Himalayan Kingdoms
Himalayan Kingdoms
Himalayan Kingdoms
24 Days Starting and ending in UK
Visiting: Kolkata, New Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Kanchenjunga Falls, Khecheopalri Lake, Gangtok, Rumtek, Pelling, Kalimpong, Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary, Phuentsholing, Gangtey, Punakha, Paro
Tour operator:
Tour code:
361
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 28
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the "Himalayan Kingdoms" tour, where culture, nature, and adventure intertwine. Begin your exploration in Kolkata, immersing yourself in its vibrant culture before venturing to the majestic Mount Kanchenjunga. Experience the thrill of spotting rhinos and elephants on a jeep safari in Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary. Discover the serene beauty of Bhutan, hiking through lush paddy fields and visiting ancient monasteries. Traverse the picturesque tea plantations of Darjeeling and ride the iconic Toy Train. This fully inclusive tour offers 22 nights in comfortable 3+/4-star accommodations, with all meals, international flights, and domestic transportation included. With guided tours and entrance fees covered, you'll have the opportunity to delve deep into the rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes of this enchanting region. Whether you're a culture enthusiast or a nature lover, this tour promises an enriching and memorable experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2: Fly To Kolkata
Location: Kolkata
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly overnight to Kolkata. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3 : Discover Kolkata
Location: Kolkata
Meals Included: Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed morning before venturing out for an afternoon tour with visits to the magnificent Victoria Memorial and Kalighat Temple – you will also see Fort William.
Day 4 - 7 : Train To New Jalpaiguri
Location: New Jalpaiguri
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Get up 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 8 : Kanchenjunga Falls
Location: Kanchenjunga Falls, Khecheopalri Lake
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the spectacular Khecheopalri Lake, considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus, and the magnificent Kanchenjunga Falls.
Day 9 - 10 : Discover Gangtok
Location: Gangtok
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 11 : Rumtek Monastery
Location: Gangtok
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin the day at Dharma Chakra Centre and old Rumtek Monastery, before continuing to the bustling bazaar town of Kalimpong.
Day 12 : Kalimpong At Leisure
Location: Darjeeling, Rumtek
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 13 : Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Pelling, Kalimpong
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 14 : Into Bhutan
Location: Kanchenjunga Falls, Khecheopalri Lake
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross into Bhutan and continue to Phuentsholing. Later visit the Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang Temple in the centre of the town.
Day 15 - 16 : Discover Thimpu
Location: Darjeeling, Rumtek
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 17 : Travel To Gangtey
Location: Pelling, Kalimpong
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 18 : Walking In Gangtey
Location: Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a day of leisure with the option of a hike through the valley for exceptional views across the stunning landscape.
Day 19 : Rural Bhutan
Location: Phuentsholing
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 20 : Discover Punakha
Location: Gangtey
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 21 : Travel To Paro
Location: Gangtey
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 22 : Tiger's Nest Monastery
Location: Punakha
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 23 : Fly To Kolkata
Location: Punakha
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early to fly back to Kolkata, where you'll have the afternoon at leisure.
Day 24 : Depart Kolkata
Location: Paro
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
What's Included
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Fully Inclusive
Touring with Guides and entrance fees
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Accommodation
22 nights in 3+/4 star hotels
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Airport transfers are included at the destination.
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All Domestic Transportation
Includes all domestic transportation, including internal flights.
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Country Entry Visas
Country entry visas are included.
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Fully Guided
The tour is fully guided.
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International Travel
International travel is included.
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Local Taxes
Local taxes are included.
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Meals – Full Board
Includes 22 breakfasts, 21 lunches, and 22 dinners.
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Flights
International flights and current taxes are included.
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
Tipping and gratuities are not included.
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Drinks with Meals
Drinks with meals are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel seamlessly with all domestic transportation, including internal flights, and international flights with current taxes, ensuring a smooth journey throughout the tour.
Accommodation
Enjoy 22 nights in comfortable 3+ to 4-star accommodations, providing a relaxing retreat after each day's adventures.
Experiences
Phobjikha Valley Black-Necked Cranes
Pay a visit to the fascinating Black-Necked Crane Information Centre in the spectacular Phobjikha Valley, where you can learn about these sacred birds and their environment.
Tiger's Nest Monastery
Follow a well-trodden trail, festooned with colourful prayer flags and the occasional prayer wheel, to reach one of Bhutan's most magnificent sights, Tiger's Nest Monastery, perched 900 metres up the steep side of the spectacular Paro Valley.
Kolkata's Traditional Potters' Quarter
Explore Kolkata's traditional potters' quarter, Kumortuli, where you will see the skilled artisans sculpting idols of gods and goddesses in preparation for various festivals.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife might I see during the tour?
During the tour, you might see one-horned rhinos, elephants, leopards, and bison, especially during the jeep safari in Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary.
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What cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes cultural experiences such as exploring Kolkata's culture, visiting the Victoria Memorial and Kalighat Temple, and soaking up Bhutan's culture with visits to places like the Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang Temple and Punakha Dzong.
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Are there any hiking opportunities on this tour?
Yes, there are several hiking opportunities, including a hike through the valley in Gangtey for exceptional views and a moderately challenging hike to the Tiger's Nest Monastery in Bhutan.
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What is the accommodation like during the tour?
The tour includes 22 nights of accommodation in 3+ or 4-star hotels.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour is full board, including 22 breakfasts, 21 lunches, and 22 dinners.
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What is the transportation arrangement for the tour?
The tour includes all domestic transportation, including internal flights, and international flights with current taxes.
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Will there be a guide during the tour?
Yes, the tour is fully guided with touring guides and entrance fees included.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
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Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
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What is 'Happy to Share'?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance in line with our normal booking conditions. Either way, our Operations Team will contact you around 75 days before departure to let you know whether a share partner has been found or not. We regret that Happy to Share requests cannot be accepted within 75 days of departure. Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to change or withdraw this arrangement at any time.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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