Sikkim-Darjeeling-Bhutan
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Day 1: Arrival at Bagdogra airport from Delhi. Bagdogra is a small city near Siliguri which is in West Bengal state of India in the plains. After arrival drive further to Darjeling into the Mountains (aat 2000 meters and 2 hrs drive). The road goes uphill through little villages and tea gardens.Darjeling was once a hill station during British India time and now is more popular for Tea gardens and there are number of good schools as well. Night in hotel.
Day 2: Darjeling to Pelling in Sikkim (140kms) First part of the road is still through tea gardens and then little villages. The road goes steep downhill from Darjeling and then once you are in the valley, enter Sikkim where extra special Permit is required even having Indian Visa. Drive in the valley through villages and then before pelling is up-hill again through rice terraces. Visit Pemayangtsi Monastery, one of the oldest monastery of Sikkim. Night In hotel.
Day 3: From almost all the hotels in Pelling, one can see Kangchenjunga Mountain (8598 meters high) Walk in the little village is worth before driving to Yuksum which is about 50 kms. Before Yuksum visit Khechupelri lake where quite a lot of Buddhist Pilgrims come to offer their prayers. Yuksum was the first capital of Sikkim and then the popular treks in Sikkim starts from Yuksum. Night in hotel
Day 4: Yuksum to Rumtek is about 170kms and the road goes through small Villages and town of Robong with beautiful green vegetation. One can Also see rice terraces and hydropower construction sites. In Rumtek is the residence of Popular Buddhist Master, Karmapa who has built a big monastery there with a Buddhist Institute with western students as well Night in a resort near Rumtek Monastery.
Day 5: Rumtek to Phuntsholing (Bhutan) is about 210kms, we exit from Sikkim and then drive in the plains to Bhutan, along the road there are Tea Gardens as well. Phuntsholing is BhutaneseTown on the border to India.There is a beautiful gate with typical Bhutanese architect. The difference between jaigon the Indian town on border and Bhutan part is with big difference in terms of traffic and cleanliness. Night in hotel
Day 6: Phuntsholing to Paro is about 6 hrs drive and change of vegetation almost every 2 hrs is interesting. Now the road from Phuntsholing to Paro is mostly double lane but with lots of curves. This road is important for Bhutan as all goods has to be transported on this road which comes from India into Bhutan. Night in hotel
Day 7: Paro lies at an elevation of 2300 meters and todays sightseeing is hike to Tigernest Monastery (Taktsang)which is built on a steep cliff. Hike takes about 2 hrs from Parking to the monastery. Is a beautiful hike partly through forest. Taktsang is a very popular pilgrimage place for Buddhist as lies at an elevation of 3000 meters high overlooking Paro valley. Then free time in paro town. Night in hotel.
Day 8: Paro to Jangchulakha (Trek starts) Drive till the trek start point which is about 12 kms. The trek is rather gradual till you reach the camping area. If the weather is clear you can have a good view of the ParoValley with snowcapped mountains behind the valley. Trail is through little village pine forest and rhododendron flowers. Overnight in camp.
Day 9: Jangchulakha to Janatsho. The trails goes gradually along the mountain ridge with beautiful view of the mountains and valley on both side. Trails goes passing a lake where there are trouts and also rhododendrons bushes. Night in camp.
Day 10: Janatsho to Thimphu. Trails goes along the mountain ridge till Phojoding where there are old monasteries. View of Thimphu city is beautiful from there. If interested visit monasteries. From Phojoding all way downhill but with good trail. Night in hotel.
Day 11: Thimphu sightseeing. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and is worth to spend a day in Thimphu visiting places like National School of Arts where 13 different kinds of Bhutanese Arts are taught. National Memorial Chorten, is a monument built in memory of our 3rd King of Bhutan, Tashichodzong the central government building and then if time permits walk in the main city. Night in the hotel.
Day 12 : Thimphu to Punakha (75 kms) Drive from Thimphu takes you over Dochola pass from where the view of snow capped himalayas are beautiful and the pass itself is also beautiful with lots of prayer flags and Stupas. Then drive further intp Punakha valley which was the old capital of Bhutan. Visit the Dzong which is the most beautifulk of its kind. Visit wangdiphodrang town which is close by Punakha. Night in hotel.
Day 13: Punakha to Phobjikha (80kms) Phobikha is a glacial formed valley which is the roosting area of rare species bird, Black-necked Cranes. The valley is at about 3000 meters high and there is also a very old monastery and Buddhist Institute to visit. Otherwise is worth to take a walk in the village nearby and see the way of Bhutanes way of life. Night in the hotel.
Day 14: Phobjikha to Paro. (160kms) This day one can drive via Thimphu if necessary for some last miute shopping. Otherwise if time permits take a walk in Paro town. Night in hotel.
Day 15: Take a flight to Kolkota or Kathmandu or Delhi or Bangkok.