Sikkim and Bhutan Cultural Tour

18 Nights/19 Days

Price per person 4900

Difficulty

Duration

19 Days

Maximum Altitue

Pickup Point

Drop Point

Base Camp

Min/Max Age

Best time to visit

Book this Trip

Sikkim and Bhutan Cultural Tour

Trip Overview

It has been but three decades that Sikkim joined the Indian Union but for over three centuries before that, Sikkim was a Buddhist kingdom. The ritual chanting's by monks at prayer and devotion still resonate boldly from the cloistered halls of monasteries where on special occasions each year, their courtyards come to life with spectacular ceremonial dances - brightly costumed monks in bizarre masks cavort to the tune of ancient horns and drums. Just as Khangchendzonga the mighty protector deity reigns supreme above, Buddhism prevails on solid ground . Sikkim has a multi-ethnic society comprising of three major groups, Bhutia, Lepcha, and Nepali. Recent migrations into the state include a sizeable number of Tibetans who fled their land in the mid-fifties, and business entrepreneurs from India predominantly of the Marwari and Bihari communities. The majority of the Sikkimese Nepalese are descendents from the Rai and Limbu tribes of Eastern Nepal with similar cultural traits as that of the Lepcha, while Brahmins, Chettris and Newars who arrived from Central Nepal are true spirited Hindus. The Lepcha of Sikkim and Darjeeling have mostly adapted to either Buddhism or Christianity. Very few adhere to the indigenous culture that has its roots in animism. Their animistic rituals consist of appeasing benign spirits and keeping malignant spirits at bay, which is done by a ‘bongthing’ who is priest, exorcist and physician all in one. Similarly, the Limbu has the ‘yeba’ (priest) and the ‘yema’ (priestess) who exorcise evil spirits, perform sacrifices, and supervise rituals. The Bhutia with their ancestral ties to Tibet have remained true to their tradition and belief from the time they settled in Sikkim three centuries ago. Culturally, socially and linguistically, there is much in common between the Sikkimese Bhutia and the Tibetan. Optimized Culture Tours : Our special arrangements for culture tours can be made available for you in several ways tailored to suit your requirements. Should you choose to spend more time actually living in Sikkimese homes rather than in hotel rooms, we can arrange it! Ranging from a simple meeting with a village farmer to observing real-life ceremonies, we can make it all happen for you Exclusive tour package in the form of Bhutan tours, Sikkim tours for spiritualizes tourists with interest in sacred monasteries, culture, places and peoples. Best time to visit : round the year
Destination covered : important Buddhists circuits of Bhutan, sikkim and Darjeeling.

Itinerary

+
Day 1

Delhi – Bagdogra – Darjeeling

Transfer : Delhi – Bagdogra by flight, drive to Darjeeling Overnight in hotel Arrival by flight from Delhi at Bagdogra airport. From the hot flatlands of India we soon climb up the steep Darjeeling hills. We drive through Tea gardens along the toy train track to Darjeeling.
+
Day 2

Darjeeling

Rest : sightseeing Overnight in hotel Early morning visit to tiger hill to see the sunrise, if blessed with clear weather. Back in Darjeeling we walk down to visit Bhutia busty and enjoy a meal of MOK – MOS, a Tibetan/Sikkimese specialty. Later we visit Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center and Happy Valley Tea Garden, Ghoom Monastery and Dalli Monastery Day 03 - Gangtok Transfer : Darjeeling to Gangtok Overnight in hotel After breakfast drive to the capital of Sikkim. Refreshment and later explore down - town Gangtok.
+
Day 3

Gangtok

Rest : sightseeing Overnight in hotel Drive to Tashi View point followed by a visit at Enchey Monastery, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and Dodrul Chorten. Also visit ‘Flower Show’ where bred and wild orchids along with other varieties of flowers are exhibited.
+
Day 4

Pemayangtse

Transfer : Gangtok to Pemayangtse Overnight in hotel After breakfast drive to west – Sikkim and visit to see Rabdentse, the former capital of the kingdom of Sikkim, Pemayangtse Monastery with its unique - world famous wooden carving demonstrating the various spiritual realms according to Buddhism.
+
Day 5

Yuksom

Transfer : Pemayangtse to Yuksom Overnight in hotel After breakfast visit Sanghacholin monastery and then drive to Yuksom. Visit Sikkim oldest monastery - Dubdi monastery in the afternoon, and Karthok lake.
+
Day 6

Gangtok

Transfer : Yuksom to Gangtok Overnight in hotel After breakfast, on the way back we stop at Tashiding to see world famous Tashiding Monastery. Day 08 - Gangtok
+
Day 7

Rest : visit Rumtek monastery Overnight in hotel Daytrip to Rumtek Monastery followed by drive to Martam, an idyllic village nestled in the midst of terraced paddy fields.
+
Day 8

Puntsholing

Transfer : Gangtok to Puntsholing Overnight in hotel Drive via west Bengal and reach the border town of puntsholing in Bhutan. Registered our passport and receive visas for Bhutan Day
+
Day 9

Thimpu

Transfer : Puntsholing to Thimpu Overnight in hotel A drive through a beautiful mountain road brings us to Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan
+
Day 10

Thimpu

Rest : Sightseeing Overnight in hotel Visit the national library, the indigenous hospital as well as the monastery Zulakha. In the afternoon we go to see the painting school and Thimpu post Day 12 - Punakha
+
Day 11

Transfer : Thimpu to Punakha Overnight in hotel In the Morning we visit to the Traditional Paper Factory, the Memorial Chorten as well as the Tashicho Dzong. In the Afternoon we drive to Punakha.
+
Day 12

Punakha

Rest : sightseeing Overnight in hotel Visit Punakha dzong and the old and new town of Punakha. In the afternoon we drive to Chimmi Lhakhang and the town of Wangdue where we visit Wangdue Dzong. Day 14 - Bumthang
+
Day 13

Transfer : Punakha to Bumthang Overnight in hotel Drive to Bumthang. On the way halt at pelela pass. Lunch at Tongsa - see Tongsa Dzong and on the way to Bumthang stop to see the Weaving Factory Yatra
+
Day 14

Bumthang

Rest : sightseeing Overnight in hotel Today we will visit Jakar Dzong, Kurje Monastery, Jamphel Monastery and Tamshing Monastery. Later visit at the Swiss farm where cheese, apple juice and brandies are produced. Finally, before returning to hotel we visit the town of Chomkar
+
Day 15

Punakha

Transfer : Bumthang to Punakha Overnight in hotel After breakfast drive back to Punakha. On the way visit Ta Dzong in Tongsa and have lunch there.
+
Day 16

Paro

Transfer : Punakha to Paro Overnight in hotel Drive to Paro. Lunch in Thimpu or Paro
+
Day 17

Paro

Rest : sightseeing Overnight in hotel Visit the National Museum and Paro Dzong. explore Paro town
+
Day 18

Transfer to Paro Airport.

Trip Ends The above itinerary is a guideline and standard pattern which we provide you. This Trip can be modified according to your time and requirements.