SIKKIM AND BHUTAN

Sketch Itinerary:

Day 1: Departure
Day 2: Arrive Kolkata
Day 3: Kolkata / Bagdogra
Day 4: Darjeeling
Day 5: Darjeeling / Gangtok
Day 6: Gangtok
Day 7: Gangtok / Pemayangtse
Day 8: Pemayangtse / Kalimpong
Day 9: Kalimpong / Phuntsoling
Day 10: Phuntsoling / Thimphu
Day 11: Thimphu
Day 12: Thimphu / Punakha
Day 13: Punakha / Paro
Day 14: Paro
Day 15: Paro / Kolkata
Day 16: Kolkata departure

Day 1: Departure

Day 2: Arrive Kolkata

After clearing immigration and customs, our representative will meet you at the receiving area and escort you to your hotel. Arrive at the hotel and check-in.

Overnight at hotel (B)

Day 3: Kolkata / Bagdogra (by AI 721/1340 hrs.)/ Darjeeling (Approx 50 miles / 80 kms/3 hrs)

After breakfast, our representative will convoy you to the airport to board the flight to Bagdogra. At Bagdogra a beautiful drive through the tea gardens will take you to Darjeeling. On arrival, check-in to the hotel.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 4: Darjeeling

Well before dawn you will approach the Tiger Hill which is famous for its magnificent views over Kanchenjunga and eastern Himalayan peaks. On the way back, visit the Ghoom Monastery, which enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha. Breakfast is at the hotel. This exciting day will take you to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) and the museum. Adjacent to;this is the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park which is a high altitude wildlife park and a home for the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Deer, and Panda.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 5: Darjeeling / Gangtok (Approx 60 miles / 96 kms / 2 ½ hrs drive)

After Breakfast, drive to Gangtok through the beautiful landscaped tea gardens of Darjeeling & Teesta valley.

In the evening, you are at leisure to explore the markets.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 6: Gangtok

This morning after breakfast, indulge in the exploration of the famous monastery of Rumtek which was the official seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa – the head of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. Lunch would be followed by a visit to the Tibetan Institute which is dedicated to further Tibetan studies, Buddhist philosophy and religion. A pleasant walk through the Orchid Museum is an excellent way to mark the end of the day.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 7: Gangtok / Pemayangtse (Approx 50miles / 80kms / about 2hrs drive)

Leave for Pemayangtse after breakfast and check-in to a hotel on arrival. The Pemayangtse monastery in West Sikkim which is held in highest regard and considered to be the oldest monastery built (1705) is a sight you wouldn’t want to miss.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 8: Pemayangtse / Kalimpong (Approx 48 miles / 77kms / about 2hrs drive)

After breakfast, set out on a drive to Kalimpong and check-in to a hotel. You will be taken to the Durpin Dara which is the highest point in Kalimpong accessible by car and the Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery. The Flower Nurseries which export exotic flowers like Amaryllis Lilies, Roses, Gerbera, dahlias, gladiolas as well as Orchids and Cacti is the ultimate destination to appreciate the color and beauty of nature. In the evening you would be guided on a walk through the interesting bazaar of Kalimpong.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 9: Kalimpong / Phuntsoling (Approx 70 miles / 112kms / about 3hrs drive)

Drive to Doars after breakfast. Anon, you will visit the Jaldapara Sanctuary which not only provides a home to the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros but it also serves as a frequent feeding ground for elephant herds.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 10: Phuntsoling / Thimphu (Approx 140miles / 224kms / about 8 – 9hrs drive)

After an early breakfast, set off to drive to Thimpu, en route cross the border between India and Bhutan. On the way you will come across Chuzzom, a place where you will not only set eyes on the confluence of the rivers Parochu and Thimpuchu but also behold the sight of the three stupas representing the three different styles of stupa architecture – Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese. At Thimpu you shall check-in to the hotel.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 11: Thimphu

Receive an insider’s perspective of Bhutanese culture with exposure to the traditional arts at the famed School of Arts & Crafts in Thimphu, Tango Gompa and the National Library which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature, with some works dating back several hundred years. Your experience will be further enhanced by a visit to the nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School). A walk through the colorful market of Bhutan would be an amiable way to conclude the day.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 12: Thimphu / Punakha (Approx 44 miles / 70 Kms / 4 ¼ hrs drive)

Have an early breakfast and sally forth to Punakha, where in the afternoon, you will delve into the depths of the Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers followed by a visit to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 13: Punakha / Paro (Approx 110 miles / 176 kms / 5hrs approx drive )

After an easy restful morning proceed to Paro where, on arrival, check-in to the hotel.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 14: Paro

A sightseeing of Paro is organized after breakfast which includes the prospect of a stopover at Ta Dzong, originally built as a Watchtower and presently houses the National Museum. As you walk down the trail you will also come across Rinpung Dzong, i.e. (“fortress of the heap of jewels”). From there on advance to Drukgyel Dzong, an old fortress which was reduced to rubbles centuries ago by a war fought by the Bhutanese when the Tibetans invaded it. During the journey a final look at the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo will only thrive to make this magical day further enchanting.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

Day 15: Paro / Kolkata (Flight: KB210 ETD: 0720 ETA: 0800 or KB124 ETD: 1000 ETA: 1030)

Drive to the airport after breakfast where our representative will assist you in boarding the flight to Kolkata. On arrival in Kolkata, our representative will lead you to your hotel. From there on an orientation tour of Kolkata will lead you through fascinating sites such as the Victoria Memorial, the St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Indian Museum, which possesses one of the best collections of Indian art in the entire subcontinent.

Overnight at hotel (B)

Day 16: Kolkata departure

You will be escorted to the International airport to board your outgoing flight.

PRICE CHART- SIKKIM AND BHUTAN

Price Per Person For India Portion based on Twin Sharing Room

All Prices are based on USD

PRICE CHART- SIKKIM AND BHUTAN

Hotels with Meal Plan

Price Per Person based on Twin Sharing Room

All Prices are based on USD(INDIA)

Prices (valid from 16th April till 31 Aug)

Prices for Bhutan for the month  Oct / Nov :

Prices for Bhutan for the month Jan / Feb / June / July / Aug :

The above cost is net payable to us and includes the following services :

• Accommodation in sharing twin as per the itinerary
• All meals in Hotels ( some lunches en-route )
• All transfers and sightseeing’s as per the itinerary
• English speaking accompanying guide
• Government royalty and taxes
• Entrances

The following are payable extra :

• Expenses of personal nature
• Insurance of any kind / medical expenses
• Beverages; ( alcoholic /; non – alcoholic )
• Expenses of personal nature ( like tipping , laundry , Telephone/fax calls, camera/video fees etc )
• Airfares and Airport Taxes
• Bhutan Visa Fee ( US$ 20 per person as stated above )

Vehicle Used :

• 01 – 2 Pax; :;; Non – AC; Hyundai Tucson
• 3 Pax – 6 Pax :; Non – AC Toyota Hiace
• 7 Pax & above :; Non – AC Toyota Coaster
• Normally A/C vehicle is not needed in Bhutan, however, if clients request, then the supplement cost for the same is US$ 12 per person per night.

Air fare Supplement:

** Above airfare is presently applicable airfare and is subject to change at the time of issuance.

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS(India Portion)

Our Quote Includes:

• Accommodations on twin sharing in the above-mentioned hotels or similar as per meal plan indicated, inclusive of all taxes.
• All rooms in the Hotels are based on the base category.
• Meals as mentioned above.
• Entrances at the Monuments and Temples as per the detailed itinerary.
• Transportation by Non-Conditioned vehicle as per the itinerary advised.
• All city excursions & sightseeing by Non – Conditioned vehicle as per the itinerary advised.
• Assistance at the Airport and bell desk at the hotel on Check-in/out.
• All applicable taxes imposed by Government of India.

Above Price does not include:

• Any Domestic or International airfares and airport taxes.
• Camera and video fees.
• Telephone bills, laundry, alcoholic beverages or any other items of personal nature.
• Any additional taxes levied by the Government of India on the tourism sector in future.
• Hotel supplements for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Dinners.
• Any meals or beverages that are not specified on the above inclusions.
• Christmas & New Year Eve dinner supplement.
• Air fares.
• Gratuities for the local guides, drivers, bell boys, meals etc.
• Accompanying Far Horizon Tour Manger English or Language speaking (Supplement applicable)
• Gratuities for accompanying Far Horizon Tour Manager
• Expenses caused by factors beyond our control like rail and airplane delays, roadblocks, vehicle malfunctions, political disturbances, taxes, lost luggage, etc
• Any other thing that is not mentioned above.

Important Notes/Disclaimer:

• The above prices are calculated as per the conversion rate and are subject to revise in case of any major fluctuation in the currency
• The cost has been calculated on the existing tariffs/conditions and any change in the costs or modification in tax structure will oblige us to revise the same.  Additional services, if any, during the trip have to be paid for by the clients. If you wish to extend full or partial credit, you may please solicit the same in advance. Kindly note that names of hotels mentioned above only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these hotels, and it is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey such confirmation to you. In the event of any of the above-mentioned hotels not becoming available, we shall book alternate accommodation at a similar or next best available hotel and shall pass on the difference of rates (supplement/reduction whatever applicable) to you.