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Kolkata, Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, Darjeeling, monasteries, markets, teas, mountains
Distinctive and remote, Bhutan and Sikkim offer some extraordinary experiences. Marvel at the traditional dress, brightly decorated wooden houses, outgoing and friendly people, imposing dzongs, Buddhist traditions and spectacular Himalayan scenery. These remote Himalayan areas are a privilege not to be missed.
Days 1-2 Kolkata This city is a delightful mix of British colonial and modern India. The street hawkers and malls offer some of the best food in India.
Kolkata was the capital of British India for most of their time here, and though it has hit low points since, it has rebounded nicely and is considered to be the 'culture capital' of the country. If this is your first Indian city you may be taken aback by that moniker, but once you travel around and spend time in the other major cities, you'll see how easy and enchanting Kolkata can be. Though once the home of Mother Theresa and her dedication to the teeming masses, the city thrives and you'll see an entrepreneurship and willingness to get things done not found in other Indian cities.
Kolkata: The Park (or similiar)
Days 3-4 Darjeeling Ride one of India's famous 'toy trains', admire a gorgeous sunrise over the Indian Himalaya, and settle in for a much needed cup of tea in this famous hill station.
A former army camp, this British hill station rapidly became overrun by the tea industry, and still produces some of most popular types. Darjeeling today produces 25 percent of all India's tea, and it is the local tribes of Assam that actually introduced explorers to the idea of drinking fermented tea leaves boiled in hot water. Britain brought tea plants to Darjeeling from Assam in the north to break China's stranglehold on the industry, and the rest is history. This was the original base camp for all treks to and attempts on Everest, and where Tenzing Norquay got his start as a porter, and later as an expedition guide. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is located in the zoological park here, and has 2 museums dedicated to attempts on Everest. The area is also known for its Buddhist monasteries, and we may visit one after our sunrise trip to Tiger Hill, where weather permitting we can view the a long stretch of the Himalayans, including Lhhotse, Pandim, Siniolchu and Everest. We take a ride on the 'Toy Train', still pulled by a steam locomotive as in days of old. This is slow going, but a great experience even for those not into trainspotting.
Darjeeling: Hotel New Elgin (or similiar)
Days 5-6 Gangtok Dominated by mountains and replete with 'gompas', the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim is still unspoiled.
Home to orchids and gladiolas, Kalimpong is warmer than Darjeeling but more commercial. Home to Dr. Graham's famous orphanage and school, we make a visit there and to a large temple dedicated to Krishna, Mangal Dam. There are also plenty of shops catering to those in the market for thangkas and other Buddhist artifacts.
Kalimpong: Hotel Sliver Oaks (or similiar)
Day 7 Kalimpong Markets of flowers, local cheese and lollipops, plus a well known orphanage, greet us in West Bengal from where we cross the border into Bhutan.
Indian formalities generally take longer than Bhutanese ones, so we find ourselves spending a night in Phuentsholing before we head up to Thimpe. A chance to get our pic taken at the Bhutan Gate, buy some stamps and mail those postcards, and perhaps see a movie. This is really just a stop on the way, a chance to regroup for the next week.
Day 8 Phuentsholing Finishing with Indian formalities, travel through the Bhutan Gate into the much calmer mountain kingdom.
Days 9-10 Thimphu This pretty town, with its quiet streets lined with characteristic shop fronts, seems almost too small to be a capital city. Visit a hand-made paper factory, the Drubthob Lhakhang nunnery and the fascinating National Library, home to many valuable Bhutanese Buddhist texts.
The morning of day 10 will be filled with Thimphu sightseeing; a visit to National Library which contains a priceless collection of Buddhist manuscripts and few English version books; the Folk and Heritage Museum, an almost living museum giving you a glimpse into the way most Bhutanese lived then and now; Late King's Memorial Stupa, built for world peace and Traditional Hand made paper factory; the Painting School, which preserves traditional paintings, sculpturing and wood carving; Majestic Tashichhodzong, which houses office of the king and the Govt ministers; National Handicrafts Emporium, the best place to shop for souvenirs from Bhutan. We can also visit the nuns at the Drubthob Lhakhang, see a women's textile Museum which houses numerous artistic works by Bhutanese women and make a stop at the tiny zoo to see Bhutan's national animal, the Takin.
Nights 9 and 10 are spent in Thimphu.
Days 11-12 Punakha Travelling into the kingdom's interior, we pause to admire the spectacular views from the Dochu-la Pass. Walk through rural villages and rice fields to the small monastery of Chimi Lhakhang, visit the impressive Punakha Dzong and explore the glacial Phobjikha Valley.
The Dochu (la) Pass (3,100m) offers the most spectacular view of the greater eastern Himalayas including highest peaks of Bhutan.
About an hour's walk through mountain villages and rice fields leads to Chimi Lhakhang, built by Lama Drukpa Kunley, 'the divine madman' in 1499. He is credited with subduing the demoness of the Dochu La with his thunderbolt of wisdom and his sexual exploits are legendary - all the flying phalluses you see hanging from rooftops are his. We then arrive into Punakha, the capital city of Bhutan until 1955. The Je Khenpo, or Chief Abbot, resides here during the winter season. After lunch visit Punakha Dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1638 and situated at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers. If time permits you can also drive to the north of Punakha valley and make an hour hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgayel chorten, built for world peace by Her Majesty Ashi Tsering Yangdon Wangchuck. Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and the chosen home of black necked cranes, which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. On day 8 we explore Phobjikha on foot and also visit to Gangtey Monastery, the only Nyingmapa temple in Bhutan. In the late afternoon we drive back to Punakha via Wangdi Phodrang, where the imposing dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung commands great views of the valleys below.
Days 13-15 Paro The rural town is dominated by the dramatic Paro Dzong. It is also our base for visiting the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, the centre of many historic wars between Tibet and Bhutan in the 17th Century. The climb to see the picturesque 'Tiger's Nest' temple, perched on a cliff 600m above the valley floor, is not to be missed. On the morning of day 15 fly back to Kolkata, where the trip concludes.
En route, we stop at a confluence of the Paro and Thimphu rivers and visit Semtokha Dzong, built in 1629 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel - the oldest fortress in the Kingdom. Arriving in Paro there will be time for a stroll through the quaint town before dinner. After breakfast on day 14 we visit Ta Dzong (National Museum), the best place to learn about Bhutanese religion, customs, traditional arts & crafts. Then walk down the trail to see Rinpung Dzong ('fortress on a heap of Jewels'), built in the 17th century. Traditionally, this is the office of the Paro Governor and the residence of the monk body. After lunch, visit ruined Drukgyel Dzong, the fortress that was the centre of many historic wars between Tibet and Bhutan in 17th century; Kyichu Lhakhang (till courtyard), built in 7th century during the reign of first Tibetan king and a popular place for Bhutan's famed archers to practice their skills. A trek to the Taktshang Monastery is a must - the hike up to the view point is about 1 hour. Guru Rinpoche visited and meditated at this site in the 8th century. Desi Tenzin Rabgye later built the temple in the 17th century. Taktsang was destroyed in a fire in 1998 and restoration works are almost complete.
After our flight to Kolkata on day 15, you are free to depart any time. The trip finishes on arrival at Kolkata airport.
Please note this trip finishes at Kolkata Airport. Please check the Druk Air website for current schedules of arrival times into Kolkata for your trip dates:
Accommodation Hotel / guesthouses (13 nights), overnight train (1 night)
transport Train, taxi, mini van, plane
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