Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

Himalayan Kingdoms

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Detailed Trip Description

This colorful journey across the Himalaya takes in Nepal, India (Sikkim) and Bhutan. It combines sightseeing in Nepal with an overland journey to the hill stations of Darjeeling and Kalimpong in India, and the exotic lands of Sikkim and Bhutan. Begin your journey in the magical Kingdom of Nepal. Enjoy sightseeing in Kathmandu and have the opportunity to make a scenic flight towards Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. Move on to India, spending time in Darjeeling. This famous hill station of the British Raj is well known for its tea gardens and the fabulous "toy train". Here, view Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak, then journey to Kalimpong, once a famous trading center with Tibet, and the wildlife reserve at Jaldapara. Enjoy a visit to Sikkim, a separate kingdom until 1975, a quiet yet spectacular state of India surrounded by sensational mountain scenery and has many interesting monasteries and Buddhist shrines. Your journey will end in Bhutan, where for many centuries, was largely cut off from the outside world. Here, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and high mountain passes, a rich and varied religious heritage has developed. Visit colorful markets and massive forts, and revel in the beautiful scenery of this untouched Himalayan ‘Shangri La’.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Kathmandu

 
Hotel

Arrive in Kathmandu (1,360 meters above sea level) where you are met and transferred to your local hotel.

Kathmandu Hotel picture
Sightseeing

A pre-trek briefing, given by the group leader, will be scheduled for the late afternoon. He will discuss the program and coordinate any last-minute arrangements.

Food and Dining

The evening is free, but usually the group leader will organize an evening meal at one of Kathmandu’s fine Nepali restaurants.


Day 2 - Kathmandu

 
Sightseeing

In the morning, explore Kathmandu on an organized sightseeing tour, visiting Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world. Here, observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the Stupa.

Kathmandu Sightseeing picture
Sightseeing

Also visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here you see Hindu holy men (or Sardhus), pilgrims bathing, and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats.

Sightseeing

The rest of your time in Kathmandu is free to enjoy your own further sightseeing and exploration (your staff can assist you with suggestions – there is so much to do!)and perhaps to take the spectacular flight to Mount Everest, or you can just relax in the spacious hotel gardens.
Meals: Breakfast.


Day 3 - Darjeeling

 
Commercial Flight

The next part of the journey is a short flight to Bhadrapur in the south east of Nepal. From here it is a short journey to the Indian border at Kakarvitta, where you need to complete immigration formalities.

Sightseeing

Your journey continues with a drive through the Indian plains for an hour before the road starts to climb through the jungles, tea gardens, small towns and village settlements that line the route to Darjeeling.

Sightseeing

On the way you may see the famous Darjeeling toy train, winding its way up the hill. Darjeeling was once the summer capital of Bengal during the British Raj and is one of the most beautiful of India's hill stations. Commonly called the 'Queen of the Hills', her crown is the mighty peak of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak, which backdrops the town in spectacular fashion. (2,134 m) Meals: Breakfast.


Day 4 - Darjeeling

 
Sightseeing

A full day for sightseeing including the Botanical Gardens, which has a unique collection of Himalayan plants, flowers, and orchids.

Sightseeing

Also visit the Tibetan Refugee Center, established in 1959 for Tibetans fleeing the Chinese invasion. The handicraft center here has a selection of hand-woven carpets and other items for sale. The Mountaineering Institute is well worth a visit, as it has an interesting museum dedicated to Himalayan climbing.

Sightseeing

Also visit various Tibetan monasteries and there is free time to stroll around the town and mingle with the local crowd.
Meals: Breakfast.


Day 5 - 6 - Gangtok

 
Sightseeing

Rise early for an excursion to Tiger Hill for sunrise. From here there are magnificent views of Kanchenjunga and Everest, as well as hundreds of other Himalayan giants. On the way back to the hotel you also view the Ghoom Monastery, built in 1875, and stop at Batasia Loop to watch the early morning toy train wind its way around the famous rail loop.

Private Car Service

After breakfast, head off for the drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.

Sightseeing

Just before reaching Gangtok visit Rumtek monastery, the largest in Sikkim, where the original building dates back to 1717. You have a full day of sightseeing around Gangtok where you visit the Drodul Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil. Surrounding the chorten are 108 prayer wheels. The Research Institute of Tibetology is renowned worldwide for studies in Buddhist philosophy and religion. Here there are numerous priceless religious paintings (thangkas), statues and other religious artwork.

Sightseeing

Also visit Enchay Monastery and view the orchid sanctuary with an exotic range of over 200 species. (1,600 m) Meals: 2 Breakfasts.


Day 7 - India

 
Kalimpong.
Sightseeing

After breakfast take a scenic drive to Kalimpong, once a famous center of eastern and central Tibetan wool trade. The town is situated below the saddle connecting the Deolo and Rinkingpong (Durbin) Hills. Kalimpong has a temperate climate throughout the year and experiences only a light monsoon, which is ideal for the many flower nurseries in the town. Kalimpong was once the headquarters of the Bhutanese Governor, the word Kalim means "Minister" and Pong is the "Stronghold". (1,250 m)
Meals: Breakfast.


Day 8 - India

 
Phuntsholing.
Sightseeing

Start your day by visiting the nearby Zangdopheiri Monastery, back-dropped by the mountains of Kanchenjunga, before descending into the plains en route to the Bhutan border, at Phuntsholing where you pass through immigration.

Hotel

Check into your hotel for the night. Driving: 5 hours. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 9 - Thimphu

 
Private Car Service

The drive from Phuntsholing to Thimphu takes about five hours and you make a number of stops along the way at picturesque spots.

Shopping

After settling in at your hotel you can venture to the local market, enjoying the beauty of this impressive city. (2,400 m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.


Day 10 - Thimphu

 
Sightseeing

After breakfast, view Tashichodzong (the Fortress of the Glorious Religion), the administrative and religious center of Bhutan, built on the right bank of Thimphu Chu. The original building dates back to 1216, while the present Dzong was built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal, in 1641.

Sightseeing

You then drive to the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of King Jigmi Dorjee Wangchuk. Other sights in the capital include the Painting School, an institution where children receive formal education in the art of traditional painting, sculpture and woodcarving.

Sightseeing

You may also visit Drubthob Gompa Nunnery, which houses about 35 to 45 nuns, and also provides shelter for aging women and orphan girls. Thimphu has an excellent range of handicrafts, most notably woven cloth, wooden masks, thangkas, silverware, jewelry and bamboo craft, collected from all parts of Bhutan. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.


Day 11 - 12 - Paro

 
Private Car Service

You begin the day with an early morning drive from Thimphu for an excursion to Taktsang, (the legendary ‘Tigers Nest’) a small monastery, clinging on a rock cliff, 900 meters above the valley floor.

Sightseeing

A few years ago the monastery was seriously damaged by fire, but has since been rebuilt, although tourists are not permitted to enter the interior of the monastery. Legend has it that the great Guru Padmasambhawa flew here from Tibet on the back of a tigress to subdue the demons of Paro valley.

Sightseeing

During your stay in Paro, also visit Drukgyal Dzong, a famous 17th Century fortress that repelled many a Tibetan invasion and, if time permits, you may also visit Ta Dzong, a circular fortress, built in the mid 17th Century and now converted into a National Museum that houses an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities.

Hotel

You then drive to Paro for your overnight stay. (2,800 m) Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners.


Day 13 - Paro

 
Paro/Onward.
Commercial Flight

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Bangkok and the end of your tour. (B).


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