Arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu. Our representative will meet the group in the airport and escort to the Hotel. Afternoon is at leisure. Depending on the arrival time, if time permits sightseeing tour to Swyambunath is organised. Overnight at Hotel.
Transfer to the airport to and fly to Bhadrapur. Our representative will meet the group and assist at Bhadrapur airport and transfer to Nepal border at Kakarvitta and complete immigration formalities. Also complete formalities at the Indian Check point for entry in India. The drive from thereon is through the plains on the foothills of the Himalayas for about an hour and then meanders through the Teesta valley, gaining altitude gradually and finally to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Gangtok perched on the slopes of the hill is a happy blend of the traditional and modern. Overnight at Hotel.
After breakfast start the day with a visit to the Government Institute of Cottage Industry a centre that offers you the opportunity to observe the local artisans at work and their skills being imparted to young boys and girls. If you want to take back souvenirs, the institute's salesroom is well stocked with local handicraft and handloom products. Do-Drul Chorten - One of the most important stupas of Sikkim built by the late Venerable Trulsi Rimpoche in 1945-46, it contains a Mandala of Dorji-Phurpa, holy texts, mantras and is encircled by 108 prayer wheels. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology - Situated close to the Chorten, this institute is a repository of the largest collection of Tibetan artifacts outside Tibet. Also renowned worldwide for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion, it is a treasure house of rare Thankas, Buddhist icon and objects of art. Flower Show Pavilion - Situated on the ridge above the city, this centre displays the floral diversity of Sikkim. The famed orchids of the state are on display as also a stunning variety of seasonal flowers. Return to hotel for lunch. After lunch drive to Ravangla (60 kms / 2 hrs) through villages, terraced paddy fields, cardamom plantations is a singular experience of the Sikkimese countryside. En-route to Ravangla visit the Rumtek Monastery, (24 kms / 45 mins) a magnificent Buddhist monastery established by the late Gyalwa Karmapa, the head of the Kagyupa sect. Built as an exact replica of the original Kagyu monastery in Tibet it is also the international headquarters of the Karma Kagyu centers. On arrival check in at the Mt Narsing Village Resort, an ideal place to experience the peace and tranquility of the Sikkim coupled with the warmth of the typical Sikkimese hospitality. Overnight at Resort.
Sightseeing Ravangla After an early breakfast, visit the Ralang monastery. Situated 13 kms away against the spectacular backdrop of the peaks of Narsing, Jopuno and Kabur are the two monasteries at Ralang. The old Ralang monastery was built in 1730 on a site blessed by an earlier incarnation of Karmapa where the grains of rice thrown by him from Tibet had landed. The monastery is one of the most sacred and important monasteries following the Kagyupa tradition.'Pang Lhabsol' the worship of Mt Khangchendzonga & " Kagyad " Chaam masked dances are held every year on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Buddhist calendar coinciding with August/September and on the 29th day of the tenth month just before Losoong - the Sikkimese New Year in December. The New Ralang monastery - Palchen Choeling Monastic Institute, was built by the XIIth Gyaltsab Rimpoche, one of the four regents of the Kagyupa sect and completed in 1995. This is the biggest monastery in Sikkim and its architecture and paintings have been painstakingly undertaken to maintain the authenticity of the Kagyupa monasteries. The sacred Mahakala Dance is held here every year in November. Also a visit the Kungdraling monastery at Kewzing, which is the only monastery in Sikkim, dedicated to the "Bon" faith, the religious practice prevailing in Tibet before the advent Buddhism. The present day Buddhism has imbibed a lot of traditions, rituals and practice from this faith and for a layman it is impossible to segregate this monastery from that following any other tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. A short walk from the resort is the Doling monastery located amidst a thick cardamom plantation. This monastery built in AD follows the Nyingmapa sect. Evening visit the Kewzing Village Tourism to enjoy a traditional Sikkimese dinner with the family of the head honcho. Overnight at Resort.
After and early breakfast drive to Phintsoling. Phintsoling is the border town between India and Bhutan. Our Bhutan representative will meet the group and transfer the group to the Hotel. For travellers entering the country by surface through Phintsoling (border town in south Bhutan), the visa clearance number is forwarded to the Foreign Ministry office in Phintsoling for reference. Overnight at Hotel.
The drive from Phintsoling to Thimpu is a scenic drive. The modern capital of Bhutan lies at an elevation of 2300m in a valley traversed by the Wang chu (river). Tashichho dzong the main Secretariat building that houses the throne room of His Majesty and a summer residence of the central monk body. Although not what one expects from a capital city, Thimphu is fitting and lively place. Home to civil servants, expatriates and monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong national character in its architectural style. Overnight at Hotel.
Places of Interests in Thimpu are Memorial chorten, Tashichho Dzong, Changangkha Temple, Simtokha Dzong, Indigenous Hospital, National Library, Painting School, and Vegetable Market. We take you to most of these places for sightseeing. Overnight at Hotel.
The drive from Thimpu to Paro is around 2 hours. Once arrival in Hotel, lunch is served and begins the sightseeing of Paro City. This beautiful valley, if ever a place exists, here nature and man consulted to create their dearest image, it must be the valley of Paro. Mt. Chomolhari 7320m reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial waters plunge through deep gorges to form the Pa chu (Paro river). Paro is one of the most fertile valleys in the kingdom producing a bulk of famous red rice from its terraced field home to some of Bhutan's oldest temples & monasteries. Places of Interest: Drugyal Dzong, Rinpung Dzong and Farm houses. Overnight at Hotel.
Fly to Kathmandu. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon leisure time.
Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley. Sightseeing places are: Swyambhunath stupa, Pashupatinath temple,Boudhanath stupa and Bhaktapur durbar square. Evening transfer back to the hotel.
Early morning, drive to Pokhara takes 5-6 hours. On the way, one can take 3 hours white water rafting at Trisuli river. Evening, transfer to the hotel.
Early morning: Drive to Sarangkot. Walk for an hour to reach the Sarangkot Tower. Excellent view of Annapurna mountain range is seen from here. Drive back to the hotel. After breakfast: Visit Devi's Falls , Gupteswar Cave and World Peace Stupa. Afternoon: fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.
After breakfast transfer to the airport for final departure.