Sacred Himalayas

chief locations :

Kathmandu * Pokhara * Chitwan National Park * Paro * Thimpu * Punakha * Darjeeling * Gangtok

16 days

2 – 6 passengers for ideal touring

The Hindus of Nepal, worship the ancient Vedic gods. Bramha the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer as the Supreme Hindu Trinity. Shakti, the dynamic element in the female counterpart of Shiva, is highly revered and feared and some of the names given to her are: Mahadevi, Mahakali, Bhagabati and Ishwari. Kumari, the Virgin Goddess, also represents Shakti. Other popular deities are Ganesh for luck, Saraswati for knowledge, Lakshmi for wealth and Hanuman for protection. Buddhism too is practiced by a large number of citizens. A land locked country, Nepal is most famous being the home to the tallest mountain – Mt. Everest as well as the Living Goddess – Kumari. God has been kind and nature is bountiful with thick forests, mountains, and fast flowing rivers.

Bhutan is characterized by steep mountains and deep valleys, which led to scattered population settlement. The country is famous for its unique philosophy – Gross National Happiness (GNH) – which guides its development. A remote kingdom that still clings on to its Buddhist culture but embraces modernisation, Bhutan is a land with monasteries, traditional architecture, beautiful valleys, snow-clad mountain views and lush greenery. Vajrayana Buddhism is practiced mostly and the monasteries are highly revered. Learning about Buddhism and monks in Bhutan is a great idea for not only discovering one of the bedrocks of Bhutanese society but also the minimalist way of life.

Darjeeling, famous for it’s fine tea and stunning views of the countryside. A majority of the population is spilt from nearby Nepal but the fierce Gurkhas have adapted to the unique Gurkha – Bengali culture. Next door Sikkim is a fairytale land indeed, and is adorned with glistening high altitude lakes, rolling green mountains, pretty rhododendron groves, azure rivers, milky waterfalls and vivid monasteries. Views of the third highest mountain in the world, Mount Kanchenjunga are simply fantastic.

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2 Kathmandu
Day 3 Kathmandu – Pokhara by flight
Day 4 Pokhara
Day 5 Pokhara – Chitwan National Park ( 4 hrs drive )
Day 6 Chitwan National Park
Day 7 Chitwan National Park – Kathmandu and flight to Paro
Day 8 Thimpu
Day 9 Thimpu – Punakha ( drive 2 hrs)
Day 10 Punakha – Paro ( 3 hrs drive)
Day 11 Paro – hike to Tiger’s Nest monastery.
Day 12 Paro – Baghdogra by flight – Darjeeling ( drive)
Day 13 Darjeeling
Day 14 Darjeeling – Gangtok ( 4 hrs)
Day 15 Gangtok
Day 16 Gangtok – Baghdogra airport flight to Delhi

Day by Day programme

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive Kathmandu ( the best connections are from Delhi, Calcutta and Bangkok). Arrive and after the formalities transfer to hotel. A great way to spend an evening is to go the bustling Thamel area. Overnight at hotel

Day 2 Kathmandu
Begin your day with a visit to Swyambhunath, a 2000 years old Buddhist monument looking out into the four cardinal directions, is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Kathmandu city. Surrounding the hemispherical Stupa are many temples and pagodas and large band of red-faced monkeys, believed to be the descendents of 'Hanuman', the Monkey God. Later visit Pashupatinath, One of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world, Pashupatinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Chronicles indicate the temple's existence prior to 400 AD. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the main temple. Also visit Boudhanath, this is the world's biggest Buddhist shrine located about 2 km to the north of Pashupatinath temple. It is a dome-shaped eight-angled structure with the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha looking out into the four cardinal directions. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 3 Kathmandu – Pokhara by flight
Breakfast and later transfer to the airport to take a flight to Pokhara – also know as the lake city. Arrive and transfer to your hotel on the lakeside. Phewa Tal is the largest lake in the valley The lake is best situated for boating and Bird watching and especially photographing the scenic mountains. The excellent settings of the lake and the reflections of the Annapurna Mountains is something no visitors would like to miss during a boating trip. Annapuran rises directly from the valley floor and seems close enough to touch.

Day 4 Pokhara
Early morning wake up to see the famous snow covered peaks - three 8,000-metre high peaks Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu can be seen from the city. However it is the Machhapuchchhre (Fishtail) peak (6,993 metres) which is the closest to the city and the most imposing with it’s pinnacle. This peak is a photographer’s delight.

The rest of the day is free to take a hike or just visit the bazaar for shopping for souvenirs for family back home. Overnight

Day 5 Pokhara – Chitwan National Park ( 4 hrs drive )
After an early morning rendezvous with the peaks, set out for a drive through Nepal countryside to the terai forests and to Chitwan National park. The drive through the countryside gives you a glimpse into the hinterland and the mostly agriculture society. Terrace rice fields and village hamlets gives way to thick Sal (Shorea robusta or Sal tree is a large, deciduous tree and is a great timber tree). Arrive Chitwan and proceed to your wildlife resort.

Enjoy the view of serene sunset during your walking safari with a parade of Elephants taking a bath in the Narayani river. Overnight at resort midst the jungle.

Day 6 Chitwan National Park
Early morning leave for a jungle safari. Get ready to go deep in the jungle first by jeeps and then on a on a local ferry. You will be welcomed by the thriving bird life which includes orioles and hornbills. From hidden viewpoints you can get lucky and get to see Rhino, jungle cat, sloth bear, wild boar and in exceptional circumstances the elusive Tiger. Return for lunch and rest.

Leave before sunset again into the deep jungle to get a glimpse of the varied wildlife. Overnight at the resort

Day 7 Chitwan National Park – Kathmandu and flight to Paro
Early in the morning leave your resort and drive 4 hours directly to the airport for your flight to Paro ( Bhutan). Arrive at Kathmandu and take a Druk air flight to Paro. Arrive Paro and after completing all formalities drive to Thimpu ( 1 hour away). Thimpu is the capital city and a great place to get to know the Bhutanese.

Visit National memorial chorten, built by Bhutan's third king, H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is also known as the "father of modern Bhutan."

Overnight at your hotel

Day 8 Thimpu
Post breakfast, you will visit Changangkha lhakhang, this is a temple is an early medieval Buddhist temple in the capital city Thimphu. The temple is situated on a ridge overlooking the city, near Mohitang on the outskirts of Thimphu. There is a large statue of Chenrizig, the 11 headed, thousand arm manifestation of Avolokiteshwara. The Kuensel Phodrang or the Buddha point is the world’s largest sitting Buddha statue – 167 ft high.

Later visit the Tashichho Dzong - a Buddhist monastery cum fortress at the northern edge of Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. The Dzong was built on the western bank of the river Wang Chu, and has historically served at the seat of Bhutan’s government.

In case you are in Bhutan during the weekend – you must visit the farmers market - highly recommended to travelers who want to experience the local Bhutanese way of life. The weekend market is located in a set of stall of both side of the Wang Chhu River. The market essentially is a farmers market, where every week vendors from throughout the region gather to sell their wares. Overnight

Day 9 Thimpu – Punakha ( drive 2 hrs)
Post early breakfast, you will drive towards Punakha via Dochula Pass. We will stop over for tea at Dochula (3,100 m), where on a sunny day, you can get stunning views of the Himalayan ranges. Another striking feature at the pass are the 108 Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens, that were built for the well-being of all sentiment beings on earth. The 108 Chorten were built as a tribute to the Kings of Bhutan for their selfless service and leadership they offer to the people of Bhutan.

The Punakha Dzong is an impressive building built at a picturesque confluence of rivers. Visit the fort palace in the afternoon. The evening is at leisure. Overnight

Day 10 Punakha – Paro ( 3 hrs drive)
Today post breakfast you drive towards Paro, before that we will visit Chimi Lhakhang -

a monastery on a hillock nearby. The monastery is also known as the temple of fertility and is visited not only by the Bhutanese but women from many countries. After visiting above place, we will drive towards Paro and there we will visit RimpungDzhong - probably Bhutan's best known and most iconic Dzhong. Later visit the Ta Dzong – this is the national museum of Bhutan. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 11 Paro – hike to Tiger’s Nest monastery.
After early morning breakfast, we will drive towards Paro and we will take you for a morning hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Hanging precariously and magically from a rather steep cliff, the Taktshang monastery is a monument of genuine pride for the Bhutanese nation. This iconic building is the face of Bhutan across the world. The hike looks quite difficult though it is not so. The tour to Bhutan is complete after you visit the Kyichu Lhakhang – a 7th. century monastery in Paro town. Afternoon and the evening is at leisure for shopping or any last minute visits. Overnight

Day 12 Paro – Baghdogra by flight – Darjeeling ( drive)
Take a short flight to the Indian town of Siliguri ( Baghdogra airport) and upon arrival drive through beautiful tea garden hills to this well known hill station. Darjeeling tea is famous across the world as are the views of Mt. Kanchenjunga. The fashionable mall road is a great way to spend time and absorb the local culture. Many people like to sample some Tibetan delicacies at dinner. Don’t forget to get your tea. Overnight

Day 13 Darjeeling
Wake up early in the morning and set out on a journey to capture the alluring sunrise at the Kanchenjunga. Incase the weather is clear – this can easily be the defining moment of your tour. On your way back to the hotel, visit the serene Ghoom Monastery, Peace Memorial & the picture-perfect Batasia Loop.

Return to hotel for breakfast and later Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, a Tea Estate, National History Museum and the Peace Pagoda. Overnight at your hotel

Day 14 Darjeeling – Gangtok ( 4 hrs)
Post breakfast, leave your hotel after check-out to take a remarkable road journey to Gangtok. Upon arrival in Gangtok, check in and rest for a while. A little later, head out on a city tour of Gangtok to visit the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom, Research Institute of Tibetology and Do Drul Chorten. Explore the calm and serene Enchey Monastery and White Hall. Spend the evening as per your convenience. Overnight at hotel

Day 15 Gangtok
Breakfast and then leave for a half day visit of Rumtek monastery – an hour’s drive away. This is one of the biggest monastery in Sikkim and offers vantage views of all Gangtok town. Return to town and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Return to town and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 16 Gangtok – Baghdogra airport flight to Delhi
Breakfsat and the drive 4 hours to the airport where you board your flight to Delhi or Calcutta from where you can take your connecting flight for back home.

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