Mystical Himalayan Kingdoms

Fly to Bhutan, a spectacular experience as one flies over the great peaks of the Himalayas. Onarrival in Paro meet your Bhutanese guide and you will be driven through spectacular mountain vistas, river confluences, quaint villages and peaceful countryside for about an hour to Thimphu, a small, charming capital city in the heart of the Himalayas at 8,500 feet. Stop as you wish to visit villages, photograph the beautiful scenery and also visit the Tachogang Temple enroute. On arrival in Thimphu, check in at your Hotel and rest of the afternoon is free. This evening walk through the local market to experience relaxed Bhutanese life. Time to shop at the Handicrafts Emporium to buy traditional crafts and textiles also try some of the local cuisine or bakery items. LD

After Breakfast, visit the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Monastert 2 BhutanWangchuck, exhibiting a multi-storied stupa and numerous paintings providing a rare insight into Buddhist philosophy. Visit the Zilukha Nunnery to meet with Buddhist nuns and learn about their life and Buddhism. Visit the Mini Zoo to see the Golden Takins, Bhutan’s national animal. Changangkha Lhakhang an old fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, established in the 12th century. The central statue Chenresig is an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation. Temple is surrounded by enormous prayer wheels to spin and the prayer books in the temple are larger in size than usual Tibetan texts. Next stop at a traditional paper factory where paper is made from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub. Visit a silver and goldsmith village and the Thangkha Painting School, where young students learn the traditional arts and crafts.

This afternoon we visit Zilukha Nunnery; meet with Buddhist nuns to learn about their life and Buddhism. Continue to the Folk Heritage Museum. Tashichhodzong is the capitol and palace of King Jigme Khasar Namgyel Wanchuck, newly coronated in 2008. Here, the king and the Je Khenpo (supreme religious leader) rule side-by-side. They are both equally venerated by the Bhutanese. BLD

After Breakfast leave Thimphu for Punakha. The road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 meters). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, descending along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters). Enroute visit Chimi Lakhang, which is a short easy walk though farmland and mountain villages. The Monastery is dedicated to Tibetan saint Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as `Divine Madman’. The original chorten was built in 14th century and a temple was added later in the 15th century. On arrival at Punakha, check in at your Hotel. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It still serves as the summer residence of Je-khenpo, the spiritual leader.

Later visit Punakha Dzong (1250 meters), built in 1637 by the first Shabdrung of Bhutan, Ngawang Namgyal, serving as a religious and administrative center of Bhutan. Also known as `Palace of Great Happiness’ the monastery is located on the confluence of two rivers Pho & Mo. Stroll through the town market before returning to Hotel for Dinner. BLD

This morning hike along the river, the local farms to the Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Chorten. The stupa iswoman working majestically located overlooking the fertile Punakha valley. Stop at local villages and farm houses to meet with friendly Bhutanese people and also learn about their lifestyle, culture and more. Later travel to Paro, home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries. Stop at Dochula pass café for Tea of Coffee. On arrival in Paro and time permitting take an orientation drive through the picturesque Paro valley with its quaint clusters of hamlets amid terraced paddy fields. BLD

Choose from one of the following sightseeing option:

A. Hike to Taktsang:

The trip involves walking on narrow mountain trails and some steep climb. After image004breakfast, drive to Satsam Chorten to begin hiking to Taktsang Monastery’s viewpoint. The terrain to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forests. Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”, built around a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated. The 8th century monastery is perched on a rock overlooking a sheer drop and clings seemingly impossibly to a cliff of rock at 9678 feet above the valley floor. Stop at local villages on the way. Afternoon, visit Ta Dzong National Museum, one of the best in Asia; whose exhibits include an ancient watch tower and a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts, old Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons. Later, walk through the market followed by a visit to a typical Bhutanese farm house

B. CITY TOUR:

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, said to have been built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659, Satsam Chorten and Rinpung Dzong also known as the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, the old ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong an ancient monastic and administrative complex/fortress, from the ramparts of which the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day, you will be overawed by the sight of the 24,000 feet white-domed peak of the sacred Mt Jhomolhari that looms overhead. Afternoon, visit Ta Dzong National Museum, one of the best in Asia; whose exhibits include an ancient watch tower and a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts, old Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons. Later, walk through the market followed by a visit to a typical Bhutanese farm house. BLD

Travel aboard Druk air scenic flight over Himalayan foothills to Bagdogra in India. From here travel overland to Darjeeling nestled in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2,134 meters. The word Darjeeling is derived from the Tibetan word ‘Dorje’ means precious stone or ecclesiastical scepter.After settling in at your beautiful colonial Hotel time free to relax, enjoy a cup of Darjeeling tea while admiring & photographing the beautiful Himalayan scenery or follow the locals on a walk though the famous mall road and ridge area. BLD

Early morning, excursion to Tiger Hill, the highest spot in the area (2,590 meters), to see the sunrise (weather permitting) on the Kanchenzonga Range with a possible view of Mt. Everest. Visit Ghoom Monastery, housing the image of Maitreyee Buddha (future Buddha). After breakfast, on your tour of Darjeeling visit Tibetan Refugee Self Help Village established in 1959 to help facilitate the refugees on arrival in India: Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Everest Museum, adjacent to the High Altitude Wildlife Park. Visit the only snow leopard breeding center in India. Afternoon, visit Lloyd’s Botanical Garden and ride on the world famous `Toy Train’.The Darjeeling Himalayan railway is a marvel of non-engineering. It uses neither rack mechanism nor cable as other mountain railways do, but moves only on adhesion. A vision of Franklin Prestage, who conceived a mechanism and executed it to perfection in 1878. Enjoy ride as it chugs its way up to Ghoom, highest point of train journey at 7,407 feet. Return back to Darjeeling by car. BLD

After breakfast embark upon a Tea Tour. The tour starts with a presentation on the history of Glenburn, and a brief overview of how tea is grown, manufactured and tasted. Walk or drive through the tea fields with the Estate Manager, who will give you a comprehensive guided tour of how the tea bush is grown and looked after. Learn how to pluck the “two leaves and a bud” – that is later manufactured into the tealeaf that enters your teacup. Visit the Tea Nursery where young tea plants are cultivated; learn about the different varieties of tea plants and how they are transplanted into the fields when ready. Enjoy the thrilling ropeway tour to see the scenic natural beauty of Darjeeling and the sprawling tea gardens from the height of 300-400 meters above. Darjeeling conjures visions of serenity, vibrant green hills steeped in splendor crowned by the majestic Himalayas. It is one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world. Spend the rest of your day at leisure. BLD

After Breakfast travel overland to Gangtok, the Capital of Sikkim, emerges through the clouds in the shadow of the Kanchenjunga or Kangchendzonga. On arrival visit Do Drul Chorten, tIMG_8309he most important ’stupa’ of Sikkim, the Enchey monastery or the solitary temple, Orchid Sanctuary with its marvelous collection of orchids and the picturesque Tashi Ling offering an astounding view of the Kanchenjunga peak. The Namgyal Institute of Research and the Tsuk la Khang the principal place of worship for the local Buddhists housing a large collection of scriptures are other places that are worth visiting. BLD

Embark on an excursion to Rhumtek Monastery, the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa and head of the Kagyu- pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The main monastery was recently built by the Gyalwa Karmapa according to Buddhist architecture. Visitors are welcomed and can par take in the prayer and chanting sessions. Visit the Namgyalk Institute of Tibetology to see the collection of Lepcha, Tibetan, Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and Thangkas. Take a walking tour of the market in the evening before returning to Hotel for Dinner and overnight. BLD

Travel early this morning to Bagdogra stopping en route at Rongpoo, Sikkim’s major border town. The drive is downhill to the Teesta Valley meeting point of Teesta and Rangit Rivers. Visit Peshok Tea Garden and Teesta Bazaar with beautiful views of the Northern range of Kanchenzonga. Fly to Kathmandu, the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. Once known as Kantipur, the city is named after Kasthamandap, an imposing pagoda near Hanuman Dhoka & old Palace. Embark on an afternoon city tour, includingthe Durbar Square with its pagoda-shaped temples, bazaars and the Royal Residential Palace, temple of the Living Goddess Kumari, worshiped as a deity by all Devout Nepalese. Bodhnath, home of the largest Buddhist stupa in the world and Pashupatinath, the most sacred Lord Shiva’s shrine in Nepal on the banks of the holy Bagmati River.B

Your exploration of Kathmandu valley begins at Patan, the ‘city of beauty’ with its many palaces and Durbar Square Kathmandutemples embellished with intricately carved gods and goddesses in erotic poses. Tibetan refugee camp presents an opportunity to see the deft hands of Tibetans weaving carpets and other distinct Tibetan handicrafts. Visit to the sculpture foundry to meet a master sculptor of sacred images. For centuries the Nepalese have become famous throughout the world for their statue making and after a visit to the foundry, you will know why. Here we learn the lost wax process and even have the opportunity to actually model the wax in our hands. Having observed how the sacred art is created, one now can really appreciate the masterpieces of Hindu and Buddhist art that are housed in the temples and monasteries of Nepal — the Land of Gods. Enjoy a drive through the terraced rice fields to the primitive city of Bhadgaon. The Durbar Square includes the Big Bell – once rung to usher in curfew, the Bell of the Barking Dogs, the Lion Gate, the Picture Gallery and the famous Golden Gate. B

Early Morning  take Mount Everest flight-seeing tour, a one-hour flight around the Himalayas including Mount Everest. Rest of the day is free to explore the valley on own or take optional tour.  You may want to visit the Thamel section of the city to explore, browse and shop in Thamel’s amazing market that is truly a shoppers’ nirvana. Wood carved masks, Pashima shawls, dolls, paintings, puppets, pottery, hand-made paper, clothes and brassware are only a few of the exotic items that can be found and bargained for. Thamel is a great place to collect souvenirs and a fun place just to stroll around. This evening enjoy a Nepalese dance and music presentation featuring traditional costumes followed by a Nepalese dinner. B/tg_program]

 

Time free until your international flight.