Himalayan Kingdoms
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 13 days | PHHK |
Activities |
|
| Culture (Moderate) | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Bhutan, Nepal, India | |
Start City |
End City |
| Kathmandu | Paro |
The journey begins in the mystical Kathmandu Valley where we visit the bustling bazaars, the Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath and the Hindu Pashupatinath Temple complex. We also have the option of a scenic flight towards Mount Everest. From Kathmandu we fly to Bhadrapur on the Nepali-Indian border and drive down the foothills and tea gardens to the historic former British hill station of Darjeeling. We explore this enchanting town and include a short ride on the famous Toy Train, as well as watch the sunrise on the peaks of Everest and Kanchenjunga. Our next stop is Sikkim and its capital, Gangtok, where we explore the famous Rumtek Monastery, the largest in the country, before driving to Kalimpong, previously an important centre for wool trade with Tibet. A highlight of our tour is visiting the Kingdom of Bhutan. We enter the country at the Phuntsholing border and head to the capital, Thimphu. From here we explore the monasteries and fortresses of this ancient kingdom. In Paro we visit Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), a small monastery clinging precariously to a ledge on a rock cliff high above the valley floor. This structure has become a symbol of a beautiful and mysterious kingdom that very few travellers in the world have experienced.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu (1360m)
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Our airport representative will be waiting outside the airport terminal a few metres from the exit door. Look out for the Peregrine signboard. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes. A briefing given by our group leader is scheduled for the late afternoon. He will discuss our trekking program and co-ordinate any last minute arrangements. The evening is free, but usually our tour leader will organise an evening meal (optional) at one of Kathmandu’s fine Nepali restaurants. Alternatively you can enjoy a dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu (1360m)
Meals included: 1 breakfast
In the morning we explore Kathmandu on an organised sightseeing tour. We visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. We also visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further sightseeing and exploration. In the late afternoon your leader will confirm departure information for the next morning.
Day 3: Darjeeling (2134m)
Meals included: 1 breakfast
The next part of our journey is a short flight to Bhadrapur, in the south-east of Nepal. From here it is a short journey to the Indian border at Kakarvitta, where we need to complete immigration formalities. Our journey continues with a drive through the Indian plains for an hour before the road starts to climb through the jungles, tea gardens, small towns and village settlements that line the route to Darjeeling. On the way we may see the famous Darjeeling Toy Train, winding its way up the hill. Darjeeling was once the summer capital of Bengal during the British Raj and is one of the most beautiful of India's hill stations. Commonly called the Queen of the Hills, her crown is the mighty peak of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak, which overlooks the town in a most spectacular manner.
Day 4: Darjeeling (2134m)
Meals included: 1 breakfast
A full day for sightseeing including the Botanical Gardens, that has a unique collection of Himalayan plants, flowers, and orchids. We also visit the Tibetan Refugee Centre, established in 1959 for Tibetans fleeing the Chinese invasion. The handicraft centre here has a selection of hand-woven carpets and other items for sale. The Mountaineering Institute is well worth a visit, as it has an interesting museum dedicated to Himalayan climbing. We also visit various Tibetan monasteries and there is also free time to stroll around the town and mingle with the locals.
Day 5-6: Gangtok (1600m)
Meals included: 2 breakfasts
We rise early for an excursion to Tiger Hill for sunrise. From here there are magnificent views of Kanchenjunga and Everest, as well as hundreds of other Himalayan giants. On the way back to the hotel we also view Ghoom Monastery (built in 1875) and stop at Batasia Loop where we take a short ride on the early morning Toy Train. After breakfast we head off for the drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Upon arrival the rest of the day is free. The following morning we visit Rumtek Monastery, the largest in Sikkim with an original building that dates back to 1717. In the afternoon we enjoy further sightseeing in Gangtok where we visit the Drodul Chorten, which was built to commemorate the victory of good over evil. Surrounding the chorten are 108 prayer wheels. The Research Institute of Tibetology is renowned worldwide for studies in the Buddhist philosophy and religion. Here there are numerous priceless religious paintings (thangkas), statues and other religious artwork. We also visit Enchay Monastery and the orchid sanctuary, which contains over 200 exotic species.
Day 7: Kalimpong (1250m)
Meals included: 1 breakfast
After breakfast we take a scenic drive to Kalimpong, once a famous centre of the eastern and central Tibetan wool trade. The town is situated below the saddle connecting the Deolo and Rinkingpong (Durbin) Hills. Kalimpong has a temperate climate throughout the year and experiences only a light monsoon, which is ideal for the many flower nurseries in the town. Kalimpong was once the headquarters of the Bhutanese Governor, the word 'kalim' means 'minister' and 'pong' means 'stronghold'.
Day 8: Phuntsholing
Meals included: 1 breakfast
(Driving time: approx 5 hours) We start our day by visiting the nearby Zangdopheir Monastery, which is shadowed by the impressive peak of Kanchenjunga, before descending into the plains en route to the Bhutan border at Phuntsholing, where we pass through immigration and check in to our hotel for the night.
Day 9: Thimphu (2736m)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
(Driving time: approx 5 hours) The drive from Phuntsholing to Thimphu takes about five hours and we make a number of stops along the way at various picturesque spots. After settling in at our hotel you can venture to the local market or take a leisurly stroll around town to take in the immense beauty of this very special town.
Day 10: Thimphu (2736m)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
After breakfast we view Tashicho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion), the administrative and religious centre of Bhutan located on the right bank of Thimphu Chu. The original building dates back to 1216, whilst the present dzong was built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal in 1641. We then drive to the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of King Jigmi Dorjee Wangchuk. Other sights in the capital include the Painting School, an institution where children receive formal education in the art of traditional painting, sculpture and woodcarving. We may also visit Drubthob Gompa Nunnery, which houses about 40 nuns and also provides shelter for aging women and orphaned girls. Thimphu has an excellent range of handicrafts, most notably woven cloth, wooden masks, thangkas, silverware, jewellry and bamboo craft that come from all parts of Bhutan.
Day 11-12: Paro (2280m)
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
(Driving time: approx 2 hours) We begin with an early morning drive from Thimphu for an excursion to the legendary Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) - a small monastery, clinging on a rock cliff 900 metres above the valley floor. A few years ago the monastery was seriously damaged by fire but has since been rebuilt, although tourists are not permitted to enter the interior of the monastery. Legend has it that the great guru, Padmasambhawa, flew here from Tibet on the back of a tigress to subdue the demons of Paro Valley. During our stay in Paro we also visit Drukgyal Dzong, a famous 17th century fortress that repelled many Tibetan invasions. Time permitting we may also visit Ta Dzong, a circular fortress built in the mid 17th century and now converted into the National Museum. It houses an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities.
Day 13: Paro (2280m)
Meals included: 1 breakfast
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport for our flight out, bringing to an end to this exciting journey exploring the highlights of the Himalaya Region. (Please note that your departure flight is not included as part of the trip and must be booked separately.)
Your Trip
What's Included
• The services of expert English-speaking local tour leaders throughout the tour, and local guides at some sites.
• Local flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur.
• Visa for Bhutan.
• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Kathmandu including Bodhnath Stupa, Pashupatinath and the holy Bagmati River; Darjeeling including the Botanical Gardens, Tibetan Refugee Centre and Mountaineering Institute; Gangtok including Drodul Chorten, Research Institute of Tibetology and orchid sanctuary; Thimphu including Tashicho Dzong, Painting School and Memorial Chorten; and Paro including Drukgyal Dzong.
• Visits to monasteries including Ghoom Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, Enchay Monastery, Zangdopheir Monastery and Taktsang (Tiger's Nest).
• Excursion to Tiger Hill for sunrise views of Kanchenjunga and Everest.
• Exploration of Paro Valley.
• Ride on the Toy Train.
• Arrival and departure airport transfers.
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Transport
- Plane
- Private vehicle
Accommodation
- 12 nights Comfortable hotel
Meals
- 12 breakfasts
- 4 lunches
- 4 dinners
Equipment Included
Highlight of Highlights
The Tiger's Nest
Discover the legendary Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) - a small monastery, clinging on a rock cliff 900 metres above the valley floor. Legend has it that the great guru, Padmasambhawa, flew here from Tibet on the back of a tigress to subdue the demons of Paro Valley!
Not Included
International flights, airport departure taxes, visas for Nepal and India, insurance, additional snacks and drinks, any optional tours and activities during free time, camera fees, excess baggage charges, tips and items of a personal nature.
Optional Extras
We have chosen some great optional activities to enhance your travel experience. You will need to cover any additional costs yourself. Speak to your leader if you are interested in any of the following:
- Kathmandu - Bhaktapur entrance
US$15 - Kathmandu - Half Day tour to Bhaktapur & Patan
US$40 approx - Kathmandu - Mt Everest scenic flight - including transfers
approx US$175 - Kathmandu - Patan entrance
US$5
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Bhutan
All nationalities require a visa for Bhutan. Travellers can only enter Bhutan as part of a group visa. Independent visas are not issued. Your Bhutan visa is organised by us and issued on a group basis upon arrival at Paro Airport, Bhutan. The cost of the visa is covered in our tour.
Nepal
Australians, Americans, British, Canadians currently require a visa for Nepal. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
You may prefer to apply for your visa prior to arrival in Nepal (there are consulates in many countries), however you can obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport for $US40 for a Single Entry, and $US45 for a Double Entry. You must have USD, Euro, GBP, JPY or AUD cash to the exact amount and one passport photo. Expect some delays in processing the visa application at the airport. Passengers then travelling to Tibet or Sikkim (these trips start and finish in Nepal) should obtain a Double Entry Nepal visa.
India
Please note that visa requirements can and do change. It is essential that you confirm requirements with the nearest relevant embassy or check with your travel agent before you travel. At the time of writing, a visa is required by most travellers visiting India including Australians, New Zealanders, Americans, British and Canadians. You must obtain an Indian visa prior to leaving home as it cannot be obtained on arrival.
Please note that visa requirements can and do change. It is essential that you confirm requirements with the nearest relevant embassy or check with your travel agent before you travel. At the time of writing, a visa is required by most travellers visiting India including Australians, New Zealanders, Americans, British and Canadians. You must obtain an Indian visa prior to leaving home as it cannot be obtained on arrival. An Indian tourist visa is available for six months from the date of issue and you should apply for a multiple entry one, as the cost is the same as for single/double entry. Your travel agent can assist you in the applying for your visa if required.
Recent change to visa rules: as of January 2010, the Indian Government is in the process of implementing a new visa rule which means tourists can’t visit India twice within the space of 2 months. However, it does state that people who have documentation proving that they are using India as a base to explore neighbouring countries can enter India up to three times within 2 months.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information packs (provided upon booking a trip) provide tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a Pre Departure Information pack which will contain detailed information.
Further Reading
BhutanBhutan-Lonely Planet
So Close to Heaven- the Vanishing
Bhuddist Kingdoms of the Himalaya-Barbara Crossette
The Raven Crown-Michael Aris
For good general guides to Nepal, India, Tibet and Bhutan, the Lonely Planet guide-books are very helpful. (They even have phrase-books which are very handy.) There are numerous books written about the Himalaya. Check your local library, new and old book-shops, and also the Internet can provide useful information on books to read. Kathmandu has many excellent bookshops where many of the books below can be found.
Travellers Tales and Guides
Nepal Lonely Planet Guide: - (Hugh Finlay, Richard Everist, Tony Wheeler)
Tiger for Breakfast-Peissel-1966
Schoolhouse in the Sky-Hillary-1968
When Men and Mountains Meet-Keay-1977
Kathmandu-Kelly-1989
Many People Come, Looking, Looking Rowell-1980
Natural History
Birds of Nepal-Fleming-1976
Forests of Nepal-Stainton-1972
Stones of Silence-Schaller-1980
Heart of the Jungle-Gurung
Himalayan Flowers and Trees-Meirow/Shreshta-1978
Mountaineering
Into Thin Air-Krakauer-1997
Everest the Hard Way-Bonnington-1976
White Limbo-Hall-1985
Annapurna-Herzog-1952
Ascent of Everest-Hunt-1953
The Climb-Anatoli Boukreev
Left for Dead-Beck Weathers
India Lonely Planet-Sarina Singh
A Passage to India-EM Forster
A Suitable Boy-Vikram Seth
Chasing the Monsoon-Alexander Frater
Important Information
Road Travel in the Indian Sub-continent
Travel in the sub-continent is not always easy and we find that a good dose of patience certainly comes in handy! Road rules are not always followed and some of the traffic in India is chaotic. Particular care should be taken when crossing roads. Bhutan is far more peaceful. There are few cars and virtually no traffic lights!
Local Tour Leaders
By employing and training local guides to lead our group holidays, there is a two-fold benefit. Firstly, we provide employment opportunities for the local community. Just as importantly is the benefit to you, the traveller. Your tour leader’s friendship, humour, passion and intimate knowledge of the region will be key factors in making your holiday a success. We use several different tour leaders to run the various sectors of this particular trip. Our Nepalese tour leader will look after you in Kathmandu. In India, you will be escorted by our Indian tour leader who has detailed knowledge of his own country. Our Bhutanese tour leader will escort you for the last five days of your journey. Please note that you will be unescorted on the flight between Kathmandu and Bhadrapur.
This amazing trip finishes in Paro. Depending on flight schedules you may be able to fly out of Paro to either Bangkok, Kathmandu or Delhi. Please consult us or your agent for full details.
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
30 November 2011