North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour

country:	Bangladesh, Bhutan, India
departures:	2010: 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 13 Apr, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 23 Nov 2011: 1 Mar, 8 Mar, 22 Mar, 29 Mar, 12 Apr
price:	From £2405 - £2630 (19 days) including flights from the UK. Single room option £67. From £1760 - £1940 excluding flights
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

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the amazing things you'll be doing

The North Eastern region of the Indian subcontinent remains relatively little visited by travellers and has extreme contrasts in its scenery and peoples. This is an adventurous trip offering those interested in more offbeat travel the chance to take a journey all the way from the flat and fertile plains of the Ganges – Brahmaputra Delta in Bangladesh to the rolling tea plantations of Darjeeling, majestic soaring peaks of the Himalaya in Sikkim, into the mystical mountain land of Bhutan. Along the way we'll explore relics of the Raj as well as ancient ruined monasteries and temples many which of are very much still living and working, providing a spiritual focus for the friendly and open peoples of the "Hidden Kingdoms".

Special highlights:

Dhaka. Tour of waterside life of the city by boat.
Paharpur. The Somapuri Vihara – Impressive site of an 8th century Buddhist Monastery, formerly the largest south of the Himalaya.
Kantanagar temple. Beautifully decorated brick and terracotta Hindu temple.
Darjeeling. Hill station with spectacular mountain views.
Darjeeling. Excursion on the "Toy Train"
Gangtok. Colourful Sikkimese capital.
Thimpu. Sightseeing tour of the Bhutanese capital.
Punakha. Old Bhutanese capital city.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Join tour Dhaka. We start our adventure in the vibrant Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. The country’s rivers are its lifeblood, irrigating its fertile plains, providing transport connections and even a place to live for the Bhadja (river gypsies) who move as a clan in their houseboats from river to river. One of the best places from which to observe the life of this city is from the water and this afternoon we’ll take a boat ride along the Buriganga river, joining a myriad of other craft from cargo vessels to small canoes. Following this, we will take a walking tour of Old Dhaka with our local guide. 2 nights hotel H+.
Day 2:	In Dhaka. The city is the commercial hub of a still primarily rural country and growing at a tremendous rate as many Bangladeshi’s arrive in search of their fortune. In the morning we’ll go on a full 4 hour guided orientation tour to include some of the principal sights of the city including the Liberation War Museum, Lalbagh Fort, the National Museum and the Parliament building. The afternoon is free to relax or explore. (Included meals: B).
Day 3:	Drive to Rajshahi via Puthia. This morning we leave the bustle of the city behind and head out to a more rural landscape across the massive Jamuna bridge. At 4.8 kms long, it is the 12th longest bridge in the world, crossing the Jamuna River and linking Eastern and Northwestern parts of Bangladesh. Travelling on across the floodplain to Rajshahi we stop at the charming little town of Puthia famous for its historic decorated Hindu temples and the imposing Zamindar’s Palace, a fine example of a Hindu Rajbari. These substantial country houses were built by the landowning Hindu elite during the Raj era and with their eclectic mix of architectural styles from Greek to Victorian, reflected the cosmopolitan ideas of their owners. We arrive late afternoon at Rajshahi, a large university town on the banks of the Padma (Ganges), in time to join the locals for a stroll along the river at sunset and perhaps a visit to Shaheb Bazaar in the town centre. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B).
Day 4:	Drive to Rangpur via Mahasthangarh and Paharpur Buddhist Monastery. This morning we head northwards, our route taking us across the fields and through the villages to Mahasthangarh, the site of the oldest city in Bangladesh dating back to the 3rd century BC. The fortified city’s heyday was under the Buddhists who were here until at least the 11th century AD but the small museum also contains some Hindu artefacts. We then continue onto Bangladesh’s foremost archaeological site, the Somapuri Vihara at Parharpur. Formerly the largest monastery south of the Himalaya, this temple complex dates from the 8th century AD and covers an area of 27 acres. After touring the site we continue on to our night stop at Rangpur a major transit point in the north of the country. 2 nights hotel H+ (included meals: B).
Day 5:	In and around Rangpur. Today we make an excursion to one of the most spectacular monuments in Bangladesh, the Kantanagar temple. Built of brick and terracotta every inch of the temple surface is beautifully embellished with exquisitely sculptured terracotta plaques representing flora, fauna, geometric motifs, mythological scenes and an astonishing array of contemporary social scenes and favourite pastimes. We also intend to explore some of the interesting old buildings and rajbaris in Dinajpur and Rangpur. (Included meals: B).
Day 6:	Drive to Darjeeling. Our long drive today takes us across the border into the Indian state of West Bengal. Towards the end of our journey we start our climb up to the hill station of Darjeeling. In the days of the Raj the Bengal government escaped from the Calcutta heat to take up its official summer residence here and today’s city dwellers still do likewise with Darjeeling being a popular holiday spot. At 2134m, the town is beautifully situated on a mountain ridge; the near vertical streets are crowded with a colourful mixture of Hindus and hill tribes – Lepchas, Bhutias and Tibetans among them. On a clear day the views over the mountains to the snowy Himalayan peaks are magnificent. 3 nights hotel H+ (included meals: B).
Day 7-8:	In Darjeeling. Tiger Hill is the highest viewpoint (2590m), some 8 miles from Darjeeling and weather permitting, we plan to make a dawn excursion here to contemplate the sunrise and the ravishing beauty of the world’s third highest mountain Kanchenjunga (8586m) and other eastern Himalayan peaks. If the morning is very clear it may be possible to see Mt Everest (8848m). There are many things to see in the town; the Himalayan Zoological Park which has had success at breeding snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and Red panda, the Mountaineering Institute with its Everest Museum or you may wish to visit the Tibetan Refugee centre where Tibetan craftwork is on sale. Ghoom Gompa (monastery) is about 8km south of the town and well worth a visit. The journey there can be taken on the steam “toy train”. There will also be plenty of time to make short walks in the surrounding area. (Included meals: Bx2).
Day 9:	To Pemayangtse, Sikkim. We cross into the former kingdom of Sikkim (annexed by India in 1975 to become the 22nd Indian state) and drive to Pemayangste Monastery. (Approximately 8 hours) This great monastery, the chief in Sikkim, is the second oldest and one of the 60 still active and has an exceptional collection of religious artworks. Established in the 8th century by the famous Indian teacher Padmasambhava, its members are devotees of a mystical type of Tantric Buddhism, characterised by the red caps they wear. Their religion is derived from Tibetan Lamaism, a curious mixture of Mahayana Buddhism, mythology and magic. 2 nights hotel H+ (included meals: B).
Day 10:	In Pemayangtse; visit Kecheopelri Lake. Today we visit Kecheopelri or the Wishing Lake, considered to be the holiest lake in Sikkim. It is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and Hindus alike. There is a small Buddhist monastery and a Hindu temple situated near the shores of the lake. Surrounded by forested hills and prayer flags, we can take walks in the hills or nearby to the lake. (Included meals: B, L).
Day 11:	Drive via Rabdentse and Rabongla to Gangtok. On our 8 hour drive along the mountain roads today we pay a short visit to Rabdentse, the former capital of Sikkim in the 16th century and stop at the local market in Rabongla before continuing on through semi tropical forests, cardamom plantations and small villages to Gangtok the present day capital of Sikkim, spectacularly set on a long ridge flanking the Ranipool river and offering many fine vantage points of the entire Kanchenjunga range. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B).
Day 12:	Drive to Kalimpong. Before leaving Gangtok we visit the Drodul Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil. Surrounding the chorten are 108 prayer wheels. We also pay a visit to the Institute of Tibetology whose collection of rare books and manuscripts will interest students of Buddhism. Here there are numerous priceless religious paintings (thangkas), statues and other religious artwork. We then take a morning drive to the other side of the Ranipul valley to the Gompa at Rumtek. The headquarters of the Kagyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was built in the 1960’s as a replica of the Karmarpa’s monastery in Tibet. The religious murals are still being added to today. We then continue to the little bazaar town of Kalimpong. The town was formerly an important trading post for wool merchants coming from Tibet and the local bazaar is still the place to meet people of a dozen different cultures and religions. On the surrounding hills there are many Buddhist monasteries including the Tharpa Choling Monastery, which belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B).
Day 13:	Drive across border to Phuentsholing, Bhutan. Departing for the Bhutanese border town of Phuentsholing we drive (approximately 6 hours) through the vast tea estates of the Gangetic plains of Bengal. Approximately one quarter of India’s tea is grown in West Bengal state. On arrival there will be time for a wander in the town. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B).
Day 14:	Drive to Thimpu; sightseeing tour. We drive towards Thimpu along winding roads, passing paddy fields, apple orchards, pine forests and small hamlets, ‘protected’ by sculptures of the eight auspicious signs of the Tashi Tagye. The Bhutanese capital lies in a fertile valley formed by the Wang Chu River, and has expanded rapidly over the last couple of decades. During our time in Thimpu we will see the Tashichho Dzong – the religious and political centre of Bhutan. We also visit the Memorial Chorten of Bhutan, the Kawasanju Heritage Museum and the Takin Enclosure. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B, L, D).
Day 15:	Drive to Punakha; via Wangdi Phodrang. On the road to Punakha we climb up through oak, pine and rhododendron forest to reach Dorchu La Pass (3050m). If the weather permits, magnificent views pan out across the mountains towards Gangar Pensum. At 7541m, it is the tallest mountain in Bhutan. Dropping down into the valley, Punakha’s benign climate allows orange and banana groves to flourish within sight of the snow capped Himalayan Mountains. En route we make an excursion to the Wangdi Phodrang Dzong. Impressive in stature and reputation the silver shingled roof and long thin balconied courtyards of Wangdi Phodrang Dzong shelter the provinces monastic community. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B, L, D).
Day 16:	Visit Punakha Dzong, drive to Paro. In the morning we pay a visit to Punakha Dzong built in 1637 on a sand bank at the confluence of the rivers Mochu and Phochu, this sacred dzong was the seat of Bhutanese government until 1960 and is a fine example of Bhutanese monastic architecture with squat rectangular buildings made up of two or more tiered levels crowned by a tower and small golden spire above. Continuing west we take an afternoon drive to Paro. (Approximately 5 hours.) 2 nights hotel H+ (included meals: B, L, D).
Day 17:	Sightseeing in and around Paro. To the east of Paro, high above the town stands Ta Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most imposing fortresses. The Dzong commands inspiring views across the plain and is a treasure house of sacred scrolls, religious icons and manuscripts of all sizes with fabulous thankas and vivid colourful murals hanging on the walls. Paro is also home to Kyichu, Bhutan’s oldest temple or ‘lhakhang’. This morning there is an opportunity to climb up for views of the amazing Taktsang or ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery. The remains of the monastery cling precariously to a cliff face, and local legend recounts that Guru Rinpoche, who founded the Drukpa Sect and brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a tiger to start the first monastery. In the afternoon we’ll visit Bhutan’s national museum. (Included meals: B, L, D).
Day 18:	Fly to Kolkata. Today we fly the short distance to Kolkata. During our stay here we plan a half day guided sightseeing tour of the city that will include some of the historic Raj buildings; the Pareshnath Jain temple and clay idol workshops. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B).
Day 19:	Tour ends Kolkata (Included meals: B)..

small group adventure holiday

Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.

award winner

This tourism business won an Award in our 2008 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Daily Telegraph, World Travel Market, Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society and BBC World News.

Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.

how this holiday makes a difference

This amazing journey starts in the little visited country of Bangladesh where tourism is very much in its infancy and a warm welcome awaits. As pioneers, we have a responsibility to tread carefully and ensure that our impact as visitors from the west is a positive one, our Bangladeshi ground operators has been instrumental in assisting us with our aim. As we journey, in addition to our tour leader, a Bangladeshi guide accompanies our groups to keep us informed of the unique culture and customs and ensure that local sensibilities are respected.

In Sikkim and Bhutan, we also travel in the company of local guides chosen for their excellent indigenous knowledge of the area and training. Their understanding of the country's flora, fauna and local culture will guarantee an accurate insight to traditional Sikkimese and Bhutanese life.

All travellers to Bhutan contribute (through the cost of their trip) to a compulsory Royalty levy part of which goes into education and health projects.

All of the services we use in both Sikkim and Bhutan such as hotels, restaurants, guides and transport are provided by locally owned and operated businesses, thus ensuring the financial impact of our visit is a direct (and much needed) contribution to the economy.

As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide, which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation and Send a Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies, which promote best practice in responsible tourism such as the Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy.

We offset the emissions of all our customer and staff flights through Climate Care.

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