BHUTAN & SIKIM UNVEILED ITINERARY:
DAYS 1 & 2, Tuesday & Wednesday - Depart for New Delhi, INDIA
Depart your home city on Tuesday, arriving in New Delhi on Wednesday
night (early Thursday morning).
New Delhi is the capital of India and its history goes back over 3,000 years.
Its conquerors came, saw and built new cities through the centuries. Seven
principal cities were created by different rulers in and around present day
New Delhi. In 1911 the British shifted the capital of India to Delhi and the
modern city of New Delhi took shape in the imperial style of
architecture. From
then to now Delhi continues to pulsate with vitality and hope.
Oberoi Hotel
DAY 3, Thursday - New Delhi
Upon arrival in New Delhi early Thursday morning, you will be taken to your modern,
luxury hotel, the best of its kind in the city. You’ll have the morning at leisure
to rest after your long flight. In the afternoon begin your exploration of the city.
Capital to seven different cultures over the course of its history, New Delhi is a
fascinating fusion of them all. The art and architecture of the city reflects its
ancient and multifaceted heritage. A Hindu fortress, a Mughal tomb, an Islamic
minaret and mosque, and a Bahai temple – all within minutes of each other –give an idea of the cultural richness of the city.
Designed by the British, modern day New Delhi is one of the greenest capitals in
the world. Begin your sightseeing excursion with a visit to Humayun’s tomb, built in
the 16th century. It is the first Mughal garden tomb and the tomb of the second
emperor of the Mughal dynasty. Notable as an excellent example of early Mughal
architecture, this style reached maturity in the Taj Mahal at Agra.
Then visit the impressive Qutab Minar, a 234-foot high red sandstone minaret, began
by Qutab-ud-din-Aibak to symbolize justice, sovereignty and Islam.
Drive past the government buildings, Presidential Palace and diplomatic enclave
along the broad and majestic Rajpath. The Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace)
is where the Viceroy once lived and now is the official residence of the President of
India. It is an imposing structure with 340 rooms, constructed high up on Raisina Hill.
Continue past India Gate, a war memorial arch built in honor of 90,000 Indian soldiers
who lost their lives in World War I. Below it burns
a perpetual flame in tribute to all
martyred soldiers in India.
Then visit the Bahai Temple, completed in 1986. It is set among pools and gardens
and adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate
according to thir religion. The structure is in a lotus shape so it often called the
Lotus Temple. The view of the temple is very spectacular after dusk when the
temple is flood lit.
Tonight there will be a welcome cocktail and dinner party with your Travcoa
Travel Director and fellow travelers to learn aboutthe incredible sights ahead.
Oberoi Hotel
DAY 4, Friday - New Delhi & Darjeeling
This morning we fly from New Delhi to Bagdogra, and then drive to Darjeeling, a
hill station at an elevation of 7,000 feet, famous for producing one of the finest
teas in the world, which has a unique and delicate aroma.
Darjeeling is dominated by the snow capped majesty of Mt. Kanchenjunga and
surrounded by tea plantations. Known as the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling is
famous for its breathtaking valleys and scenery. This is where the Viceroys of
India resided during India’s monsoon seasons. New Elgin Hotel
DAY 5, Saturday - Darjeeling
In the early hours of the morning, drive to Tiger Hill to see sunrise over the
Himalayas. Wait with patience for an unforgettable experience of catching the
black night turning lighter, suffusing with dull-red, then brilliant orange and bright
gold as the sun rises over the peaks of the Kanchenjunga Range (27,500 feet).
Visit the Ghoom Buddhist Monastery – the area’s most famous shrine, then tour the
Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, the Zoological Gardens, the Tibetan Refugee
Center, the Natural History Museum, the main market square, Observatory Hill and a
tea estate/factory.
Darjeeling Tea is the World’s most expensive and exotically flavored tea. It is widely
and universally acknowledged to be the finest tea because its flavor is so unique that
it cannot be replicated aywhere else in the world. Grown in century old Tea Gardens,
the tea bushes are nurtured by intermittent rainfall, sunshine and moisture laden
mellow mists. The soil is rich and the hilly terrain provides natural drainage for the
generous rainfall the district receives. During harvest, tea pluckers pick only the finest
two leaves and the bud to enhance the unique flavor. Adherence to this high quality
profile, results in extremely low yield, and adds to Darjeeling’s reputation as one of the
finest and most sought after teas in the world. New Elgin Hotel
DAY 6, Sunday - Gangtok, SIKKIM
It has never been easy to get to Sikkim, and even today a special permit has been
secured to allow your entry. For many years Sikkim was regarded as one of the last
Shangri La's of the Himalayan region because of its remoteness, its lovely mountain
terrain, ancient Buddhist monasteries and the profusion of flowers.
Sikkim was a monarchy and independent Himalayan kingdom. In 1975 it was annexed
to India, becoming the 22nd Indian state.
Drive to Gangtok – an exhilarating experience. You will journey along the Teesta
River, passing through green forests and picturesque landscapes. A steep climb
will bring you to the city of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, located at 5,200 feet.
It provides a rare glimpse of the scenic Himalayan ranges set amidst a green carpet
of plantations.
Visit the Research Institute of Tibetology. The only one of its kind in the world, it was
established to promote research of the language and traditions of Tibet, and also
of
Mahayana Buddhism. You’ll also visit beautiful Deer Park– homage to the Bodhisattva
who was reincarnated as a musk deer – and the Enchey Monastery.Nor-Khill Hotel
DAY 7, Monday - Gangtok
Near Gangtok, there are approximately 200 monasteries, which provide an oasis of
serenity and repositories of centuries
old wisdom and scriptures.
This morning drive to the Rumtek Monastery. Of the four main sects of Tibetan
Mahayana Buddhism, Rumtek belongs to the second oldest sect, known as Kargupa
(Red Hat). Rumtek is the international headquarters of the Kargupa sect and it is the
biggest monastery outside of Tibet.
On the return drive you’ll visit the Orchid Sanctuary, where most of the 454 species
of orchids found in Sikkim can be seen, and Do-Drul Chorten, a Tibetan pagoda.
This afternoon, you will visit the Cottage Industries Emporium, a multi-craft institute
specializing in hand woven carpets, blankets, shawls and Lepcha weavings.
Nor-Khill Hotel
DAY 8, Tuesday - Gangtok, Kalimpong & Chalsa
Today depart for Kalimpong, the colorful hill station village that is the historic starting
point for the old trade routes to Tibet.
Nestled in the West Bengal Himalayas at an altitude of 4,100 feet, Kalimpong enjoys
a year-round moderate climate, which benefits several orchid nurseries. It is an
excellent spot with scenic views of mighty peaks. Kalimpong has a number of old
houses which reflect the town’s heritage and gracious living in earlier decades of
the last centry. There are two Yellow Hat Buddhist monasteries in Kalimpong.
Stroll through a most intriguing market square and visit the Zang do Phalari
Phobrang Monastery. Continue to Chalsa for your overnight stop. Sinclairs
Retreat Dooars Hotel
DAY 9, Wednesday - Chalsa & Thimphu, BHUTAN
This morning begin your drive to Thimphu, seat of the Bhutanese Government.
In Bhutan, you’ll discover the last of the Himalayan kingdoms to open its doors
to travelers. The road goes through the forests of Kalimpong and passes the
Jaldapara Game Reserve. Along the way are endless miles of tea estates, bright
green fields filled with even rows of tea bushes, and young women in bright
scarves, filling bamboo baskets with the tiny leaves.
In the afternoon, visit the memorial to the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, in
the form of a traditional Bhutanese stupa, or chorten. The Memorial Chorten is
an impressive monument with golden spires shining in the sun, bells tinkling in
the wind, and an endless procession of elderly people circling around it. It is
an excellent introduction to Tantric Buddhism. Druk Hotel
DAY 10, Thursday - Thimphu
Thimphu is a mosaic of Buddhist monasteries clinging to high mountain cliffs and
hillside rice paddies. It is the center of commerce of Bhutan, the seat of the Royal
Court and the home of the most influential monastery. Most of the Bhutanese
in the area still wear traditional dress.
Visit the Changangkha Lakhang, established in the 12th century, this is a
fortress-like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu. You
will also visit Tashichhodzong, built in 1641, and re-constructed in 1961 in the
traditional Bhutanese style, without nails or architectural plans.
Tour the National Library, a treasury of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the
Traditional Medical Center, where centuries old healing arts such as acupuncture
and herbal remedies are still practiced; the painting school, where young monks
learn the art of painting Buddhist tangkas (religious symbolic paintings); and
the mask making workshop. Druk Hotel
DAY 11, Friday - Thimphu & Punakha
This morning drive over the 10,500-foot-high Dochu La Pass, to Punakha. Spectacular
views of the Himalayas can be seen from Thimphu to Punakha Dzong.
The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most
remote of Himalayan kingdoms. Punakha, the ancient capital, is the winter
headquarters of the Je Khenpo sect where, from November to May, hundreds
of monks move en mass from Thimpu to this warmer location. Rice paddies,
orange groves, cactus and banana trees flourish in the temperate climate.
The body of the great unifier of Bhutan is preserved inside the dzong (fortress).
On the terraces outside Assembly Hall are cosmic mandalas representing the
Wheel of Life and a pattern of squares that are use to predict fortunes. Although
the Punakha Dzone has undergone flooding and fire over the centuries, the
statue of Lord Buddha always has been miraculously spared.
Zangthopelri Hotel
DAY 12, Saturday - Punakha & Paro
In the morning visit the Chimi Lhakhang, built by Lama Drukpa Kunley. He subdued the
demoness of the Dochu-la with his “Magic Thunderbolt of Wisdom.”
A wooden
effigy of the lama’s thunderbolt is preserved and childless women go to the temple
to receive a wang (blessing) from the saint.
Later in the morning drive to Paro, the old winter capital of Bhutan. This beautiful
terraced valley is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples. Paro is the most
attractive of Bhutan's valleys. Its patchwork fields, glades of willows, murmuring
streams and scattered hamlets exude profound peace.
Highlights of your sightseeing include the imposing Rinpung Dzong, a treasure house of
sacred scrolls, icons of all sizes, vivid murals and cosmic mandalas.
Immediately
above it on a steep ridge is Ta Dzong, once a watchtower for the main fortress.
This 200-year-old building now houses the National Museum. Zhiwa Ling Hotel
DAY 13, Sunday - Paro
On this morning’s excursion, view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery,
clinging to sheer cliffs almost 3,000 feet above the valley. Built in the 1600’s, legend
has it that the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan landed here on the
back of a flying tiger.
Then visit the Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1647. It was destroyed by accidental fire
and left in ruins. Explore its ramparts and later visit a typical
Bhutanese farmhouse
for a glimpse of rural daily life.
Next visit the Ta Dzong National Museum, filled with antique tangkas, textiles,
weapons and armor, household objects and a rich assortment of national and historic
artifacts. Along the wooden galleries lining the courtyard of the Dzong are wall
paintings illustrating Buddhist lore. Zhiwa Ling Hotel
DAY 14, Monday - Paro & New Delhi, INDIA
Early this morning fly from Paro to New Delhi and transfer to your luxury hotel. In the
afternoon you’ll have a tour of Old Delhi, where traditional life has changed little.
Drive by Red Fort, a massive stronghold housing within its precincts
imposing palaces
and impressive public buildings. It was the also seat of the Mughal Empire.
Construction of this spectacular fort commenced in 1638, and took over ten
years to complete.
Experience a rickshaw (pedi-cab) ride around the old shopping street of Chandni
Chowk, and stop at the Temple of the Sikh Gurudwara.
Visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Explore the Crafts Museum,
with its collection of traditional Indian crafts in textiles, metal, wood and ceramics.
Tonight join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a farewell cocktail and
dinner party. (Airport departures will be late tonight.)
Oberoi Hotel
DAY 15, Tuesday - Depart for Home
Early this morning you will be taken to the airport for your return flight home or
on to your next destination.
NOTE: The Daily Itinerary above is subject to change dependent upon local conditions
and/or operational changes or improvements. The specific times and order
of inclusions
within each destination may also be altered to best accommodate unscheduled closure,
special events, weather, traffic, etc. Please contact your Vacation Planner before
scheduling any coinciding appointments. You will receive an up-dated, itinerary
approximately 30 days prior to your journey’s scheduled departure date.
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