Itinerary

DAYS 1 – 3

Arrive in New Delhi in the evening on Day 2. Afternoon sightseeing will include the highlights of Old Dehli: the magnificent Red Fort; Raj Ghat, memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Then stroll through Chandni Chowk to savor the ambience of an oriental bazaar.
Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi

DAYS 4 – 6

Fly from Delhi to Bagdogra and continue by road to Darjeeling and see the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, Zoological Gardens, Tibetan Refugee Center and the Zoo. Visit a tea estate to see how tea is grown and produced, and enjoy a private tasting of the estate’s finest teas. One evening you will be a guest at a native cultural dance and music program. The next day, take an early morning excursion to Tiger Hill to witness the sunrise over the Himalayas, a once- in-a-lifetime experience, and the Ghoom Buddhist Monastery.
Mayfair Hotel or New Elgin Hotel, Darjeeling

DAYS 7 & 8

The drive from Darjeeling to Gangtok is exhilarating, through green forests and picturesque landscapes, through the Tea Gardens, along the Teesta River. Perched at a height of 5,500 feet, Gangtok contains approximately 200 monasteries — oases of serenity and repositories of centuries-old wisdom. Gangtok is home to many different cultures and friendly people, as well as a myriad species of plants, flowers, birds and animals. Take in the unique atmosphere of this capital city or visit the Royal Chapel, The Deer Park. You will also visit the Rumtek Monastery, the Institute of Tibetology, the Enchley Monastery, Handicraft Center and a local bazaar.
Mayfair Hotel or Nor-Khill Hotel, Gangtok

DAY 9

Nestled in the West Bengal Himalayas at 4,100 feet, Kalimpong features scenic views of mighty mountain peaks, lovely historic houses, two monasteries and two storied entwining rivers, the Rangeet and the Teesta. After lunch visit the Gandhi Ashram School where you will listen to the children playing music. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Kalimpong town, including Zang Do Phelri Phobrang Monastery and the Lepcha Museum. The Lepchas are the indigenous people of the area, now a minority. The museum showcases the Lepcha culture and displays their musical instruments, manuscripts, tools and other artifacts of the culture of this vanishing tribe. In the afternoon you can stroll around a local bazaar for some shopping and people watching, then end the day with a visit to Zang Do Phelri Phobrang Monastery to witness monks praying.
Silver Oaks Hotel, Kalimpong

DAYS 10 & 11

Thimphu is a small, charming capital city in the heart of the Himalayas. Visit the memorial to the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, a traditional Bhutanese stupa, also known as a chorten. The Memorial Chorten is an impressive monument with golden spires, tinkling bells, and an endless procession of elderly people circling around it paying homage. Drive past the Tashichhodzong, a Buddhist monastery called the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion,” first constructed in 1641. Enjoy a special visit to the Institute for Zorig Chusum, which teaches 13 traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts, and observe the students practicing their crafts. Then visit the Textile & Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of Bhutan’s living traditions. One evening, you will witness a special performance of Bhutanese folk music and dancing.
Taj Tashi, Thimphu

DAYS 12 & 13

Drive through the 10,500-foot-high Dochu La Pass which reveals a dramatic view of the mountain ranges in the distance. In Punakha you’ll visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 as the religious and administrative center of the region, and Khamsum Yulley Narngyal Chorten, a newly built stupa. Then see the Punakha Dzong, one of the most historic dzongs in the country, located in the confluence of two rivers. Stroll around the town’s main street, shops and local markets. Visit Gangtey, one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan.
Puna Tshangchu Cottage, Punakha

DAYS 14 & 15

Paro lies in a beautiful valley with a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, as well as the National Museum. Here you will see Rinpung Dzong, “The Fortress of the Heap of Jewels” built in 1646 on a hill above the town, and Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to overlook it. Ta Dzong now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, paintings, coins, handicrafts and a small natural history collection. Enjoy a morning excursion to Taksang Monastery, perched on the side of a high cliff. Taksang is the most famous monastery of Bhutan and the most sacred; the Bhutanese pilgrimage here once during their lifetime.
Zhiwa Ling Hotel, Paro

DAYS 16 & 17

Calcutta is one of the largest cities in the world and is the capital city of the Indian state of West Bengal. The former capital of British India, the port of Calcutta today forms the commercial and industrial hub of eastern India. Visit Mother Teresa’s Ashram and the Jain Temple. Take a walking tour of British-built Calcutta, then later visit Birla Temple. On Day 17 enjoy an early morning visit to the Flower market. Then continue to take in the sites of Calcutta, driving past the Victoria Memorial, opened in 1921 as a museum dedicated to the men who played a prominent part in the history of India. After lunch, visit Dakshinesewar and its famous Kali temple, and then Belur Math. Sprawling over several acres of land on the western banks of the river Hooghly (Ganga), Belur Math is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world of different religious faiths.
Taj Bengal, Calcutta

DAY 18

You will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.

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