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Kolkuta / Bhutan / Nepel / Tibet

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Itinerary 2012

Wednesday 28 MARCH DEPART YOUR HOME TOWN

THURSDAY 29 MARCH ARRIVE KOLKATA

Arrive at Kolkata airport our representative will meet you and transfer to hotel for overnight.

KOLKATA FRIDAY 30 MARCH

After breakfast we will give an intensive Tour of this fascinating City, the heart and soul of India.
drive past tour of Dalhousie Square including visit of St. John’s Church and Indian Museum. Dalhousie

Square - The Dalhousie Square is surrounded by some of Kolkata's most enduring British-era monuments like the magnificent GPO (General Post Office), the regal Raj Bhawan, the St.John's Church and the Gothic style Writer's Building. In terms of heritage, no other city square is as rich as Dalhousie Square. It is truly one-of-its-kind in the world and a walk through one of its crowded thoroughfares is like a trip down the memory lane.

St.John's Church - St.John's (among the Anglican Churches) is the successor to St. Anne's Church, built by the East India Company in 1709.
Indian Museum - Established in 1814, the building has beautiful structure. The oldest museum in India, it has one of the rarest collections of archeological importance. Some of the coins in the collection are about 2400 years old.

Today visit Flower Market, Howrah Bridge, Belur Math, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kumartuli (Potter's Colony), Marble Palace and Tagore House.

Flower Market - In the early morning this market fills with colorful flowers from the northern part of Kolkata. You can see flowers everywhere in this market on the ground, on people's head, in carts and trucks and on display.

Howrah Bridge – It was opened in 1943 and today it is one of the busiest bridges in the world. It is the third largest bridge in the world, has around 2 million people crossing over it daily.

Belur Math is the international headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission. It was founded in 1899 by Swami

Vivekananda, the world famous yogi and disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. The Belur Math shrine represents a church, mosque and temple when viewed from different angles.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple -It is famous for its association – with Ramakrishna who achieved spiritual vision here. Queen Rashmoni built this temple in 1847. The 12- spired temple with its enormous courtyard is surrounded by 12 other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a world famous place of pilgrimage.

Kumartuli (Potter’s Colony) - It is the nerve centre of the clay idol-makers of West Bengal, is home and workshop to more than one hundred and fifty families of clay Model-makers.

Marble Palace (1836) -Situated in North Kolkata, the Marble Palace has a collection of statues and original paintings including works of Rubens and Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Tagore House - The world famous poet Rabindranath Tagore was born and died in this house. Located at the junction of the Chitpur Road and the Vivekananda Road, it is the headquarters of Rabindra Bharati University, a famous center for the study of the Indian Arts. There is a museum too in memory of the great Tagore family. Overnight at the hotel


SATURDAY 31 MARCH KOLKATA SIGHTSEEING

Visit National Library, St. Paul’s Cathedral Church, Victoria Memorial, Walk along the Maidan, Fort William (from outside), drive across the Vidyasagar Setu to visit Botanical Garden. Then proceed to visit Railway Museum, Howrah Railway Station, enjoy ferry ride on the Hooghly River.
National Library – The National Library is the first public library to be set up in the whole of eastern India. Today the National Library is the biggest public library which has a collection of 22,70,954 books along with a huge collection of manuscripts, newspapers and periodicals. This Library forms the nucleus of Kolkata’s intellectual craving.
St. Paul Cathedral Church (1847) - The Cathedral measures 71m in length 24m in width the spire rising 60m high. The massive gold-gilt plate presented by Queen Victoria to Bishop Wilson, and the western windows are of special interest.
Victoria Memorial - The memorial was the inspiration of Lord Curzon, who in 1901, felt that his lately departed Queen Empress, required a suitable monument to her memory. It houses paintings, manuscripts, and other objects of historic value in its Museum and Art Gallery.
Maidan - The Maidan in Kolkata is one of the most picturesque areas of Kolkata and is a green expanse which is all of 400 hectares.
Fort William – Fort William is a remnant of the British legacy in India, reminding of the military power that was supreme and still remains as one very impressive structure.
Indian Botanical Gardens - The Botanical Gardens laid out in 1787 are the largest of its kinds in India and house specialties like the palm house, the orchid house, the cacti area, with plants from all over the world and the famous 250 years old Great Banyan tree.
Howrah Station is one of the four intercity train stations serving Howrah and Kolkata. It is the busiest and second-oldest station and one of the largest railway complexes in India. Overnight at the hotel

SUNDAY 01 APRIL KOLKATA – PARO BY: FLIGHT

Breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter departure transfer to airport for Druk Air flight KB 211 (0840 – 1030 hrs) to Paro.

BHUTAN PARO TSHECHU and CHHUKHA TSHECHU

SUN 01 APRIL

Arrival in Bhutan, Paro-Thimphu, 01 April 2012 (Sunday).
Distance: 65 km. driving 1 hour 20 minutes,
On arrival at Paro airport, after immigration and custom formalities, your guide will receive you and transfer you to Thimphu THE Capital of Bhutan. Check in the hotel. After lunch sightseeing includes:
1. Memorial Chorten - it was built in the year 1974 for memory of our third king of Bhutan, his majesty the king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
2. Buddha point/ Kuensel Phodrang - is the largest Buddha statue in the country, from there you can get a good over view of the Thimphu valley.
3. Changangkha lhakang - it is right above Thimphu valley, this temple and monastic schools was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and then visit centennial farmers market.

MON APRIL 2 : Thimphu-Punakha.02 April 2012 (Monday).

Distance: 77 km. Driving hour: 3 hours.
After breakfast drive to Punakha – 3-hour drive through picturesque valleys and mountain slopes dotted with typical Bhutanese villages. From the Dochu la pass, at over 10,000 ft, vast panoramic views of the high snowcapped peaks of the Bhutanese Himalaya can be enjoyed on a clear day. Continue drive down into the Punakha valley. Resume journey to visit Chimi lhakhang - which was built in 15 century (dedicated to lama Drukpa kinley also known as divine mad man). It is a pilgrim site especially for childless couple and is a half an hour walk across a local village and paddy field. Everyone in the kingdom believes that the lama’s blessings will help a woman conceive. After lunch visit Punakha dzong-built in 1637 by Zhabdrung. It is one of the most beautiful dzong in the country. Later walk around Khuruthang town. Overnight at hotel.

TUES APRIL 3: Punakha–Wangdi-Thimphu.03 April 2012 (Tuesday).

Distance: 83km. driving: 3 and half hours.
After breakfast, drive to visit wangdiphodrang Dzong. Continue drive to Thimphu. Check in the hotel. After lunch visit National Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum and Tashichhodzong. Overnight at hotel

WED APRIL 4: Thimphu-Chhukha (Chhukha Festival)–Paro, 04 April 2012 (Wednesday).

Distance: 70km. driving: 2 and half hour.
After breakfast drive to chimakhoti to witness Chukha Tshechu (festival) along with a packed lunch. (One day excursion). Chimakoti is a mini town which is located in a lush and attractive gentle slope. Late afternoon drive back to Paro for overnight stay.

THU APRIL 5: Paro-Paro Tshechu (Festival). 05 April 2012 (Thursday)

Early morning visit festival for the viewing the thondrol – the great buddhist thanka scroll dedicated to guru Padmashambava. Spend the rest of the morning at the festival viewing masked dances and ritual activities. Truly a great climax to the most revered yearly festival of Bhutan.
In the afternoon visit Paro museum housed at the graceful Taa dzong, once a watch tower situated strategically overlooking the Paro valley. The museum houses a rare collection of Bhutan’s historical, religious, cultural and artistic heritage, all beautifully preserved and displayed in a unique setting – a museum lover’s heaven. Overnight at the hotel.

FRI APRIL 6: Paro Tshechu (Festival). 06 April 2012 (Friday).

After breakfast visit the Paro dzong to witness colorful and esoteric religious masked dance-dramas performed by specially trained groups of Buddhist monks. After lunch drive to ruined Drukgyel dzong built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. From here, one can see Mountain Jhomolhari (mountain of goddesses) if the weather is clear. Drive back to Paro town and scroll around for some shopping. Overnight at hotel.

SAT APRIL 7: Departure. 07 April 2012 (Saturday).

After breakfast, drive to Paro international airport for your onward flight to Kathmandu. The representative will see off to bid you farewell.

SATURDAY 07 APRIL PARO - KATHMANDU

Arrive Kathmandu by Druk Air flight KB 400 (0700 – 0805 hrs) from Paro. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight

SUNDAY 08 APRIL KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa & Patan Square.
Kathmandu Durbar Square (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): The Kathmandu Durbar Square is famous for its exquisite architecture and artistic embellishment. The complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built in 1200 to 1768 A.D.
Swayambhunath (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): The great stupa of Swayambhunath is considered to be over 2500 years old.
Patan Durbar Square ((listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): The Patan Durbar Square has been acclaimed as one of the finest urban streetscapes in the world. Most of the monuments seen today were built between the 16th – 18th centuries. Overnight at the hotel

MON 09 APRIL KATHMMANDU SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing tour of Pashupathnath temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Bhaktapur.
Pashupatinath Temple (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): Dedicated to Lord Shiva it is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. The Large, gilded triple-roofed temple was built in 1696 A.D. though 300 years earlier this was a structure on this site.
Boudhanath (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): This is the largest stupa in Nepal and one of the largest in the world located east of the valley.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO) : A former capital of the valley, it was once a flourishing city on the trade route to Tibet. It today retains much of its beauty in ornate woodcarvings and in the famed Golden Gate. Overnight at the hotel

TUESDAY 10 APRIL KATHMANDU – LHASA BY: FLIGHT

After breakfast departure transfer from hotel to airport to connect flight to Tibet.
Board China flight (CA 408) for Lhasa at 1045 hrs. The flight arrives Gonggar airport of Tibet at 14.20pm. Transfer to hotel. Check in hotel and a complete rest for acclimatization. Overnight at the hotel

WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL LHASA SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy full day sightseeing tour of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Bharkhor Bazaar.
Potala Palace: The construction of the world famus Potala Palace was started in the 7th century. In 1648, the Potrang Karpo known as White Palace was completed, and the Potala became the winter palace of Dalai Lama from that time.The Potrang Marpo or the Red Palace was added to the complex between 1690 and 1694. It was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994.
Jolkhang Temple: This temple is one of the most sacred and important temples in Tibet. A part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace" and a spiritual centre of Lhasa, it is perhaps the most popular tourist attraction in Lhasa. It was built by King Songtsän Gampo probably in 647 A. D.
Bharkhor Market: The circular Barkhor Street is the oldest street of old Lhasa city. Found in the heart of Lhasa and circling the Jokhang Temple it is the trading as well as religious center of the city. It means 'a pilgrim's inner circuit'. Overnight at the hotel

THUR 12 APRIL LHASA SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing tour of Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. Drepung Monastery: It is was founded in 1417 by one of the disciples of Tsong Khampa. Literally means the 'Rice Heap' monastery'. Drepung is the largest and richest of the three major yellow sect monasteries in Lhasa that houses over 10000 monks and governed over 7700 subsidiary monasteries and indeed at its peak was the largest monastery of any religion in the world.
Sera Monastery: Sera Monastery once it ws the second largest of all monasteries in Tibet. 'Sera’ literally means 'Enclosure of Roses', is one of the 'great three' Gelukpa university monasteries of Tibet. Overnight at the hotel

FRIDAY 13 APRIL LHASA – GYANTSE BY: SURFACE


Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse (280 kms/07 hrs drive approx). Gyantse (13,050 ft): It is a small agricultural town famous for its wool carpets and the Phalkor Choide Chorten. Overnight at the hotel

SATURDAY 14 APRIL GYANTSE – SHIGATSE BY: SURFACE

Morning: visit Palkhur Choide Monastery (The only monastery which contains different Tibetan Buddhism sects in Tibet) & Kumbum. Later, drive to Shigatse (90 kms/1 hour drive approx).
Shigatse (12,600ft); It is most famous for its Tashilhunpo Monastery – the seat of the Panchen Lama, who is regarded as the reincarnation of the Buddha of Endless Enlightenment. Overnight at the hotel

SUNDAY 15 APRIL SHIGATSE – XEGAR BY: SURFACE

Drive to Xegar which is 13800 ft and 244 kms / 08 hours drive approx. Xegar or New Tingri (13,800ft): It is a new Chinese commune built at the foot of the ruins of Xegar Dzong and is also a base from where expeditions to Mt. Everest and other peaks are launched. Overnight at the hotel

MONDAY 16 APRIL XEGAR – ZHANGMU BY: SURFACE

Drive from Xegar to Zhangmu Zhangmu (2300 mt) : It is better known by its Tibetan name, Khasa, is a small settlement clinging to a hillside 10 Km inland from the Friendship Bridge across the Bhotekoshi river. After the closure of the China/India border from Gangtok, Zhangmu has become the major trading post between Tibet and Nepal. Overnight at the hotel

TUEDAY 17 APRIL ZHANGMU – KATHMANDU BY: SURFACE

Drive to Chinese Immigration Office for necessary formalities. Thereafter drive (8 kms / 1 hour drive approx.) to Friendship Bridge. Our representative will meet and drive to Kathmandu (123 kms/04 hrs drive approx). Overnight at the hotel (in Kathmandu)

WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL LEAVE KATHMANDU

Departure transfer from hotel to airport to connect for onward flight.


COST PROPOSAL

BASED ON FIVE STAR CATEGORY
Cost Per Person on Single Occupancy: USD
HOTEL IN KOLKATA
5 STAR HOTEL OBEROI
HOTEL IN BHUTAN
PARO: HOTEL ZHIWA LING THIMPHU: HOTEL TAJ TASHI
HOTEL IN NEPAL

HOTEL USED IN TIBET
CTG LHASA GYANTSE SHIGATSE XEGAR ZHANGMU KTM
05 STAR BRAMHAPUTRA GYANTSE SHIGATSE EVEREST ZHANGMU Soaltee

KOLKATA-PARO KATHMANDU – LHASA - KATHMANDU AIRFARE
Cost Per Person: USD 300 + USD 106 (Tax) = USD 406 Nett (Subject to change).

LHASA – KATHMANDU – LHASA FLIGHT FREQUENCY

MONTH FREQUENCY
AUG TILL OCT EVERYDAY
NOV TILL MAR SAT/SUN/TUE
APR SAT/TUE/THU
MAY TILL JULY SUN/SAT/TUE/THU

* THE ABOVE FLIGHT FREQUENCY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH PRIOR NOTICE.
INDIA VISA $150.00 (TO BE OBTAIN BY PASSENGER)
NEPAL VISA FEE USD $25.00
TIBET VISA FEE USD 160 Per Person (Applicable for American Nationals) (Subject to change).
TIBET VISA POLICY
As per Chinese Govt. Regulation, the clients need to arrive Kathmandu at least 01 Day prior to VISA WORKING DAY in Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu so that we can submit client's passport at Chinese Embassy to issue VISA. The VISA WORKING DAYS are on MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY.



The above PROGRAM COST includes the following services

Five Starts Hotels with breakfast & taxes. All transfers, Tours and entrance fees meals as per itinerary.



The above PROGRAM COST does NOT include the following services
* Services not mentioned in itinerary.
* Personal nature expenses, personal insurance & travel insurance.
* Extra meals & beverages.
* International air tickets & airport tax.
* Air Ticket for Kathmandu – Lhasa (as mentioned above separately).
* Nepal Visa (USD 25 Per Person for Multiple Entry valid for 15 days).
* Tibet Visa fee ($160.00 for American passengers)
* India Visa
* Any loss or expenses arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as ROAD BLOCKAGE due to landslides or snowfalls or political problems, FLIGHT DELAYS OR CANCELLATION due to weather or technical problems, ACCIDENTS etc.

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Pricing

Per Person: TBA
Single Supplement: TBA

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Trip Specifics

Cost Includes:

Cost does not include:

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