The Hidden Himalayas | Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 | Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Evening explore the touristic centre and the most happening place, Thamel where you will meet the people and find cuisine from all around the world.
Overnight: Kathmandu | Altitude: 1400m
Day 02 | Kathmandu to Nagarkot (2 Hrs)
After breakfast drive to Nagarkot for an excellent view of snow-capped Himalayan ranges as well as renowned for the spectacular sunrise. Enjoy the scenic drive through the little villages.
Overnight: Nagarkot | Altitude: 2175m
Day 03 | Nagarkot to Kathmandu
Early morning enjoy the beautiful golden sunrise over the high white mountain peaks of the Himalayas. After breakfast drive back to Kathmandu, en route visit Bhaktapur. Also known as Bhadgaon meaning the city of devotees, this place is the home of medieval art and architecture. If time permits visit Patan on the way. Drive back to Kathmandu and evening some free time for shopping.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Day 04 | Kathmandu city tour
Kathmandu Durbar Square:
After breakfast, we will take you to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Durbar means Palace, and this collection of Temples and Palaces was at one time the home to past King of Kathmandu and their families. The architecture in the Square dates back to the early 14th Century.
Pashupatinath:
Pashupatinath temple and cremation complex is about a 30min drive from Durba Square. Set on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. The main feature here is the temple devoted to Shiva, the patron Deity of Nepal.
Bouldanath Stupa:
Bouldanath Stupa is a short drive from Pashupatinath and we move from Hindu culture in to Buddhist when we enter this predominantly Tibetan Buddhist area. The Stupa is the largest of its kind in Asia and this beautiful white structure is certainly one of the more visually impressive
buildings in the valley.
Swayambhunath Stupa.
This picturesque place is built on a small hillock that was once an island when Kathmandu valley was a lake. The Stupa is surrounded by jungle and is home to many inquisitive monkeys.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Day 05 | Kathmandu – Bhadrapur – Darjeeling
Morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Bhadrapur, Nepal – India border. Upon your arrival our representative will welcome you and drive to Nepal India border and process your visa formalities and drive to Darjeeling. The drive to Darjeeling is a gradual climb over the Himalayas. Once your stat climbing up through the beautiful landscape of tea garden and the toy train link crossing your road now and again, the view is breathtaking. The road gets very narrow slowly and very steep uphill but you can trust the skill of the local driver. Upon your arrival in Darjeeling, check into your hotel and evening walk in the Mall.
Overnight: Darjeeling | Altitude: 2100m
Day 06 | 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 07 | Darjeeling to Pelling (5 Hrs)
Drive through steep downhill till Nayabazar on the Sikkim side passing through the tea gardens. Later drive through terraced farms and lush sub tropical vegetation on flat running just on top of river Rangeet then uphill through occasional villages, hamlets and forests. Pelling offers the magnificent views of eastern Himalayas including Mt. Kunchenjunga on a clear day. Visit the famous monasteries - Pemayangtse and Sangacholing including a short walk to ruins of Rabdentse, the second palace of erstwhile Sikkim.
Overnight: Pelling | Altitude: 2150m
Day 08 | Yuksom Excursion
Drive to Yuksom via Kechipalri Lake “Wishing Lake” (32 kms), which lies in the deep forest cover. The jeep drive passes through verdant forests, cardamom fields and terraced farms downhill about 8 kms and uphill about 6 kms to Yuksom the first capital of Sikkim, where according to the historical records, the first Chogyel of the Kingdom of Sikkim was consecrated in 1641 AD. The evidence of the consecration ceremony is still intact at Norbugang Corten in the form of stone seats and foot print of the Head Lame on a stone.
Overnight: Pelling
Day 09 | Pelling to Rumtek (5 Hrs)
After breakfast 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. It is an ideal place for monks seeking meditation recluse. Later transfer to Martham via Tashiding Monastery (114, 5 hrs). Tashiding Monastery is constructed on top of a heart-shaped hill with the backdrop of the sacred Mt. Kanchenjunga. Tashiding is also famous for the most holy chorten.
Overnight: Martham Village Resort | Altitude: 2050m
Day 10 | Rumtek – Gangtok (1 Hr)
After breakfast proceed to Gangtok via Rumtek Monastery the Dharma Chakra Centre which lies about 5 kms from Martham Village Resort en route to Gangtok. Check into Hotel in Gangtok and the sightseeing includes the Directorate of Handicrafts, Enchey Monastery, Deorali Goemba and the Institute of Tibetology.
Overnight: Gangtok | Altitude: 2100m
Day 11 | Gangtok to Phuentsholing (6 Hrs)
The six hours drive starts with a steep descend initially for an hour. One will immensely enjoy the driving alongside the Teesta River with its blue green water rushing over boulders which is another image not to be forgotten. As you approach the plains of the Duars, the road gets busy. Finally reaching Phuentsholing Bhutan. Upon your arrival, your Bhutanese escort will be waiting for you in your hotel. He will assist you to process for your entry permit. Evening stroll around the Bhutan Indian town.
Overnight: Phuentsholing | Altitude: 150m
Day 12 | Phuentsholing to Thimphu (6 Hrs)
Morning start for Thimphu with a gentle climb through the balcony of the Himalayan ranges overlooking the Duars of India. Even though the journey is long and tiring, you will be rewarded with spectacular sights of the diverse range in vegetation that Bhutan is so well known for. Upon arrival in Thimphu, if time permits, visit the impressive fortress of Thimphu, Tashichhodzong. Rest of the time at leisure.
Overnight: Thimphu | Altitude: 2300m
Day 13 | Thimphu Sightseeing
Morning drive pass by Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3rd King. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley, Enclosure where national animal, Takin are kept and Zilukha Nunnery and visit the School of Arts and crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan and later visit Folk Heritage Museum. After lunch drive to the north end of the Thimphu valley and enjoy the hike to the temple of Tango/Cheri in the wilderness.
Overnight: Thimphu | Altitude: 2300m
Day 14 | Thimphu to Punakha (2 ½ Hrs)
Drive to Punakha over Dochula pass, at 3010m. When the weather permits one can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a site that stretches almost 180 degrees. Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong (fortress) which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. One can also visit Souvenir making center and evening hike to Khamsum Yulay Namgyal Chorten, which will take about 45 mins to reach on the top
Overnight: Punakha | Altitude: 1350m
Day 15 | Punakha to Phobjikha (2 ½ Hrs)
Check out of the hotel and visit Chimi Lhakhang on foot, the temple of fertility associated with religious art of phallus. En route visit Wangdi town and continue to Phobjikha over the pass at 3140m.Visit Gangtey Gompa, the largest and the only monastery of the Nyingmapa sect in western Bhutan.Evening relax in your hotel or take a stroll.
Overnight: Phobjikha | Altitude: 2900m
Day 16 | Phobjikha to Paro (6 Hrs)
Start early retracing the drive to Paro. In Paro visit the National Museum, the first of its kind which has a collection from natural history to religious paintings. Visit 17 century Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot and continue walking through the oldest wooden bridge still in use.
Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200m
Day 17 | Paro – Haa – Paro (Day excursion)
Early morning drive for the isolated valley of Haa over one of the highest motorable road of Bhutan. If the weather permits, one can view the highest peak of Bhutan, Mt. Jumolhari. Visit Haa valley. Picnic lunch and evening explore the little town of Haa and drive back to Paro.
Overnight: Hotel Gangtey Palace
Day 18 | Paro sightseeing
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. The hike to this temple will take up most of our morning (2 Hrs uphill for an average hiker). In the afternoon, if time permits visit the 1200 year old Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, to bring you good luck for the rest of the journey. Farewell dinner in the town.
Overnight: Paro
Day 19 | Departure:
Transfer to airport for your departure flight. Our tour staff will bid you farewell at the airport.
