Himalayan Kingdoms - Sikkim and Bhutan

From ZAR65 555 - 23 Days Fully Inclusive From Johannesburg

Our Himalayan Kingdoms tour encompasses West Bengal, the remote regions of Sikkim in India's north east and the reclusive Druk Yul, ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’, Bhutan. Both Sikkim and in particular Bhutan are still relatively unspoilt by tourism. Bhutan opened for tourism in 1974 and is perhaps the world's most exclusive tourist destination. This journey takes you to a region of high altitude to look over unrivalled scenery of the Himalayan Mountains and valleys, visit monasteries (in Tibetan: Gompas) as well as a National Park especially known for the rare one horned Rhinoceros

TOUR ITINERARY

Days 1-2: South Africa to Kolkata

Overnight flight to Kolkata for 2 nights.

Day 3: Kolkata

Visit a Jain temple, a Kali temple and the Victoria Memorial. Drive past the Howrah Bridge, Dalhousie Square and Fort William, Secretariat Building, Old Court House Street, the flower market and Pauli artisan district.

Day 4: Kolkata to Darjeeling via Bagdogra

Fly to Bagdogra and travel up through hills and tea plantations to Darjeeling.

Day 5: Darjeeling - Ghoom

Rise early for a jeep ride to Tiger Hill and visit one of Ghoom’s oldest monasteries. Later we head to the railway station to board the World Heritage ‘Toy Train’ and enjoy a ride through the hills. This afternoon visit a tea plantation and the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute.

Day 6: Darjeeling to Pelling

Head north crossing into the state of Sikkim and drive to Pelling, where we visit Pemayangtse Monastery.

Day 7: Pelling

Visit Khecheopalri Lake, considered to be one of the most sacred lakes of Sikkim by both Buddhists and Hindus and Kanchenjunga Falls.

Days 8-9: Pelling to Gangtok

Drive to Gangtok visiting Tashiding Monastery en route. Tomorrow visit Enchey Monastery, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and Do Drul Chorten.

Day 10: Gangtok to Kalimpong

Drive to Kalimpong, a small but rapidly expanding market town, visiting Rumtek Monastery en route.

Day 11: Kalimpong

Today is at leisure to explore the quaint town of Kalimpong.

Day 12: Kalimpong to Gorumara

Today we venture to the rarely visited Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy a jeep safari in the park this afternoon.

Day 13: Gorumara to Phuentsholing

Drive to Phuentsholing today where we will meet our Bhutanese National Escort.

Day 14: Phuentsholing to Thimphu

Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, via the Kharbandi Gompa.

Day 15: Thimphu

Visit Trashi Chhoe Dzong, National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum (Painting School), view the National Institute of Traditional Medicine and visit the National Memorial Chorten, state-run Handicrafts Emporium, Folk Heritage Museum and National Textile Museum. Drive out of town to an enclosure which is part of Thimphu Zoo to see the unique Bhutanese takin.

Day 16: Thimphu to Punakha

Today we leave Thimphu Valley and drive up to Dochu La stopping en route to view Simtokha Dzong. Later visit Punakha’s dzong and the newly built Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.

Day 17: Punakha to Bumthang

Drive to Bumthang via Trongsa crossing Pele La and Yotong La and stopping at the Nepalese style Chendbji Chorten.

Day 18: Bumthang to Trongsa

This morning visit Kurje Lhakhang where the Saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon. We then visit Jambey Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang, Jakar’s dzong. This afternoon drive back to Trongsa and visit Trongsa’s dzong.

Day 19: Trongsa to Punakha

Not long after passing back through Pele La we leave the National Highway and drive into Gangtey Valley continuing to Punakha or Wangdue Phodrang for an overnight stay.

Day 20: Punakha to Paro

Drive to Paro, upon arrival visit Ta Dzong and walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong.

Day 21: Paro

Drive to the starting point for our hike to Taktshang Gompa, the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The moderate hike takes all morning and we have lunch at the cafeteria run by monks, located halfway up the trail overlooking the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Return to Paro in the afternoon, visiting Kyichu Lhakhang on the way.

Day 22: Paro to Kolkata

This morning we have an early transfer to the airport for our flight back to Kolkata. The remainder of the day is at leisure. After dinner transfer to the airport to board our flight home.

Day 23: Arrive South Africa

Arrive home in Johannesburg.

Price Guide

From R65 555 pp	23 Days Fully Inclusive, Departing Johannesburg
From R14 940 pp	Single Supplement
From R58 950 pp	Land Only
Approx USD150 pp	Compulsory Tipping (See Booking Conditions)

Tour code	Depart SA	Arrive SA
2010
I6041*	11 Mar	02 Apr
I6042	29 Oct	20 Nov

2011
I6051#	TBA	TBA

* Closed for sale, fully booked.

Travel Info

Country Info

INDIA

BHUTAN

Inclusions

Return, international economy airfares
All meals and accommodation
All transportation, daily tours and entrance fees to scenic attractions (not camera fees – see below)
English speaking local guides in each city and a National Tour Escort accompanying you throughout your destination based on a minimum number of passengers.
Visa fees for South African passport holders
Domestic airport and land taxes
Indian departure taxes
An impressive Wendy Wu Tours travel wallet

Exclusions

Non ticketed international departure taxes
Personal expenditure such as all drinks (including at meals) laundry service and souvenirs
Compulsory Tipping (see Booking Conditions)
Departure Taxes if required
Accommodation and Meals in transit between South Africa and country of touring
Camera and Video entry charges at Monuments/Forts etc
Compulsory Insurance of any kind
Land Only package excludes visa fees and return airport transfers
Arrival / departure transfers if not travelling on group flights
Early / late check in/out not guaranteed, if requested it is at an additional cost