Himalayan Kingdom Tour

Upon arrival in the city of Kolkata, India, a transfer will take you to your hotel. After checking in, relax and enjoy the rest of the day.

Today, you’ll get to explore this intriguing city on a sightseeing tour. Visit some of Kolkata’s most significant places, including the Victoria Memorial, Park Street Cemetery, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Mother Teresa’s Home.

Spend the day discovering more of Kolkata. Step aboard a cruise on the Hooghly River and see numerous ghats buzzing with life, the Vidyasagar Setu bridge and the magnificent Howrah Bridge. After the cruise, you’ll get the chance to visit The Mother House, the carefully restored house of Mother Teresa, and pay respect at her tomb. You could also join an optional walking food tour (USD$70) and try some authentic street food and Indian sweets.

This morning, you’ll board a flight to Paro, Bhutan, where you’ll then take a transfer ride to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. Along the way, you’ll pass Tschogang Lhakhang, ‘the temple of the excellent horse’, before making a stop at Chuzom, where the Thimphu and Paro rivers join, adorned with three stupas: one Tibetan, one Nepalese and one Bhutanese. When you arrive in the unique city of Thimphu, check into your hotel then head out and explore Thimphu Main Street and the market area.

Spend the morning exploring the Thimphu Valley and visit the National Library, the Institute for Zorig Chusum, home to a 6 year long training course on Bhutan’s 12 traditional arts and crafts, and finally the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. In the afternoon, visit King’s Memorial Chorten, a Tibetan style stupa that serves as the focus for many residents’ daily worship, then head a little north of the city to Trashi Chho Dzong, the centre of the government and religion. Later, you’ll get the chance to visit Buddha Point, where you can see over the Thimphu Valley and offer prayers to the Buddha, then spend the evening perusing traditional arts at the Handicrafts Emporium.

Today, you’ll say goodbye to Thimphu and take the 3 hour drive across the picturesque Dochula Pass to Punakha, enjoying stunning views over the Himalayas as you go. Visit Punakha Dzong, then, in the afternoon, hike through fields of chilies, cabbages and rice along the banks of the Mo Chhu until you reach the impressive monument of Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built to ward off evil spirits from its vantage point looking over the Punakha Valley.

This morning, you’ll get to visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang, a nunnery that overlooks the Punakha and Wangduephodrang Valleys, and gaze in wonder at its beautiful statues. Later, take a drive out of Punakha, then walk to Chimi Lhakhang, known as the temple of fertility.

Today, you’ll take the drive back to Paro, stopping at Simtokha Dzong along the way. When you reach Paro, you’ll get to visit Ta Dzong, home to the National Museum. Once you’ve soaked up the museum’s impressive collection of intriguing artifacts, walk to Rinpung Dzong and marvel at its courtyard lined with fine wall paintings. 

After breakfast, hike to Bhutan’s most famous monastery: Taktsang Monastery. Take in this sacred place before beginning your hike back to town. En route, stop at Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress with an incredible view of the sacred Chomolhari mountain, and the Kyichu Lhakhang temple. In the evening, wander around Main Street and the market area before heading back to your hotel for another night of rest and relaxation.

Today, you’ll leave Paro behind and board a flight back to Kolkata, where you’ll spend your last night in this wonderful part of India. 

Wave goodbye to Bhutan and Kolkata today as you take a transfer to Kolkata airport and catch a flight home.