Classical Sikkim with Bhutan "Perfect for Nature Lovers"

Day 01: Kolkata
Arrive by International flight, after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Kolkata is the cultural capital of India where rich cultural heritage can be experienced in daily life. Tourists especially visit this city to experience its unique and lively culture. It is the birthplace of renowned poets and philosophers. Appreciation of art and literature is in the blood of the people here. Aptly called the ‘City of Furious’, Kolkata is ideally located on the bank of the Hooghly River in West Bengal. This city is well known for the massive colonial architecture and art galleries. Also known as the ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata surely offers various astonishing attractions to fall in love with.
Evening is FREE for independent activities.

Overnight Hotel – Kolkata

Day 02: Kolkata
Post Breakfast Guided city tour of Kolkata; 

Victoria Memorial; memorial of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom who also carried the title of Empress of India. The structure was designed by Sir William Emerson in an architectural style similar to Taj Mahal. It was built between 1906 & 1921. It is a majestic white marble building surrounded by a sprawling garden. Also visit the Fort William, St. John’s Church, Tagore’s castle & slot, marble Palace
Howrah Bridge; is a cantilever bridge that spans over the Hooghly River in West Bengal A cantilever bridge is the one built using cantilevers, structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end. The bridge does not have nuts and bolts and was built by riveting the whole structure.
Nirmal Hriday (Pure Heart), opened in the year 1952 by Mother Teresa, Home for Dying Destitute in Kolkata. She & her fellow nuns took in dying Indians off the streets & brought them to this home to care for them during the days before they died, so that they might be able to die in peace & with dignity.
Birla Mandir; is a Hindu temple on Asutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Ballygunge, built by the industrialist Birla family. This temple is open in the morning from 5.30 A.M. to 11 A.M. and in the evening from 4 .30 P.M. to 9 P.M.
Belur Math; sprawling over forty acres of land on the western bank of the Hooghly (Ganga), in Howrah district, an hour’s drive from Kolkata, is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world professing different religious faiths.  Even people not interested in religion come here for the peace it exudes.
Rest of the day at leisure for shopping & explore local market of KOLKATA.
Overnight Hotel – Kolkata (B)

Day 03: Kolkata – Bagdogara {Flight Details}
 Bagdogara – Darjeeling (110 km - 03 Hrs)

Post breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight to Bagdogra & drive to Darjeeling, Queen of India's hill stations. Its setting is one of incomparable beauty. A Victorian town of old world charm 'discovered' by the British. It is surrounded by fragrant tea gardens which seem to flow over the layered slopes like emerald swells on a rough sea.
Evening at leisure to explore the Queen of India's hill stations.
Overnight Hotel – Darjeeling (B, D)

Day 04: Darjeeling
Morning START your DAY with the visit of Tiger Hill, famous for its magnificent view of Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest & other eastern Himalayan peaks especially at the time of sunrise.
Way back visit the Ghoom, as the name suggests it is gloomy & clammy with perpetual fog. A Tibetan village, one can hear the foghorn-like sounds of Buddhist monks blowing their giant Gyeling pipes from the rooftops of the nearby Yiga-Choling ' Yellow Hat' Buddhist Temple.
Later enjoy the toy train ride of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also visit the Mountaineering Institute, created by the late Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who conquered Mt Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary. A display of equipment used on the climb is one of the highlights..
Rest of the time is free to explore the Tibet Handicraft Centre & the beautiful Tea gardens. Guided visit of Makaibari: more than a Tea Estate. Makaibari is the world's first tea factory and was established in 1859. All farmers are artists. Their palette is the earth, where they create their paintings with various seeds and animals, to produce food that sustains mankind. 
Overnight Hotel – Darjeeling (B, D)

Day 05: Darjeeling – Pelling (72 Kms / 1.5 Hrs)
Post bfreakfast driven to peliing, on arrival transfer to hotel. Later proceed to visit the sightseeing of Pelling visiting:
Pemayantse monastery; is special because it is meant only for ‘ta-sang’ lamas (pure monks). Believed to have been conceptualised and designed by the pioneer of Buddhism in Sikkim, Lhatsun Chhembo,  Pemayangste soon became the nuclei of monasteries in Sikkim. Today, it is considered as the "premier monastery" of the State.
Sangacholing Monastery; this monastery is located on a ridge above Pelling and the famous Pemayangtse Monastery. To reach the Monastery one has to walk on steep hilly slope which lead through rich forests area.
Khecheopalri Lake ; Khecheopalri Lake is considered as one of the sacred lakes of Sikkim by the Hindus and Buddhists. The lake remains hidden in the forests. It is believed that birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the lake surface.
Rest of the time is Free.
Overnight Hotel - Pelling (B, D)

Day 06: Pelling – Gangtok (115 / 2 Hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Gangtok, a fairytale capital in the clouds, balances precariously on Steep Mountain slopes, Surrounded by lush rice terraces, swifts flowing rivers & distant snow views. It is situated in the lower Himalayas & was a small hamlet until the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840 made it a pilgrimage center..
Post lunch half day tour of Gangtok;
Research Institute of Tibetology; organization dedicated to furthering Tibetan studies, Buddhist philosophy & region. It attracts scholars from all over the world. It houses a rare collection of 30,000 books, Tantric documents, rare manuscripts written in gold on the bark of a poisonous tree, antique thanks & 200 icons, all prized objects of art for the Buddhism.
Evening FREE to explore the beautiful CITY.
Overnight Hotel - Gangtok (B, D)

Day 07: Gangtok DAY Excursion to Tsongo Lake
Post breakfast day excursion to Tsongo Lake; considered extremely sacred by the local people. The place is a paradise for bird lovers with large number of Blue Whistling Thrush, Redstarts & Fork tails around. It hosts a number of migratory birds prominent among which is the Brahminy ducks. The word Tsongo in Bhutia language means source of the lake.
Do Drul Chorten; are two exquisite Stupas, the Dul-dul-Chorten, was built to commemorate the victory of good over evil. The Jhang Club Chorten was built to perpetuate the memory of a great spiritualist of today. Thrul-Shik Rinpoche an ardent devotee of Buddha and one of his best interpreters died in 1962, the stupa immortalizes Rinpoche in the land of his birth.
Rumtek Monastery; meandering roads through emerald green rice terraces, lays Rumtek, the main monastery of Kagyud or 'Black Hat' sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Built in 1959 by His Holiness the 16th Reincarnated Gyalwa Karmapa, it is a replica of Tsurphu Monastery from the Kham region of Tibet.
Himalayan Zoological Park ; known as Bulbuley. It has paved cement path that passes by fenced open air enclosure housing the Red Pandas, barking deer & bears in a semi natural habitat.
Government Institute of Cottage Industries (GICI), which produces crafts in authentic Sikkimese designs. Hand woven Tibetan carpets sprout dragons in natural dyes, Sikkimese-style tables called Choktse are expertly carved & colored in red & gold.
Evening explore Lal bazaar, melody of colour. Various ethnic groups from different villages gather to haggle, bargain, gossip their wares.
Overnight Hotel – Gangtok (B, D)

Day 08: Gangtok – Kalimpong (75 kms / 2.5 hrs)
Post breakfast driven to Kalimpong, an incredible stunning backdrop of towering snowcapped peaks. This exotic town of beautiful people, mystical & enchanting, with a rare ethnic blend of hill people. It also houses several Buddhist monasteries which hold a number of rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures. It was ruled by Bhutan for 155 years & was annexed by the British only in 1865, after which it flourished as a centre of wool trade with Tibet. Here Buddhism rubs shoulders with Hinduism & Christianity. Gumpas, unusual churches, temples & missionaries coexist in a jovial society.
Rest of the time to free at leisure after tiring Journey.
Overnight Hotel - Kalimpong (B, D)

Day 09: Kalimpong
Post breakfast proceed for guided visit of Kalimpong visiting; Thongsa Gompa also known as the Bhutanese Monastery. It is the oldest monastery in Kalimpong & was founded in the year 1692. Though the old structure was destroyed by the Gorkhas, it was rebuilt on the same site.
Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa, which is on the Durpin hill & is famous for the Tibetan wall paintings. It also has a religious debating society along with a school of Tibetan medicine.
Tharpa Choeling Monastery founded in 1937 & belongs to the Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect of Tibetan monastery. This Monastery houses many old scriptures & literary works.
Dr Graham's Home, mission school was founded by Scottish missionary Dr. John Anderson Graham in 1900. The purpose of the school was to educate children of the tea garden workers & poor labourers. We also visit few nurseries around town
Evening at leisure to explore the local market.
Overnight Hotel – Kalimpong (B, D)

Day 10: Kalimpong - Phuentsholing (175 Km / 05 Hrs) 
Phuentsholing is the second biggest town in Bhutan boarding India (Jaigaon). Arrive by International flight and collection of baggage, you will be welcomed by our tour Exceptional Escapes representative who will be your tour guide during your entire trip in Bhutan.
Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Rest of the time at leisure to discover the Capital on your own.
Overnight Hotel – Phuentsholing (B,D)

Day 11: Phuentsholing – Thimphu (185 Km / 06 Hrs.)
Post breakfast we will depart for Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan. On the way we will visit the famous Kharbandi Gonpa, from where we will have the scenic view of the plains of India. We will pass numerous small town of Gedu, Chukha and Chunzom, the confluence of Pa Chu and Thin Chu and continue your drive to reach the capital of Bhutan. Rest of the time at leisure.
Overnight Hotel – Thimphu (B, L, D)

Day 12: Thimphu
Post breakfast visit the Memorable Chorten dedicated to the 03rd King of Bhutan, The Textile Museum & Folk Heritage Museum that provides a fascinating insight into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life. Drive to the 15th century Changakha Lhakhang spectacularly localted on the spur. The Takin Sanctuary near the lhakhang will give the visitor a chance to glance at the National animal of Bhutan, Takin.
Also visit the school of Arts and Crafts and the National Library which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion.
Evening visit the Tashichho Dzong; the main secretarial building which houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan and also the head seat of Chief Abbot of Bhutan.
Rest of the time is FREE for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Thimphu (B, L, D)

Day 13: Thimphu – Paro (55 Kms / 1 Hr Approx.)
Post breakfast depart for Paro. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Visit the National Museum which houses and impressive collection of fine arts, paintings, bronzes, textiles, jewellery and handicrafts sections as well as galleries of stamps for which the Country is very popular.
Also visit the Rinpung Dzong, the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, built in 1645 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It is an imposing square fortress, representative of typical Dzong architecture, with a central tower and courtyards housing the administrative (Dzongkhag) and has a community of about 200 monks.

A hike down the moderate slope to the cantilever bridge, one of the finest specimens in Bhutan with its shingle roof and two guard-houses at each end.
Rest of the time is FREE for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Paro (B, L, D)

Day 14: Paro (Hike to Taktsang Monastery)
After breakfast drive 20 minutes to the end of the valley to Drukgyel Dzong from where one can see the towering peak of Jomolhari (7,316m, 24,003 ft). This mountain, also revered as a powerful goddess, forms the border with Tibet and provides magnificent background to the ruined Drukgyel Dzong and village. Drive to Rumthangka and have the glorious view of Taktsang. The hike is optional.
Taktsang Monastery, clinging on the steep rock, is one of the holiest temple in Bhutan. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew on the Tigress back and meditated here. The trek to the temple through the pine tree and sweet aroma of the air is indeed a very special and memorable event. The return hike will take about 05-06 hours.
On Our way back, we will visit Kyichu Temple (built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gompo in the 7th century).
Rest of the time free for souvenir shopping in the small town of Paro.

Overnight Hotel – Paro (B, L, D)

Day 15: Paro – Kolkata {Flight}
Departure
Transfer to airport to board your international flight for onward journey taking back a wonderful memory of Sikkim & Bhutan Holiday.

Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.