Beautiful Bhutan & Glorious Gangtok 08 Nights & 09 Days

Day- 01

On arrival transfer to Phuentsholling - On arrival, our representative will be there to receive guests and assist them to get transferred to Phuentsholling - The drive is approximately 170 kilometers i.e. 04 to 04½ hours - 58 kilometres to Alipurduar and nearly 75 kilometres to Cooch Behar Railway Station (NCB) and is nearly 02 hours drive - Hashimara is 18 kilometres through the lush green Tea Estate and Forested National Park - Phuntsholing, also spelt as Phuentsholing, is a border town in southern Bhutan serving as the corridor to West Bengal - The gateway of the land of thunder dragons, Phuentsholing is often regarded as the abode of kings and queens of the Himalayan Kingdom - At an altitude of only 300 meters, this commercial center lies adjacent to Indian town Jaigaon on the Himalayan foothills -  On arrival at Phuentsholling - Check into hotel - [With guidance from our representative one can fill the permit and pass on the ID and Photos for next day immigration office] - Evening free to stroll around the local market or visit the local pub - Night stay at Hotel at either Phuentsholling or Jaigaon

Day- 02

After the permit is issued transfer to Thimpu - Thimphu is approximately 175 kilometers and is nearly 06  - 06½ hours drive via Chukha and Rinchendling village along Thimphu Highway - Thimphu formerly spelt as Thimbu or Thimpu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan - It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan, and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's Dzongkhags, the Thimphu District - Thimphu is the fifth highest capital in the world by altitude and ranges in altitude from 2,248 meters i.e. 7,375 feet) to 2,648 meters i.e. 8,688 feet - Thimphu is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered throughout the area & Thimphu is one of the few capitals in the world that does not have a single traffic light - The culture of Bhutan is fully reflected in Thimphu in literature, religion, customs, and national dress code, the monastic practices of the monasteries, music, and dance -  On arrival at Thimpu transfer to the hotel - Evening take a stroll around town, Pub or local market or even the main street - Overnight at the hotel, resort or homestay in Thimphu

Day- 03

Thimpu Local Sightseeing - Early morning breakfast - Visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang - One can visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas -  Next visit Buddha Point,  Tashicchhoe Dzong, The Memorial Chorten, The Institute of Traditional Medicine, Coronation Park, School of Arts & Crafts, Handicraft Institute & Motithang Takin Reserve (Takin Zoo) & Simply Bhutan Museum -  The Tashichho Dzong is open to visitors only in winter when the Je Khenpo and the monks move to Punakha the ancient winter capital of Bhutan -  Drive to Simtokha Dzong and visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs - Evening free to stroll around the hotel or visit local club or Pub - Overnight stay in hotel/resort or homestay Thimphu

Day- 04

Excursion to Punakha & Transfer to Paro - After Breakfast: Transfer to Punakha the earlier capital of Bhutan - It is approximately 85 kilometers and is nearly 03 hours drive by Thimphu-Punakha Highway & Thimphu-Wangdue Phodrang Highway - Punakha is the administrative center of Punakha dzongkhag, districts of Bhutan - It is situated at an elevation of 1300 meters / 4265 feet - Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang are the administrative centers of their respective Dzongkhags and are located close to each other in the same valley - Enroute Visit Dochu la Pass (Situated at an elevation of 3050 meters i.e.0065 feet), Chhimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong & Suspension Bridge - Transfer to Paro - It is approximately 140 kilometers and is nearly 04 hours from Punakha & Wangdue - Paro is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered through the area - It is the site of the country’s only international airport  - Check in to hotel/resort or homestay at Paro -  Evening free to stroll around the market or local pub - Overnight Stay at Paro

Day- 05

Paro local sightseeing - Early morning breakfast - Paro has many sites for tourist to roam around - Three-night stay is the minimum requirement to visit all places - The main tourist attractions in Paro are Nya-Mey Zam or “the bridge with no fish” - Ta Dzong, “Ta” means to see/watch and “dzong” means fortress - Dungtse Lhankhang - Drukgyel Dzong or “fortress of the victorious Drukpas” -  Kyichu Lhakhang - Kila Gompa - Druk Choeding - Next Rinpung Dzong or “the fortress of the heap of jewels”- Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong situated at commanding height, overlooking Paro valley - This Dzong is symbolic as the religious and secular center of all affairs of the valley - Late afternoon back to the hotel - Evening free to stroll around the local market or the local pub - Night stay in hotel/resort or homestay in Paro

Day- 06

Transfer to  Lataguri (Gorumara National Park) via Phuentsholling & Jaigaon - After Breakfast Check-Out from Hotel - Proceed for Paro International Airport Sightseeing - The Only International Airport of Bhutan in Paro - Nest drive to Phuentsholling have refreshment break - It is Approximately 175 kilometers and is nearly 05 - 05½ hours drive - Further drive to Lataguri - The distance is approximately 85 kilometers and is nearly 03 - 03½ hours - The drive is through the most beautiful and green belts of the region - Its rich tropical forests, innumerable hill streams cutting across the green carpet, undulating plains makes this a tourist hotspot - Gorumara National Park ensures a pleasant climate round the year so it isn’t a problem even if you’ve set your visit any time of the year - (The forest Safari closes on June 15 and reopens on September 15 each year hence Safari / Elephant ride not possible during the period) - Check into the resort - In the late evening campfire & tribal dance at the resort can be arranged (Optional) - Night halt at Resort at Lataguri , Gorumara Or Murti

Day- 07

Jeep Safari & Transfer to Gangtok - Optional is Jeep Safari - Around 05 AM one can enjoy the Jeep Safari which is held for Gorumara National Park [ID card is required for guests while tickets are being issued] - After Safari back to Hotel / resort or Homestay - Early morning breakfast -The drive is approximately 155 Kilometres and is nearly 04½ - 05 hours drive along the River Teesta and National Highway 10 - Gangtok is a clean bustling, friendly hill station, and the capital of the Indian state of Sikkim - It is a perfect destination for tourist in search of enchantment, tranquility, trekking or any other adventure - It is a land of monastery, mystic rituals, and colourful festivals - It is popular Buddhist pilgrimage site after the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840 - Situated at an elevation of 1,437 meters i.e. 4,715 feet is the most often visited spot of India for its rare Orchids and Butterflies - In the evening one is free to stroll around M.G.Marg or the local Market - One can also visit the local pub or Casinos - Overnight stay at Gangtok

Day- 08

Excursion to Changu / Tsomgo Lake [Nathu La  is Optional] - Early morning breakfast - After the arrival of permits the vehicle will report at hotel or Taxi Stand - After breakfast excursion start - This is nearly 52 kilometers drive and takes nearly 02 hours - Visit Tsomgo / Changu Lake and Baba Mandir, cool, serene water and the picturesque beauty - Tsomgo lake is one of the holy lakes of the region - A temple of Lord Shiva is built on the lakeside - Primula flowers and other alpine plantation provide an immaculate beauty to this place - Till April it is full of snow and lay frozen - Back to hotel for lunch or lunch on the way - The rest of the day is free - Evening one is free to stroll around M G Road or the Local Market - Overnight stay at Gangtok

[Note: Nathu La Pass visit is an option and depends heavily on the permit issued -  Papers are collected the previous night [EPIC i.e. Voters ID & Passport] - Nathu La Pass once booked the amount is not refunded even if the trip get canceled - Nathula Pass supplement of INR 2500 - INR 4000  has to be paid on the spot as it is not included in the final costing] Foreign Nationals are not allowed to Nathula or Baba Mandir but with a guide, they are allowed only toll Tsomgo Lake]

OR

Gangtok Local Sightseeing - Morning breakfast - After breakfast drive for the city tour of Gangtok - After 1975 Gangtok was made India's 22nd state of India - Sightseeing will be for full or half-day as per guests requirement to make it easy and comfortable - It is not possible to cover all the spot in a single day hence we make the program with points covering minimum distance traveled - Start for a Full day city tour covering Tashi view point, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, Flower show, Cottage Industry and Handicraft Centre (Closed on Sunday and 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month), Institute of Tibetology (Closed on Sunday), Dro-Dul Chorten, Gonjang Monastery & Banjakhri Falls (maximum 6 hours) - Back to Hotel - Evening free to roam around M G Road (Mall) or local Shopping center Or Casino - Overnight stay at Gangtok

Day- 09

Departure transfer to Siliguri - Early morning one can walk down the area and report back to Hotel / Homestay - Next enjoy the breakfast - Next as per the departure time guests will be having the transfer from Gangtok - If time permits one can have some sightseeing [Optional] -  The drive is along the River Teesta i.e. National Highway 10 - It is approximately 125 kilometers and is 04 - 04½ hours drive to Siliguri whereas Pakyong Airport is 35 kilometers from Gangtok - One can stop at Rangpo or Teesta Bazaar for refreshment - Next one can stop at Coronation Bridge - One stop for refreshment at either Sevoke Coronation Bridge or the Sevoke Railway Crossing - Drive & Drop at  Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) / Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus (Junction) / Siliguri / Pakyong Airport (PYG) - Forwarding Journey