YOUR TOUR DOSSIER INDIA, NEPAL & BHUTAN TRIP OVERVIEW Encounter illustrious temple artistry of magnificent Hindu legends, bustling bazaars dressed in colourful textiles and unforgettable scenery of the world’s mightiest peaks on our 14-day itinerary through a trio of fascinating regions. Experience India’s hill towns surrounded by luscious tea gardens, grand Buddhist architecture overlooking Bhutan’s valley dwelling capital and Nepal’s unparalleled landscapes that will leave an everlasting impression. ITINERARY & DETAILS ­­­­This document aims to give you all the information that you require for a DAY 7: Thimphu B/L/D smooth and comfortable trip to India, Nepal and Bhutan. Please take the After breakfast, a full day city tour of Thumphu awaits. Witness visitors whirling time to read this dossier to familiarise yourself with all the aspects of our large prayer wheels at the National Memorial Chorte in memory of Bhutan’s third tour. It includes important information such as flight details, visa requirements king, proceeded by a stroll through flurrying pilgrims and along changangkha and travel insurance. temple’s kora to admire views of the surrounding mountainscape. Later today inspect the intricate crafting process of traditional artistic pieces within ‘the Your included meal guide: painting school’, before gazing at one of the largest Buddhist statues in the B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner world, the ginormous 50 metre Buddha Dordenma sat upon a three-story throne. DAY 1: UK to Delhi DAY 8: Thimphu B/L/D Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Delhi. Today visit the charming town of Paro to experience one of Bhutan’s highlights, a horseback ride up to the famed Tiger’s Nest Monastery which clings to a granite DAY 2: Delhi L/D peak 3,000 metres above sea level. Local lore alleges that it is here that Guru On arrival into Delhi you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel. Padmasambaya arrived on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and then This afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the dramatic Red Fort, a Mughal proceeded to meditate for three months. Return to Thumphu for your final night stronghold famed for grand sandstone monuments. Pass vibrant spice bazaars in Bhutan. en route to British-built New Delhi, admire the distinct Islamic architecture of Humayun’s Tomb amongst landscaped gardens and the domineering pastel DAY 9: Thimphu to Bandipur B/L/D shikharas of Birla Mandir. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, from here travel to the hilltop settlement of Bandipur – a network of winding lanes, DAY 3: Delhi to Darjeeling B/L/D traditional Newari architecture and a welcoming community of farmers and Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Bagdogra, from here traders. Spend your afternoon on a guided tour exploring the town’s charming continue to the town of Darjeeling where you will spend the next three nights. bazaar flanked by pagoda-style temples. Spaced across a mountainous ridge overlooking emerald tea plantations, this town proudly displays colonial architecture alongside Buddhist monasteries with DAY 10: Bandipur B/L/D a dramatic Himalayan backdrop. Enjoy a much needed rest this morning before embarking on a leisurely hike around Bandipur, exploring secret caves along the hill trails and quaint villages untouched by modern civilisation. DAY 4: Darjeeling B/L/D Today enjoy a trip along the UNESCO recognised Himalayan Railway line. This DAY 11: Bandipur to Bhaktapur B/L/D dramatic alpine course boasts unfolding panoramic scenery dominated by the Depart Bandipur this morning and head to Bhaktapur in Nepal. Having settled in, world’s third highest mountain – Kangchenjunga. En route visit the Tibetan enjoy an afternoon tour of this UNESCO recognised city to spot Durbar Square’s Refugee Centre to observe mesmerising woollen work spun before your eyes, distinct Golden Gate, a portal boasting exquisite gilding of the Garuda fending off then continue to the Mountaineering Museum for a fascinating insight into the first mythological serpents. Climb a stairway guarded by legendary stone guardians to perilous British expeditions of Everest. Discover Himalayan bears, red pandas, peer at Nepal’s tallest temple before returning to Bhaktapur for your evening meal. Tibetan wolves and a growing population of endangered snow leopards at the Himalayan Zoological Park – considered one of India’s best zoos. DAY 12: Bhaktapur to Kathmandu B/L/D Following breakfast head to Kathmandu, a metropolis of people-packed alleys, DAY 5: Darjeeling B/L/D vibrant Newari craft markets and an ancient rhythm of worship enduring within the From your vantage point of Tiger Hill, witness the breath-taking spectacle city’s striking medieval temple. of daybreak illuminating the snow-coated Himalayan horizon. Following this unforgettable scene, enjoy a tour through the aromatic Happy Valley Tea Estate DAY 13: Kathmandu B/L/D to observe the withering, rolling, fermenting and drying process of tea leaves. A full day tour of Kathmandu commences after breakfast where you will visit After lunch, enjoy an afternoon in Darjeeling relaxing or taking in a unique the iconic Boudhanath to admire Asia’s largest stupa beneath a canopy of shopping experience along Mall Road. coloured prayer flags. Continue to the UNESCO recognised Swayambhunath, an ancient complex displaying a fascinating jumble of Hindu and Buddhist iconography amongst an intoxicating aroma of incense. Take some time to explore B/L/D DAY 6: Darjeeling to Thimphu Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most important Hindu temple used to bless pilgrims and This morning, fly to the charming town of Paro in Bhutan and onto the capital city kings alike. meal. of Thimphu. Sprawled along Thimphu Valley, the city’s recent construction boom has created a juxtaposition of commercial zest alongside Buddhist monuments B peppered with crimson-robed monks. Check in to your hotel for the next three DAY 14: Kathmandu to UK or extension After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight back to the UK, nights and enjoy an evening at leisure. or continue on to your chosen extension. 1 INDIA, NEPAL & BHUTAN TOUR DOSSIER ACCOMMODATION DETAILS & MAP Hotel information 1 Number of nights spent H Delhi (1 night): 5 The Park Hotel 15 Parliament Street, Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110 001, India. Contact number: 0091 (0)11 2374 3000 < Asia Darjeeling (3 nights): 3H Little Tibet Hotel < The Mall Darjeeling, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101, India Contact number: 0091 354 225 9877 Nepal Thimphu (3 nights): 3H Gyelsa Boutique Kathmandu Jungchub lam, 11001 Thimphu, Bhutan 1 Delhi Thimphu Contact number: 00 975-17111939 Bandipur 2 2 Bandipur (2 nights): 3H Gaun Ghar Resort 1 Paro 3 • Dumre-Bandipur Rd, Bandipur 56516, Nepal 3 Contact number: 00 977 1-4215431 Bhaktapur Bhutan Darjeeling • Bhaktapur (1 night): 4H Hotel Heritage Bhaktapur Rd, Bhaktapur 21164, Nepal Bagdogra Contact number: 00 977 1-6611628 Coach India Kathmandu (2 nights): 4H Hotel Himalaya Air Sahid Shukra Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal 44700, Nepal Contact number: 00 977 1-5523900 Accommodation Final confirmation of your hotels will be sent in a document All accommodation is 3H, 4H or 5H and features an en-suite bathroom, approximately 10 days before you travel. heating/air-conditioning and a TV. Sunspot have visited and inspected all of the hotels to ensure that they meet the high standards of service which we require for Meals our clients. Should any of the hotels listed become unavailable you will be placed Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch in alternative accommodation of the exact same standard. and dinner will either be always taken at local restaurants or at your hotel. ON YOUR ARRIVAL On your arrival at Delhi Airport, please collect your luggage and proceed to the Telephone Number: 00 977-1-4700967/4701967 exit in the Customs Hall. You will be met by a representative of Champawati Mobile number: 00 977-9851093896/9841281454 Tours who will be holding a sign displaying: “Sunspot”. Your guide will be able to Email: [email protected] answer any queries you may have, however if you need to contact Champawati Emergency contact information Tours during your stay the details are: Please find below the emergency contact details for Champawati Tours: Champawati Tours & Travels P.Ltd Madan Adhikari: Mobile: 00977 9851093008 or 00977 9841281454 Z’ Street, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR Visas Insurance India: A visa is required for entry into India. British Citizen Passport Holders will We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably need to obtain an e-Tourist Visa (eTV) for travel to India. We work closely with insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote “Sunspot”. The cost of the visa is insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may approximately £72 per person. The Travel Visa Company can only apply for this undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we 120 days before your proposed travel date and takes around 10 working days to have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your issue. It is only valid for a 60 day single entry stay from the date of arrival. When travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote calling the Travel Visa Company they will advise you of any changes to the fees ‘WK830’ for preferential rates.