Bhutan and Assam  7th - 25th February 2009		For printable pdf version of itinerary click here Download Adobe Reader (pdf)
The Bhuddist Kingdom of Bhutan lies in the eastern Himalayas, bordered by China to the north and northwest, and by India to the east, south and west. Comparable to Switzerland in size and topography, and sparsely populated, it can claim several centuries of rich Buddhist culture. Our itinerary is carefully planned to make the most of Bhutan’s many unique attractions and beautiful regions. There is an abundance of majestic fortresses, fabulous monasteries and superb temples.   Bhutan’s architecture is remarkable for its distinctive styles and colours, the ‘dzongs’  or fortresses in particular being noted for their rich patterns of colour on walls, beams, pillars and doors. Art, painting, and handicrafts are also central to the Bhutanese culture  which has been preserved by isolation from the world at large until the ‘1960’s’, giving rise to it being named as ‘The Last Shangrila’. Stunning scenery is to be found in the fertile valleys such as Punakha, and in the superb mountain views with the journey through the highest drivable mountain pass in the Kingdom, Thrumshingla, at 4000 meters as one of the main features. Enjoy travelling also through the pine forests, maize fields and hamlets of this fascinating country. We shall also visit Assam in northern India. Visits will include the Kaziranga National Park, home to the Great One-horned Rhinoceros and a host of other species, and a significant World Heritage Site, the Nameri National Park for noted for birdwatching, and the tea estates of Balipara, before returning to Kolkata (Calcutta), where the tour will finish. Please call us on 01242 515 712 for more details, or see the itinerary below
The Itinerary
Saturday 7th February Assemble at London Gatwick Airport for check-in at 1700h for the flight  to Kolkata (Calcutta) departing at 2010h Sunday 8th February Arrive Kolkata at 0700h  Meet your tour guide on arrival and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day will be available to rest and relax after the flight.      Overnight: KOLKATA Monday 9th February Early this morning visit the flower market just next to Howrah bridge. It is one of the largest flower markets of Asia selling many different varieties of flowers. The visit will be followed by boat ride on Hooghley river.    Later there will be some sightseeing of Kolkata, a city of marked contrasts. The sightseeing tour of the city includes a visit to the  Victoria Memorial, Calcutta's most imposing and monumental marble edifice opened by the Prince of Wales in 1921 and often called the "Taj" of  the British Raj, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Indian Museum, the largest in India, with one of the best collections of Indian art.        Overnight: KOLKATA Tuesday 10th February This morning there will be an early transfer to the airport to board the flight for Paro departing at 0820h. Your guide will meet you on arrival at Paro to escort you to the coach for the transfer to the hotel. After check-in there will be an afternoon visit to Ta Dzong National Museum and the Rinpung Dzong fortress. Overnight: PARO Wednesday 11th February Depart after breakfast for an excursion to Taktsang Monastery. This approximately a 5 hour walk.  After a pause and rest for lunch there will be an afternoon visit to the fortress of Drukgyel Dzong and the Buddhist temple of Kyichu Lhakhang. Overnight: PARO Thursday 12th February Depart this morning with a drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, famous for its untouched natural beauty set in the glorious landscape of the Thimpu Valley and surrounding hills. Check in on arrival at the hotel. There will be afternoon visits to the National Library, the  Arts & Crafts School,  and the Textile & Folk Heritage Museum. Overnight: THIMPU Friday 13th February This morning there will be a visit  the fortress of Tashichhodzong, the National Memorial ‘Chorten’ or ‘shrine’ and  the 15th century temple of  Changangkha Lhakhang. After lunch, drive to Punakha, making a stop en route at Dochula pass, 3080 meters high, to witness some of the most enchanting views of Bhutan.   Check in to the hotel on arrival. Overnight: PUNAKHA Saturday 14th February This morning proceed to Bumthang, en route visiting Wangduephodrang, the last town before central Bhutan. The higher reaches of the  Wangdue valley has rich pasturelands for grazing cattle. The haunting sound of the wind produced by the deep gorge of the river provides an ideal backdrop for the beautiful scenery  on view.  This district is famous for fine bamboo work, stone carvings and slate. The imposing ‘Dzong’ or ‘fortress’, is the most notable feature. From here, drive further to Bumthang visiting Chendbji Chorten and Trongsa Dzong en route. Overnight: BUMTHANG Sunday 15th February The whole of today will be devoted to exploring the beautiful Bumthang valley visiting Jakar Dzong, and the ancient temples of Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang. dating from the  from 16th & 17th centuries, with some later restoration. Overnight: BUMTHANG Monday 16th February Depart in the morning for the drive to Mongar via the Thrumshingla pass, at 4000 metres the highest drivable mountain pass in the kingdom,.    Descend to Sengor, with spectacular views of cascading waterfalls on the way. Stop at the bridge over the Kurichu River. Ascend again through pine forests, maize fields, and eastern hamlets to Mongar. On arrival check in at the hotel.  In the evening there will be a visit to Mongar town and the local market. Overnight: MONGAR Tuesday 17th February Today visit Mongar Dzong and then drive on to Trashigang, passing through fern-filled forests and the Kori la pass (2,450 m).    The road then descends rapidly through cornfields and banana groves following the Gamri River to Dametsi, a temple perched on top of a steep hill from where the famous Naga Chham masked dances with drums originate. Visit Trashigang Dzong, a fortress/monastry,  part of which is occupied by the Drupka monastic community. Check in afterwards at the hotel in Trashigang. Overnight : TRASHIGANG Wednesday 18th February Depart this morning with sightseeing en route for Samdrup Jongkhar, which is the border town of Bhutan for entering India. Overnight: SAMDRUP JONGKHAR Thursday 19th February This morning drive across the Indo-Bhutan border to Kaziranga which lies in the Assam state of India. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight: KAZIRANGA Friday 20th February    Kaziranga is a remarkable success story for its conservation of the One-Horned India Rhinoceros and other animals of North-East India. It is not only the homeland of the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros, but also provides shelter for a variety of wildlife. It is one of the most significant sites of biological biodiversity in the world.  The values and standards of Kaziranga National  Park caused it be nominated a World Heritage Site in  1985. The park comprises 430 km² with an additional area of 429 km² situated in the two districts of Assam, namely Golaghat and Nagaon. In addition to the one-horned rhinos, the other major wild attractions include a large population of Indian Elephants, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer or Barasingha, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Tigers, Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats, Otters, Hog Badgers, Capped Langurs, Hoolock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons, Monitor Lizards, etc. Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise; the grasslands are raptor country, making many safaris a remarkable experience.  There will be an early morning elephant ride and late afternoon Jeep Safari in the park. Overnight: KASIRANGA Saturday 21st February Today there will be early morning and late afternoon Jeep Safaris in the park. Overnight stay : KAZIRANGA Monday 22nd February  Take a morning drive to Balipara, on arrival check in at hotel. The remainder of the day is at leiasure. Overnight: BALIPARA   Tuesday 23rd February This morning visit the Nameri National Park for bird watching. The park is also a haven for a number of rare animals, such as Tiger, Black Bear, Leopard, wild dog and civet cat. In the Afternoon visit the Balipara Tea Estates.    Overnight: BALIPARA    Wednesday 24th February This morning drive to Guwahati airport to board the flight for Kolkata. Arrive at Kolkata and transfer to the hotel. Overnight: KOLKATA Thursday 25th February    Transfer in the morning to the international airport to board the return flight. Arrive London Gatwick in the late afternoon. End of tour   Tour Cost Price per person Twin/Double £3,995.00 Single Supplement £695.00 Cost Includes All domestic flights 17 nights’ hotel accommodation (4/5 star where available.) Meals full board except in Kolkata where it is half board. Private AC mini-coach in Kolkata, AC jeeps in Assam, non AC jeeps in Bhutan All sightseeing and admissions as indicated on itinerary Services of  English-speaking accompanying guide in Bhutan, local English speaking guide in Kolkata, naturalist in Assam Accompanying STITA escort Porterage of 1 piece of luggage per person         How to Book To make a booking, please call us on 01242 515 712 or click on our Booking Details.