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Himalayan Kingdoms
Operated by Wendy Wu
Tripcode: IHK_AU
Overview
Destination:
India,
Start:Kolkata, India
Finish:Kolkata, India
Finish:Kolkata, India
Duration:24 days
Type:Group tour (max 15)
Travel Period
April 2025 - November 2026
With plunging valleys and Buddhist monasteries, Sikkim in India is breathtaking. Add Bhutan's dramatic landscapes and colourful heritage, and you will experience an incredible journey through a lesser known part of the Himalayas
Price notes:
- Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 June 2024. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
- Customary tipping amount of approximately US$160pp (AU$239pp) is paid locally in India.
- Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
- Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.
Standard inclusions
- Domestic transportation
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Touring with guides and entrance fees
- Standard group visa fees included and fees may apply for foreign passport holders or other visa
Itinerary
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Collapse allDAY 1: Fly To Kolkata
Fly to Kolkata. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
DAY 2: Explore Koltata
Enjoy a relaxed morning before venturing out for an afternoon tour with visits to the magnificent Victoria Memorial and Kalighat Temple – yo'’ll also see Fort William.
DAY 3: Train To New Jalpaiguri
Rise early to visit a fragrant flower market and view the cantilever Howrah Bridge. Stop by Kumortuli, the potters' quarter, and see a Jain temple. Later board a train to New Jalpaiguri before driving to Siliguri to spend the night.
DAY 4: Drive To Darjeeling
Head out of Siliguri through endless tea plantations to the famous hill station of
Darjeeling, which is located at a cool 2,134 metres.
DAY 5: Explore Darjeeling
Wake before dawn to catch the sun rising over Mount Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill, which you'll reach by jeep. On the way back to Darjeeling visit Yiga Choling Monastery. Later, all aboard the famous 'Toy Train' which winds its way through the lush green hills and plantations before exploring the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute.
DAY 6: Into Sikkim
Drive north to Pelling, crossing into the state of Sikkim. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery, one of Sikkim's oldest, where you can find tranquillity along with amazing views.
DAY 7: Khecheopalri Lake
Visit the spectacular Khecheopalri Lake, considered sacred by both Buddhists
and Hindus, and the magnificent Kanchenjunga Falls.
DAYS 8-9: Discover Gangtok
Drive through more spectacular scenery to Sikkim's vibrant capital Gangtok, stopping at 18th-century Tashiding Monastery en route. There is nowhere better than Gangtok to enjoy exotic flowers and mountain panoramas. The next day visit the Enchey Monastery and the Sikkim Research Institute of Technology.
DAY 10: Rumtek Monastery
Begin the day at Dharma Chakra Centre and old Rumtek Monastery, before continuing to the bustling bazaar town of Kalimpong.
DAY 11: Kalimpong At Leisure
Take a day to catch your breath and enjoy some leisurely explorations of Kalimpong – there are plenty of spots to enjoy Himalayan panoramas and also flower nurseries full of local orchids.
DAY 12: Gorumra Wildlife Sanctuary
Take a jeep safari into the depths of Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary, where you might be lucky enough to spot one-horned rhinos, elephants, leopards and bison.
DAY 13: Into Bhutan
Cross into Bhutan and continue to Phuentsholing. Later visit the Zangtho
Pelri Lhakhang Temple in the centre of the town.
DAYS 14-15: Discover Thimphu
Follow the national highway to Bhutan's capital Thimphu, stopping en route at
Kharbandi Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The next day, explore the city
with time at the National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum, the Handicrafts
Emporium and Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum and Trashi Chhoe Dzong.
DAY 16: Travel To Gangtey
Drive over the dramatic Dochu La mountain pass admiring the views as you travel to the Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in the region and explore Gangtey village and the surrounding valley.
DAY 17: Walking In Gagtey
Enjoy a day of leisure with the option of a hike through the valley for exceptional views across the stunning landscape.
DAY 18: Rural Bhutan
Leave Gangtey for Punakha visiting the Black Necked Crane Information Centre en route. On arrival visit Punakha Dzong before hiking through the paddy fields and local villages to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple of fertility.
DAY 19: Discover Punakha
This morning visit the magnificent temple complex at Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang. Later appreciate the incredible views from Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten which is said to have been built to promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world.
DAY 20: Travel To Paro
Drive to Paro, stopping en route at the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the kingdom. Paro is surrounded by some of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, visit Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong.
DAY 21: Tiger's Nest Monastery
Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) is Bhutan's most famous monastery, perched on the side of a cliff 900 metres above the Paro Valley. It can only be reached by a moderately challenging hike along a woodland trail – the views along the way are the perfect distraction! Returning to Paro, visit Kyichu Lhakhang.
DAY 22: Fly Into Kolkata
Rise early to fly back to Kolkata, where you'll have the afternoon at leisure.
DAYS 23-24: Fly Kolkata To Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.
Departure dates
Select your preferred date or enquire
Operator
Wendy Wu
Wendy Wu Tours is Australia's leading touring specialist, offering extraordinary tours throughout Asia, Latin America, Eurasia, the Middle East – and most recently, Australasia. Since Wendy sent her very first tour to China in 1994, we've grown from strength to strength and are proud of the multiple awards we've won throughout the years and the unique travel experiences we offer to an expanding range of destinations.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
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23 nights
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