HIMALAYAN SANCTUARIES
A cultural tour of India, Sikkim, Bhutan & Nepal

We start our tour from Kollkata and then proceed to Darjeeling in Eastern Himalayas. This side of Himalayas is very beautiful. The friendly people, who reside there, are considered to very spiritual, serene and have beauty of their own. Ours is a journey that attempts to elevate us to experience this spirituality with an opportunity to also enjoy the rich culture of the four mountaindoms that make up the region.

Tour Summary	Map
Day Place 01 Arrive Kolkota (Calcutta) 02 Kolkota 03 Kolkota / Bagdogra / Darjeeling 04 Sightseeing in Darjeeling 05 Drive to Gangtok 06 Gangtok 07 Drive to Kalimpong & Sightseeing 08 Drive Kalimpong-Phuentsoling 09 Drive Phuentsholng / Thimphu 10 Thimphu 11 Drive Thimphu to Paro - Bhutan 12 Paro 13 Fly Paro/Kathmandu-Nepal 14 Kathmandu 15 Kathmandu / departure or Tibet - Lhasa

Day 01:Arrive Kolkota
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel.
Overnight: Vedic Village Resort Kolkata (2 nights) (D)

Day 02:Kolkota
After breakfast visit the Victoria Memorial, the impressive reminder of Kolkata’s past as capital of the British rule. The Victoria Memorial Hall was opened in 1921 by Lord Curzon. As night descends on Kolkata several of the city's landmarks are Illuminated giving theMaidan area a fairy tale look. It is also a museum where people could See pictures and statues of men who played a prominent part in the history of India.

Potters Colony, Kumartuli the clay model-makers haven, is older than Kolkata, which grew Out of three little villages, viz., Gobindapore, Kalikutta and Sutanooti way back in 1690. The history of the Kumartuli potter can be traced back to Krishnanagar in South Bengal. Since the seventeenth century, potters have been living by making earthenware pots, clay Toys and cooking utensils for household use.

Pareshnath Jain Temple, situated in the north-east of the city, this temple is an ornate mass of mirrors,coloured stones and glass mosiac, and overlooks a beautiful garden. The temple was built by Ray Badridas Bahadur in 1867. The main temple is dedicated to the 10th Jain Avtaar (incarnation of God) Sri Sital Nath Ji.The 4th temple towards the north, belongs to Mahavira the last guru of the Jains. (B)

Day 03: Kolkota / Bagdogra / Darjeeling
Fly to Bagdogra and take the 4-hour scenic drive to Darjeeling. Situated at an altitude of 2134 meters, Darjeeling has been a popular hill station ever since the British established it About hundred and fifty years ago. Blessed with cool climate, it has, perhaps, the most Stunning view of the Kanchenjunga range. Darjeeling has a mixed population of various races and religions living in perfect harmony. This is vividly reflected at the shrine on a top Observatory Hill where Hindus and Buddhists pray together. Also Gorkhas, Tibetans, epchas And migrants from the plains have made Darjeeling their home. Though Workaholic, Hindi and Bengali are widely spoken, almost every one understands English.
Overnight: (2 nights Hotel New Elgin.) (B, D)

Day 04: Sightseeing in Darjeeling
Early morning we drive 11 KM through primitive forests of Oak, Magnolia, beautiful ferns ablaze with color, adorning the hillsides on the way to Tiger Hill to view Sunrise, standing at a height of 2590 m (8482 ft.). Also viewing one of the world's most majestic mountains- "Khang- Chen-Dzod-Nga" of mighty Kanchenjunga.
Sometimes Mount Everest can also bee seen through the clouds with its two other peaks Mahakalu (27,769ft) and another Tibet's Chomol Hari mountain most beautiful peak.
After breakfast we ride on the famous toy train of Darjeeling. Toy Trains’ they have been making daily journeys for over a century. - The trip is more of an experience rather than the quickest way of transport
From here, we proceed to Ghoom Monastery, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Zoo), Himalayan Mountain Institute and Tibet Self help centre where we can pick up some local handicrafts. (B, D)

Day 05: Drive to Gangtok (1600 m / 117 km / 4 1⁄2 hours)
After breakfast we depart to Gangtok, we drive through semi tropical forest, cardamom plantation and small villages. This small but beautiful land lies almost Hidden in the eastern Himalayas, Sikkim or Denzong - "The Hidden Valley of
Rice", is a paradise of natural beauty believed to be the abode of Gods, Mount Kanchenjunga (8686 meters- Third highest mountain of the world) is revered by The sikkimese as their protective deity. Religion forms an integral part of the daily Lives of the Sikkimese More than 200 Buddhist. Monasteries can be found around this tiny Himalayan State. The 22nd state of India. After lunch visit the famous Rumtek Monastery also known as Dharma Chakra Centre. This monastery is one of the most important seats of the Kagyu lineage outside Tibet. In the early 1960's, His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa founded this seat near the 300-year-old Kagyu monastery. Rest of the evening is free to rest or explore the town.
Overnight: (2 nights at the Hotel Norkhill) (B, D)

Day 06: Gangtok
After breakfast we visit Enchey Monastery - 3 kms from Gangtok town. This monastery is an Important seat of the Nyingrna order. This 200 years old monastery has in its premises Images of Gods, Goddesse and other religious objects. The Dodrul Chorten is one of the Largest Stupas in Sikkim and a very sacred icon to the Buddhists. Later visit the Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology (SRIT) - This institute was established
To promote research on the language and traditions of Tibet as well as the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. There are about 30 thousand volumes, mostly xylographs, (xylographs are Documents that are printed using wooden slabs that have the matter embossed on them in The reverse) translations of the original teachings of the Lord Buddha, and treatises by Distinguished Buddhist scholars from different parts of the world. The museum at the Institute consists of rare collection of antiques like statues, coins and thangkas.This institute Is a premier institute in the world that conducts research in the language and culture of?
Tibet. It has on its faculty eminent scholars. Afternoon is free for personal activities (B, D)

Day 07: Drive to Kalimpong (85 kms 3 Hrs) & Kalimpong Sightseeing
Early morning drive to Kalimpong passing though small villages and upon arrival Check into the hotel. The town of Kalimpong is situated at an altitude of 1,250m. The name, Kalimpong, has three different origins. Owing to it's rich flora, Kalimpong Is a blaze of colors through out the year. The orchids of this region in particular Are famous for their infinite variety as well as their delicate lint's. Afternoon, visit Durpin Darea which means “binoculars” is at an altitude of 1402 meters and five kilometers away from the town. From here we get breathtaking views of the Himalayas including the whole Chola range of Sikkim and the Jelepa pass. On the northwest we can see the panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range. On the Southern horizon looms the famous Tiger Hill (Sunrise view point) of Darjeeling and the Tista valley. Down below we see the confluence of the Relli, Riang and Teesta River near the Rambi Bazaar. The fairly new monastery Zong Dog Parli Fo-Brang is located here.
Overnight at Silver Oaks hotel in Kalimpong (B, D)

Day 08: Drive Kalimpong-Phuentsoling (179 km - drive 5-6 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Phuentsholing - Bhutan. Enroute stop over at Jai Gaon, a boarder town between India and Bhutan and complete the formalities of exiting out of India. After that continue drive into Bhutan.
Overnight: Lhaki hotel or Druk Hotel. (B ,L, D)

Day 09: Drive Phuentsholng to Thimphu (drive 180 km – 6/7 hours drive approx)
After an early breakfast, we drive to Thimphu. We arrive at lunchtime. Then we visit Memorial Chorten (a huge Stupa) and the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved and the Handicrafts Emporium where traditional textiles, Arts and crafts are displayed and can be bought.
Overnight: Bhutan Tourism Hotel (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 10: Thimphu
We enjoy a full Day tour of Thimphu visiting the Institute for Traditional Medicine, the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts where young Bhutanese students are taught the art of traditional method of painting Thankhas, the gold and silver bazaar, the Simtokha Dzong. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Drive Thimphu to Paro - Bhutan (drive 65 kms – 1 hr driving hr approx)
Early morning we drive to Paro to Satasam Chorten and hike to Taktsang Monastery. The round trip hike takes about 4 hours with picnic lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria overlooking beautiful scenery. Evening we stroll through the narrow lanes of Paro town meeting local folks and chatting over tea.
Overnight: Bhutan Tourism Hotel (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Paro
Our Paro experience starts with a visit to the National Museum, the flagstone of Paro Rinpung Dzong, the Tower (Utse), built in 1645, of the Dzong with its superb wood work, the vista of Mount Chomulhari, " The mountain of Goddess (altitude 7329 m / 24045 ft) and a typical Bhutanese farm house. Evening we take a leisurely stroll in Paro, a great opportunity to meet the people. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Fly Paro/Kathmandu-Nepal (Flight)
A scenic mountain flights gets us from Paro to Nepal and into Kathmandu where we are met and transferred to our hotel. We enjoy the Nepali hospitality and take time to walk through the town that is so well known, visit Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.
Overnight: Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza or Similar. (2nights) (B, D)

Day 14: Kathmandu
Morning we visit the major temple towns in the Kathmandu Valley including the famous Gilded Copper Gate in Bhadgeon, the Hindu Temple of Shiva and the Buddhist shrine of Bodhnath. Later we drive through the countryside to the "City of Artists" - Patan - and see beautiful art and architecture. We also stop at the fascinating Tibetan Refugee Craft Centre and visit the temples, pagodas and palaces in Durbar. Afternoon is free to enjoy Kathmandu the proper way, on your own and with no plan in advance. For those not continuing with us to Tibet, this will be our night to say farewell. (B, D)

Day 15: Kathmandu / departure or Tibet - Lhasa (optional)
Morning we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight to Lhasa after enjoying what will have been an unforgettable journey to the Himalayas and to the land of mountain kingdoms. A wonderful opportunity to take an optional extension to Tibet. (B)

Optional extension to Tibet, see TIBET ENCOUNTER where Day 1 is Day 15

Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Jan 17, Feb 14, Mar 12, Apr 10, May 08, Jun 12, Jul 10, Aug 12, Sep 10, Oct 15, Nov 12 & Dec 04
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel Accommodation as mentioned (or similar) International and Regional airfare with taxes Meal Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast L= Lunch D=Dinner) Departure / Border taxes + visit surcharge of US $ 30, per person per day, if group size less than three Domestic / Regional Flights Included: KOLKATA-BAGDOGRA &  PARO-KATMANDU Insurances / Visas All Sightseeing and Transfers by private transportation Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites   Services of local English speaking guides   Road taxes and parking fees
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 4660 US $ 985
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1600 USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast US $ 1200 USA - East Coast US $ 1000
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 12 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.