Sikkim & Bhutan Tour

Today your journey with “Best Travel Agents in India” begins. Upon your arrival at Delhi airport, you will be welcomed by our English-speaking representative and transferred to your pre-booked hotel.

In the morning, you will be transferred back to Delhi airport for your flight to Bagdogra. Upon arrival in Bagdogra, you will be welcomed by your driver and guide, who will be with you throughout your stay in Sikkim. They will take you on a three-hour journey to Turuk, a small village perched on a mountain ridge near Melli. Along the way, you will pass through the town of Siliguri and various villages, following the course of the Teesta River. From Melli, the road winds uphill until you reach the village of Turuk. Here you will spend the night in a heritage bungalow. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

After an early breakfast, you will be taken to the Tarey Bhir viewpoint: from here, you will have a stunning view of the Kalimpong hills and the the winding Teesta River below. You will continue the drive through a pine forest and past small settlements to the town of Pelling. Here, you will check into your hotel and later in the afternoon, you can take a walk to the Pemayangtse Monastery, situated atop a hill. The walls are richly painted with figures from Tibetan mythology. The frescoes here have been somewhat tarnished by the ravages of time, but that certainly does not make them any less charming. On the contrary, we would say. This walk takes about 45 minutes. If you wish, you can also continue to the remains of Rabdentse, the second capital of the former kingdom of Sikkim.

Note: If you are afraid to walk to Pemayangtse, it can also be done by car.

rolling hills covered with tea bushes. Top-quality organic tea is grown here. Before arriving, you will visit 'Buddha Park,' also known as Tathagata Tsal, where an immense Buddha statue stands. This statue is visible from much of West Sikkim. You can walk inside the statue and climb to the top. Along the way, you will see the fascinating life of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, depicted in murals along the walls. This is also a nice place to take a break with a cup of Temi tea. Today you will stay in a homestay, a village project to promote local tourism. The rooms have private bathrooms, but the amenities are basic. It's a truly special experience to experience village life up close.

Note: If you prefer to stay in a hotel, we can also recommend one.

the night at the homestay. If you like, you can help out in the kitchen. But nothing is mandatory, everything is free.Note: Looking for a bit more of an adrenaline rush? Paragliding is also available in this area. Inquire about the possibilities.

After breakfast, you'll descend by car through the tea fields, cross the Serwani Bridge, and follow the course of the Teesta River to the village of Martam. After checking in and having lunch, you'll take a walk with your guide to a nearby village. It's really fun to visit a small school along the way and chat with the students, who are eager to practice their English. They don't often see visitors here, so they're very enthusiastic. This walk takes about two hours, and another two hours for the return. Along the way, you'll pass through both forests and terraced fields.

Today, a short drive will take you to Rumtek. Perched on a hilltop, you'll find the beautiful Rumtek Monastery. It's the residence of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is very colorful. Around 300 monks live there, and you can see inside their homes. Next, you'll visit the magnificent Ranka Monastery, which offers spectacular views of the valleys. Then, you'll head to Gangtok. It's the capital of the Indian state of Sikkim and served as the capital of the Buddhist Himalayan kingdom until 1975, when Sikkim became part of India. Gangtok holds great significance in Tibetan Buddhism, and you'll find numerous monasteries in the surrounding area. In the evening, you can explore Lal Bazaar and Mahatma Gandhi Road (known as MG Road), a shopping street. In this pedestrian-only zone, you'll find brightly colored buildings, several small shops, an ATM, and restaurants. Flower boxes and benches line the street, perfect for chatting. The atmosphere is pleasant and friendly.

Note: If you don't mind an early start, you can also start the day by visiting Tashi Viewpoint: there's something magical about the first rays of the sun on the snow-capped peaks.

A special drive with a special destination: Today, you'll drive through the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary to Tsomgo Lake, home to numerous rhododendrons and alpine trees. This lake sits at an altitude of 3,735 meters. The waters of this mountain lake take on different colors in different seasons, making it a beautiful sight in every season. For most of the year, the lake remains frozen and covered in snow. The red panda is native to this area, but you'll need a lot of luck to spot one. Many migratory birds find this a great place to spend some time, and we understand why. Due to its proximity to the Chinese border, hiking is unfortunately not permitted here, except on the marked path along the lake. Tourists can also ride colorful yaks with colorful horns. After visiting the lake, you'll return to Gangtok. Along the way, you'll stop at several places to enjoy spectacular mountain views. You'll spend the night in Gangtok again.

Kalimpong is your next destination. At an altitude of 1250 meters, the climate is pleasant, making it a popular weekend getaway or retirement destination. But it's not just visited by Indian vacationers and retirees; orchids and gladioli also flourish. Until around 1700, Kalimpong was the territory of the King of Sikkim. In the early 18th century, the King of Bhutan took control of the city, until Darjeeling annexed it in 1865. A turbulent history has led to a city that still offers such a tranquil atmosphere. In the afternoon, you'll explore this hill resort with your guide. You'll visit the Zang Dog Palri Pho Brang Monastery, Mangal Dham, and flower fields.

Today's journey continues downhill, passing through various villages, hamlets, forests, and tea plantations to the Bhutanese border. Your Indian guide and driver will help you cross the border and check in at your hotel on the Bhutanese side. You'll meet your Bhutanese guide and driver today or tomorrow morning. After obtaining your route permit and completing border formalities, you can relax for the rest of the day. Obviously, there's a lot of trade at the border; wandering the market is a great way to spend the afternoon.

You'll be taken to the capital, Thimphu (expect a drive of about 5 to 6 hours). In good weather, you'll be treated to spectacular views. The Himalayas rise above the plains like a natural barrier. On the way to Thimphu, you'll pass through forests of conifers, rhododendrons, and wild cherry trees. You'll stop at the Rinchending Monastery, villages, and scenic viewpoints. Upon arriving in Thimphu, you'll be taken to your hotel for an overnight stay. With a population of just 100,000, Thimphu is one of the world's smallest capital cities. The city center has three main streets where you'll find numerous restaurants and shops. In the afternoon, you can visit the massive Golden Buddha statue perched high in the hills above Thimphu. Inside the statue is a temple, which you can explore. Along the way is the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the country's third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. This is a place where many Bhutanese come daily to pray, circle the building, and spin large prayer wheels. If you prefer to simply explore the city, that's also possible. Your guide and driver will be on hand to assist you.

There are many places to visit in and around Thimphu. Depending on your preferences, you can choose something after consulting your guide. For example, you can visit Changangkha Monastery, the National Institute of Traditional Medicine (a museum), the School of Arts and Crafts, the Textile Museum, the Folk Heritage Museum, a nunnery, or a market selling various handicrafts. You can also visit a small animal park where you can see Bhutan's national animal, the Takin. Simtokha Dzong is also worth a visit; this small monastery is just outside Thimphu. To end the day, it's worth visiting Tashichho Dzong, a magnificent monastery fortress. These dzongs (monastic fortresses) were centers of political and religious power. Even today, they house both government offices and temples. In the late afternoon, you'll see officials leaving the dzong after their work, and the building will be open to visitors. When you leave the dzong, be sure to look to the left. Here is the (modest) Royal Palace, home to the current and fifth King, HM Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.You can decide how much time you want to spend at different sites by consulting your guide.

Tip: The daily flag-lowering ceremony is very grand. It's definitely worth a visit!

The journey reaches Punakha in about 3 hours. This route takes you through the Dochula Pass (3050m), where on clear days you can see much of the Himalayas, and where 108 stupas are built on the mountainside. By consulting your guide and driver, you can stop several times to enjoy the spectacular views. Don't forget to stop for a while at Lampari Botanical Park, and you'll quickly become acquainted with the flora and fauna of this country. Next on the agenda is Punakha's main attraction: the Punakha Dzong. This massive dzong sits at the confluence of two rivers, creating a spectacular view. The massive white fortress walls were clearly built to impress both friend and foe, and they certainly succeeded. Inside, many sacred relics are preserved, and the colorful paintings can make you dizzy.

If you enjoy hiking, we might also include a visit to the Khamsum Yuli Temple or Chorten Nyingpo today, both perched high on a hill, offering stunning views of the valley, terraced rice fields, and winding river.

the walk, you can descend via Tashigang Gompa instead of taking the same route back to Dochula Pass.

Today you'll visit one of Bhutan's most famous sites. You'll drive to Taktsang, where you'll begin the hike to Tiger's Nest. This sanctuary, clinging to a cliff at an altitude of 800 meters, is not only the most famous but also one of the country's most spectacular. It was built on the site where Guru Rinpoche landed on the back of a pregnant tigress in the 8th century. Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, is considered an incarnation of Buddha and the one who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. He defeated many demons here and meditated in a cave for three months. The current temple is built around this cave. You can visit several religious sites here before descending to the cafeteria for lunch. Afterward, you'll reach the site where your driver will be waiting for you. This afternoon, you can visit Kyechu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples, or other sights you missed yesterday.

After breakfast you will be transferred to Paro Airport for your flight to Delhi (included). Here, you will be taken to a hotel near the airport for the last (often short) night.

Most flights depart after midnight. You will be taken to the airport on time. This concludes your “Best Travel Agents in India” trip.

Note: You can also extend your trip by taking a Delhi city tour. In this case, we'll book a hotel near the city's sights. It's also possible to visit the Taj Mahal while in Agra. Please inquire about these options.