Darjeeling Sikkim Bhutan Cultural Tour Package - 14 Days

Our airport representative will meet you at Bagdogra International Airport, holding an "Ashmita Trek & Tours" signboard outside the terminal. You will be transferred to your hotel in Darjeeling via a private tourist vehicle. The drive offers scenic views of tea plantations and small villages. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay at a hotel in Darjeeling.el.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel for a cultural heritage tour. You will visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Everest Museum, and the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, which is home to the rare Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, and Royal Bengal Tiger. In the afternoon, visit the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre and the Happy Valley Tea Estate. You will also visit the Dali Monastery (Druk Thupten Sangag Choeling Monastery) and explore the main local marketplace. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Wake up early at 4:00 AM for a drive to Tiger Hill (8,515 feet) to witness the sunrise over the Himalayas, including views of Kanchenjunga and the Mount Everest family. Return to the hotel for breakfast and rest. In the afternoon, experience the famous 2-hour Darjeeling Toy Train joy ride, which includes a stop at the Batasia Loop. Spend the evening exploring the local market and Mall Road. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. En route, you can opt for white-water rafting on the Teesta River (at your own expense). The scenic drive continues along the Teesta and Rangit rivers to the Rangpo check post at the Sikkim border, where passports, Inner Line Permits, and IDs will be verified. Upon arrival in Gangtok, check into your hotel. You can spend the evening relaxing or exploring MG Marg. Overnight stay at a hotel in Gangtok.

After breakfast, you will begin your sightseeing tour with a visit to the Rumtek Monastery, world-renowned among Tibetan Buddhists. Originally called the Dharma Chakra Centre, this pilgrimage site was built by the 16th Karmapa and features a beautiful shrine temple as well as a learning centre for the monks. Next, you will visit the Enchey Monastery, which was established in 1909 and belongs to the Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Following this, you will visit the Do-drul Chorten (Stupa) and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, a Tibet museum in Gangtok named after the 11th Chogyal of Sikkim, Sir Tashi Namgyal (please note that the institute is closed on Sundays). In the evening, you will have time to explore the rest of Gangtok. Overnight stay at your hotel in Gangtok.

After a healthy breakfast at your hotel, you will drive to Pelling, a charming town in West Sikkim known for its stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range, the world's third-highest mountain.
En route, you will visit the Temi Tea Garden and Ravangla. In Ravangla, you will tour the Buddha Park (also known as Tathagata Tsal), which features a grand statue consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2013 to mark the 2550th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. Afterwards, you will continue the drive to Pelling for your overnight hotel stay.

Following breakfast, you will explore the hidden beauty of Pelling. The day begins with a 24 km (1.5-hour) drive to the holy Khecheopalri Lake. Situated at an altitude of about 6,000 feet, this sacred wish-fulfilling lake holds deep significance for both Buddhists and Hindus. According to Buddhist belief, the lake is an emanation of the goddess Tara, blessed by Guru Rinpoche.
Later, the tour will continue with visits to the following prominent sites:
  - Rabdentse Ruins: The archaeological site of the second capital of the former Kingdom of Sikkim (1670–1814), showcasing the region's historical glory.
  - Pemayangtse Monastery: One of the oldest and most renowned monasteries in Sikkim, belonging to the Nyingma Order of Buddhism and housing numerous religious artefacts.
  - Glass Skywalk: A modern attraction located opposite the 137-foot statue of Lord Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara).
You will have a free evening to relax before your overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will begin the drive from Pelling to Kalimpong, a beautiful hill town located in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal. Upon arrival, you will check in at your hotel. The sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang (Durpin Monastery), located on Durpin Dara Hill. The main attraction of the monastery is the pair of large, 10-foot-high cylinders on either side. In the evening, if time permits, you can enjoy a visit to the local Kalimpong market. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will embark on an approximate 6- to 7-hour drive through scenic tea gardens to Phuentsholing. Located in the southern region of Bhutan, Phuentsholing is a bustling border town. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and freshen up. Once the Inner Line Permit is processed, you will have the rest of the evening free at your leisure. Overnight stay at Phuentsholing.

After breakfast, you will complete the immigration formalities before starting the journey to Thimphu, the capital and largest city of Bhutan. Please note that the immigration office opens at 9:00 AM. The drive from Phuentsholing takes approximately 6 hours and covers around 172 km. After about half an hour of driving uphill, you will begin to enjoy the fresh air and scenic natural beauty. The route passes through beautiful broad-leaved forests, temperate alpine zones, villages, towns, waterfalls, and mountains.
Upon reaching Thimphu, you will check into your hotel to freshen up. You will have the evening free to rest or stroll through the local market area to sample traditional Bhutanese delicacies.

After your breakfast Drive to Punakha. was the capital town of Bhutan till the year 1955.The drive takes about 3 hours. En route, stop at the Dochu La Pass. It is a beautiful mountain pass (alt 3,140 m) fluttering prayer flags and a spectacular set of 108 miniature chortens (stupas). On a clear day, you will get awe-inspiring glimpses of the towering Himalayan peaks around. Visit Chimmi Lhakhang in Punakha. This fertility temple is dedicated to the famous teacher, Drukpa Kinley (also known as the Divine Madman) with whom the phallic symbol is associated.

The Divine Madman sits there though a statue this time. Do not miss the master’s deeds painted on the walls. Couples usually visit this temple to be blessed with children. Parents also take their babies here to get them named. Babies named here usually have Kinley as their first name. Visit Punakha Dzong. Placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers,
the dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was enthroned. Cross over the longest suspension bridge in the country over the Pho Chhu river spanning 180 m. You will enjoy the swaying walk across the bridge draped with colourful prayer flags and visiting the little village shops at the other end. Overnight: Hotel in Punakha.

Morning After your breakfast Visit Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Chholing Nunnery in Punakha. Built on a hill overlooking the Punakha and Wangduephodrang Valleys, the nunnery has a temple that houses a 14 foot statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrizig Chagtong Chentong), Guru Padmasambhava, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Gautama Buddha and the 21 Taras. In addition to practice and teaching of the dharma, the nunnery provides life skills training in embroidery, sculpture, and thangka painting.

Drive to Paro the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery ( Paro Taktsang ) The drive takes about 4 hours. Visit the Ta-Dzong. It was originally the watchtower for the Paro Dzong and stands imposingly on a hillock overlooking the Paro valley. In 1968, it was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangka paintings, Bhutan;s exquisite postage stamps, coins, handicrafts, and a small natural history collection. A short visit here will give you an idea of the cultural and ecological richness of Bhutan. Overnight Hotel in Paro.

After an early breakfast, we will embark on one of Bhutan’s most iconic adventures: the hike to Taktsang Monastery, famously known as the Tiger’s Nest. Following a 20-minute drive, this scenic 5 to 6-hour hike takes us through beautiful pine forests and along mountain trails to reach the sacred monastery, which is dramatically perched 900 meters above the Paro Valley.

Tiger’s Nest is one of Bhutan’s most venerated pilgrimage sites and a highlight for visitors. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress, meditated in a cave for three months, and converted the Paro Valley to Buddhism. As an architectural wonder, this spectacular walk offers an unforgettable experience. In the evening, you can explore Paro town for some last-minute shopping. Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

After an early breakfast at your hotel, your unforgettable journey in Bhutan will come to a close.our representative, along with your guide and driver, will assist you with all departure formalities and ensure a smooth check-in process before bidding you a traditional Bhutanese farewell. Safe travels on your journey home.