Arrive in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata for a two-night stay. You will be met at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in the Arrivals Hall by your National Escort or Local Guide from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with any other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer 45 minutes to an hour to your hotel and check-in.

Enjoy the morning free at leisure. In the afternoon explore the city of Kolkata, visiting sites such as the Victoria Memorial, the Kalighat Temple and drive past Fort Williams. Sightseeing today includes approximately 3 hours on foot and includes a visit to Kalighat Temple. Please note that many foreigners find the temple uncomfortable as they still make live animal sacrifices here (usually at midday) and it can be crowded and pushy. To create the image of blood running on the ground, for example, they grind hibiscus flowers with water to run deep red. Goats are ritually sacrificed each day to honour the goddess Kali, known for her destructiveness. There is an obligatory donation of at least INR 50 (GBP 60p) to each person at the temple. This is not included in your tour cost.

Rise early this morning and explore the flower market, where you will have an amazing view of Howrah Bridge, one of the busiest cantilever bridges in the world. Visit Kimhartuli and a Jain temple dedicated to Paresnath, who was the 23rd Jain Tirthankaras. Sightseeing this morning will involve approximately 2 to 3 hours on foot. In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station to board your 8-hour train to New Jalpaiguri. Upon arrival, drive to Siliguri and check into your hotel for an overnight stay. Please note: As the train is a day train, your seats will be in an AC Chair Car. More than likely you will not be able to purchase any food or drink on the train, so if you need snacks make sure to pre-purchase them before boarding. The train carriages are shared, so please always be aware of your belongings.

Depart Siliguri and begin the 3 to 4-hour drive to Darjeeling, passing through hills and tea plantations. Upon arrival proceed to your hotel for a two-night stay. Please note: Electricity shortages are common in Darjeeling.

Rise early this morning to catch a jeep or sumo bus to Tiger Hill, located 15km outside of town. Here you will enjoy a jeep ride to Tiger Hill, where you will get a clear view of the sun rising over Mt. Kanchenjunga (weather dependent). There will be some light walking to get to the lookout. Visit the Yiga Choling Monastery before returning to Darjeeling for breakfast. Ride the famous steam powered ‘Toy Train’ for about an hour around the hillside before visiting the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursdays) and a nearby tea plantation.

Commence the 6 to 7-hour drive to Pelling in Sikkim. Just before arriving in Pelling, visit the Pemayangtse Monastery – refer to Appropriate Dress below. Upon arrival in Pelling, check in to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Explore Khecheopalri Lake and Kanchenjunga Falls this morning, travelling in jeeps or sumo bus for your sightseeing. Drive approximately an hour and a half to Khecheopalri Lake then Kanchenjunga Falls over the road that is uneven and unsealed. Sightseeing here is leisurely. Following this, you will return to Pelling to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Commence the 4 to 5 hour drive to Gangtok this morning, visiting Tashiding Monastery enroute. The next day, explore Enchey Monastery this morning located on a hilltop above Gangtok – please refer to Appropriate Dress below. Next visit Sikkim Research Institute of Technology (SRIT) and Do Drul Chorten.

Depart Gangtok and drive 1 hour to the Dharam Chakra Centre and the Old Rumtek Monastery. Explore the two sites before commencing the 3-hour drive to Kalimpong, where you will proceed to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Today is at leisure to take a break from the driving and relax in this quaint town. You may choose to visit the Hindu Temple in town, or the local Catholic Church, markets or a local monastery to hear the monks chanting.

Say goodbye to Kalimpong as you drive approximately 4 hours to Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary and check into your hotel. In the afternoon embark on a 2-hour jeep safari through park. Please note passports will need to be taken to the wildlife sanctuary today to allow entry.

Depart Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary and drive 3 and a half hours to Phuentsholing where you will meet your Bhutanese National Escort or Local Guide. Proceed to your hotel and check-in before visiting the Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang - refer to Appropriate Dress below.

Leave Phuentsholing this morning and drive 6 to 7 hours along the national highway to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, for a two-night stay. The main highway is undergoing widening; therefore ongoing construction may be present. En route to the capital, visit Kharbandi Gompa, where there will be light sightseeing. Next day, your sightseeing tour of Thimphu begins this morning with a visit to the National Library, the nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum and a viewing of the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. After lunch at the hotel, discover the National Memorial Chorten, browse a handicraft emporium, tour the Folk Heritage Museum and the Textile Museum before driving out of town to Thimphu Zoo to see the Bhutanese Takin. Later offer prayers to Buddha at Buddha Point and explore Trashi Chhoe Dzong. In total today, there will be approximately 3 to 4 hours of walking.

After breakfast, begin the dramatic 5-and-a-half-hour drive to Gangtey village. We pass through Dochu La, which is marked by prayer flags and chortens. On a clear day, there are superb views of the mountain ranges including Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. In the afternoon wander of the village and visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in this region.

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

After breakfast, visit the Black-necked Crane Information Centre to find out more about these rare creatures. Later depart Gangtey and begin the 3-hour drive to Punakha. After checking into your hotel, visit Punakha Dzong and hike to Chimi Lhakhang.

Explore the area around Punakha today. Visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang temple complex, which overlooks the valleys of Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang. Later discover Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which was built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world.

This morning drive 4 and a half hours by road to Paro, stopping en route at the Simtokha Dzong. In the afternoon, visit Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong. A steady uphill walk is required to reach the ridge where the Dzongs sit; please refer to Appropriate Dress below for visiting the Dzongs.

This morning experience what is sure to be a highlight of your time in Bhutan - hike to the Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest)! Drive approximately 20 minutes to the start point for a hike to Taktsang Monastery. The moderate hike takes all morning, after which a vegetarian lunch is served at the cafeteria located inside the Monastery, which is run by monks. Return to Paro in the afternoon, visiting Kyichu Lhakhang, (if time permits) one of the oldest and most sacred temples of the Kingdom. Please note: The trek to the Taktsang Monastery is very steep in some places and can be unstable on foot, particularly on the downward leg as the steps (close to 800 of them) are only found between the view point and the monastery with the remainder of the path being dirt. Despite this, the journey is certainly worthwhile on account of the superb views enroute. If you have mobility issues or dislike heights, you may struggle to undertake this trek. Please speak to your National Escort or local guide if you have any concerns. Please read the Taktsang Monastery section of the travel information below for more details on today’s hike.

Say farewell to Bhutan and transfer to the airport for your early morning flight to Kolkata. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is free at leisure to explore the area surrounding your hotel; take a tram trip, go for a ride in a rickshaw, or explore the markets (activities are at your own expense).

You will be transferred to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata according to the departure time of your flight today. Any time before your flight will be at leisure.