Wendy Wu Himalayan Kingdoms

– Discover vibrant Kolkata
– Explore breathtaking Sikkim
– Spot rhinos and elephants on safari
– Soak up Bhutan’s culture
– Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Days 1-2: Fly to Kolkata
Fly overnight to Kolkata.
(Dinner)

Day 3: Discover Kolkata
Enjoy a morning at leisure. In the afternoon visit Victoria Memorial and the Kalighat Temple, as well as Fort William.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 4: Train to New Jalpaiguri
Rise early for a morning visit to the flower market, Howrah Bridge. Stop at Kumortuli and see a Jain temple. Later in the day, board a train to New Jalpaiguri. On arrival, drive to Siliguri.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 5: Darjeeling Tea Plantation
Depart Siliguri and continue by road through hills and tea plantations to Darjeeling in the Lesser Himalaya, at an average elevation of 2,134m.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 6: Darjeeling Toy Train
Rise early and enjoy a jeep ride to Tiger Hill. On the way back to Darjeeling, visit the Yiga Choling Monastery. Later, board the Toy Train up into the hils before exploring the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 7: Journey to Sikkim
Drive north to Pelling crossing into the state of Sikkim, and visit the Pemayangtse Monastery.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 8: Khecheopalri Lake
Visit the spectacular Kanchenjunga Falls and sacred Khecheopalri Lake.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 9-10: Discover Gangtok
Drive to Gangtok and visit Tashiding Monastery en route. The next day visit Enchey Monastery and the Sikkim Research Institute of Technology.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 11: Rumtek Monastery
Start the day at Dharama Chakra Centre and the old Rumtek Monastery. Then, travel to the bazaar town of Kalimpong.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 12: Kalimpong at Leisure
The day is at leisure to explore Kalimpong, a bazaar town with beautiful views of the Himalayas. You may wish to visit the many flower nurseries around the town – they are filled with local orchids.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 13: Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary
Venture into the Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary on a jeep safari, where you might be lucky enough to spot a One Horned Rhino.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 14: Travel to Bhutan
Depart for the Bhutan border and continue to Phuentsholing. This afternoon, visit the Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang Temple.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 15: Discover Thimpu
Travel to Bhutan’s capital Thimpu today, stopping en route at Kharbandi Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The next day, explore the city, visiting the National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum, the Handicrafts Emporium and Folk Heritage Museum and the Trashi Chhoe Dzong.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 17: Gangtey Village
Travel to Gangtey village via Dochu La and Phobjikha Valley. Upon arrival explore the village and visit Gangtey Gompa.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 18: Walking in Gangtey
Enjoy a day of leisure with the option of a hike through the valley for exceptional views across the stunning landscape.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 19: Rural Bhutan
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.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 20: Discover Punakha
Visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang and the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 21: Drive to Paro
Drive to Paro. En route, visit the Simtokha Dzong, once a place of tantric teaching. Upon arrival in Paro, visit Ta Dzong and walk down a hillside trail to Rinpung Dzong.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 22: Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Begin a moderately challenging hike to the dramatic Taktsang Tigers Nest Monastery. Return to Paro in the afternoon, visiting Kyichu Lhakhang on the way.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 23: Fly to Kolkata
Rise early to fly back to Kolkata, where you’ll have the afternoon at leisure.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 23: Fly Kolkata to UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
(Breakfast)

Alternative or Basic Accommodation – At Gorumara you will be staying overnight in basic Government run accommodation. In Bhutan, hotels on our tours are generally ‘medium range’. Hotels in Bhutan (other than those which are classed as deluxe properties and are extremely overpriced and expensive) are allocated one month prior to travel by the tourist authority.

– Return international flights
– All Accommodation
– All meals: 22 breakfasts, 21 lunches and 22 dinners
– All transportation & transfers
– All sightseeing & entrance fees
– English speaking National Escort & local guides
– Visa fees for UK & EU passport holders

Go Beyond

Go Beyond tours are characterised by engaging cultural experiences, active adventures and getting off the beaten track. They aim to include as much variety as possible so that no two days on your holiday will be alike. You’ll gain a deep understanding of your destination and experience more, whilst still getting to see all the major sights

Most Wendy Wu groups consist of 10 travellers or more and will be accompanied by a National Escort. There will usually be no more than 18 travellers in each group although you may encounter other Wendy Wu tour groups while you are travelling.

This tour has a Level 4 fitness rating. This means that you’ll be fit and adventurous to participate in these tours as on some dates you’ll be active for most of the day. The terrain may be more challenging and the activities more physically demanding.