Himalayan Kingdoms - Sikkim and Bhutan

From $11,439 - 22 Days Fully Inclusive From New Zealand

Our Himalayan Kingdoms tour encompasses the remote regions of Sikkim in India’s north east and the reclusive Druk Yul, ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’, Bhutan. Both Sikkim and in particular Bhutan are still relatively unspoilt by tourism. Bhutan opened for tourism in 1974 and is perhaps the world’s most exclusive tourist destination. This journey takes you to a region of high altitude to look over unrivalled scenery of the Himalaya Mountains and valleys, visit monasteries (in Tibetan: Gompas) as well as a national park especially known for the rare One- Horned Rhinos.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: New Zealand to Kolkata

Fly with Singapore Airlines to Kolkata for 2 nights.

Day 2: Kolkata

Visit a Jain temple, a Kali temple and the Victoria Memorial. Drive past the Howrah Bridge, Dalhousie Square and Fort William, Secretariat Building, Old Court House Street, the flower market and Pauli artisan district.

Day 3: Kolkata to Darjeeling via Bagdogra

Fly to Bagdogra and travel up through hills and tea plantations to Darjeeling.

Day 4: Darjeeling - Ghoom

Rise early for a jeep ride to Tiger Hill and visit one of Ghoom’s oldest monasteries. Later we head to the railway station to board the World Heritage ‘Toy Train’ and enjoy a ride through the hills. This afternoon visit a tea plantation and the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute.

Day 5: Darjeeling to Pelling

Head north crossing into the state of Sikkim and drive to Pelling, where we visit Pemayangtse Monastery.

Day 6: Pelling

Visit Khecheopalri Lake, considered to be one of the most sacred lakes of Sikkim by both Buddhists and Hindus and Kanchenjunga Falls.

Days 7-8: Pelling to Gangtok

Drive to Gangtok visiting Tashiding Monastery en route. Tomorrow visit Enchey Monastery, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and Do Drul Chorten.

Day 9: Gangtok to Kalimpong

Drive to Kalimpong, a small but rapidly expanding market town, visiting Rumtek Monastery en route.

Day 10: Kalimpong

Today is at leisure to explore the quaint town of Kalimpong.

Day 11: Kalimpong to Gorumara

Today we venture to the rarely visited Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy a jeep safari in the park this afternoon.

Day 12: Gorumara to Phuentsholing

Drive to Phuentsholing today where we will meet our Bhutanese National Escort.

Day 13: Phuentsholing to Thimphu

Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, via the Kharbandi Gompa.

Day 14: Thimphu

Visit Trashi Chhoe Dzong, National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum (Painting School), view the National Institute of Traditional Medicine and visit the National Memorial Chorten, state-run Handicrafts Emporium, Folk Heritage Museum and National Textile Museum. Drive out of town to an enclosure which is part of Thimphu Zoo to see the unique Bhutanese Takin.

Day 15: Thimphu to Punakha

Today we leave Thimphu Valley and drive up to Dochu La stopping en route to view Simtokha Dzong. Later visit Punakha’s dzong and the newly built Khamsum Yulley Namgyal
Chorten.

Day 16: Punakha to Bumthang

Drive to Bumthang via Trongsa crossing Pele La and Yotong La and stopping at the Nepalese style Chendbji Chorten.

Day 17: Bumthang to Trongsa

This morning visit Kurje Lhakhang where the Saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon. We then visit Jambey Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang, Jakar’s dzong. This afternoon drive back to Trongsa and visit Trongsa’s dzong.

Day 18: Trongsa to Punakha

Not long after passing back through Pele La we leave the National Highway and drive into Gangtey Valley continuing to Punakha or Wangdue Phodrang for an overnight stay.

Day 19: Punakha to Paro

Drive to Paro, upon arrival visit Ta Dzong and walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong.

Day 20: Paro

Drive to the starting point for our hike to Taktshang Gompa, the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The moderate hike takes all morning and we have lunch at the cafeteria run by monks, located
halfway up the trail overlooking the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Return to Paro in the afternoon, visiting Kyichu Lhakhang on the way.

Day 21: Paro to Kolkata

This morning we have an early transfer to the airport for our flight back to Kolkata. The remainder of the day is at leisure. After dinner transfer to the airport to board our flight home.

Day 22: Arrive New Zealand

Arrive home in New Zealand.

Price Guide

From $11,439	22 Days Fully Inclusive Departing Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch
From $2,309	Single Supplement
From $8,943	Land Only
Approx USD150-165	Compulsory Tipping (See Booking Conditions)

Tour Code	Depart Date	Return Date	Price NZD
2010
I6042	29 Oct	19 Nov	$11,439

Due to flight schedules, Christchurch passengers arrive home one day later. This will extend the itinerary to 23 days.

Travel Info

Country Info

INDIA

BHUTAN

Inclusions

Return international economy airfares
All meals and accommodation
All transportation, daily tours and entrance fees to scenic attractions (not camera fees – see below)
English speaking local guides in each city and a National Tour Escort accompanying you throughout your destination based on a minimum number of passengers.

Exclusions

Visa Fees
Non ticketed international departure taxes
Personal expenditure such as all drinks (including at meals) laundry service and souvenirs
Compulsory Tipping (see Booking Conditions)
Taxes in country of transit if required
Accommodation and Meals in transit between New Zealand and country of touring (unless indicated)
Camera and Video entry charges at Monuments/Forts etc
Compulsory Insurance of any kind
Land Only package excludes visa fees and return airport transfers
Arrival / departure transfers if not travelling on group flights
Early / late check in/out not guaranteed, if requested it is at an additional cost