Himalayan Kingdoms

13 days - from $3425

A colourful journey across the Himalaya, visiting Nepal, India's state of Sikkim, and Bhutan

The journey begins in the mystical Kathmandu Valley where we visit the bustling bazaars, the Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath and the Hindu Pashupatinath Temple complex. We also have the option of a scenic flight towards Mount Everest. From Kathmandu we fly to Bhadrapur on the Nepali-Indian border and drive down the foothills and tea gardens to the historic former British hill station of Darjeeling. We explore this enchanting town and include a short ride on the famous Toy Train, as well as watch the sunrise on the peaks of Everest and Kanchenjunga. Our next stop is Sikkim and its capital, Gangtok, where we explore the famous Rumtek Monastery, the largest in the country, before driving to Kalimpong, previously an important centre for wool trade with Tibet. A highlight of our tour is visiting the Kingdom of Bhutan. We enter the country at the Phuntsholing border and head to the capital, Thimphu. From here we explore the monasteries and fortresses of this ancient kingdom. In Paro we visit Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), a small monastery clinging precariously to a ledge on a rock cliff high above the valley floor. This structure has become a symbol of a beautiful and mysterious kingdom that very few travellers in the world have experienced.

Highlights

• Tashichho Dzong - Fortress of the Glorious Religion
• Bodhnath Stupa of Kathmandu - one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world
• Kathmandu’s hidden old town
• Taktsang Monastery - The Tiger's Nest
• Bhutan’s capital Thimphu
• Bhutan’s valleys
• Paro's Dzong

Itinerary:

Day 1: Kathmandu (1360m)2: Kathmandu (1360m)3: Darjeeling (2134m)4: Darjeeling (2134m)5-6: Gangtok (1600m)7: Kalimpong (1250m)8: Phuntsholing9: Thimphu (2736m)10: Thimphu (2736m)11-12: Paro (2280m)13: Paro (2280m)
Included:

• The services of expert English-speaking local tour leaders throughout the tour, and local guides at some sites.

• Local flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur.

• Visa for Bhutan.

• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Kathmandu including Bodhnath Stupa, Pashupatinath and the holy Bagmati River; Darjeeling including the Botanical Gardens, Tibetan Refugee Centre and Mountaineering Institute; Gangtok including Drodul Chorten, Research Institute of Tibetology and orchid sanctuary; Thimphu including Tashicho Dzong, Painting School and Memorial Chorten; and Paro including Drukgyal Dzong.

• Visits to monasteries including Ghoom Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, Enchay Monastery, Zangdopheir Monastery and Taktsang (Tiger's Nest).

• Excursion to Tiger Hill for sunrise views of Kanchenjunga and Everest.

• Exploration of Paro Valley.

• Ride on the Toy Train.

• Arrival and departure airport transfers.

International flights, airport departure taxes, visas for Nepal and India, insurance, additional snacks and drinks, any optional tours and activities during free time, camera fees, excess baggage charges, tips and items of a personal nature.