Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure to Delhi
Your flight lands in Delhi late evening or at night. After you arrive, head to your hotel and get some rest. This is your chance to settle in and prepare for what's coming over the next two weeks.
- Day 2
Delhi to Darjeeling
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll catch your connecting flight to Bagdogra. From there, drive through winding mountain roads into the Darjeeling region and see the green tea fields starting to appear around you. By evening, meet your fellow travelers and have dinner together to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (First dinner together with fellow travelers)
Included Activities
- Connecting flight to Bagdogra
- Drive through Darjeeling region with tea fields views
Landmarks Darjeeling Region - Day 3
Darjeeling
Start the day at a Japanese-style Buddhist temple, then ride the famous narrow-gauge Toy Train through tea fields and villages (it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Walk through the railroad museum, check out the Tibetan monastery at Ghoom, tour an actual tea plantation, and finish at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute where you might spot Bengal tigers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Japanese-style Buddhist temple
- Ride the narrow-gauge railroad Toy Train (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit railroad museum
- Visit Tibetan monastery of Ghoom
- Tea plantation visit with production insight
- Himalayan Mountaineering Institute visit with rare animal species observation
Landmarks Toy Train (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway) Ghoom Monastery Himalayan Mountaineering Institute - Day 4
Darjeeling to Gangtok
Before sunrise, head up to Tiger Hill for views of the Kanchenjunga massif and possibly Mount Everest on a clear day. After breakfast and resting back at your hotel, travel to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, which sits at 1600m/5249ft altitude. There you'll see the Tibet Museum, Gangtok monastery, and walk out to Tashi View Point for Himalayan views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tiger Hill sunrise drive
- Tibet Museum visit
- Gangtok monastery visit with crafts introduction
- Tashi View Point visit
Landmarks Tiger Hill Kanchenjunga Massif Mount Everest Tibet Museum Gangtok Monastery Tashi View Point - Day 5
Gangtok
Walk through the Rumtek monastery complex, Sikkim's largest monastery, and learn about the historic buildings and their significance. Spend your afternoon however you'd like, whether that's wandering local markets or exploring different parts of the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rumtek monastery complex visit
Optional Activities
- Local market visits
Landmarks Rumtek Monastery - Day 6
Gangtok to Gorumara National Park
Travel towards the border and reach Gorumara National Park by noon. After lunch, go on a jeep safari in the afternoon where you'll have chances to see native wildlife species in their natural habitat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Jeep safari in Gorumara National Park
Landmarks Gorumara National Park - Day 7
Gorumara National Park to Thimphu, Bhutan
Leave Sikkim and cross into Bhutan, a country focused on happiness and environmental protection through its Gross National Happiness philosophy. Drive to Thimphu, the young capital known for its distinctive architecture, colorful traffic islands with police houses, and notably no traffic lights or high-rise buildings anywhere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Border crossing to Bhutan
Landmarks Bhutan Border - Day 8
Thimphu
Spend the day getting to know Thimphu's character by visiting traditional weaving art centers and the Simtokha Dzong monastery. Stop at the memorial chorten and Changangkha temple to experience local spirituality, then see the 50-meter tall gilded bronze Buddha Dordenma statue. Later, walk through the bazaars and have dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in a restaurant)
Included Activities
- Traditional weaving art center visit
- Simtokha Dzong monastery visit
- Memorial chorten visit
- Changangkha temple visit
- Buddha Dordenma statue visit
- Bazaar exploration
Landmarks Simtokha Dzong Memorial Chorten Changangkha Temple Buddha Dordenma Statue Thimphu Bazaar - Day 9
Thimphu to Punakha
Begin with a stroll and tasting at the farmers' market. Drive along winding roads up to Dochu La mountain pass at 3088m/10130ft, marked by 108 small chortens and colorful prayer flags. Hang your own prayer flags after learning what they mean, then walk through rice fields and visit the fertility temple Chimi Lhakhang. Arrive in Punakha to see the Punakha Dzong and the impressive suspension bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Snacks at farmers' market tasting), Dinner
Included Activities
- Farmers' market stroll and tasting
- Dochu La mountain pass visit with prayer flags
- Rice fields walk
- Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple visit
- Punakha Dzong visit
- Po Chu River suspension bridge visit
Landmarks Dochu La Pass Chimi Lhakhang Temple Punakha Dzong - Day 10
Punakha to Paro
Pick up snacks at Kaja Throm market before driving through scenic river valleys to Paro. Along the way, stop at a traditional farming family's home to see how rural Bhutanese life actually works. Then check out the impressive Paro Dzong, considered one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Kaja Throm market visit
- Traditional farming family home visit
- Paro Dzong visit
Landmarks Paro Dzong - Day 11
Paro
Hike to Taktshang Monastery, the iconic temple clinging to a rock face above the valley. You can choose between a moderate hike to the cafeteria (about 2 hours, roughly 300 meters/984 feet altitude gain) or continue higher depending on how you're feeling. View the Tiger's Nest from the cafeteria, then visit Kyichu Lhakang Temple, one of the country's holiest temples. Have a farewell dinner in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) viewpoint
- Kyichu Lhakang Temple visit
Optional Activities
- Extended hike beyond the cafeteria to Taktshang Monastery (depending on fitness level)
Landmarks Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) Kyichu Lhakang Temple - Day 12
Paro to Delhi
After breakfast, transfer to Paro airport for your flight back to Delhi. You'll have the afternoon free to relax at your hotel before heading to the airport for your evening transfer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 13
Departure from Delhi
In the early morning, head to the airport for your return flight home. You'll arrive the same day, bringing the trip to a close.
