Meet & greet, transfer to hotel: Welcome to India! You will be met on arrival in Delhi by a local representative and introduced to your private driver. Together they will and take you to the nearby Aerocity complex to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lemon Tree Premier New Delhi Aerocity (Superior Room)

Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be collected from your hotel by your guide, and transferred to Delhi International Airport in time for your onward flight.

Flight: SG903 Delhi - Bagdogra 09.25 - 11.35

Road journey from Bagdogra to Darjeeling: You will be met on arrival in Bagdogra by a private guide and driver. Together you will set off on the drive to Darjeeling, a journey of around 3 hours, climbing out of the West Bengal plains and up into the foothills of the Himalayas. On arrival check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Windamere Hotel (Preferred Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Guided tour of Darjeeling: Early this morning, you have the option of heading to Tiger Hill. At 2,575m above sea level, the viewpoint offers an unforgettable sight of sunrise over the snow peaks of Kanchenjunga Mountain. Return to your hotel for breakfast before heading to the city’s train station to enjoy the short train ride to Ghoom. The 'toy train' of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), given heritage status by UNESCO, covers the distance of 88 km between New Jalpaiguri station and Darjeeling. This fascinating narrow gauge steam engine train still operates with the original steam engine and the loops and the zig-zags along the route are remarkable feats of engineering. You will leave the train at Ghoom, where you will visit the local monastery. Return to Darjeeling by road.

Later, you will be taken on a sightseeing tour of Darjeeling. Begin with a visit to Darjeeling’s most revered site: the Mahakal Dara, sitting atop Observatory Hill at the top of Mall Road.  This atmospheric place of worship is flocked to daily by Buddhists and Hindus alike, in addition to many locals enjoying the steep climb to summit, and resulting views. Note the last 100 yards up from the Mall to the temple are accessible on foot only, using a flight of well laid but fairly steep stairs. Continue to visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which houses an excellent museum dedicated to the region, and then the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre. The latter was established in 1959 as an oasis for thousands of fleeing Tibetans. It is now a self sustained commune preserving their indigenous culture and heritage in a home away from home. Finish your tour with a stop at Gundree Bazaar, the main town square and centre of commerce for locals across the Darjeeling region. Return to the hotel to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Windamere Hotel (Preferred Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Road journey to Gangtok: After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and head off by road towards Gangtok. Crossing over into Sikkim, this will be a journey of approximately 5 hours including time for rest stops and lunch (payable locally). You will be travelling along mountain roads which will be very windy in places, but views will frequently be excellent.

Guided tour of Gangtok: On arrival in Gangtok, you will be taken on an afternoon tour of the city. Should your arrival not be on a weekend, you will first head to the Government Institute of Cottage Industry. Set up in 1957 as a means to preserve and develop traditional Sikkim arts and crafts, the institute produces a range of traditional handicrafts for sale. Continue to visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, the only one of its kind in the world. It was established to promote research on the language and traditions of Tibet as well as into Mahayana Buddhism. Close to the institute is the Chorten and Monastery, a shrine surrounded by prayer-wheels. Surrounding the chorten is the Orchid Sanctuary, where one can see as many as 454 species of orchids. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the The Elgin Nor Khill (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Guided tour of Rumtek Monastery: After breakfast, head out with your guide on a half day excursion to visit the Rumtek monastery, the largest in the area. The first monastery was built in 1717 AD, but sadly crumbled to ruins. It was later rebuilt in 1960’s under instruction from the late 16th Gyala Karmapa, who took refuge in Sikkim following the Chinese annexation of Tibet. Traditional in design, it is a close replica of the original in Tibet with beautiful murals and religious artefacts. The monastery is also an important centre for Kagyu teaching: devoted Lamas, robed in crimson, chant ancient mantras to the rhythm of drums and trumpets while soft light flickers from decorative lamps.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the The Elgin Nor Khill (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Road journey to the Gorumara National Park: After breakfast, meet up with your private driver and head out on the 5-hour drive to Gorumara National Park. The journey will take you back down the Himalayan foothills to the vast plains of Dooars – an area of verdant tea plantations and forests.

Afternoon exploration of the National Park: In the late afternoon, you will be taken on a jeep safari of Gorumara National Park. The journey takes you deeper in to the grasslands of Gorumara to try and view some of the elusive wildlife. The Gorumara is the natural habitat for rhinoceros, elephants, leopard, bison and many species of birds and reptiles. Here you will be given the option of exploring by jeep or heading to a watch tower in the core area of the National Park to enjoy a panoramic view of the Gorumara grassland. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sinclairs Retreat Dooars (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Road journey to Thimphu: After an early breakfast, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to the Bhutan border a journey of approximately 2.5 hours. At the border, you will be met by your Bhutanese guide and driver who will welcome you and assist with visa formalities. After lunch in the Bhutanese border town of Phuntsholing, you will hit the road on the 5-hour journey to Thimphu. On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Namgay Heritage Hotel (Heritage Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided sightseeing in and around Thimphu: This morning take a short drive out of the capital and walk uphill for an hour or so to visit Tango Monastery. Founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 12th century, today the monastery is a school for the study of Buddhist philosophy, metaphysics, mathematics and poetry. On the way back to Thimphu stop to see Simtokha Dzong (one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan, dating from 1629 AD). Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will visit the revered Memorial Chorten, the Folk Heritage Museum and also Tashicho (Trashi Chhoe) Dzong, built in 1641, which housed the original National Assembly and is now home to Government offices, the throne room & offices of the King. This afternoon is also a good time to visit the local handicraft shops and purchase some souvenirs. Please let your guide if there is anything in particular that takes your interest.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Namgay Heritage Hotel (Heritage Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private road journey to Punakha with sightseeing: In the morning, drive approximately 3 hours to the old capital of Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3,050 metres, where you will stop for a hot drink to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. At this altitude you will notice a change of climate and vegetation as you approach the lower lying Punakha which sits at 1,250 metres above sea level. On arrival in Punakha you will check into your hotel and lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

Guided tour of Punakha: This afternoon, visit the imposing Punakha Dzong or “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu. Here you have an opportunity, if interested, to view an exhibition of traditional Bhutanese cantilever bridges (known as bazams) in the tower of the Puna Mo Chu Bazam. Afterwards, take a pleasant walk for an hour or so across terraced fields to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) which was built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). After the walk return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Drubchhu Resort (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten: After breakfast, head out with your guide on a short hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten high up on the hill. The temple is dedicated to the fith king of Bhutan and is 30 metres tall proving an excellent view of the valley and surrounding villages. You can see many different species of trees and plants as you proceed along the path including rhododendrons, fern and bamboo. After ample time at the temple you will reunite with your driver and hit the road for the 4 hour drive to Paro.

Private road journey to Paro: After ample time at the temple, you will reunite with your driver and hit the road for the 4 hour drive to Paro. After checking into your hotel, you have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the small town of Paro.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gangtey Palace (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Paro and surrounds: This morning, you will visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit the National Museum. This was previously housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower) built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro Valley during times of war, in an unusual circular construction resembling a conch shell. Unfortunately an earthquake in September 2011 damaged the Ta Dzong and the contents of the museum were moved to a neighbouring building. However you can still see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. The National Museum is due to reopen in the Ta Dzong, but the date has not yet been confirmed. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon you can visit the ruined Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victory), constructed to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644 and destroyed by a butter lamp fire in 1951. Nearby you can also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan. After the sightseeing return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gangtey Palace (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of the Tiger’s Nest: Today take a day walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor and is one of the most famous images of Bhutan. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery. This afternoon, on the way back to Paro, you will visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder. Arrive back at your hotel for your last night of the tour.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gangtey Palace (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer: This morning, you will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for your international departure with Drukair.

Flight: KB200 Paro - Delhi 11.50 - 13.40

Private transfer: You will be met on arrival in Delhi and taken to the nearby Aerocity complex to spend a final night at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lemon Tree Premier New Delhi Aerocity (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast