The Hidden Himalayas | Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Your flight from Bangkok to Paro will take about 5 hours. On this flight the views of the Everest, Kanchen Junga and other Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Jichu Drakey in Bhutan are awesome. On arrival in Paro our guide will receive you and check you into your hotel. After lunch we will see the rich history of Bhutan exhibited in the 17th century National Museum. The Paro Dzong, a massive fortress built in the 17th century now houses the monastic body. A tour of this beautiful Dzong will introduce us to the unique aspects of the Bhutanese Buddhism. A lovely stroll downhill from the Dzong over an old cantilever bridge wraps up an eventful first day in this magical kingdom.

Overnight in Paro | Altitude: 2200m

Day 2

Taktsang or the tiger’s nest temple is the most revered temple to the Buddhist. This magical temple clings to a vertical granite cliff 800m above the valley. Legend has it that in the 8th century, Guru Rimpochey, a tantric master flew here on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave around which the temple is built. A hike to this temple will take up most of our morning. In the afternoon, we will host a special Buddhist prayer ceremony at the beautiful 1200 year old Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, to bring us good luck for the rest of the journey.

Overnight in Paro | Altitude: 2200m

Day 3

Paro to Thimphu
Distance: 60k
Driving time: 1 ½ h

Drive to the capital town Thimphu, in the morning. After checking into your hotel and lunch, visit the National Memorial Chorten, Takin Zoo, Textile Museum, Traditional Painting School, National Library, Thimphu Dzong, Weekend market, Folk Heritage Museum, etc.

Overnight in Thimphu | Altitude: 2400m

Day 4

Continue exploring Thimphu. Wander around town on your own, hunting for souvenirs.

Overnight in Thimphu | Altitude: 2400m

Day 5

Thimphu to Punakha
Distance: 80k
Driving time: 2 ½ h

Drive to Punakha over the Dochu La pass at 3000m. If we are lucky with the weather, we can see the entire Bhutanese Himacastless from this pass; east of castles to Gangkhar Puensum.

Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until the 1950s. Today, the central monk body moves to Punakha in the winter when it gets too cold in Thimphu. With a climate almost tropical in the summer, the valley is blessed with an abundance of fruits and rice. After lunch we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong which without doubt showcases the finest example of Bhutanese arts and crafts. After the Dzong, we will go on a short drive in the lush upper Punakha valley and hike for 45 minutes to the beautiful chorten temple of Khamsum Yuley on a hill.

Overnight in Punakha | Altitude: 1250m

Day 6

Punakha to Phobjikha (3 hrs)

Morning drive to the valley of Phobjikha, the winter home of the endangered black necked crane which visits Bhutan from end of October till February. Afternoon walk around the beautiful valley of Phobjikha.

Overnight: Phobjikha | Altitude: 2900m

Day 7

Phobjikha – Thimphu (5 hrs )
Morning walk around the valley. After breakfast drive for the warm and windy Wangdue town. After lunch, drive further to Thimphu over the pass of Dochula.

Overnight: Thimphu | Altitude: 2300m

Day 8

Thimphu – Phuentsholing (6 hrs)

Early morning leave for the border town, Phuentsholing. Lunch in Bunakha. Upon your arrival in Phuentsholing, we will make arrangement for your transportation to Darjeeling.

Overnight: Phuentsholing | Altitude: 150m

Day 9

Phuentsholing - Darjeeling (5 ½ hrs)

Phuentsholing to Darjeeling is about five hours drive with plains initially and uphill through tea gardens and small towns for the half part of the journey. We will occasionally meet the famous Darjeeling toy train, huffing and puffing across our road.

Overnight: Darjeeling | Altitude: 2100m

Day 10

Darjeeling Sightseeing

Early morning visit Tiger Hill for fabulous sunrise views of Mt.Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world at 28,156 ft. On our drive back to the hotel we will stop at Ghoom, a Tibetan-Buddhist monastery. After breakfast we shall visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park, the Tibetan Refugee Camp and the nearest tea garden to witness the orthodox manufacturing process of Darjeeling Tea. Later walk around the Mall and the local market.

Overnight: Darjeeling

Day 11

Darjeeling – Pelling ( Sikkim, 5 hrs )

Today's' drive is truly a naturalist's delight. The hillsides and mountain slopes of Sikkim are strewn with bright patches of myriad colors. The lower mountain slopes are abundant with lush green bamboo and ferns. The northern valleys are draped with wild cherry, oaks, chestnut, pines as well as magnolia varieties called Magnolia Campbeli and Michelia Doltso-pa. The higher altitudes are abloom with 46 species of Rhododendrons. And of course, Sikkim's 600 varieties of orchids are everywhere.

Overnight: Pelling | Altitude: 2085m

Day 12

Excursion to Yuksom via Kechipalri Lake “Wishing Lake” (32 kms)

Morning excursion to Kechuperi lake, which lies in the deep forest cover. The jeep drive passes through verdant forests, cardamom fields and terraced farms down hill about 8 kms and uphill about 6 kms to Yuksom the first capital of Sikkim. Then visit Dubdi Monastery located on a hill top above Yuksom surrounded by green forest. It can be approached by 30 to 35 minutes trekking only, negotiating steep slope. Evening drive back to Pelling.

Overnight: Pelling

Day 13

Pelling – Gangtok (5 hrs )

After breakfast drive to Gangtok through the dense forest, cardamom and famous golden rice fields of Sikkim. En route stop for photo session at various places. Perched atop a ridge at a height of 1520 mtrs lies Gangtok, a quaint, colorful town. This small modernized town is the capital of Sikkim.

Overnight: Gangtok | Altitude: 1900m

Day 14

Gangtok Sightseeing

The full day sightseeing tour of Gangtok includes visiting - Rumtek Monatery, the headquarters of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism which houses the religious scriptures and artifacts and return to Gangtok via the Institute of Tibetology. Later visit the Directorate of Handicrafts, Enchey Monastery, flower show and walk around the town in the evening.

Overnight: Gangtok

Day 15

Gangtok – Bhadrapur – Kathmandu

After breakfast drive for India Nepal boarder called Kakrivatta (5 hrs). From the Nepal border drive further for domestic airport, Badhrapur. Take a domestic flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel.

Overnight: Kathmandu | Altitude: 1355m

Day 16

Kathmandu Sightseeing

A day to enjoy the historical and religious places around Kathmandu valley. Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupati, Buddhanath and Swambunath.

Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 17

Kathmandu – Nagarkot

Morning visit Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square. After lunch drive to Nagarkot. Enjoy the beautiful view of mountain peaks from Nagarkot.

Overnight: Nagarkot | Altitude: 2175m

Day 18

Nagarkot – Kathmandu

Morning walk around Nagarkot and enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains. Afternoon drive back to Kathmandu.