Day 1: CITY OF ORIGIN - CALCUTTA
Departure on a scheduled flight to Kolkata. Overnight on board.
Sikkim & Bhutan
Calcutta - Darjeeling - Gangtock - Kalimpong - Phuntsoling - Thimpu - Punakha - Paro - Taktsang - Delhi
Itinerary
Day 2: CALCUTTA
Arrival at Kolkata International Airport, customs formalities, baggage claim, and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is the most populous city in India. The architectural style left by the British in their former colonial capital contrasts sharply with the bustling streets. Overnight stay.Day 3: CALCUTTA - BAGHDOGRA - DARJEELING
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight to Baghdogra. Upon arrival, continue along the Eastern Himalayan Highway towards Darjeeling, a famous holiday resort in British times, surrounded by tea plantations. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight stay.
Day 4: DARJEELING
Full board. Early morning, we will travel by 4x4 to Tiger Hill, where on clear days there are splendid views of the Kanchenjunga massif (the third highest mountain in the world). We will then continue to Ghoon Monastery, where a large image of Maitreya Buddha is venerated. Return to the city where we will visit the Japanese Temple, the Peace Pagoda, and the Tibetan refugee center. Overnight stay.
Day 5: DARJEELING - GANGTOCK
Full board. Departure by road to Gangtock, the capital of Sikkim. A very picturesque city, perched on a mountain with dense forests, surrounded by important peaks such as Padim, Narsing, Simvo, and Siniolchu. Visit to Rumteck Monastery, home to the Kagyu monks, which houses collections of icons and manuscripts. In Gangtock, we will visit Tashi Lookout and the Tibetan Museum, the handicraft center, Enchey Monastery, known as the Palace of Solitude, where nearly 200 monks live, and the vibrant local market. Overnight stay.
Day 6: GANGTOCK - KALIMPONG
Full board. Departure by road downhill to Kalimpong. Visit to one of the exotic flower nurseries, the Zang Dhok Palri Monastery, from where you can enjoy good panoramic views of the city, the Tharpa Choling Monastery, and Thongsa Gompa, the oldest in the city. Overnight stay.
Day 7: KALIMPONG - PHUNTSOLING
Breakfast and departure by road towards the border with Bhutan.
After clearing customs, continue to Phuntsoling, a prosperous city and commercial center that connects to the northern edge of the Indian plains. Located at the foot of the Himalayas, it is a fascinating blend of Indian and Bhutanese culture, a perfect example of the harmonious combination of its people and traditions. Time permitting, visit the small temple of Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang, built in the center of Phuntsoling and representing the paradise of Guru Rinpoche. Later, take a short walk through the market area. Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: PHUNTSOLING - THIMPU
Full board. Visit to Kharbandi Gompa, a beautiful monastery situated in a tropical garden of flowers and plants. The monastery contains paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha, as well as statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpoche. From the monastery, there are splendid views of the city of Phuentsholing, the plains of West Bengal, and its tea plantations. Continue to Thimphu. Throughout the road trip, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Bhutanese landscape. In the afternoon, we will take a stroll through the local market. Afterward, we will head to Buddha Point (Kuenselphodrang), home to the largest Buddha statue in Bhutan and offering excellent views of the valley. Overnight stay.
Day 9: THIMPU
Full board. In the morning, after breakfast, visit the National Library, which houses a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some over a hundred years old, as well as another collection of books on Himalayan culture and religion (closed Wednesdays); the Zorig Chusum Institute, commonly known as the Fine Arts Center School (Thangka painting and other traditional arts); and the Textile Museum, opened in 2001, a fascinating testament to Bhutan's living traditions. In the afternoon, visit the Memorial Chorten, constantly surrounded by people murmuring mantras and spinning prayer wheels. This building was commissioned by the third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”), to commemorate peace and prosperity in the world. It was completed in 1974 after his death. Next, we'll visit the Trashichhoedzong, an impressive monastery-fortress that houses the State Secretariat, His Majesty's Throne Room, and various government offices. We'll conclude with a visit to a Handicraft Center and a local craft bazaar. Overnight stay.Day 10: THIMPU - PUNAKHA/WANGDUE
Full board. Departure by road towards Punakha, passing through the Dochu La Pass (3,088 m). Brief stop to admire the panoramic views, the chorten, and the prayer flags that always adorn the highest points along the road. Weather permitting, we will be able to admire some of the main peaks of the Himalayas: Masagang (7,158 m), Tsendagang (6,960 m), Terigang (7,060 m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m), Kangphugang (7,170 m), Zongphugang (7,060 m), and Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497 m. En route, we will make a short excursion to the Chimi Lakhang Temple (also known as the Fertility Temple), located on a hill in the center of the valley; dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley. It is said that couples who are childless and wish to have a child, by praying here, will be blessed with a child in a short time. Upon arrival in Punakha, we will visit the Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of the Je Khenpo (head priest) and the monks of Tashichhodzong. It was built in 1637 strategically at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Overnight stay.Day 11: PUNAKHA/WANGDUE - PARO
Full board. Early morning visit to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Monastery, located in the middle of a pine forest overlooking the Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys. The temple houses a 5-meter-tall bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara, one of the largest in the country. Continue the tour to visit Simtokha Dzong, also known as the "Fortress of Abandoned Jewels" due to the quality of the woodwork on its central tower. Built in 1627, it is the oldest fortress in Bhutan and now houses the Institute of Language and Culture Studies. Arrival in Paro. In the afternoon, we will visit Ta Dzong (closed Sundays and Mondays), originally built in the 17th century as a watchtower and now home to the National Museum since 1968, which houses an extraordinary collection of ancient thangka paintings, textiles, weapons, armor, household objects, and a rich variety of natural and historical artifacts. We will also visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first ruler of Bhutan. Overnight stay.Day 12: STOP/TAKTSANG/STOP
Full board. In the morning, depart on an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as the "Tiger's Nest" (approx. 5 hours walking). Perched on a 900-meter cliff above the Paro Valley, it is undoubtedly one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan and one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan world. It owes its name to the story of its founding. According to legend, in the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche miraculously arrived at Taktsang by flying on the back of a tigress from Khenpajong in the Kurteop region. According to Bhutanese tradition, the tigress was a form assumed by one of the Master's consorts for the occasion. On the way back to Paro, we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries, reflecting the introduction of Buddhism to Bhutan. Overnight stay.
Day 13: PARO - DELHI
Breakfast and free time until your transfer to Para Airport. Arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay.
Day 14: DELHI
Breakfast and free time until your transfer to Delhi International Airport.
Flight from New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport to your hometown.
Day 15: HOMETOWN
Arrival in the city of origin.
General conditions
- Scheduled flights.
- Transfers, visits, and excursions as per itinerary, with a Spanish-speaking guide (except for the transfer from Phuntsoling to Thimphu, which will be with an English-speaking guide).
- 12 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast.
- 10 lunches and 10 dinners (drinks not included).
- Bhutan government taxes.
- Plus travel assistance insurance.
- Indian Visa.
- Bhutan Visa Fees (USD 40 per person)
- Services not specified as included.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for guides and drivers.
- Drinks at lunch and dinner.
- Supplement for Christmas and New Year's (December 19 - January 5). Please inquire.
- Optional insurance.
Flights: 100% penalty once airline tickets are issued. Name changes are not permitted.
Land services:
From the moment of confirmation, €30 per person.
- Cancellations up to 37 days prior to departure: no penalty.
- Cancellations between 36 and 16 days prior to departure: 50% penalty.
- Cancellations 15 days prior to departure: 100% penalty.
Bhutan visa fees: non-refundable.
announcement
-Guaranteed departures from 2 passengers, according to the published departure schedule for this program.
-People with reduced mobility: many places in India and Bhutan, hotels and transport are not wheelchair accessible, please check and notify us before making your reservation. Any additional expenses for assistance required throughout the tour will be the responsibility of the client.
-Possible changes to accommodations: If it is not possible to confirm the planned hotels for any of the departures, an alternative will be offered to the client within the same contracted category.
-Special diets: Cases of food intolerances (allergies, celiac disease, vegetarian food, etc.) must be communicated before arrival in India, although it is not possible to guarantee any type of special diet or menu.
-Free time: During free time, clients will not have access to transportation or a local guide.
-Possible route change: Our representative in India has the full right to modify the program for the benefit of the client or due to force majeure without losing any of the scheduled visits.
-Luggage: In case of lost luggage On the part of the airlines, it will be the passenger's responsibility to manage the claim and call the company directly to process the delivery or compensation that may apply. Luxotour will not be responsible for any procedures related to lost or damaged luggage.
-Consumer Withdrawal: The tour is sold as a fixed package, therefore there will be no refund or discount for services that clients choose not to use or in which they cannot participate due to personal or medical reasons, flight schedules, or other events.
-Conduct During the Trip: If a passenger's behavior jeopardizes the operation of the tour and/or causes discomfort to the rest of the group, they will be required to leave the tour without any discount or refund for services they cannot use.
-Credit Card: Generally, hotels require passengers to provide a credit card or a cash deposit as a guarantee to provide services such as telephone calls, extras in bars and restaurants, minibar, laundry, room service charges, etc.
-Personal Documentation and Entry Requirements In India and Bhutan: It is the client's responsibility to inform themselves about the current entry and exit regulations of the country they are traveling to, as well as to carry the personal documents required by the authorities. Luxotour assumes no responsibility in this regard. Please note that visa, transit, entry, and vaccination regulations vary from country to country and may be subject to change at short notice.
This program does not have a discount for children.