Arrive Kolkata by EK flight ex Dubai. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel. HOTEL CHECK-IN TIME 12 NOON onwards from this day. Later this morning proceeds for the sightseeing tour of Kolkata. Kolkata (Calcutta), is a city of glaring contrasts: a curious blend of the old and the new, partly feudal, partly born out of growing urbanization, partly un-definable. It is a medley of the east and the west, a graft of a European city imposed on the Asian scape that gives Calcutta its bewildering charm, confusion and excitement. Being just about 300 years old, Calcutta hardly has many great historical monuments. Perhaps, the oldest remembered is the site where the Kalighat Temple now stands. Today Calcutta is the largest city in India with a population over 10 million and boasts of India's first ever Metro rail system. It is a city that shocks on first impression but eventually the visitor falls in love with it. The sightseeing of the city includes a visit to the Victoria Memorial, Calcutta's most imposing and monumental dream in marble opened by the Prince of Wales in 1921 and often called the "Taj" of the British Raj, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Indian Museum, the largest in India, with one of the best collections of Indian art. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. In time transfer to airport to connect flight SG-323 for Bagdogra. Departure from Kolkata: 1235 hrs. Arrive at Bagdogra: 1335 hrs. (Based on present flight schedule / timings, may change by the airlines at the time of operation) Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel. DARJEELING: Standing high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2134m, ‘Dorje Ling’, or place of the Thunderbolt, offers breath-taking views of snow-capped mountain peaks, with the Kanchendzonga rising higher than all the others. Often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as alluring with its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a narrow gauge railway track. Surrounded by World Famous Tea Gardens and snowcapped mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the most exotic destinations. Graeme Westlake in his book ‘An introduction to hill stations on India’ refers to Darjeeling as having “A view Scarcely Unrivalled on Earth”. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning visit Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery. Tiger Hill: - It is 13 kms from Darjeeling and one can see beautiful sunrise and Himalayan Range like Kanchendzonga, Mount Everest etc. One can see the horizon changing colors just before sunrise and then the entire Himalayan range turn golden. It is truly a majestic sight. Ghoom Monastery: - This is oldest Monastery in the area which was built in 1875 and one can see the image of Mythey Buddha 15ft. height on the way back from Tiger Hill. Return to the hotel for breakfast and proceed for toy train ride up to Ghoom and return by jeep. TOY TRAIN - The spectacular landscape unfolds as the 2-foot gauge Darjeeling Himalayan railway, opened in 1881, labours at about 10 mph criss-crossing the road. It has tiny 4-wheel locomotives (some over 100 years old) like living legends. One can experience the sound, smell and romance of a bygone era. DHR is a work of genius and technological achievement of 1881. It has social and cultural importance. It is beautiful and has outstanding universal appeal. Based on its unique features, it is considered to be of lasting significance to mankind. Aftern oon proceed for city tour. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute/Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park:- The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was started in Darjeeling when Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest to give training to learn Mountaineering and other adventure sports related to mountaineering and in that Institute one can see equipment etc. used by Mr. Tenzing Norgay and Everest Museum having complete details on Everest attached to institute one can visit Himalayan Zoological Park where one can see Himalayan animals like Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black Bear and several varieties of birds. Tibetan Self- Half Centre or Refugee Centre: - This institute is run by Tibetan Refugees to preserve their handicrafts and one can see making of Tibetan Carpets, Leather work, Paintings and Wooden work etc. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Gangtok GANGTOK: At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid- 19 th century and has undergone rapid development since then. The downtown area is dominated by huge government buildings decorated with traditional Buddhist symbols. Gangtok is also a resting ground for people traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a travellers delight. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and full day city tour of Gangtok. Rumtek Monastery: -24 Kms. from Gangtok is the awe -inspiring Rumtek Monastery, the world Dharma chakra Centre and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the main monastery is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies, which attracts students from the world over. Opposite the entrance to the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten the Golden Stupa, which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness the xvi Gyalwa Karmapa. According to legend, it is believed that after years of meditation, the first Karmapa was said to have been visited by ten thousand fairies who came to congratulate him each of whom offered a strand of her hair as a gift. These were said to have been woven into a black hat, which was passed down and is still at the Rumtek Monastery today. It is said that unless held on to by the wearer (who of course, cannot be anyone else but the Karmapa) or kept in a box, the hat would fly away The Enchey Monastery: -Perched on a ridge above Gangtok, the Enchey Monastery is nestled within lush woods with a spectacular view of Gangtok town. Built in 1910 on the site of the hermitage of the great tantric saint, Lama Drutob Karpo, who was renowned for his powers of levitation, this monastery houses the monks of the Nyingmapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology: -Amidst a serene surrounding of oak, birch and ash lies the unique organization established in1958. Built in traditional style, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes research in Mahayana Buddhism and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has one of the world’s largest collections of rare books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. The Institute also has a retail outlet where related books and commercially produced religious art and craft of Tibet can be bought. Adjacent to the institute are two exquisite stupas, the Do Drul Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the Jhang Chub Chorten, built in the memory of Thrukshik Rinpoche, an ardent devotee, a great spiritualist and interpreter of Buddhism. Near the Chorten are housed two giant statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim. Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts: -This Directorate was set up to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Exquisitely carved wooden friezes, intricate bamboo work, along with beautiful hand woven carpets and handlooms are on exhibit here. Visitors can not only purchase these items here but also see the artisans at work. Among others, a favourite item here is the choktse a wooden table with carved panels that can be folded into a portable pack. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Kalimpong. KALIMPONG - At an altitude of 1250m, Kalimpong’ s location is ideal for a pleasant, relaxed getaway. Its clement weather has made Kalimpong’ s orchids and gladiole well renowned. Up to the early 1700s, the Kalimpong area was part of the Sikkim raja’s domain. In the early 18 th century, the Bhutan king also took it over. In 1865, after the Anglo- Bhutan War, it was annexed to Darjeeling. Scottish Missionaries came here in the late 1800s. The town thrived as a wool trading centre with Tibet till 1950s. Today it’s a quiet hill resort and a haven for retired people. Afternoon city tour of Kalimpong. Flower Nurseries: The climate of Kalimpong is ideal for the cultivation of flowers and plants. Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries which export exotica flowers like Amaryllis lilies, Anthuriums, Roses gerberas, Dahilias, Gladiolias as well as Orchids and Cacti. Zang Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery – This is a fairly new monastery located in Durpin Dara, from here one can get an exclusive panoramic view of the town and surroundings. The prayer room inside the monastery is adorned with wall paintings and there is a rare three-dimensional mandala upstairs. Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai hill on route to Dr. Graham’s Home belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Lamas to which the present Dalai Lama belongs. Thongsa Gumpa: this monastery is of Bhutanese origin and built around 1692. It is the oldest in Kalimpong. The original structure was destroyed in the inter-clan wars before the British arrived Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Phuntsholing Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. If time permits, then we will do the sightseeing around Phuntsholing. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast you will start your drive to Thimphu, this will take about 6 hours. Check in the hotel and afternoon drive to Thimphu city and explore the town. Evening drive back to hotel. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day visit of Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, and handicraft emporium, painting school and Takin Reserve (National animal of Bhutan). Late afternoon, drive to Punakha (77 km / 3 hrs). Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Punakha Dzong, which is the most important Dzong of Bhutan where Royal coronation and wedding took place. Later, drive to Paro (137 km / 4.5 hrs). Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast our car will drop us at the starting point of the excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s lair). The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. You stop at the cafeteria for a rest and refreshments and continue the hike (if not tired) for short while until you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the remains of Taktsang monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. The history states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger. Looking at the monastery flying tigers doesn’t seem so impossible after all. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. After lunch we start our hike back to Paro valley, if time permits we will have some more sightseeing or a free day for more shopping in the small Bazaar. Dinner & overnight at the hotel. Important point: The hike to Takstang (Tiger’s nest) in Paro is strenuous and takes about 2.5 hrs uphill and 1.5 hour downhill. One should be physically fit to enjoy this hike of almost 800 meter from the base. There are Pony ride facilities available by paying approximately US$ 10.00 for a pony on direct payment basis which can take the tourists up to first view point. There were a few occasional accidents while travelling on pony back hence the option of pony bears some risk. If our clients do not want to visit to Takstang, we would take them for a visit to Drukyal Dzong which is the ruins of an ancient fortress.

Breakfast at hotel Morning depart Paro for Phuentsholing en-route visit Kharbandi Gompa, a beautiful monastery situated in garden of tropical plants and flowers. The monastery contains paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rimpoche. From the monastery garden there is a splendid view of Phuentsholing and plains of West Bengal and their tea gardens beyond. On arrival in Phuentsholing check-in at hotel. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Bagdogra airport to connect flight for Kolkata. Departure from Bagdogra: 1405 hrs. Arrive in Kolkata: 1525 hrs. (Based on present flight schedule / timings, may change by the airlines at the time of operation) Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel en route short city orientation tour. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

Early morning in time transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination.