’ll visit the Kecheopelri Lake. This lake is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists and considered a wish-fulfilling lake. The tranquil and clear waters of this lake reflect the densely wooded slopes of the surrounding hills with a monastery above. Leaf lamps are floated in the lake with special prayers and wishes.

In the afternoon, walk to the Pemayangste Monastery and Rabdanste Palace Ruins. The walk begins from the hotel passing the school and a play ground on the main road. We walk downhill for about 5 minutes and reach the main road. From here we turn right and start the moderate climb for about 20 minutes to reach Pemayangtse Monastery gate. From the gate its steep climb of about 5 minutes to reach the monastery. Situated at an altitude of 2085 meters, Pemayangtse presents a panoramic view of the high Himalayas.

Legend has it that the great tantric saint, Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, searching for a place to meditate, shot an arrow in the air. The place where the arrow landed is where Pemayangtse Monastery stands.

After your visit retrace your steps and descend back to reach the main road and decent further for about 30 meters to reach the Rabdantse Ruins. It was the second capital of erstwhile kingdom of Sikkim after Yuksom. The magnificent view of Kanchenjunga could be seen from here.

Today we drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, approx. 8hrs drive away. En route we’ll visit Rabdentse, the former capital of Sikkim in the 16th century, and Rabongla. This is a scenic route with the tea estates, cardamom plantations and small villages on the way.

After breakfast drive to Kalimpong (4-5hrs) check into the hotel. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, the town of Kalimpong is situated at an altitude of 1,250 m. The name, Kalimpong, has three different origins. One, it means the place where the local tribesmen gathered to organise field sports, second, it is named after "Kaulim", a fibrous plant found in abundance in this region and thirdly, Kailimpong which means "The Stockade of the King's Minister" as it was once a bustling town on the trade route to Tibet. The route has long since closed but its tranquillity and intrinsic charm remain.

At an altitude of 1250 meters it enjoys the best climate in the region. Owing to its rich flora, Kalimpong is a blaze of colours throughout the year. The orchids of this region in particular are famous for their infinite variety as well as their delicate lint. Kalimpong produces 80% of India’s gladioli and is a significant orchid-growing area. Flowers grown here are exported to many cities in northern India and abroad.

Visit Durpin Dara and the new monastery, Zong Dog Parli Fo-Brang and some flower nurseries. Durpin Dara means “binocular hill” is at an altitude of 1402 meters and five kilometres 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 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.

Early morning after breakfast check out of the hotel and start driving towards Phuentsholing. Continue driving till we reach Siliguri where we have lunch.

After lunch continue driving for another 155 kilometres which takes about 4 hours till we reach Jai Gaon (India side of the boarder with Bhutan). Here we officially come out of India and after 10 minutes drive we reach the Bhutan Border and after completing the border formalities we enter into Bhutan, Phuentsholing and check into the hotel.

Bhutan, a purely Buddhist Himalayan kingdom, is unsurpassed in its scenic majesty and vibrant culture. The kingdom shares with Nepal the world’s greatest concentration of mountains and living heritage of Buddhism. It is a paradise for the traveller interested in Buddhist culture and philosophy, flora and fauna, trekking and mountaineering.

After breakfast proceed to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan situated at the altitude of 2,400m. It is an approx. 6hrs drive.

The drive from Phuentsholing is very pleasant with numerous scenic spots. Stop for lunch on the way at local restaurant. Nearby Thimphu, visit Simitokha Dzong - the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627. It now houses the school for Buddhist studies.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,050m), a pass that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan. Until 1955, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan and still it holds the winter seat of Chief Abbot. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.

In Punakha, visit 17th century Punakha Dzong, followed by visit to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chhorten. After lunch, drive to Wangdiphodrang, the last town before central Bhutan. The town is like an enlarged village with its interesting local market. Visit majestic Wangdiphodrang Dzong sitting on the top of the hill at the confluence of Punakha Chhu and Tang Chhu rivers.

Today you will drive to Paro. On the way, visit Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16kms from Paro town). Although in ruins, this dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Mount Chomolhari “Mountain of Goddess” can be seen on a clear day.

On the way back, visit a typical Bhutanese farm house. Lunch at the Hotel. The evening is free for you to take a stroll around Paro market.

After an early breakfast, drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 kms) for a short trek to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 hrs.

Today you will fly to Kolkata. In the afternoon, rest and relax.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.