West  Bhutan, Dargeeling, Sikkim Tour

DAY 1. KATHMANDU  -  PARO
The flight into the Bhutan Himalayas is one of the most spectacular experiences you will ever witness. Flying in from the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal towards the Northeast, one can witness from the left side of the plane, a chain of the world's highest and majestic peaks. Pay careful attention when the  Druk  Air  captain points out the names : Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and the rest as you fly pass them in minutes. Soon you will  descend into Druk Yul, and even as the plane lowers it landing gears preparing for landing you will not find any air strip or signs of a city, do not despair, instead enjoy the view of the approaching valley and the primeval alpine forests, the little monasteries, temples and farm houses all in splendid isolation. Moments before landing, you may catch a glimpse of the fertile Paro valley, the colossal Paro Dzong and the winding Paro Chu river. As you step out of the plane, take your first breath of cool, clean fresh air, this will be your first free gift  Bhutan has to offer to the guest. After your Bhutanese guide identifies you, he will escort you to the Olathang Hotel on the hill.

DAY 2. PARO VALLEY
The people of Paro are known for their hard work which they like to show in their big and traditional country houses. If you marry a girl from Paro, be prepared to put a metal roofing over the traditional shingle roof in your wife's house, to show that you are a capable and well – to – do husband, so we joke among ourselves. Morning sightseeing includes: the Ta Dzong National Museum considered to be one of the best natural history museums in Asia ; it has a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts. A short drive to the Drukgyel Dzong fortress, a strategic sentry where the Bhutanese forces repelled the numerous Tibetan invasions from the north ; the majestic Jumolhari or the 'Mountain of the Goddess' can be seen in the background for many, the 2- 3 hour hike to Taktsang or the famous ' Tiger's Nest' is a memorable spiritual journey. It was here that the great tantric master Guru Padmasambhava flew in from Tibet on a tiger to bring Buddhist teachings to Bhutan, retreat in their spiritual quest : the remainder of the day can be spent shopping or simply strolling through town.

DAY 3 - 4. THIMPHU : THE CAPITAL OF BHUTAN
Thimphu is a short hour and half drive from one main valley to the next across paddy fields, apple orchards, farm houses, paddy stacks, farmers drying paddies on the rosd, cattle, pine trees and hamlets that smell of burning wood. Check in at the Jumolhari or Druk Hotels. When in Thimphu be prepared for several things. This unique capital (8000 feet) of the kingdom has adopted its own version of the British – India colonial times traffic policemen, who can startle you and memorize others with his elaborate hand gestures : sometimes he may be signaling stop when it looks like go but don't worry just observe the flow and notice his smile as you stare at him.

Sightseeing includes the Tashicho Dzong, seat of the royal government and central monastic body, it was rebuilt in the early 1960s after a fire destroyed most of the building; the late King's Memorial Chorten which is well visited by the residents of Thimphu especially during the festive and religious occasions; the Handicrafts Center to view the traditional arts now being revived by the government : the Indigenous Medicine Hospital, where herbal medicine, acupuncture and the ancient art of healing that has  passed down from Tibet is still being practiced today ; if time permits you can also visit the Thankha Painting School ; silver and goldsmith village ; if you visit coincides on a Saturday or a Sunday you witness the interesting 'Sunday Market' so called even on Saturday ! ), you can delve into the various vegetables, chilies, temperature fruits from all parts of Bhutan, ( all grown without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers ) ; not far from the market place is the Changlimithang ground where you will always find the game of archery ( the national sport of Bhutan ) being played.

DAY  5. THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA & WANGIPHODRANG (3 HR SDRIVE)
After breakfast, drive east climbing steadily towards the Dochu La Pass at 10000 feet. A large chorten and forest of prayer flags greet you as you face the range of majestic peaks towards the North , Gangar Punsum , among others is the highest unclimbed peak (over 24000 feet ) in the world. The descent from the pass to valley is about 2 hours, with an altitude  drop of over  5500 feet you pass through temperate forest colored with rhododendrons and magnolias, down to the semitropical zone of orange, banana and cactuses. Situated near the river on a small plateau is the famous Chime Lhakhang for infertile women.

The Punakha Dzong built in the 16^th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, was the winter capital for 300 years ; today it is winter home to the Je Khenpo the  chief Abbot , hundreds of monks, and also serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakhadistrict. Downstream from the Punakha valley is the Wangdiphodrang Dzong strategically located on a ridge (4430 feet) over looking the junction of the Sunkoshi Tangchu rivers ; it is  the gateway to central and eastern Bhutan. Legend has it that Mahakala, the protective deity of Bhutan appeared to tell Shabdrung of a prediction, saying ; 'at top of a rocky spur where two rivers meet , at the place where a flock of raven will fly off in four directions, you will build the dzong.' As prophesied by the deity the Shabdrung built the dzong in 1638. The Punakha and Wangdi valleys are also the winter home for many of the high altitude farmers who migrate with their cattle to the warm climate in the valley. The numerous paddy fields indicate the fertile conditions ideal for agriculture, farmers here often grow 2- 3 crops a year , rice and chili being important cash crops for the farmers. After lunch drive back to Thimphu in time for dinner.

Day 06:  PUNAKHA & WANGIPHODRANG To PHUNCHOLING

Day 07: meet our  representative in the boarder and Transfer to Darjeeling. Overnight at Hotel Seven Seventeen or similar on standard.  

Day 08 Darjeeling:  Early morning tour to Tiger Hills (at 4 am) to view sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak (subject to clear weather) and Batasia Loop & Ghoom Monastery. Afternoon visit to Japanese Temple, Peace pagoda, Lalkothi, Dhirdham Temple, Ava Art Gallery and Natural History Museum. Overnight at Hotel Seven Seventeen.  

Day 09 Darjeeling – Gangtok: Transfer to Gangtok (after breakfast,98 kms / 04 hrs). Overnight at Hotel Golden Pagoda.  Day 05 Gangtok: Take an excursion to Tshangu Lake (12000 ft. 35 kms / 02 hrs). Overnight at Hotel Golden Pagoda.

Day 10 Gangtok: Go for a day sightseeing covering Directorarte of Handicraft & Handsome, Enchey Monastery, Research Institute of Tibetology, Chorten, Rumtek Monastery and orchid sanctuary. Overnight at Hotel Golden Pagoda.

Day 11 Gangtok – Bhardrapur, Overnight in Bhadrapur Hotel..  

Day 12 :  Bhadrapur to Katmandu by flight. And transfer to the Hotel.

Tour Cost: US$ 1570.00 Net per person. 
Single Supplement: US$ 200.00 
Group size: 4 pax.

Visa : Visa cost for Bhutan: US $ 20.00 at Bhutan airport.

Extra Airfare

Kathmandu/ Paro: US $ 195.00
Biratnagar/Bhadratpur: US $ 109.00+2 one way Per person

01 Accommodation with taxes and breakfast, Tour & Transport in Sikkim  
02 Accommodation, All meals, Guided City – tour, all Fees including in Bhutan
03 Air port drop and pick up.  

Cost Excludes:

• Airport Tax & Excess baggage 
• Bhutan and Indian visa
• Lunch and dinner in Sikkim, India 
• Expenses on personal Nature 
• Travel Insurance 
• Extra cost occurred in case of landslides etc.

For More Information: info@ecotrek.com.np