KALINGA, ‘CITY of JOY’ and THUNDER DRAGON - BHUTAN

Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Konark, Puri, Kolkata, Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, Paro, Kolkata (12 nights / 13 days)

This journey takes you to the magnificent trails of Bhutan, covering major valleys and hilltops like Paro and Thimpu. The local cultural flavours of Kolkata - the ‘City of Joy’ - will ignite your passions once again for artistic pursuits like singing, dancing and, of course, spiritual longings. The huge temples of Dakshineshwar will mesmerise you with the simplicity and piousness of their pujas. The kaalighat reminds one of the old-style temple art of the south. Once inside the famous Jagannath Puri, you will be enchanted with the larger-than-life sight of the grand chariot of Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Devi Subhadra. The sound of chanting, dancing and hymns will fill the air with purest devotion. The Sun Temple of Konark makes you wonder about the richness of the Indian architecture and its strategic usage in the south temple architecture. Come and embrace divinity and grace all at once.

Highlights –

A joy ride through significant monuments in Kolkata
Celebration of spirituality at Jagannath Puri
Excursions to Bhutan’s amazing locales like Thimpu, Punakha and Paro
Witnessing the amazing sculptures and architecture of World Heritage-listed Konark Sun Temple

All touring will be on a private basis with your own driver / guide. All ranges of accommodation would be available from 3* hotels upwards and to include deluxe 5* hotels and palaces as well as boutique-style / heritage properties. Just indicate your preference and budget and leave the rest to us and our expert ground handlers in India!

DAY 1: ARRIVAL KOLKATA

On arriving into Kolkata, which is the first stop on this tour, you will be met and given assistance by one of our local representatives before you are transferred to your hotel. After a short while, you then get ready to explore this amazing city, fondly called the ‘City of Joy’.

Kolkata (City of Joy) –

Being the capital of British India at the time of colonial rule, this city has some fantastic pieces of Victorian-style architecture. The Race Course, Secretariat and Writer’s Building - all these places will remind you of the never-fading glory of this land of joy. While people across the globe remember Calcutta as the place of human suffering, the city is famous for its intellectual and artistic wealth. Whether it’s Durga puja or the traditional festivals, nowhere can beat the charm and the religious flavours of the culture over here. The idols of Maa Durga are very popular here. The local markets are buzzing with fresh fish and the freshest flowers. Ladies love to wear flowers here and the scent of freshly-prepared fish makes dinner awesome for the locals. There is an abundance of spiritual temples like Dakshineshwar and the city offers a tingling taste of its cuisine to outsiders.

You take an overnight rest and get ready for your Kolkata tour the very next day.

DAY 2: KOLKATA

The sight-seeing experience –

You start your day with breakfast and gear up for the magnificence of the beautiful ‘City of Joy’. The first spot on the tour is Howrah Bridge. The sight of fresh vegetable sellers queued on one side of the bridge brings a unique perspective of this famous city. The whole length of this bridge makes it magnificent. The sight of the freely-flowing Ganges River brings serene comfort to the eyes of the beholder. The flower market of Kolkata is a unique place, filled with the freshest buds of jasmine, roses, marigold and other significant flowers. The scent and aroma make visitors feel enchanted and equally mesmerised. The Mother Teresa House and Kumartulli are also notable places, worth seeing at least once.

Later in the afternoon, you will see the famous Kaalighat Temple, where the goddess Kaali is offered sarees and other ornaments by devotees. The Victoria Memorial and the Indian Museum will also offer unique things that are trademarks to this city and its culture.

You have another overnight’s rest and dinner at your hotel.

DAY 3: KOLKATA/ BHUBANESWAR by FLIGHT

After an early breakfast, you get yourself ready to travel to Bhubaneshwar. After boarding the flight from Kolkata airport, you will reach this amazing travel locale after a flight of about one hour and five minutes.

Bhubaneshwar – The Sculpted Place

This famous place on the map of India is better known as the ‘City of Temples’. Once upon a time, there were more than 7,000 temples in the city of Bhubaneshwar. However, there are only 500 temples remaining now from the 7^th and 11^th Centuries A.D. Being a chaotic place, it is best to spend a maximum of a single day or two days in a row. The comforting splash of water, while taking a holy dip in the sacred waters of Bindu Sagar, will make anyone forget the worries of life. The magnificence of the medieval-era stone temples makes this place even more interesting. There are some famous museums, which both entertain and educate tourists about the rich cultural heritage of this land called Bhubaneshwar. An ancient cave complex makes the visit all the more fascinating. The availability of quality hotels and mouth-watering cuisine add much- needed flavour to the tour too.

The sight-seeing experience –

After an initial rest, you will visit the Tribal Museum in the afternoon. The next stop of this Bhubaneswar tour will be the caves of Khandagiri and Udaigiri. The Tribal Museum of Bhubaneswar is a unique destination for getting closer to the un-matched wealth of tribal culture, heritage and the finest arts and crafts from the tribal belts of Odisha. On coming to this museum, you will become more aware about the livelihood, current lifestyle and the various arts and crafts being practiced by various tribals across Odisha and its entire tribal belt. Inside the picturesque caves of Udaigiri and Khandagiri, you will find amazing pictures and sculptures, which showcase the royal life in old Kalinga in ancient times. In total, there are 92 caves. Some caves are dedicated to the royals while some of the caves belong to the Hindu gods and the Queen. You end this day with dinner and a night’s rest.

DAY 4: BHUBANESWAR

The sight-seeing experience –

The great place called Bhubaneswar is a whole celebration of temples. Being a mesmerising place with 7,000 old temples, you can still find around 500 temples here in very good condition. The delightful cultural and religious flavours as well as the magnificence of the temple art make this place more appealing for travellers looking for the cultural wealth of glorious India. The major temples visited by travellers from across the world include Parasurameshwar, Mukteshwar, Rajarani,Brahmeswar and Lingaraj. Inside Lingaraj Temple, non-Hindu devotees are not allowed. However, they can seek blessings from the deity by seeing him from the platform located outside the temple. You will notice that the architecture and the construction pattern in these temples are very rare and interesting. The shifting architectural styles can be easily observed in the temple art. The 11^th Century Lingaraj Temple showcases the high point in the temple art.

DAY 5: BHUBANESWAR – KONARK – PURI by surface (110 kms. / approx. 3 hours)

After having breakfast at your hotel, you start travelling towards Puri. On the way, brief stops at Konark and Pipli Village will also be made.

Konark Sun Temple –

Built to represent the glorious journey of the Sun God from east to west, this beautiful temple is in the shape of a chariot. The chariot is driven by seven horses and the owner is the Sun God. Perfect architecture and the strategic location of this temple give it much-needed accolades for its architecture and un-matched sculpting.

Puri –

Puri in Odisha is one of the four dhams (or sacred worship places) for Hindus. Having idols of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, this place invites pilgrims from all corners of India. On the occasion of rathyatra, the whole crowd gathers to take Lord Jagannath from one temple to the other. The occasion is observed with full enthusiasm and decent celebrations. In the auspicious dates of June and July, around one million pilgrims come to embrace the spirit of Hinduism and to witness the chariot festival of Jagannath Puri.

The sight-seeing experience –

The experience of visiting the famous Sun Temple is unique. The temple will mesmerise you with its unique celebration of art and its varied forms. The Sun God carries his chariot, followed by seven horses and the horses represent the seven seasons on earth. You will be impressed by the geometric clarity and the scientific sculpting used in this temple. It definitely is a source of inspiration for modern-day sculptors. Visiting Jagannath Puri is like having a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. The months of June or July are best for exploring the sacred Rath Yatra. The chariot of Lord Jagannath is taken to the other temple with full celebrations. You will feel enchanted, watching the singing, dancing and the play of colours observed especially during this day of Rath Yatra. Crowded with travellers coming from various nooks and corners of India and abroad, Puri has enough options to stay and to indulge in some sight-seeing.

You have dinner and rest overnight at your hotel.

DAY 6: PURI - BHUBANESWAR by surface (68 kms. / approx. 2 hours)/ BHUBANESWAR – KOLKATA by flight

On the sixth day of this tour, you travel for two hours from Puri to reach Bhubaneswar. You board the flight from Bhubaneswar airport to reach Kolkata. On arriving here, you spend the day relaxing followed by an overnight rest at your hotel.

DAY 7: KOLKATA – PARO by FLIGHT / PARO – THIMPU by surface (55 kms. / approx. 1½ hours drive)

Paro – The Magnificence of Bhutan

The distant town of Paro is the most fascinating town in the state of Bhutan. The fresh air and the clear blue sky are the first things one notices on reaching here. This small place has not yet been spoiled by excess commercialisation. The painted wooden restaurants and small shops are trademark attractions of this place. It definitely is worth a two to three hour stroll and the locale will feel like a blessing in disguise to you. The snow-capped mountains and the sight of greenery spread across the mountains will bring you much closer to the real essence of Bhutan. Another great thing about this place is the gentle and friendly nature of the inhabitants. People are welcoming here and they help travellers receive a better experience of the local places.

The sight-seeing experience –

Situated on the banks of the Paro Valley, Paro town is a magical abode, hidden in the mythical Himalayan kingdom. The sight of snow-clad hilltops and the slow breeze instantly uplift your mood. The colourful, decorated wooden streets and small roadside shops appear to be inviting you inside. The cultural and local touch in all its things – heritage, culture and cuisine - are deeply rooted in the old-style living of traditional Bhutan. The streets can appear too fascinating, embedded in knee-length ice. The smell of freshly-baked coffee beans from the roadside cafes and fresh breakfasts seem to encourage you to have a small breakfast session on the streets. The right mix of temples, monasteries and local museums make it a place worth exploring. You will come back more informed about Bhutan and its exclusive way of life. You will also witness some amazing scenes while flying above the magnificent town of Paro.

You then head towards Thimpu and on arriving there, you are transferred to your hotel. You can spend the evening roaming through the main market and rejuvenating yourself at night for the next day’s sight-seeing programme.

DAY 8: THIMPU

Thimpu (The soul of Bhutan) –

Being the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, this place called Thimpu is an amalgamation of the new and old. The modern developments are making this place stand out amidst other much less famous spots in Bhutan. The strong point is the local religious, commercial and political scenario. The most significant things about Thimpu are the rawness and the non-commercialised essence of its culture. A population of around 90,000 people makes this small place always buzzing with lots of activity on the social and business front.

Major highlights in Thimpu include the Textile Museum, the National Library, the Institute for Zorig Chusum and the Simply Bhutan Museum. The Textile Museum introduces its audience to the national art of weaving as well as various new and old techniques, related to the same. The National Library has a vast collection of archaic texts, scriptures and old books that have the soul of this place and its people in the form of written words.

The sight-seeing experience –

The sweet scent of wild flowers and the fresh mountain breeze are welcome signs that you have reached Thimpu, the most-cherished spot in the tour of Bhutan. This small place with a population of about 90,000 people makes life worth living and is very active in the arts, crafts and tribal cultural wealth. The Textile Museum represents a whole weaving world in front of you, showing the most advanced and also the most ancient techniques used since ages past to weave clothing material. Inside the National Library in Thimpu, you will come across hand-written and printed scripts that portray the essence of this tribal place. The Institute for Zorig Chusum is a fine-arts school, which is known for its versatile painting, arts and crafts courses. Inside the bounds of the Simply Bhutan Museum, you will come across the ancient architectural style of Bhutan and replicas of old-style Bhutanese households. Buddha Point and the Memorial Chorten also ignite your passion for travelling to this place.

DAY 9: THIMPU – PUNAKHA by surface (70 kms. / approx. 3 hours)

Punakha – The River Bridge

After breakfast, you are driven towards Punakha via the Dochula Pass. This is a fertile land, situated at the meeting point of two rivers named Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu. At the river junction sits the beautiful building of Punakha Dzong - a great example of traditional Bhutanese architecture. Here, rice crops are cultivated twice every year because of the low altitude. The crops of bananas and oranges are also abundant. For bird-lovers, spotting the endangered White-bellied Heron is possible here. Out of 200 such Herons found globally, a total of 34 Herons have inhabited Punakha. Khuruthang is the point where major shops and residential facilities exist: travellers flock to this place for comforting their tired souls after Bhutan’s exclusive travelling-trail. At a walkable distance of about one and a half hours from Punakha lies the temple of Chimilhakhang. It is believed to be a blessing for couples looking for children.

The sight-seeing experience –

Watching the deepness of the Dochula Pass while approaching Punakha is memorable. Being claimed as one of the deepest passes, it lies at a distance of 3,080 metres. It is recognised by long flags and a large Bhutanese Chorten. After relaxing in your hotel at Punakha, you re-start your exploration of this amazing place. The meeting point of the rivers Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu is marked by the magnificent building of Dzong. It is great and is a reminder of the un-ending restoration powers of the locals. It stands tall, even after facing multiple storms and earthquakes. You can walk along the one and a half hour trail to reach the blessed temple of Chimilhakhang, where couples come to ask for a child from the deity. The trail takes you further to the magnificent paddy fields, which are cultivated twice in a year on this land due to its low altitude. The abundance of bananas and oranges can be seen everywhere.

You have an overnight rest at Punakha.

DAY 10: PUNAKHA – PARO by surface (125 kms. / approx. 4 hours)

After breakfast, today you start travelling back to Paro. Crossing abundant forests of pine, cedar and deodar, you will get majestic views of the great Himalayan peaks from this trail. Also, the picturesque forests make for a worth-while ride down the lane, giving a fresh feeling to your tired senses. A small stop for tea and snacks makes this ride all the more interesting. Mid-way, you stop at the tantric-healing temple called Simtokha Dzong. Housing a school for the study of the language, this place looks mystical and inviting. On the way, you can witness multiple temples in the majestic valleys of Paro. The abundant produce of the local red rice will be a pleasant sight for you. After visiting the tower museum called Ta Dzong, you will become more impressed by the local architecture. The vast collection of paintings and decorative arts and crafts will impress you with its local Bhutanese essence.

You have an overnight rest at Paro.

DAY 11: PARO

In the morning and after breakfast, you are taken on a drive to Satsam Chorten and will witness the amazing temple of Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7^th Century by the Tibetan king Songsten Gampo. This very place marks the initiation of Buddhism on the soil of Bhutan. The monastery of Taktshang is famous for its unique architecture and it has prominent architectural features, along with spiritual vibes. According to folklores, Guru Rinpoche came here riding on a tiger’s back and did meditation, giving it the popular name of the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. It is said that all Bhutanese people visit here at least once in their lifetime. You can spend the afternoon munching lunch at the famous Taktsang Cafeteria. Travelling the way back, you will visit the Drukgyal Dzong, which reminds us of the die-hard warriors of Bhutan who fought against the Tibetan warriors. The famous ‘Mountain of Goddess’ will mesmerise you as you travel down the road towards the last stop of Paro.

You can spend the evening on the streets of Paro, followed by another night’s rest at your hotel.

DAY 12: PARO – KOLKATA by FLIGHT

After breakfast, you are driven towards the local airport, where you board the flight to Kolkata. Once you reach here, you spend the day at leisure with an overnight stay at the same hotel as your previous visit.

DAY 13: KOLKATA DEPARTURE

On the last day of your tour, you depart from your hotel to board a flight from Kolkata to take you home or to your next destination.

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CLOSING DAYS of SOME of the MONUMENTS MENTIONED IN ITINERARY:

Ta Dzong – Paro (National Museum): closed on Government Holidays