| Day 1 - Delhi
Around midnight arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan city and capital Delhi is the main gateway for travelers. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel. |
| Day 2 - Delhi - Bagdogra - Darjeeling (by air)
In the morning we drive to the airport for the flight to Bagdogra. After the arrival in Bagdogra we proceed north of the state through the coniferous forests and terraced tea gardens to Darjeeling. Darjeeling (place of the thunderbolt) has spectacular scenery. Due to its altitude of 2134 m and soothing temperature in summers Darjeeling has become a famous hill resort in India. By clear weather we can enjoy the impressive and unforgettable views of the Himalayas. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Darjeeling. |
| Day 3 - Darjeeling
Early in the morning we drive to Tiger Hill (around 11 km) to enjoy the sunrise. Tiger hill (2590 m.) is the highest point in this area. There is a breathtaking view of the sunrise on Kanchenjunga. Mount Everest (8842) is also visible on a clear day. The moments of sunrise from Tiger Hill are described by most of the visitors as unforgettable. In the afternoon we explore Darjeeling and its surroundings. We visit the village Lablong and the institute of mountaineering where we get the detailed information about the natural surrounding and the habitants of this area. |
| Day 4 - Darjeeling - Pemayangtse (about 80 km)
Today we drive in the morning to Pemayangtse (perfect Sublime Lotus) in Sikkim. It will be a fascinating journey that winds through steep climb down through tea estates across river Teesta. We enter into west Sikkim winding along the river Rangit where panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga and the entire row of peaks are awaited. In the afternoon we reach Pemayangtse. In the evening we visit the headquarters of the Nyingama sect in Pemayangtse. |
| Day 5 - Pemayangtse
Early in the morning we have trek to Sangacholing monastery where sunrise over Kanchenjunga and the adjoining peaks can be seen on a clear day. After the breakfast we pay a visit to the Pemayangtse monastery, it is one of the finest in Sikkim and the second oldest, built in 1716. It is an impressive and beautiful building which houses the unusual Sangdok Palri "Temple of Heaven" which contains a wooden figure that took 7 years to carve single handedly by the late Dugzom rinpoche. |
| Day 6 - Pemayangtse - Gangtok
In the morning after having breakfast we leave Pemayangtse and drive to Gangtok. The capital of Sikkim 'Gangtok' lies on a ridge overlooking the Ranipool River. Gangtok ("High Hill") lies at an altitude of 1760 m. It is surrounded by the mountains, especially from Kanchenjunga range. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Gangtok. In the evening we visit the Mountain Lake at Indo-China border at 12400 feet which is the Tsomgo Lake. |
| Day 7 - Gangtok
Today we visit Tsuk-la-Khang, the royal chapel which is standing on a high bridge. This is the major place of worship and has a large and impressive collection of scriptures. We also visit the institute of cottage industries which is an attraction as a wide range of local handicrafts in Lepcha style are produced here. Today we also drive to the Enchey monastery. This monastery is believed to be 200 years old. The monks of this monastery belong to the Mahayana Buddhism. |
| Day 8 - Gangtok - Bagdogra - Kolkata
Early in the morning we drive to Tiger Hill (around 11 km) to enjoy the sunrise. Tiger Hill (2590 m) is the highest point in this area. There is a breathtaking view of the sunrise on Kanchenjunga. Mount Everest (8842 m) is also visible on a clear day. The moments of sunrise from Tiger Hill are described by most of the visitors as unforgettable. After viewing the Tiger Hill we drive back to the hotel and after having breakfast we explore Darjeeling and its surroundings. In the evening we visit the village Lablong and the institute of mountaineering where we get the detailed information about the natural surrounding and the habitants of this area. |
| Day 9 - Kolkata - Kathmandu (by air)
In the afternoon we leave the state of West Bengal and drive to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu. Rest of the day at leisure in Kathmandu. |
| Day 10 - Kathmandu Excursion: Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Bodnath
In the morning we start our sightseeing by visiting Durbar Square. Durbar Square is the spiritual heart of Kathmandu. The old royal palace at the centre of the city was surrounded by temples and other important buildings. This is the most important point in Kathmandu to observe the culture and religion of Nepal. We also visit the temple of living goddess Kumari. After Durbar Square we will visit Swayambhunath. The stupa at Swayambhunath is the most important and oldest site of Buddhist worship in Nepal. Swayambhunath Stupa is famous for the eyes of Buddha which seem to observing the world from all 4 directions. After Swayambhunath we visit Bodnath. Bodnath is the largest Stupa of Nepal. Around the octagonal base of Stupa there are 108 images of Buddha where prayer ceremonies of Buddhist Lamas are taking place since over 2000 years. Now we proceed to the temple city of Pashupatinath which is Nepal’s most important Hindu pilgrim site on the banks of the Bagmati River. The temple of Pashupatinath is dedicated to god Shiva. |
| Day 11 - Kathmandu Excursion: Patan, Bhaktapur
Today we drive to Patan. Patan was the second largest town in the valley but it has been absorbed into Kathmandu. Patan was previously known as Lalitpur (the beautiful city). The famous King Ashoka built the Stupas at four corners in the 250 BC. The temple architecture here gave this city fame to be unique and most beautiful. After Patan we proceed to Bhaktapur, the third biggest city of the valley. Bhaktapur has preserved its medieval character better than Patan. We visit the golden door, the Palace of 55 windows (15th century) and Pagoda Nyatapola (18th century). |
| Day 12 - Kathmandu - Lhasa (by air)
In the morning transfer to airport to connect flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. From Kathmandu to Lhasa it would be a scenic flight across the Himalayas. Upon arrival at Gongor airport at Lhasa, transfer to the hotel in Lhasa. The rest of the day is at leisure to acclaim yourselves to this high altitude of Lhasa. |
| Day 13 - Lhasa
In the morning after having breakfast proceed for a full day sight seeing tour of Lhasa city. Today we visit Potala Palace, Barkhor Market and Jokhang Temple. Potala Palace is the dominant landmark of Lhasa situated at a height of 117 meters above the sea level. The construction of this palace was started on the red hill in 1645 under the 5th Dalai Lama. An immense building, 13 storeys high with walls 3 meters thick contains over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. It was both the residence of the current Dalai Lama and tomb of the former head of state. The Potala is full of elaborate art work and frescos that tell many stories. In the afternoon we drive to visit the Jokhang temple. Jokhang temple was built in the 7th century A D and houses the most prized Buddhist relic, a 1300 year old Sakyamuni Buddha statue. The main section of the temple is topped with golden roof which is found only in Tibet. After visiting the temple we have a walk in the Barkhor Bazaar. It is a lively and colourful market where you can bargain over such treasures like a ornate long bladed knives, prayer wheels and exquisite jewellery. Overnight at the hotel. |
| Day 14 - Lhasa
In the morning after having breakfast we visit the Drepung monastery. This monastery is situated in the west suburbs of Lhasa city. It was formerly the largest and richest monastery in the world with about 10000 monks. Of particular interest is the medieval monk's kitchen with its great cauldrons of steaming barley 'stamp' sitting on top of huge earthen stoves and tented by saffron robed monks wielding massive ladles. From the roof of the monastery one can enjoy the natural beauty of the Lhasa valley. Then we visit the Sera monastery. Sera is more like a small town on the outskirts of Lhasa at the base of Tatipu hill. It is the main teaching monastery and one of the three great Gelukpa Universities - once housing more than 5500 monks. Here one can see the young novices learning scriptures in the Debating Garden. In the evening we visit the Norbulingka Summer palace. On the banks of the Kyichi River, there is a tree and flower filled pard known as the Norbulingka or the Jewel Park. Covering a total area of 360,000 square meters, the park was originally laid out in the year 1750. Norbulingka is also the site of the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas (8th to 14th). The small palace of the 13th Dalai Lama is an odd mix of traditional Tibetan architecture and modern paraphernalia. Overnight stay in the hotel. |
| Day 15 - Lhasa - Kathmandu - Delhi (by air)
In the morning after having breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu. After arrival in Kathmandu flight to New Delhi. Upon arrival in New Delhi, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day at leisure. |
| Day 16 - Delhi
Around midnight flight to home destination. |
