Kensington
15 Day Highlights of Bhutan and India's Northeast
15 Day Highlights of Bhutan and India’s Northeast
A delightful journey into the Himalayas, combining the mysteries and breathtaking vistas of Bhutan with the lesser known but equally stunning scenery of India’s state of Sikkim. The latter is the second-smallest state in India, wedged between Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and West Bengal. It offers an astounding range of pristine natural beauty, dazzling waterfalls, and virgin forests, but also colorful Buddhist monasteries and quaint villages. The third-highest peak in the world (Kanchenjunga) lies in Sikkim.
Start your trip in Delhi and continue to fly to Gangtok, Sikkim’s beautiful capital, also known as “Land of Monasteries”. Visit the Enchey Monastery and the intriguing Namgyal Institute of Tibetology with its rare collection of Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts. Your next stop is Darjeeling, one of the most famous cities in India, and best-known around the world for growing tea. It is lovely and peaceful, and the air is wonderfully fresh. Your private guide will join you for a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a classic steam-powered locomotive train that runs on a narrow-gauge track, nicknamed the Toy Train. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but the journey through the rolling hills and the view of the Himalayas is a delightful adventure. Darjeeling’s natural grandeur is, perhaps, savored best from Tiger Hill. Join your private guide before the break of dawn to see the sun rise over the Himalayas, a view that slowly reveals the snow-capped mountains of Everest, Kanchenjunga and other peaks emerging with the rising sun.
It is now possible to drive into Bhutan, and Phuentsholing is the border point from where to enter the country by road. As Bhutan’s second largest city, it shares its border with the Indian town of Jaigaon, turning both places into brisk centers for cross-border trading. Your one overnight in town allows you to see a place with modern buildings quite unlike elsewhere in Bhutan.
Once you reach Thimpu you know “you have arrived”. Colorful paintings with rich and intricate detail on the walls make Bhutan’s capital, one of the most picturesque cities in the world. Locals have a wonderfully charming traditional outlook, but there is also a cosmopolitan flair in the air. A lovely mix. Accompany your private guide to see Thimpu’s most iconic landmark: the Buddha Dordenma Statue, the largest Buddha statue in the world, measuring 177 feet and visit the Changangkha Lhakhang. This is the oldest temple in Thimpu, built in the 12th century, hovering over a ridge near Motihang. By the way, you can purchase some of the world’s most beautiful postage stamps, all collector’s items, at face value from the general post office.
On the drive to Punakha, up the Dochula Pass (10,130ft) we stop briefly to take in the view and admire the chortens (hemispherical religious structures also known as stupas), Mani walls, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country, offering a great opportunity to go for a hike up through rice fields along the banks of the Mo Chu river, followed by a drive towards Khurutang, passing Punthsho Pelri Palace and other winter homes of the royal family.
Your last stop in Bhutan is Paro, and an excursion to the spectacular Taktsang monastery. The building literally clings to the edge of a sheer rock that plunges 3,000 feet into the valley below. Almost everything about Paro is spiritual. In many places, the only sound you will hear is the wind and the faint chime of the prayer bells.
Kensington Tours creates private trips from the world’s finest ingredients. Tailor-made with care by your personal Destination Expert, your personalized trip is always a one-of-a-kind experience made just for you. Expert local guidance and 24/7 service come standard.
| Day 1 |
Delhi is a sprawling metropolis in North India that contains the country's capital, New Delhi. Life is abuzz and hectic here, with traffic going every which way. A huge population shuffles through Delhi's streets, alleys and food and spice-selling bazaars, and it's quite memorable to be a part of it all. Travelers are also well-advised to visit Delhi for its unforgettable energy and exceptionally photo-ready sights and sounds, including India Gate, the Jama Masjid mosque, and the famous imperial residence, the Red Fort. |
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| Day 7 |
Thimphu (Thimbu) is the capital and largest city of Bhutan, offering an intriguing juxtaposition of ancient tradition and modernity. Contemporary offerings include an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers. However, despite being the country's main center of commerce and government, Thimphu is the only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights.
Thimphu is also the gateway to Chagri Dorjeden Monastery, also called Cheri Monastery, a major teaching and retreat center established i 1620. |
| Day 8 |
Thimphu (Thimbu) is the capital and largest city of Bhutan, offering an intriguing juxtaposition of ancient tradition and modernity. Contemporary offerings include an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers. However, despite being the country's main center of commerce and government, Thimphu is the only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights.
Thimphu is also the gateway to Chagri Dorjeden Monastery, also called Cheri Monastery, a major teaching and retreat center established i 1620. |
| Day 9 |
Thimphu (Thimbu) is the capital and largest city of Bhutan, offering an intriguing juxtaposition of ancient tradition and modernity. Contemporary offerings include an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers. However, despite being the country's main center of commerce and government, Thimphu is the only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights.
Thimphu is also the gateway to Chagri Dorjeden Monastery, also called Cheri Monastery, a major teaching and retreat center established i 1620. |
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| Day 12 |
Paro, Bhutan, is a serene valley town that offers a gateway to the mystical charm of the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Nestled amidst verdant hills and bisected by the glistening Paro Chhu river, Paro is home to some of Bhutan’s most iconic landmarks and cultural treasures. At the heart of this picturesque valley stands the majestic Paro Dzong, or Rinpung Dzong, a fortress-monastery with a history dating back to the 17th century. With its intricate woodwork, massive buttressed walls, and serene courtyards, Paro Dzong is an architectural marvel and a vibrant center of monastic life. It’s also the site of the annual Paro Tshechu, a colorful festival featuring masked dances and spiritual performances that provide visitors with a unique insight into Bhutanese culture. A visit to Paro is incomplete without a trek to the legendary Tiger's Nest Monastery, or Taktshang Goemba. Perched precariously on a sheer cliffside 3,120 meters above sea level, this sacred site is said to be where Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Bhutanese Buddhism, meditated in the 8th century after arriving on the back of a flying tigress. The three-hour hike through pine forests, dotted with prayer flags and chortens, rewards trekkers with breathtaking views and a sense of spiritual tranquility. Upon reaching the monastery, you can explore its prayer halls, shrines, and meditation caves, feeling the deep spiritual energy that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Beyond its religious significance, Paro boasts a vibrant culture and welcoming community. The main street of Paro is a charming collection of traditional wooden shops, cafes, and handicraft stores where you can purchase local goods like handwoven textiles, prayer wheels, and Bhutanese masks. The National Museum of Bhutan, housed in a 17th-century watchtower known as Ta Dzong, is another must-visit, offering a fascinating display of artifacts, including thangka paintings, weapons, and natural history exhibits that narrate Bhutan's rich heritage. Fun fact: Paro Airport, known as one of the most challenging airports in the world, is a destination in itself. Surrounded by mountains as high as 5,500 meters, only a handful of specially trained pilots are certified to land here. The descent into Paro provides passengers with a dramatic and scenic flight experience, where you can glimpse the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas just before touchdown, making it a thrilling start or end to any Bhutanese adventure. |
| Day 13 |
Paro, Bhutan, is a serene valley town that offers a gateway to the mystical charm of the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Nestled amidst verdant hills and bisected by the glistening Paro Chhu river, Paro is home to some of Bhutan’s most iconic landmarks and cultural treasures. At the heart of this picturesque valley stands the majestic Paro Dzong, or Rinpung Dzong, a fortress-monastery with a history dating back to the 17th century. With its intricate woodwork, massive buttressed walls, and serene courtyards, Paro Dzong is an architectural marvel and a vibrant center of monastic life. It’s also the site of the annual Paro Tshechu, a colorful festival featuring masked dances and spiritual performances that provide visitors with a unique insight into Bhutanese culture. A visit to Paro is incomplete without a trek to the legendary Tiger's Nest Monastery, or Taktshang Goemba. Perched precariously on a sheer cliffside 3,120 meters above sea level, this sacred site is said to be where Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Bhutanese Buddhism, meditated in the 8th century after arriving on the back of a flying tigress. The three-hour hike through pine forests, dotted with prayer flags and chortens, rewards trekkers with breathtaking views and a sense of spiritual tranquility. Upon reaching the monastery, you can explore its prayer halls, shrines, and meditation caves, feeling the deep spiritual energy that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Beyond its religious significance, Paro boasts a vibrant culture and welcoming community. The main street of Paro is a charming collection of traditional wooden shops, cafes, and handicraft stores where you can purchase local goods like handwoven textiles, prayer wheels, and Bhutanese masks. The National Museum of Bhutan, housed in a 17th-century watchtower known as Ta Dzong, is another must-visit, offering a fascinating display of artifacts, including thangka paintings, weapons, and natural history exhibits that narrate Bhutan's rich heritage. Fun fact: Paro Airport, known as one of the most challenging airports in the world, is a destination in itself. Surrounded by mountains as high as 5,500 meters, only a handful of specially trained pilots are certified to land here. The descent into Paro provides passengers with a dramatic and scenic flight experience, where you can glimpse the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas just before touchdown, making it a thrilling start or end to any Bhutanese adventure. |
| Day 14 |
Delhi is a sprawling metropolis in North India that contains the country's capital, New Delhi. Life is abuzz and hectic here, with traffic going every which way. A huge population shuffles through Delhi's streets, alleys and food and spice-selling bazaars, and it's quite memorable to be a part of it all. Travelers are also well-advised to visit Delhi for its unforgettable energy and exceptionally photo-ready sights and sounds, including India Gate, the Jama Masjid mosque, and the famous imperial residence, the Red Fort. |
| Day 15 |
Delhi is a sprawling metropolis in North India that contains the country's capital, New Delhi. Life is abuzz and hectic here, with traffic going every which way. A huge population shuffles through Delhi's streets, alleys and food and spice-selling bazaars, and it's quite memorable to be a part of it all. Travelers are also well-advised to visit Delhi for its unforgettable energy and exceptionally photo-ready sights and sounds, including India Gate, the Jama Masjid mosque, and the famous imperial residence, the Red Fort. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
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08/24/18 - 12/31/26 |
Starting At $10,140 |
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Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Offer is subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.
