In the southern part of India, bounded to the east by the Western Ghats and to the west by the azure waters of the Arabian Sea, lies the state of Kerala, the land of coconuts. A region, of Kerala, famous for its natural beauty, with dense forests, verdant hills, and lakes surrounded by extensions of palm trees, rivers, and lagoons. This a short but complete itinerary for those who want to savor the natural and cultural beauties of Kerala.

DAY 01: ROME / MILAN – DUBAI   

Departure from the Milan/Rome airport with the scheduled flight, scheduled stopover in Dubai or Doha.

DAY 02: DOHA / DUBAI – KOLKATA  

Continuation with a scheduled flight to Kolkata, upon arrival customs formalities, meeting with our representative and transfer to hotel and accommodation. In the afternoon, visit of the most important colonial buildings, ending at the Victoria Memorial, which will also be visited inside, visit of the wonderful India Museum and Potter’s Village. Dinner and overnight.

3rd DAY: KOLKATA – BAGDOGRA – DARJEELING (93 km. 3 ½ hours approx)  
After breakfast. Transfer to the airport and departure for Bagdogra. Arrival and continuation to Darjeeling which is about 93 km away. It can be reached in about three/four hours of travel by making a beautiful journey through immense tea plantations. The city is a true crossroads for all the people from the Himalayan regions. There are Nepalese, Tibetans, Indians as well as foreign visitors. The city is justifiably famous for its excellent quality tea, the agricultural sector which employs over 40,000 people. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Afternoon City tour of Darjeeling and its surroundings. Dinner and overnight.

04th DAY :DARJEELING – GANGTOK (110 km. About 5 hours)           
Wake up very early to see the sunrise over the Himalayan range and return to the hotel for breakfast. Climb Tiger Hill to visit Ghoom Monastery. Visit of the Tibetan refuge center, of the Himalayan zoological park, of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. In the afternoon Continue to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim which is about 110 km away. It can be reached in about 5 hours of a very interesting journey through luxuriant nature and seeing fantastic Himalayan landscapes. Then you reach Gangtok which is located at 1 500 meters. The place is still outside the mass tourist routes and for this reason it immediately conveys the sense of a unique and exclusive travel experience. In addition to being the starting point for further exploring the region, Gangtok is very interesting for its traditional pagoda-shaped houses and teeming bazaars. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 05: GANGTOK   

After breakfast. A day dedicated to the visit of Gangtok. It begins with the Tibetan Research Institute, one of the most important study centers in the world, where there is a library of over 30,000 volumes of philosophy, religion, astrology and magic. Then you visit the most important monasteries: that of Rumtek and that of Enchey which is located in a dominant position and from where you can admire the valley and Kanchenjunga (8598 meters, the third highest peak in the world). Dinner and overnight.

06th DAY: GANGTOK – KALIMPONG (83 km. 3 hours approximately)  
After breakfast. Visit Cottage Industry, the study and development center for local handicrafts. Transfer to Kalimpong which is located at 1250 meters straddling a ridge and only 83km. It can be reached in about three hours of travel through forests and terraced hills planted with tea. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and accommodation. In the afternoon, visit the surroundings which stand out for their splendid panoramas. In particular, from the Durpin Dara hill, where the Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang monastery is located, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Himalayan peaks. Dinner and overnight.

07th DAY: KALIMPONG – PHUNTSHOLING (180 km. 6 hours approximately)       
After breakfast, departure for Phuntsholing, a border town with Bhutan which is about 180 km away. It can be reached in about 6 hours of travel. Later I deal with the border formalities and pass through Bhutan, an out-of-the-ordinary realm between mystery and reality that more than anyone else has been able to preserve its culture, code of ethics and traditions linked to Mahayana or Great Vehicle Buddhism. According to this expression of Buddhism, the faith of some will be great enough to lead all of humanity to salvation. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Dinner and overnight.

08th DAY: PHUNTSHOLING – THIMPU (170 km. 7 hours approximately)               
After breakfast. Bhutan is a country with a huge amount of religious buildings, almost all located in remote locations to give the monks even more peace and solitude. The monasteries, called “goemba”, a term corresponding to the Tibetan “gompa” are all different from each other while maintaining some similar characteristics based on use. On the way (about 170 km) visit some of these. Upon arrival in Thimpu, transfer to a hotel and accommodation in the capital of Bhutan, nestled in the Wang Chu Valley. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 09 : THIMPU (2320m.)

A day dedicated to the visit of the beautiful capital of Bhutan which rises to 2320 meters above sea level in the green valley of Thimpu Chhu. It is a beautiful city built in traditional Bhutanese style with beautiful buildings with typical architecture recognizable by the finely decorated windows. In the morning we will visit one of the symbols of the city, certainly the most important religious centre: the Memorial Chorten, built in the 70s in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in perfect Tibetan style. It represents a focal point for the devotees who come to pray here daily and for visitors; unmissable are the beautiful paintings and tantric statues inside. In the afternoon we will visit the building that most characterizes the entire city and dominates the landscape from the top of a hill: the Trashi Chhoe Dzong, the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion”, a marvelous and imposing building whose construction began in 1216 by the Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa and continued in the following centuries with continuous expansions and modernizations; it was then completely restructured in the 60s, and today the King’s offices and the monastic body are located there. Immediately outside the dzong is the School of Arts and Crafts where children from all over the country learn painting techniques and traditional arts. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. and today the offices of the King and the monastic body are located there. Immediately outside the dzong is the School of Arts and Crafts where children from all over the country learn painting techniques and traditional arts. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. and today the offices of the King and the monastic body are located there. Immediately outside the dzong is the School of Arts and Crafts where children from all over the country learn painting techniques and traditional arts. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

10th DAY: THIMPU – PUNAKHA (77 km. 4 hours approximately)

Full board: After breakfast, continue along the road that goes north and which will lead us to Punakha crossing the Dochula Pass. Punakha is today a city rich in commercial traffic, cultural life and monasteries which are the religious center of the country. Visit of the Punakha Dzong (17th century) which preserves the greatest examples of the history of Bhutanese art. Day dedicated to the discovery of the city and its dzong, the second in the country with a width of 180 meters long by 72 wide, dating back to the seventeenth century and the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body founded by Shabrung. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11: PUNAKHA – PARO (145 km. 4 hours approximately)  

After breakfast, visit the Punakha Dzong, the second oldest in Bhutan, built in 1637-38 and includes various temples, including the Machey Lhakhang, where the bodies of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Pema Lingpa are found. Next, drive through a village to the Chimi Lhakhang Fertility Temple, perched atop a scenic hill overlooking the river, midway between Punakha and Wangdi. This temple was founded by the great Lama Kunley, ‘the enlightened madman’ whose phallic emblem adorns the entrance to many rural houses. Sterile couples go here who trustfully ask for the grace to have children. Continuation to Paro (2280m). Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, start of the visit of Paro positioned in the center of a very green valley which is a harmonious set of rice fields, clearings with weeping willows and wooden houses. Visit of the Paro Dzong, which appears as a white monolith that dominates the valley and which was built many centuries ago without any architectural project or nail. Continue to Ta Dzong Tower, where you visit the National Museum (collection of costumes, national fabrics, thangka cloth paintings, silverware, prints, and armor). At the end of the visits, return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay (Category A).

DAY 12: PARO (Excursion to Taktshang Lhakang)     

Breakfast at the hotel an excursion to Satsamchorten and a walk of about 3 hours to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery (one way). Located at 3000 m asl, it is one of the holiest Buddhist sites, it is said that Guru Padmasambhava arrived here in the 8th century riding a tiger, he remained in meditation in the cave for 3 months to ward off demons and spirits. Return to the hotel and stop to visit the Kyichu Temple, built in the 7th century AD Afternoon visit the Paro Dzong, one of the largest and most important monasteries in Bhutan, built in 1644 and home to 200 monks. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.   

DAY 13 : PARO – KOLKATA
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for departure to Kolkata with a Druk Air flight. Upon arrival, transfer and accommodation in the hotel. In the afternoon, visit of the temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali, to whom animals are still offered in sacrifice here, and the Belur Math, a study center wanted by the great philosopher Swami Vivekananda. Afternoon at leisure for individual visits, relaxation or shopping. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14: KOLKATA – ITALY                                           
Early in the morning transfer to the international airport and departure for Italy by scheduled flight.

End of our services!

We inform you that all our trips can be modified, on request, according to your needs!