DAY 1 – Fly To Kolkata

Fly to Kolkata. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 2 – Explore Koltata

Enjoy a relaxed morning before venturing out for an afternoon tour with visits to the magnificent Victoria Memorial and Kalighat Temple – you’ll also see Fort William.

DAY 3 – Train To New Jalpaiguri

Rise early to visit a fragrant flower market and view the cantilever Howrah Bridge. Stop by Kumortuli, the potters’ quarter, and see a Jain temple. Later board a train to New Jalpaiguri before driving to Siliguri to spend the night.

DAY 4 – Drive To Darjeeling

Head out of Siliguri through endless tea plantations to the famous hill station of Darjeeling, which is located at a cool 2,134 metres.

DAY 5 – Explore Darjeeling

Wake before dawn to catch the sun rising over Mount Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill, which you’ll reach by jeep. On the way back to Darjeeling visit Yiga Choling Monastery. Later, all aboard the famous ‘Toy Train’ which winds its way through the lush green hills and plantations before exploring the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute.

DAY 6 – Into Sikkim

Drive north to Pelling, crossing into the state of Sikkim. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery, one of Sikkim’s oldest, where you can find tranquillity along with amazing views.

DAY 7 – Khecheopalri Lake

Visit the spectacular Khecheopalri Lake, considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus, and the magnificent Kanchenjunga Falls.

DAYS 8 – 9 – Discover Gangtok

Drive through more spectacular scenery to Sikkim’s vibrant capital Gangtok, stopping at 18th-century Tashiding Monastery en route. There is nowhere better than Gangtok to enjoy exotic flowers and mountain panoramas. The next day visit the Enchey Monastery and the Sikkim Research Institute of Technology.

DAY 10 – Rumtek Monastery

Begin the day at Dharma Chakra Centre and old Rumtek Monastery, before continuing to the bustling bazaar town of Kalimpong.

DAY 11 – Kalimpong At Leisure

Take a day to catch your breath and enjoy some leisurely explorations of Kalimpong – there are plenty of spots to enjoy Himalayan panoramas and also flower nurseries full of local orchids.

DAY 12 – Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a jeep safari into the depths of Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary, where you might be lucky enough to spot one-horned rhinos, elephants, leopards and bison.

DAY 13 – Into Bhutan

Cross into Bhutan and continue to Phuentsholing. Later visit the Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang Temple in the centre of the town.

DAYS 14 – 15 – Discover Thimphu

Follow the national highway to Bhutan’s capital Thimphu, stopping en route at Kharbandi Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The next day, explore the city with time at the National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum, the Handicrafts Emporium and Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum and Trashi Chhoe Dzong.

DAY 16 – Travel To Gangtey

Drive over the dramatic Dochu La mountain pass admiring the views as you travel to the Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in the region and explore Gangtey village and the surrounding valley.

DAY 17 – Walking In Gagtey

Enjoy a day of leisure with the option of a hike through the valley for exceptional views across the stunning landscape.

DAY 18 – Rural Bhutan

Leave Gangtey for Punakha visiting the Black Necked Crane Information Centre en route. On arrival visit Punakha Dzong before hiking through the paddy fields and local villages to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple of fertility.

DAY 19 – Discover Punakha

This morning visit the magnificent temple complex at Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang. Later appreciate the incredible views from Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten which is said to have been built to promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world.

DAY 20 – Travel To Paro

Drive to Paro, stopping en route at the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the kingdom. Paro is surrounded by some of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, visit Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong.

DAY 21 – Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) is Bhutan’s most famous monastery, perched on the side of a cliff 900 metres above the Paro Valley. It can only be reached by a moderately challenging hike along a woodland trail – the views along the way are the perfect distraction! Returning to Paro, visit Kyichu Lhakhang.

DAY 22 – Fly Into Kolkata

Rise early to fly back to Kolkata, where you’ll have the afternoon at leisure.

DAYS 23 – 24 – Fly Kolkata To Australia

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

DAY 1 – Fly To Kolkata

Fly to Kolkata. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 2 – Explore Koltata

Enjoy a relaxed morning before venturing out for an afternoon tour with visits to the magnificent Victoria Memorial and Kalighat Temple – you’ll also see Fort William.

DAY 3 – Travel to Darjeeling

Enjoy a relaxed morning before flying to Bagdogra, where you will stop for lunch before continuing into the Himalayan foothills. Travel through scenic tea-growing regions and winding mountain roads as you make your way to Darjeeling, a charming hill station renowned for its colonial heritage, panoramic views, and world-famous tea.

DAY 4 – Toy train experience

Today’s highlight is a ride on the famous Toy Train through the Himalayan foothills to Ghoom Monastery. Afterwards, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, then continue to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.

DAY 5 – Explore Darjeeling

Rise early for a visit to Tiger Hill (weather permitting) to watch the first rays of sunlight illuminate the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Visit a renowned tea estate to learn about Darjeeling’s world-famous tea industry, stroll through the picturesque plantations, and enjoy a tea-tasting experience before relaxing this afternoon.

DAY 6 – Sikkim

Drive north to Pelling, crossing into the state of Sikkim. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery, one of Sikkim’s oldest, where you can find tranquillity along with amazing views.

DAY 7 – Khecheopalri Lake

Visit the spectacular Khecheopalri Lake, considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus, and the magnificent Kanchenjunga Falls.

DAYS 8 – 9 – Discover Gangtok

Drive through more spectacular scenery to Sikkim’s vibrant capital Gangtok, stopping at 18th-century Tashiding Monastery en route. There is nowhere better than Gangtok to enjoy exotic flowers and mountain panoramas. The next day visit the Enchey Monastery and Tashi view point for spectacular views.

DAY 10 – Rumtek Monastery

Begin the day at Dharma Chakra Centre and old Rumtek Monastery, before continuing to the bustling bazaar town of Kalimpong.

DAY 11 – Kalimpong At Leisure

Take a day to catch your breath and enjoy some leisurely explorations of Kalimpong – there are plenty of spots to enjoy Himalayan panoramas and also flower nurseries full of local orchids.

DAY 12 – Travel to Bhutan

After breakfast, continue to the border town of Jaigaon, then cross into Bhutan. Later, explore the tranquil town of Phuentsholing with a visit to Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang.

DAY 13 – Continue to Thimphu

Continue your drive towards Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, with a visit en route to Kharbandi Gompa, perched on a hilltop near Phuentsholing.

DAYS 14 – 15 – Discover Thimphu

Discover the cultural heart of Thimphu, beginning with the National Library of Bhutan, the Zorig Choesum, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, and the National Memorial Chorten. The next day, explore Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang), Textile Museum, and conclude at Tashichho Dzong.

DAY 16 – Travel To Gangtey

Drive over the dramatic Dochu La mountain pass (3,088m) admiring the views as you travel to the Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in the region and explore Gangtey village and the surrounding valley.

DAY 17 – Gangtey at leisure

Enjoy a day of leisure with the option of a hike through the valley for exceptional views across the stunning landscape.

DAY 18 – Rural Bhutan

Depart for Punakha, with a visit en route to Chimi Lhakhang, widely known as the “Temple of Fertility.” Continue to the magnificent Punakha Dzong, an architectural masterpiece located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.

DAY 19 – Discover Punakha

Set out on a rewarding hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a striking hilltop temple overlooking the Punakha Valley. Continue to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang temple complex, beautifully positioned with sweeping views over the Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang valleys.

DAY 20 – Travel To Paro

Drive to Paro, stopping en route at the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the kingdom. Paro is surrounded by some of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, visit Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong.

DAY 21 – Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) is Bhutan’s most famous monastery, perched on the side of a cliff 900 metres above the Paro Valley. It can only be reached by a moderately challenging hike along a woodland trail – the views along the way are the perfect distraction! Returning to Paro, visit Kyichu Lhakhang.

DAY 22 – Fly Into Kolkata

Rise early to fly back to Kolkata, where you’ll have the afternoon at leisure.

DAYS 23 – 24 – Fly Kolkata To Australia

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.