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Sunday 17 April: Pelling sightseeing
Marvel at the wonderful scenery of the hills and valleys as we take a full day of sightseeing, covering Rimbi Falls, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Water Falls and the Coronation Throne at Yuksom. We aim to return to the hotel mid-afternoon to relax and take in the views.
Monday 18 April: Pelling – Kalimpong
We depart Pelling for a drive to Kalimpong, arriving early afternoon. Our hotel is the Elgin Silver Oaks with great views of the mountains and a lovely Raj-era atmosphere. Mid-afternoon we take a leisurely downhill walk through the market area and out to the edge of the town, with great photographic opportunities and magnificent views across the hills.
Tuesday 19 April: Kalimpong
After a leisurely breakfast we pay a visit to a local tribal village, returning early afternoon. The rest of the day is free to explore this fascinating hilltop market town, specialising in flowers/plants for export. Have a wander around town or just relax at the hotel and enjoy the terraced garden.
Wednesday 20 April: Kalimpong – Phuentsholing or Siliguri
For those leaving the tour here, you have a night at the Cindrella Hotel in Siliguri. Those travelling on to Bhutan will drive the 120 miles to Phuentsholing. Phuentsholing is a thriving commercial centre on the northern edge of the Indian plains.
Thursday 21 April: Phuentsholing – Thimphu
Those travelling home will take the Jet Airways flight from Bagdogra arriving Delhi at 17.05. You’ll transfer to a nearby hotel where rooms will be available to relax and freshen up before travelling to the airport to check in to flight BA142 departing at 02.15.
Those in Bhutan travel the 100 miles to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The road varies from a fully tarmaced and lined-out road to an unmade track! We anticipate a mid-afternoon arrival. After checking into our hotel we have a walking tour of the city centre. Thimpu - is a small, charming capital city which sits in its own valley fanning out from the river.
Friday 22 April: Thimphu
Those travelling home arrive in London at 06.45. For the remainder we have a morning sightseeing in Thimphu, including Memorial Chhorten, the Art School, the Traditional Medicine Institute, and the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. In the late afternoon we visit the impressive Trashichho Dzong, administrative headquarters for the kingdom.
Saturday 23 April: Thimphu – Dochula Pass - Paro
We start the day early with a trip to Dochula Pass at 10,500 ft where we have breakfast in a restaurant with excellent views of the hills and the snow-clad Himalayas beyond. After returning to our hotel to check out, we travel to Paro via Simtkha Dzong - the oldest fortress of the Kingdom- and the excellent national museum.
Sunday 24 April: Haa Valley and Che-Le-La Pass
Our exploration continues with an excursion to Haa Valley including a stop for photography at Chele La Pass (10,000ft) from where you can see the mountain ranges. We’ll be back at the hotel mid-afternoon in time for a leisurely stroll around Paro town centre.
Monday 25 April: Taktshang Monastery
A highlight of the tour! We take the short drive to the start of the footpath to Taktshang Monastery which clings to the hillside. Reaching the monastery itself involves a 5 hour return trek, much of it with steep steps, and is not for the faint-hearted. The monastery may be photographed at various vantage points along the path without doing the full trek. Alternatively it’s possible to hire a pony for the uphill journey to the final vantage point.
Tuesday 26 April: Paro Depart
We fly out from Paro on the morning Druk Air flight to Delhi, from where we transfer to a nearby hotel where rooms will be available to relax and freshen up. In the evening we have a final dinner before travelling to the airport to check in to our BA flight BA142…
Wednesday 27 April: London
…departing at 02:15 to London, arriving at 06:45.
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