Day 01
Arrive Kolkata Ex international flight at late evening hours &
drive to Railway Station to board the Darjeeling Mail at 1915 hrs Ex Sealdah,
for a overnight journey to New Jalpaiguri arriving there by 0810 hours.
Day 02
Met on arrival at the Station and drive to Siliguri for breakfast
and to relax. Later in the day ride to Phuentsholing - 150 km - through Tea
estates. Situated directly at the base of the Himalayan foothills,
Phuentsholing is a fascinating mixture of Indian and Bhutanese, a perfect
example of mingling of people and their culture. We stay at border town.
Day 03
Ride to Thimphu, 179 km. The capital of Bhutan, and the centre of
government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city, with an unusual
mixture of modern development alongside ancient tradition. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 04
Half day sight seeing of Thimphu and then ride to Punakha - 75 km.
Today’s ride is in an alpine valley along serpentine roads. The area is
sparsely populated and there is very little traffic on the roads, but one
has to be cautious on the bends.
Day 05 : (Punakha - Trongsa – Punakha, 270 km).
A Day ride to Trongsa (7,600
feet) visiting en route magnificent dzongs and spectacular scenery.
Day 06 : (Punakha - Thimphu – Paro, 140 Km).
This beautiful valley which
encapsulates within itself rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths
and legends, is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, the
country's only airport and the National Museum. There are splendid view of
the distant Himalayas at Dochula pass ( alt. 3,088 m ) on Thimphu - Punakha
road.
Day 07 : (Paro - Phuentsholing – Jaldaprara, 198 km).
After Phuentsholing,
we are on to the National highway & ride north west to reach Jaldapara Wild
life sanctuary. If time permits, visit the Jaldapara National Park for game
viewing. Over night Forest lodge.
Day 08 : Jaldapara - Kalimpong - Gangtok (240 km,07 hours drive).
Morning
visit the Jaldapara National Park for game viewing. Then ride on to
Kalimpong, initially in the foothills and then uphill and downhill on
serpentine roads.
Day 09
Gangtok is tucked away in the clouds, on a ridge 5,000 ft above sea
level. Day return excursion to Changhu Lake. The lake is open for visitors
in season and is worth the ride to get a view of Gangtok town. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 10
Ride to Rumtek in the afternoon. Visit the Rumtek Dharma Chakra .
Ride on to Pemayangtse visiting Tanshiding monastery en route. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 11 : (Pemayangtse - Darjeeling – Kurseong, 150 km, 06 hours drive).
We
will ride to Kurseong via the tea region of Darjeeling (we have all heard of
Darjeeling Tea!). Nestled in the grandeur and beauty of towering satellite
of snow-capped Kanchenjunga mountains, is Kurseong, a little town with a
past of elegance; sophisticated and beautiful.
Day 12
We will ride into Darjeeling in the morning for a day of
sightseeing. Explore the town of Darjeeling with visit to the Kaunchunga
view point and Tiger Hill. Then ride down hill 120 km to Siliguri arriving
by later part of the evening to board the train at 2000 hours and arrive
Kolkatta at 0845 hours, next day. Over night train.
Day 13
Arrive Kolkatta in the morning and check into hotel - day at
leisure for sightseeing.
Day 14
Drive from Kolkata to Basanti - 100 kms / 3 hours. Basanti to
Sajnekhali - by boat Overnight at Sajnekhali tourist lodge.
Day 15
Fall back late evening and same evening or day 16 early morning
hours board the flight to home.
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