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Add Darjeeling and Sikkim to your Bhutan itinerary

More Sikkim itineraries. Main menu for all India Tours.

Bhutan tour sample showing how you can add side trip to Darjeeling and Sikkim, India to your Bhutan itinerary

Day 1

Arrive at Paro. Received by our Bhutan representative and transfer to your hotel. Sightseeing of the Paro valley – includes National Museum, Paro Dzong, Paro town, etc. (sequence of sites is always done depending on opening hours)

Overnight in Paro.

Day 2

Day excursion to Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest, the most spectacular monastery and probably the most photographed one in Bhutan, in a way a symbol of Bhutan… round trip of about 6 hours with lunch; most tourist hike up to the viewpoint (to go all the way is another 1 hour + hike); to save you energy, unless you want to hike, I can include pony ride up for you to the viewpoint where there is the magnificent view of the Taksang gompa high above on a steep cliff, a view that should not be missed!

Overnight in Paro.

Day 3

After breakfast continue to Thimphu. We will do some sightseeing in Timphu for the rest of the day starting right after lunch: Usually do as follows - the Painting School, if closed we stop at the stores around the painting school, then on to the Textile Museum, and the Folk Heritage Museum. Next or on the way stop at the National Memorial Choerten, then, Chhoe Dzong (if it is open), or Traditional Paper Factory, even a quick stop at the market. Or we do the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, and the Post Office to pick from the wonderful and unique Bhutanese postage stamps. We can finish with a stop at the National Stadium to have a look at a football game, if there is one or the archery game, Bhutan’s national sport and quite a spectacle to watch. One way or another, you will have a full schedule and the guide will know how to make the best of if.

Day 4

Thimphu to Punakha

After breakfast you will drive to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. On a clear day panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas can be had from Dochula Pass (3100m), including Bhutan's highest mountain, Mt. Gangkar Punsum (7550 m); the Bhutanese always stop at the pass to have a tea… your guide & drivers bring hot thermos and some cookies…. Check in and lunch at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of the Punakha Valley and the fine Punakha Dzong; on return to hotel visit local farmhouse for a closer look at Bhutanese lifestyle; Overnight at hotel in Lobeysa (near Wangdi).

Day 5

Drive to Trongsa. En route through Wangdiphodrang valley stop at Wangdi dzong and later at Chendebji Chorten. Check in and Lunch in the Hotel in Trongsa. In the afternoon make an excursion to Kuenga Rabten-an ancestral home of the Royal Family. Overnight at Hotel in Tronhgsa. Trongsa is the most spectacular dzong in Bhutan, in my opinion; its location high above the valley and the hotel we use has probably the best views to be had in Bhutan! Overnight in Trongsa.

Day 6

Long spectacular drive to Bumthang. On route visit the Woolen Textiles Stores in Chumey village. Overnight in Jakar.

Day 7

Morning visit Jakar Dzong, the continu to Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest in Bhutan; from here you’ll drive to the north end of the valley to visit the impressive Kurjey Lhakhang, then continue drive up the valley to a trailhead that will take you into the side valley of the Thangbi Goenpa, the site of the Tangbi Mani festival, a pleasant hike of about 1 hour. Return to hotel for lunch. In the afternoon tour the opposite side of the valley - the Tamzhing Monastery, Kuenchosum Lhakhang - a temple of the Triple Gem; return ride will take you past the Swiss Farm, short stop, through the Jakar mian street for a short stroll and back into your hotel. Overnight in Jakar.

Day 8

BUMTHANG TO PHOBJIKHA Valley
After breakfast you will say good-bye to Jakar to start your return to Western Bhutan. Today drive to the Phobjikha Valley - one of the most beautiful in the country. This is a place worth the stop, then again there are just too many wonderful places, so given the limits that you can not see all the sites, I suggest you’ll at least make a stop and see this wonderful valley wide open before your eyes, with scattered farmhouses on wooded hillsides, the Gangtey Gompa just up on a small hill, stroll around … Overnight at Gangtey.

Day 9

PHOBJIKHA Valley to Paro

After breakfast start return to Paro. Overnight at Hotel in Paro.

Day 10

Drive Paro to Phuentsholing, the border town with India. Farewell dinner and last overnight in Bhutan.

Sikkim itinerary:

Day 1 of Sikkim itinerary:

Departure Bhutan. Our Bhutan representative will help you complete the border formalities and bid you farewell. Your Sikkim car will be waiting for you here.

Drive from Phuentsholing to Darjeeling, about 5 hours.

Day 2

Early AM :Excursion to Tiger hill & on return visit Yiga Choling Gompa,S akia
Choling Gompa & Samten Choling Gompa at Ghoom. After Breakfast visit Phin Choling Druk Sangak Gompa, Samprub Dargye Gompa & Mark Dromg Gompa,
PM: Walk to Botanical Garden,Observatory Hill & Bhutia Busty Monastery.

Day 3

AM: Excursion to Lama Hatta (Tibetan Gompa/Settlement) & back. Afternoon visit Tibetan Refugee Center, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Zoo.

Day 4

Transfer from Darjeeling to Pemayangtse 75 Kms/4 Hrs.
PM: Visit Pemayangtse Monastery & Denjong Pedma Choeling Academy

Day 5

AM: Walk to Sangacholing Monastery & back (one way 45 minutes walk),
then transfer from Pemayangtse to Yuksum 35 Kms/2 Hrs.

PM: Walk to Dubdi Gompa & Chorten (one way 40 minutes walk).

Day 6

Transfer from Yuksum to Ravangla via Tashiding /Thong wa rang dol
chorten (Tashiding Village to Tashiding Gompa one way 40 minutes walk) 60 Kms/3
Hrs.
Late PM: Visit Palchen Choeling Monastic, Ralong Gompa, Kundheling
Tibetan Settlement.

Day 7

Transfer from Ravangla to Martam Village Resort, Martam via Rumtek
Monastery 95 Kms/5.5 Hrs.

Day 8

Transfer from Martam to Gangtok via Tibetology Museum & Do Drul Chorten 30
Kms/1.5 Hrs. Rest of the day free or walk around market area.

Day 9

AM: Excursion to Lingdum Monastery & back. PM: Visit Enchey Monastery & Cottage Industry.

Day 10

Transfer from Gangtok to Bagdogra (West Bengal), about 5 hours drive. May need to spend another nigh here – still waiting for flight schedule from my colleague in India– you will need to fly via Calcutta, change plane there for Bangkok as there are no direct flights between Bagdogra and Bangkok.

Sikkim itinerary:

Day 1 of Sikkim itinerary:

Departure Bhutan. Our Bhutan representative will help you complete the border formalities and bid you farewell. Your Sikkim car will be waiting for you here.

Drive from Phuentsholing to Darjeeling, about 5 hours.

Day 2

AM: Excursion to Lama Hatta (Tibetan Gompa/Settlement) & back. Afternoon visit Tibetan Refugee Center, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Zoo.

Day 4

Transfer from Darjeeling to Pemayangtse 75 Kms/4 Hrs.
PM: Visit Pemayangtse Monastery & Denjong Pedma Choeling Academy

Day 5

AM: Walk to Sangacholing Monastery & back (one way 45 minutes walk),
then transfer from Pemayangtse to Yuksum 35 Kms/2 Hrs.

PM: Walk to Dubdi Gompa & Chorten (one way 40 minutes walk).

Day 6

Transfer from Ravangla to Martam Village Resort, Martam via Rumtek
Monastery 95 Kms/5.5 Hrs.

Day 8

Transfer from Martam to Gangtok via Tibetology Museum & Do Drul Chorten 30
Kms/1.5 Hrs. Rest of the day free or walk around market area.

Day 9

AM: Excursion to Lingdum Monastery & back. PM: Visit Enchey Monastery & Cottage Industry.

Day 10

Transfer from Gangtok to Bagdogra (West Bengal), about 5 hours drive.

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Add Darjeeling and Sikkim to your Bhutan itinerary

Bhutan tour sample showing how you can add side trip to Darjeeling and Sikkim, India to your Bhutan itinerary Day 1

Bhutan tour sample showing how you can add side trip to Darjeeling and Sikkim, India to your Bhutan itinerary

Day 1