Places Covered: Paro - Wangdue - Thimpu - Phuentsholing - Kalimpong - Martam - Gangtok - Darjeeling - Kathmandu - Pokhara - Nagarkot.
Arrival at Paro Airport. Meet our representative and drive towards Hotel. If time permits, enjoy some local visit.Overnight at Paro Hotel..
Keen hikers may be given an option to hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery, which was partially burned in 1998. The hike is the highlight of the trip, combining nature, amazing scenery and sanctity. Those who prefer not to hike are taken to visit temples, monasteries, farmhouses and other sights. Overnight at hotel.
Drive to Punakha, the low lying valley is warmer, sub tropical and was once a winter capital of Bhutan, the tradition still practiced by the monastic community. If the head abbot is not in residence, you have the opportunity to visit the inner courtyards of Punakha Dozing. Visit the farmhouses, temples and monasteries. Overnight at hotel.
The morning is spent sightseeing at Punakha and Wangdue. In the afternoon drive to Thimphu, one of the smallest capital city in the world. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast, 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 (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls).We can visit in different class rooms, where different students follows a comprehensive course that starts with drawing and progresses through painting, wood and slate curving, and statue making. Visit Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. Visit Handicraft Emporium for shopping Bhutanese Various Arts and Textiles. After lunch visit we will hike to Tango Monastery. The trail Tango is a climb of 280 meters and it takes an hour to reach the monastery. Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa founded the monastery in 12th century. The present building was built in 15th century by the “Divine madman”. This is one of the best places for meditation. In the evening, visit to the Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion). In 1216 the lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa built Dohon (Blue Stone) Dzong on the hill above Thimphu Where Dechen Phodrang now stands. A few years later Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who brought the Drukpa Kagyu line age to Bhutan, took over Dohon Dzong. In 1641 the Zhabdrung (The one who unified the country) acquired the dzong from the descendants of lama Phajo and renamed it as Trashi Chhoe Dzong. He then arranged to house both monks and civil officials in the same Dzong. Present it is a seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Drive south, descending from the scenic temperate forest through wet and rich rain forests. En route visit Kharbandi Monastery, where you can enjoy fascinating views of Phuntsholing at the end of the Himalayas and the vast Indian plains beyond. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast drive to Kalimpong. Kalimpong considered as the oldest town in hills of Darjeeling was once the head quarter of Bhutanese Governor, the word Kalim means “ Minister” and pong is “stronghold”. It is also called Kalibong or the “Black spur” by the locals and to the local Lepcha it is known as Ka (we) –LEM (play) – PONG ( ridge), ” The ridge where we play”. Kalimpong was silk route to the Tibet and also famous center of eastern and central Tibetan wool trade. Explore local market in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
After Breakfast we will visit flower nursery,Thongsa Bhutanese Monastery and very famous Durpin Gumba and Deolo Hill. Later, drive to Martam village .The village Martam is famous for its paddy fields where they grow best rice in Sikkim .Even kings were fond of the rice grown in Martam and had paddy field in martam too. Overnight in hotel.Overnight in hotel.
After breakfast take stroll or a hike and explore Martam village which is a very peaceful place. And then, Drive to Gangtok which is the fourth and present capital of Sikkim. On the way we visit very famous Rumtek Monastery which belongs to the Karma Kargyupa sect .Monastery was built in 1717 and it was renovated in 1960 by the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa. And after this visit we drive to Gangtok. On arrival at Gangtok, take a sightseeing of some attractions such as Tibetology the museum, Handicraft and Handloom , Do-Drool Chortan, Flower show and Enchy Monastery. Later, can explore the Gangtok Town. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast head towards Darjeeling. The drive is mostly along the bank of River Teesta, Tea Garden & forested area. Darjeeling, one of the most beautiful hill station is generally called the “ Queens of the hills”. It has all attributes of a queen like glamour and beauty of evergreen hills around, green tea gardens at her feet and Mt. Kanchenjunga as her crown. In Sanskrit, Durjaya linga means “Shiva of invincible power who rules the Himalayas”. Darjeeling is northern district of West Bengal, which shares its border with Sikkim in the north, Nepal in the west, Bhutan in the east and Bangladesh and plains of Bengal in the south. Overnight at hotel.
Early morning (@04:00AM), drive to the Tiger hill. Situated at an altitude of 8442 ft. Tiger hill has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise. The majestic peak Kanchenjunga (8596 mtrs) rears up flanked by Mt.Kabru and Mt Pandim to the far left are Everest, Makalu and Lhotse. Other peaks visible from here are Mt. Jano, Mt. Nar sing, Mt. Frey peak, Mt. Sinolchu etc. After Tiger Hill, visit Yiga Choling Monastery of Ghoom. After breakfast, visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, a high altitude wildlife Zoo with the most successful captive breeding center for Snow leopard and Red Panda. After this visit, you may proceed to Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center and then Tea Garden. You may take a joy ride in the famous Darjeeling "Toy Train", titled World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Evening free for market Overnight at Hotel.
Early morning depart for Bhadrapur Aiprort (Nepal) to take a flight to Kathmandu (1/2 hrs). Overnight at Kathmandu.
After breakfast, Depart for the sightseeing tour of visit Swoyambhunath famously known as the Monkey’s Temple which was founded about 2000 yrs ago. It is situated on top of the hill overlooking the Kathmandu valley. After lunch, visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Major attractions here are the Kumari Temple, Hanumandhoka its vicinity and other artistic and very old temples. Also visit Patan, "the city of fine arts," to see Krishna Temple and the Tibetan Refugee Handicraft Center. The area is also another very good location to take photographs and even to buy souvenirs to take back home. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Early morning drive to Kathmandu. Lunch enroute. Overnight in Pokhara.
Early morning drive to Sarangkot. Enjoy the sunrise and the beauty of Himalayas seen from the Sarangkot itself. Drive back to hotel. Enroute Visit Bindebasini Temple. After breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing to Devis Fall and KI Singh Bridge. Shoppe around the local souvenir shops nearby. Proceed for the boating in Fewa Lake. Boat to the Talbarahi Temple located at the middle of the lake. Rest of the time free around lake side for shopping and other individual activities. Overnight Pokhara.
Free in the morning to see the beautiful Himalayas from the hotel itself. After breakfast, depart for Kathmandu. Lunch enroute. Drive Straight to Nagarkot. Enjoy the sunset from Nagarkot. Overnight in Nagarkot.
Early morning see the sunrise and enjoy your breakfast with the beautiful Himalayas surrounding you. After breakfast, drive overland back to Kathmandu. Enroute Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Lunch in Patan. Visit Patan Durbar Square and Golden Temple. Free for shopping around Thamel area. Evening-Enjoy the nepali dinner a good local nepali restaurant enjoying the typical nepali cultural dance Overnight in Kathmandu.
(Optional Mountain Flight) Check out the hotel and transfer to the airport for the departure flight.
INCLUSION
EXCLUSION
Starts from US $ 4250/- per person
Visa fee (One Time)
USD $ 40/- per person for entire tour in Bhutan.
Passport: A valid passport is required for travel to Bhutan and the validity of the passport should be minimum 6 months.
Your contract is with Mountain Adventure Tours & Travels. A contract exists between us when we have confirmed you on our tour / hotel booking / or any other travel related services of your choice and we have received your booking request and deposits. All correspondence/s in respect of Tours / Travel Service bookings should be addressed to Mountain Adventure Tours & Travels.
For the services contracted, 40 % advance payment should be made to hold the booking on a confirmed basis and the balance amount should be paid before commencement of your tour. We hold the right to decide upon the amount to be paid as an advance payment, based on the nature of services and the time left for the commencement of the services.
Payment can be made by Bank Transfer, Cash payment to our office or by Demand Draft / Cheque. All payments should be free and clear of any withholding tax and deduction. Bank charges, if any, for remittance (by remitting bank or by intermediary bank) would be strictly borne by payer.
Tour once commenced will strictly go as per the itinerary finalised. In case of events and circumstances beyond our control, we reserve the right to change all or parts of the contents of the itinerary for safety and well being of our esteemed passengers.
In case of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reason/s we must be informed in writing. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive letter in writing and cancellation charges would be as follows:
Please note – Irrespective of above mentioned cancellations slabs – in case of cancellation of tour services after the booking is made with us – a minimum 10% service charges would be applicable.
In case you cancel the trip after commencement refund would be restricted to a limited amount that too would depend on the amount that we would be able to recover from the hoteliers we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation and missed meals etc. we do not bear any responsibility to refund.
Where as in case of Cancellation before the commencement, it will take atleast two weeks time to refund the said amount.
Please note that after the finalization of the tour/service cost, if there are any hikes in entrance fees of monuments/museums, taxes, fuel cost or guide charges by the Govt. of India, the same would be charged as extra.
Mountain Adventure Tours & Travels act only in the capacity of agent for the hotels, airlines, transporters, railways & contractors providing other services & all exchange orders, receipts, contracts & tickets issued by us are issued subject to terms & conditions under which these services are provided by them.
All itineraries are sample itineraries, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before the tour or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of the trip participants’ safety, comfort & general well being.
Our rates are based on the prevailing rates as negotiated by us with the hotels, airlines etc. Hotels and Airlines retain the right to modify the rates without notice. In case of such changes the rates quoted before the modification, can be changed by us according to the modifications by hotels or airlines. All hotel bookings are based on usual check in and checkout time of the hotels until unless indicated in the itinerary.
We shall not be responsible for any delays & alterations in the programme or expenses incurred – directly or indirectly – due to natural hazards, flight cancellations, accident, breakdown of machinery or equipments, breakdown of transport, weather, sickness, landslides, political closures or any untoward incidents.
We shall not be responsible for any loss, injury or damage to person, property, or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or other services, resulting – directly or indirectly – from any act of GOD, dangers, fire, accident, breakdown in machinery or equipment, breakdown of transport, wars, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferages, epidemics, medical or custom department regulations, defaults, or any other causes beyond our control.
We do not have any insurance policy covering the expenses for accident, sickness, loss due to theft, or any other reasons. Visitors are advised to seek such insurance arrangements in their home country. All baggage & personal property/s at all times are at the client’s risk.
To travel to India from overseas countries except for the citizen of Nepal & Bhutan, one needs a 06 months valid passport and a valid Visa. And processing of Passport and Visa are not included in the tour cost.
Any person who has a contagious disease is forbidden to travel, any person found during the tour with such a disease will be asked to leave the tour and will have to make their own arrangements to return home.
