Itinerary

Day 1: Kathmandu (1360m)

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Our airport representative will be waiting outside the airport terminal a few metres from the exit door. Look out for the Peregrine signboard. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes. A briefing given by our group leader is scheduled for the late afternoon. He will discuss our trekking program and co-ordinate any last minute arrangements. The evening is free, but usually our tour leader will organise an evening meal (optional) at one of Kathmandu’s fine Nepali restaurants. Alternatively you can enjoy a dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Kathmandu (1360m)

Meals included: 1 breakfast

In the morning we explore Kathmandu on an organised sightseeing tour. We visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. We also visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further sightseeing and exploration. In the late afternoon your leader will confirm departure information for the next morning.

Day 3: Darjeeling (2134m)

Meals included: 1 breakfast

The next part of our journey is a short flight to Bhadrapur, in the south-east of Nepal. From here it is a short journey to the Indian border at Kakarvitta, where we need to complete immigration formalities. Our journey continues with a drive through the Indian plains for an hour before the road starts to climb through the jungles, tea gardens, small towns and village settlements that line the route to Darjeeling. On the way we may see the famous Darjeeling Toy Train, winding its way up the hill. Darjeeling was once the summer capital of Bengal during the British Raj and is one of the most beautiful of India's hill stations. Commonly called the Queen of the Hills, her crown is the mighty peak of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak, which overlooks the town in a most spectacular manner.

Day 4: Darjeeling (2134m)

Meals included: 1 breakfast

A full day for sightseeing including the Botanical Gardens, that has a unique collection of Himalayan plants, flowers, and orchids. We also visit the Tibetan Refugee Centre, established in 1959 for Tibetans fleeing the Chinese invasion. The handicraft centre here has a selection of hand-woven carpets and other items for sale. The Mountaineering Institute is well worth a visit, as it has an interesting museum dedicated to Himalayan climbing. We also visit various Tibetan monasteries and there is also free time to stroll around the town and mingle with the locals.

Day 5-6: Gangtok (1600m)

Meals included: 2 breakfasts

We rise early for an excursion to Tiger Hill for sunrise. From here there are magnificent views of Kanchenjunga and Everest, as well as hundreds of other Himalayan giants. On the way back to the hotel we also view Ghoom Monastery (built in 1875) and stop at Batasia Loop where we take a short ride on the early morning Toy Train. After breakfast we head off for the drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Upon arrival the rest of the day is free. The following morning we visit Rumtek Monastery, the largest in Sikkim with an original building that dates back to 1717. In the afternoon we enjoy further sightseeing in Gangtok where we visit the Drodul Chorten, which was built to commemorate the victory of good over evil. Surrounding the chorten are 108 prayer wheels. The Research Institute of Tibetology is renowned worldwide for studies in the Buddhist philosophy and religion. Here there are numerous priceless religious paintings (thangkas), statues and other religious artwork. We also visit Enchay Monastery and the orchid sanctuary, which contains over 200 exotic species.

Day 7: Kalimpong (1250m)

Meals included: 1 breakfast

After breakfast we take a scenic drive to Kalimpong, once a famous centre of the eastern and central Tibetan wool trade. The town is situated below the saddle connecting the Deolo and Rinkingpong (Durbin) Hills. Kalimpong has a temperate climate throughout the year and experiences only a light monsoon, which is ideal for the many flower nurseries in the town. Kalimpong was once the headquarters of the Bhutanese Governor, the word 'kalim' means 'minister' and 'pong' means 'stronghold'.

Day 8: Phuntsholing

Meals included: 1 breakfast

(Driving time: approx 5 hours) We start our day by visiting the nearby Zangdopheir Monastery, which is shadowed by the impressive peak of Kanchenjunga, before descending into the plains en route to the Bhutan border at Phuntsholing, where we pass through immigration and check in to our hotel for the night.

Day 9: Thimphu (2736m)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 5 hours) The drive from Phuntsholing to Thimphu takes about five hours and we make a number of stops along the way at various picturesque spots. After settling in at our hotel you can venture to the local market or take a leisurly stroll around town to take in the immense beauty of this very special town.

Day 10: Thimphu (2736m)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

After breakfast we view Tashicho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion), the administrative and religious centre of Bhutan located on the right bank of Thimphu Chu. The original building dates back to 1216, whilst the present dzong was built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal in 1641. We then drive to the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of King Jigmi Dorjee Wangchuk. Other sights in the capital include the Painting School, an institution where children receive formal education in the art of traditional painting, sculpture and woodcarving. We may also visit Drubthob Gompa Nunnery, which houses about 40 nuns and also provides shelter for aging women and orphaned girls. Thimphu has an excellent range of handicrafts, most notably woven cloth, wooden masks, thangkas, silverware, jewellry and bamboo craft that come from all parts of Bhutan.

Day 11-12: Paro (2280m)

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) We begin with an early morning drive from Thimphu for an excursion to the legendary Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) - a small monastery, clinging on a rock cliff 900 metres above the valley floor. A few years ago the monastery was seriously damaged by fire but has since been rebuilt, although tourists are not permitted to enter the interior of the monastery. Legend has it that the great guru, Padmasambhawa, flew here from Tibet on the back of a tigress to subdue the demons of Paro Valley. During our stay in Paro we also visit Drukgyal Dzong, a famous 17th century fortress that repelled many Tibetan invasions. Time permitting we may also visit Ta Dzong, a circular fortress built in the mid 17th century and now converted into the National Museum. It houses an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities.

Day 13: Paro (2280m)

Meals included: 1 breakfast

After breakfast we are transferred to the airport for our flight out, bringing to an end to this exciting journey exploring the highlights of the Himalaya Region. (Please note that your departure flight is not included as part of the trip and must be booked separately.)

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