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Lhasa
275 Kms from Wangdue Phodrang

We chose to arrive in Lhasa by travelling on the world’s highest railway, a journey of breath-taking beauty that lasts 24 hours from the Chinese city of Xining, and crosses the Tanggula Passat 5072m. Arriving late at night, we were greeted by our guide in Lhasa with khatags, the white silk ceremonial scarf that is commonly given in Tibet as a sign of welcome. This was the first of many khatags we received. Lhasa literally means 'The abode of the gods'.

Getaways · Places to Visit · Hotels · Trips

We chose to arrive in Lhasa by travelling on the world’s highest railway, a journey of breath-taking beauty that lasts 24 hours from the Chinese city of Xining, and crosses the Tanggula Passat 5072m. Arriving late at night, we were greeted by our guide in Lhasa with khatags, the white silk ceremonial scarf that is commonly given in Tibet as a sign of welcome. This was the first of many khatags we received. Lhasa literally means 'The abode of the gods'.

On The Roof Of The World: Tibet And Mt. Everest!

The land of the abominable snowman,they call it.Our first major destination in Lhasa was the Potala Palace.The entire site was as clean as it was touristy. We were limited to a visit of only 1 hour due to the integrity of the structure (it could risk collapse from the weight of too many visitors) but all in all it was absolutely gorgeous. The temples were just breathtaking and I enjoyed watching the monks walking from room to room continuing their daily tasks all the while examining the hundreds of different rooms, shrines and statues.After taking in the Potala Palace, we were set free to enjoy Johkang Temple and the surrounding vicinity that’s known as the Backhor Streets. It was quite interesting to see the layers of culture in such a small place. Lhasa was a much larger city than I had anticipated. Shops and stalls lined every corner and were filled to the brim with Tibetan prayer beads, necklaces, singing bowls, yak blankets and many other ornaments. Tibetan & Chinese restaurants filled the streets with an almost intoxicating smell of yak meat, bread & other cultural foods.We then explored both the Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery. The Drepung Monastery, which happened to be the Dalai Lama’s old winter residence (up until the 5th Dalai Lama moved it to the Potala Palace), happened to house the largest amounts of monks in Tibet. We were very lucky to arrive just as many of them were gathered for their afternoon lunch and meditation sessions. The energy that protruded from them was nothing short of intense!Later, we passed through Gangbala Pass with a quick pit stop at Yamdrok Lake where we took some very scenic pictures of turquoise blue waters that were overlooked by snow-peaked mountains.

By Sankhadeep Saha

Darjeeling
190 Kms from Wangdue Phodrang

Best time to visit - October- April

Often called as the "Queen of all Hill Stations", this is one of the most popular in the whole world. This place is wrapped by everything beautiful nature has blessed the Earth with. Darjeeling is located in the lap of the Mountain Kanchenjunga and crowned by the mighty Himalayas, there is tranquility everywhere you see. There is the bright red hue of blooming rhododendrons, the peaceful white of the magnolias and also the silvery white firs all spread over the hills and the stretches of hills covered with the emerald color tea bushes. If you are out during the early mornings, the clouds will cross across your face. This is a perfect place for a tourist, ornithologist, trekker, a photographer and children too. The famous toytrain of Darjeeling is now a Heritage of Bengal. The other nearby attractions are Mirik, Mall, Batasia Loop, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Dooars Valley. A trip to this beautiful place is sure to fetch you a lot of memories to be etched in your heart forever.

Getaways · Places to Visit · Hotels · Trips

Often called as the "Queen of all Hill Stations", this is one of the most popular in the whole world. This place is wrapped by everything beautiful nature has blessed the Earth with. Darjeeling is located in the lap of the Mountain Kanchenjunga and crowned by the mighty Himalayas, there is tranquility everywhere you see. There is the bright red hue of blooming rhododendrons, the peaceful white of the magnolias and also the silvery white firs all spread over the hills and the stretches of hills covered with the emerald color tea bushes. If you are out during the early mornings, the clouds will cross across your face. This is a perfect place for a tourist, ornithologist, trekker, a photographer and children too. The famous toytrain of Darjeeling is now a Heritage of Bengal. The other nearby attractions are Mirik, Mall, Batasia Loop, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Dooars Valley. A trip to this beautiful place is sure to fetch you a lot of memories to be etched in your heart forever.

The hotel is located within a few minutes distance from the Gandhi Road. The property was actually a residential family property. The couple came up with the idea of constructing a hotel for the tourists. They constructed the upper floor for lodging and the ground floor was kept for the restaurant and café.

Stay at this "Beatles" themed Hotel at Darjeeling

By Amrita_Infinitrips

Things to do: Take a ride on the Himalayan Railway to the Ghum Monastery; have a candlelight dinner at the iconic Glenary's; take an hour-long walk from the main town to the picturesque Happy Valley Tea Estate; try your luck at spotting a red panda at the Singalila National Park.

Cheapest Flights In India To Book During Dusshera Weekend

By Sreshti Verma

DarjeelingThose who want to avoid the Darjeeling crowd can stay at Rangaroon and yet get all the taste of Darjeeling tour. You can easily make a day trip to Darjeeling and visit all the places of attraction. Visit the Darjeeling Zoo, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling Mall and other places of interest. You can also take a visit to the Ghoom Monastery and the railway Museum at Ghoom Station.Stay At:There is only one homestay at Rangaroon. – Khaling Cottage Homestay. It is a very beautiful homestay having 4 rooms in total. The hosts are really friendly and go all out to make your stay comfortable and memorable. Their motto is "Come as guests, Leave as family". And the will really become your family after your stay.

Rangaroon –an offbeat alternative to Darjeeling

By Amrita_Infinitrips

How wrong can I be?! The climate at Tiger Hill – the famous spot to see the mighty mountain, put the one at Pelling to shame. The huge crowd gathered on the hill sadly started walking back with disappointment.Like at Sikkim here also the tour was arranged by the hotel people. The morning tour included two more spots also for which I didn’t bother to get up from the seat at all in that rainy climate.Another cab came around 9.30 AM for the next round of sightseeing called the 5 point tour. The climate was villain again at many spots.

Sikkim – The Land of Mystique

By Nachikethas MJ

And at that very moment we became sure , this trip will gonna be a great one.We spent the afternoon in Mall , had the dinner. Enjoyed the night view of the Queen of the Hill for a while and got to sleep.

Darjeeling : The unplanned , the best one..

By Travelocoholic

We reached at Darjeeling at about 2:00 in the afternoon. Checked in the Hotel and after having our lunch we were completely in Lyadhkhor (= Bengali for being Lazy like nobody) mode. And we saw this -

Darjeeling : The unplanned , the best one..

By Travelocoholic

We got ready by 4:30 in the morning , as we were scheduled to watch the Sunrise from the Tiger Hill. But the driver got very angry. As per him , 3:30 would be the best time to depart. And while our journey to we realized why. There were hundreds of vehicles were going from there to the same destination. The roads were filled up with cars. As we were already late, the only way to got there before sunrise was fastening our seat-belts and allow the driver to drive as fast as possible. That exactly what we did. That was heck of a driving. Never forget that. But despite of the furious drive, we actually thanked the driver when we reached at Tiger Hill 5:25 am.

Darjeeling : The unplanned , the best one..

By Travelocoholic

"You need to come out from your comfort zone, for your career, for you traveling as well" It was a lazy morning , I got up really late. We were about to go for sightseeing at about 2:00. So, I was just enjoying the fresh morning. And then we got the news. Dipu's friend , who was told to book the returned ticket, failed to do so. There were no train for return. We were about to return on the next day. Nobody's data network was working except mine. It might not been happened if we planned it and executed it ourselves. Regarding train, there was no other option except returning in unreserved coach. But there is no point of thinking on the matters you don't have your hand. There's nothing we could do until next day. So , we moved out for sightseeing. The roads were full of cars. Most of them are narrower than the city's one way road. We forced to skip few places for traffic. We should have started in the morning. Some places we missed - Singallila National Forrest ( Famous for rear Red Panda), Tenzing Rock (offers rock climbling).What we enjoyed -

Darjeeling : The unplanned , the best one..

By Travelocoholic

We have planned only half day for darjeeling but most of the points are to be visited early in the morning starting from sunrise at Tiger Hills, so we are hopeful that we will be able to do it.We are ready to travel while raindrops pouring down from sky. We are having only one rucksack with rain covers. Our raincoats are ready and we are planning to go slow on wet roads. Separate poly bags are packed for keeping wet clothes, wallets and mobiles. Shoes and tough to dry clothes are avoided. Gears are packed, tickets are booked and we are all set to have an adventurous, energetic and drizzling bike trip. See you on the other side of the journey. Bye Bye.

Making of a Road Trip - Meghalaya & Sikkim

By Pragmatic Traveller

Shopping (if needed) must be done in the evening as everything shuts early night due to fog and low visibility.The best season to visit Darjeeling is from March to May or October to November. Monsoons offer wonderful experience but there are chances of landslides. Winters are chilly and it sometimes snows in Darjeeling.

Darjeeling: Not just tea!

Gangtok
144 Kms from Wangdue Phodrang

Best time to visit - September to December

Gangtok is the capital city of the north Indian state of Sikkim. Built up as a Buddhist journey site in the 1840s, the city got to be capital of an autonomous government after extinction of British principle, however it joined India in 1975. Today, it remains a Tibetan Buddhist focus and a base for climbers sorting out licenses and transport for treks through Sikkim's Himalayan mountain ranges. Settled inside higher crests of the Himalaya and relishing a year-round gentle calm atmosphere, Gangtok is at the center point of Sikkim's tourism industry. The accommodation business is the biggest business in Gangtok as the city is the main base for Sikkim tourism. Summer and spring seasons are the most prominent visitor seasons. Large portions of Gangtok's occupants are utilized specifically and in a roundabout way in the tourism business, with numerous inhabitants owning and working in Hotels. Ecotourism has risen as an essential monetary action in Gangtok which incorporates trekking, mountaineering, stream rafting and other practices.

Getaways · Places to Visit · Hotels · Trips

Gangtok is the capital city of the north Indian state of Sikkim. Built up as a Buddhist journey site in the 1840s, the city got to be capital of an autonomous government after extinction of British principle, however it joined India in 1975. Today, it remains a Tibetan Buddhist focus and a base for climbers sorting out licenses and transport for treks through Sikkim's Himalayan mountain ranges. Settled inside higher crests of the Himalaya and relishing a year-round gentle calm atmosphere, Gangtok is at the center point of Sikkim's tourism industry. The accommodation business is the biggest business in Gangtok as the city is the main base for Sikkim tourism. Summer and spring seasons are the most prominent visitor seasons. Large portions of Gangtok's occupants are utilized specifically and in a roundabout way in the tourism business, with numerous inhabitants owning and working in Hotels. Ecotourism has risen as an essential monetary action in Gangtok which incorporates trekking, mountaineering, stream rafting and other practices.

HIDDEN TREASURE OF EAST SIKKIMJust when my travel hang-over was not settling anything for less, after my 20 day long trip from South East Asia. Six day holiday started giving me crazy travel itch all over again. And, I decided to give festive chaos a miss, and escape to the land of wonder-"Sikkim" absolutely unplanned. "All I knew that I needed to head somewhere up in the hills to get some respite from the atrocious humid climate of Kolkata".So, with just a bus ticket that I manage to grab last minute, I arrived with my bag full of excitement and some bare essentials in Siliguri, after 17 hours of arduous journey (P.s. Kolkata to Siliguri highway is not really in perfect condition, so keep the road trip as a last resort). After managing to put myself in a ready-to-go further state, I grabbed another state bus ticket for Rs. 150 to Gangtok, which was about 125 kms from Siliguri (4.5 hours journey). Reached Gangtok at around 8.30 pm and quickly marched into the famous M.G. Marg, where I had thoughtfully pre-booked a bed & breakfast accommodation. Although, there are plethora of good and budget hotels/guest house in this strip.I had already visited Gangtok quite a few years back, so wasn't very keen on doing the city sightseeing again. As my initial idea was to head somewhere, where it was absolutely peaceful.Yes of-course, to get the glimpse of Gangtok city in a single day, some of the must do places are Nam Nam view point, Chorten Monastery, Cable car ride, Flower Show, and some of the other attractions are the Changu Lake, Baba Mandir, Nathula Pass which would require 1 full day and an inner line permit to be visited.

By Debjani Lahiri

The capital state of Sikkim is the most favourable place to go, as Sikkim is one of the best tourist destinations in India. It’s beautiful scenic views of the Himalayas & Kanchenjunga doesn't hurt either! The residents of this city are very helpful & peaceful people. You can explore so many monasteries & stupas while here in Gangtok. There’s also an amazing mall road where you will get some very fashionable clothing on budget prices!

Explore These Places in Hills For Some Family Fun

By Nikita Das - Vagabond Stories

We left for Gangtok at 6 A.M the next morning. Usually a 5 hour drive from Pelling, we reached Gangtok at around 12 P.M as we stopped at the Alpine cheese factory and the Ravangla Buddha Park in between. If you love cheese as much as I do, you MUST check out the Alpine cheese factory right outside of Pelling. The staff there is extremely nice and would be happy to show you around the factory and answer all your questions about how cheese is made. You can also buy freshly made cheese from their factory outlet. The Ravangla Buddha Park too cannot be missed. With a 130 foot hight Buddha statue right in the centre of a beautifully landscaped park, you will fall in love with the spiritual and serene ambience of the park. After we reached Gangtok we quickly checked into hotel, Netuk House, a beautiful traditional Sikkimiese home built in the 1950’s with great facilities and service. After a quick bite at one of the eateries on our way the town centre, we started our site seeing for the day. We started with the beautiful Do Drul Chorten Stupa. Post that we went on the Gangtok ropeway, which I really enjoyed as the views of the town and the valley from up there were stunning. After that we checked out M.G Marg, the main shopping centre in Gangtok and picked up a few souvenirs. We spent the rest of the afternoon strolling in the flower exhibition centre and the Himalayan zoological park. You might also want to check out the Himalayan mountaineering centre. We went to the Hunuman tok to watch the sunset behind the Kanchenjunga. TOTALLY worth it. After a long and exhausting day of travelling and site seeing, we decided to relax, get early dinner at the famous roll house and check out the nightlife in Gangtok, which is indeed pretty happening. If you are someone who loves cozy and small bars with live music, then you will love the bars in Gangtok. We spent the night bar hopping, as most of these places are in close proximity, until we couldn't keep our eyes open anymore. We got some amazing dessert at the Coffee Shop, which is extremely popular with the locals and went back to hotel to catch up on some sleep.

North-East Dairies (Part 2)

By Ishaani Sharma

So after 4 hours of travel from New jalpaiguri (NJP) we reached Gangtok at around 6.30 or 7 pm . Before that we found a travel agency in NJP railway station from where we booked our stay of 5 nights and 6 days stay in Sikkim which includes free breakfast and lunch too.So the first day in Gangtok was scheduled for the local site seeing around Gangtok which includes really awesome places such asENCHEY MONASTERYHANUMAN TOKGANESH TOKRUMTEK MONASTERYHANDICRAFTSSo that day was really amazing but we were tired also at end of the day . One more thing is that after the local site seeing which will end at around 4 or 5pm you can explore MG MARG which is the heart of the Gangtok city.

How to travel North Sikkim in 5d/6N

Next morning we decided to go for rafting which is on the way to Bengal from Sikkim. In March, rapids aren't too harsh so the rafting wasn't too risky. You can get some good photos clicked and videos of your experience.On the way to Gangtok we visited Rumtek Monastery.

Travel from Gangtok to Lanchung which is 118k away and will take you 4 hrs 30 mins by road. Best to hail a cab or bus to Lanchung, enjoy the view of the majestic Teesta river that flows along the winding road. Lachung has a lot to offer in itself, so plan to leave early from Gangtok.

A Love Affair with Nature at Yumthang Valley, Sikkim

DAY- 4Exploring Gangtok ( East Sikkim)

Explore the Beautiful Sikkim - Pelling, Namchi & Gangtok

By Dheeraj Kumar

After visiting Tourism office at Gangtok thought of what could be done on day 2. While reading the brochure I found there is a place for paragliding. Since the morning had cleared up and sun was back was hoping there would be no rain. From the taxi stand inquired how to go about with it. Taxi people are friendly in Sikkim. So booked the taxi for whole day and he would take me to must visit places in Gangtok.First we went to Ban Jhakri Falls. There is a theme park coming up soon.

3. Adventure Junkie- Experience for life time!Are you young and energetic looking for adrenaline rush. Sikkim offers you several adventure activities to test your limits and over come your fears. Recently during my visit I tried Paragliding and White River Rafting and was an experience for life time. Once you soar high up in the air you break free like a bird and forget all your sorrow. The adrenaline rush in the fierce chilling water of Teesta is refreshing which rejuvenates your mind body and soul. Apart from that Sikkim also offer other popular activities like Cycling, Mountain Biking, Trekking.

5 Reasons to visit Sikkim Northeast India!

2. Monasteries- Into the land of Monks!Are you fascinated by Buddhist culture and Monasteries. Sikkim will fulfill all your wishes which you are mesmerized by those colorful ribbons and flags with OM MA NE PADME HUM mantras tied high up in the air. The believe attached with it that the more higher it is tied up in the mountains the more sooner the mantras will reach into the GOD's ear. The monks which you have always imagined to experienced it and those prayer bell which you have seen only virtually in movies. Here are the few clicks from my recent visit in Gangtok:

5 Reasons to visit Sikkim Northeast India!

Shillong
307 Kms from Wangdue Phodrang

Best time to visit - January,February,March,April,May,June,August,September,October,November,December

Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong is quaint hill-station flanked by pine forests and a few hundred waterfalls scattered across the charming landscape. Also referred to as the Scotland of the East, Shillong is replete with remnants of its British legacy, that can be seen in its architecture and the cuisine found on most menus. The beautiful Umiam, is a manmade lake and locally known as Barapani, it’s one of Shillong’s most popular places to visit. The Wards Lake is another artificial creation and tourists flock to this destination mainly for the boat rides. The multitude of waterfalls crowding the city - Sweet, Bishop and Beadon, and Elephant falls play a significant role in Shillong’s tourism. The Don Bosco Centre of Indigenous Cultures, is a cultural repository for all the seven Northeastern states, boasting of everything from weapons to rare photographs. To witness a magnificent view of the entire city, the Shillong Peak at 1695 msl fanning out over the town is your best bet. While touring Shillong, don’t forget to incorporate the beautiful Golf Course, that is perched at an elevation of 5200ft.

Getaways · Places to Visit · Hotels · Trips

Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong is quaint hill-station flanked by pine forests and a few hundred waterfalls scattered across the charming landscape. Also referred to as the Scotland of the East, Shillong is replete with remnants of its British legacy, that can be seen in its architecture and the cuisine found on most menus. The beautiful Umiam, is a manmade lake and locally known as Barapani, it’s one of Shillong’s most popular places to visit. The Wards Lake is another artificial creation and tourists flock to this destination mainly for the boat rides. The multitude of waterfalls crowding the city - Sweet, Bishop and Beadon, and Elephant falls play a significant role in Shillong’s tourism. The Don Bosco Centre of Indigenous Cultures, is a cultural repository for all the seven Northeastern states, boasting of everything from weapons to rare photographs. To witness a magnificent view of the entire city, the Shillong Peak at 1695 msl fanning out over the town is your best bet. While touring Shillong, don’t forget to incorporate the beautiful Golf Course, that is perched at an elevation of 5200ft.

The volcanic Meghalaya plateau rises above the plains of Bangladesh to welcome the South West Monsoon. The play of water over a volcanic land mass, has created intricate underground cave networks with streams, crystals, stalactite and stalagmite formations; while on the surface, thundering waterfalls and rich vibrant forests flourish.

The Heart of Shillong, a Walk around Laithmukhrah

(Shillong-Scotland of the East):Neeraj was quick to respond and an arrangement for the bike to be picked up and repaired was made by him through the local Royal Enfield Service Centre. After handing over the bike, I left to explore Shillong. I was put up in a nice hotel in the main area of Shillong called Police Bazaar. I took a local cab, since my bike was getting ready for the road ahead. The day trip in Shillong consisted of certain places of importance. The first place I went to was the Shillong Peak also known as the Shillong Viewpoint. It is just a normal spot from where the entire capital city of Shillong is visible, In one glance. The peculiarity of this place is that it is located inside the Army Cantonment area, so there is thorough frisking of the travellers before entering. Also ensure that you have a photo identification proof ready for perusal. Next was the Elephant falls which is the shining star of Shillong. Divided into 3 separate areas of water flow, one has to descend a flight of around 50 steps for each area. It was just mesmerising. Some photographs and a steady climb up from the base area of the waterfall took me to the parking area. Then I set off to visit a lovely lake called the Ward's lake. This lake has it all. A big waterbody, clean grass all around, some beautiful flowers and above it all, a stunning silence. A silence in which you could hear yourself. Perks of travelling alone, ain't it? Moving on we halted at a zoo-park called the Lady Hydari park. Some unhappy Black Himalayan Bears and chirpy Geese was all that I could see. They were inside unclean enclosures. I hope that the entry fee that we pay, eventually is used for the actual development of these areas. The visit to the Cathedral Church followed. The silence and the serenity of the holy place was enough to freshen up and setup some really good vibes. It was now time to visit the Shillong Golf Links. This is a large area of lush green natural turf, where apparently golf is played on weekends by the locals. On seeing this place I was reminded of Khajjiar in Dalhousie and how Khajjiar is known as the Mini Switzerland of India. The Golf Course in Shillong was so much more clean than Khajjiar, which has now become a purely commercial place with lots of crap around. It clearly struck to me that Shillong is such an underrated hill station. It has a beautiful waterfall, a very calm lake, some lush green outfields, and a viewpoint just like any other hill station. Definitely Shillong doesn't receive the attention of a tourist like any other mainstream hill station in the north. I returned back to my room after having a light meal. Lots of good cafés around the Police Bazaar area, if you want to have an experience of the local culture. After walking down to another market area called the Barra Bazaar, I came back to my room and ensured that I get a good night's sleep before the drive next day to Mawlynnong-Asia's cleanest village.

MEGHALAYA ON TWO WHEELS(AS 25H 1498)

By Kritharth Pendyala

Day 2 - A Dark kNight Ride to the Mystic Meghalaya'sWoke up early to visit Guwahati's Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary and spent a solid 3 hours on this Birdified lake and tried a lot to learn Bird Photography with my roomie's Canon 1300D , but couldn't capture closer as I forgot the Zoomer :{Came back to room & covered up Kamakhya Temple , Peacock Island in the middle of Brahmaputra , Assam State Museum in Guwahati.Exchanged the cutie Bajaj Avenger 220 Cruise with Royal RE 500 Classic as there was a request from Rentrip. Delay in vehicle exchange lead me to start to Shillong very Late in the evening. A Perfect 4 Laned Ghat Night Ride in freezing cold with couple of Chai Stoppage's - Guwahati to Shillong !

Dream Trip to NE India !

By Sriram Muthuvel

Half confused and half worried, I am looking for a vehicle in the bustling streets of Bada Bazaar, an exit point in Shillong for Dawki, Cherrapunjee, etc. Dreaming about a vacation is super easy, but 'how to reach?', will exhaust your brain to the core - pan walas, shopkeepers, bus drivers, knocking doors and Google may have multi-directional opinion sometimes. This is enough to baffle and hence, delay the so-called planned trip.Call it lack of knowledge(read planning), but all those who want to travel will find a way(perhaps, discover a road not taken). After giving up on finding a direct public transport to Mawlynnong, I started reaching out to cab drivers. One would imagine that hilly areas would have big cars, but Shillong, in fact Meghalaya is a tiny cultural shock with the Maruti 800 prevailing as the main mode of transportation between cities – people overflowing through this miniature car of 90s. Having the basic knowledge of distance between places and what price cab drivers usually charge, did give me a platform(or basis) to bargain.

An unexpected ride to Dawki

By The Travellist

and here is my travel video

A solo trip to Shillong, Scotland of Northeast

I kickstarted the next morning and we started our way through the beautiful roads of highway.. Stopped at a dhabba on the way, right before hitting the mountains which serves amazing bread omelette and some exotic fruits which they sell all over the way. The road trip from Guwahati to Shillong is blissful beyond words could explain. Stopped right after that at the umami lake .. It has this mesmerising view which one won't forget that easily ! Then we headed for the well known "Don Bosco museum" that showcases everything about northeast! Also it has a terrace that leads you and gives a view of The whole Shillong ! Evening was set aside for boat rides and some shopping at the police bazaar .. Bakeries here are real good!

All I Wanted Was New Year Not A New Love..!

By Keerthana Guruchandran

Lucky us,it rained heavily in the night.So,we enjoyed the rainy weather,but also it didn't hamper our trip.So,in morning with fresh mind but tired legs,we set off for Shillong sight seeing.There are numerous waterfalls,each with its own unique beauty.Theres also a cave named Mawsmai Cave,where you can explore the cave system in its natural form.Its a unique experience as well if you can complete the whole cave system,but keep in mind,there are quite a bit narrow crevices & be ready to get wet below your knee in few areas.But,if you are adventurous,you must do it.Then there are Nohkalikai falls,with a wonderful scenic beauty as well as,a tragic history behind its name.

Mesmerising North- East

By BISWAJIT SAHA

SHILLONG

5 Family Trips In India That Will Make It Straight To Your Wishlist

Guwahati- Shillong- Nongria Falls- Cherrapunji -Guwahati1) Guwahati-Gangtok-Tsomgo Lake- Baba mandir- NAthula pass- Gangtokor2) Guwahati-Gangtok-Lachung-Gurudongmar Lake- GangtokAs because we had time constraints and we planned to choose either of the options.We started from Guwahati at 9 am and planned to reached Shilong by 12 pm. However, once you enter those zones, time will cease to exist and your plans will go in dustbins. We took so many stops in between that we reached Shillong by 2:30.The way is absolutely breathtaking. Try having their local cuisines, chowmein (known as pan fried noodles in other parts of India) maggie, momos and lot more. Food in entire states of N.E is amazing.We reached police bazaar, Shillong at around 2:30. We bought raincoats for our journey and explored the tibetan market and tried the local golgappes or phuchkas.

NorthEast India: Exploring the far east land

By Surabhi Sinha

Day 5We kept the last day to explore the main city Shillong. We visited Elephant Waterfalls, Shillong Peak and Local shopping markets. You can go for shopping at the local markets. You will find lot of handcraft items, stoles, woolens and what not.Elephant Waterfalls – It’s one of the prime attractions in Shillong and worth visiting as the falls can be viewed from three different steps. One has to climb down the steps amidst the greenery .This waterfall is pretty crowded as it’s located on the highway.Shillong View Point – It was a pleasant 20 minutes’ drive from the main city. You can hire local cabs and reach the destination in no time enjoying the lovely weather. At the entry you might have to wait till completion of the formalities by defense personnel as one has to pass the defense area. The view is definitely a treat to your eyes; you can see the whole city from the top. Do not miss having hot tea and Maggie there.Police Bazar - Certainly the place in town where everyone goes shopping and where you find everything. I especially loved the small roads going there with small markets along the streets. You can go for street shopping for funky clothes and shoes at a very reasonable price. Do not miss buying souvenirs.We had our last dinner at friend’s restaurant and enjoyed our walk to the hotel having ice-creams. With this we ended our trip with lot of unforgettable memories and a calmer self.

5 Days in the arms of beautiful Shillong!

By Aditi Munjal

Tawang
221 Kms from Wangdue Phodrang

Best time to visit - March,April,May,June,July,August,September,October

Tawang has always been in the midst of conflict and controversy. But if you look beyond the controversy, you'll discover beauty incomparable to any other. Tawang is well connected from Tezpur by air and rail and summer is the best time to visit and plan a holiday. The major tourist attraction here is the Twang Monastery, which is celebrated as the birth place of the 6th Dala Lama. Besides the monastery, the Sela Pass and Jang Waterfalls are also touristy places and should definitely be a part of your itinerary. The Penga Teng Tso Lake is frozen for 5 months in a year, but makes for a wonderful sight all through. Do book a cab to visit the lake since the roads are a little tricky and are best managed by a local. Tawang is especially colourful in February when the Monpas, the native tribe, celebrate the Losar Festival (Tibetan New Year) and it really is a great time to be here. For foreign nationals, special permission is required to visit Tawang so do have all your papers in order. Before planning a holiday to Tawang, it's wise to research and also build contacts with the locals there to discover all the wonderful secrets of this splendid district!

Getaways · Hotels · Places to Visit · Trips

Tawang has always been in the midst of conflict and controversy. But if you look beyond the controversy, you'll discover beauty incomparable to any other. Tawang is well connected from Tezpur by air and rail and summer is the best time to visit and plan a holiday. The major tourist attraction here is the Twang Monastery, which is celebrated as the birth place of the 6th Dala Lama. Besides the monastery, the Sela Pass and Jang Waterfalls are also touristy places and should definitely be a part of your itinerary. The Penga Teng Tso Lake is frozen for 5 months in a year, but makes for a wonderful sight all through. Do book a cab to visit the lake since the roads are a little tricky and are best managed by a local. Tawang is especially colourful in February when the Monpas, the native tribe, celebrate the Losar Festival (Tibetan New Year) and it really is a great time to be here. For foreign nationals, special permission is required to visit Tawang so do have all your papers in order. Before planning a holiday to Tawang, it's wise to research and also build contacts with the locals there to discover all the wonderful secrets of this splendid district!

I spent a day in Tawang exploring its famous monastery. It's massive, to say the least. The Tawang Monastery is said to be the largest in India and the 2nd largest in the world.

The Largest Monastery in India | Tawang | North-East India

By tollfreetraveller

The picturesque town of Tawang. It is known for its tranquil beauty and vibrant soothing energy. Talk of the hospitality or the amiable nature of the residents, the towering mountains overhead or the speeding thundering valleys. Tawang touches your soul in every amazing way.Rediscovering Northeast. 'Tawang', A MUST visit.

Tawang - The Hidden Paradise

By Ankita Borkakoty

I somehow knew that my scars would continue to fester until I embraced a geographical change. Well, recruiting friends for company is difficult with most of them busy with their jobs, some were broke and a few simply not the game for it. I faced with the dilemma of whether to sulk in unhealthy dose of self pity or travel without a company. It didn't took me long to recognise that travelling made room for much needed self-reflection and a decluttering of the mind. I was pretty much impressed by Buddhism on my earlier trips to Ladakh. My Boss was kind enough to give me a 7 day break to reboot and refresh my mind for I had not taken a vacation in the past 6 months. Tawang was a natural choice for me, though the region is prone to heavy rains and landslides during May-June. I was skeptic about the whole idea initially, but the vision of beautiful valleys and lakes for photography was too exciting. How to reach Tawang?The nearest airport is Tezpur which is about 300 km away. In addition, there are a very few flights to Tezpur from rest of India. The best option, therefore is Guwahati which has one of the busiest airports in the entire northeast. Guwahati is located 480 km from Tawang and is connected to all the major cities in India. One can drive down to Tezpur from Guwahati Airport, which is about 4 hours away. Tata Sumo, Mahindra Bolero or Maruti Eeco are easily available for hire from Tezpur to Tawang. Taxis charge approximately ₹ 7k-8k. It's a 16 hours long journey from Tezpur to Tawang which holds you tight with its unparalleled beauty and the gift of nature displayed in every inch of the land. On the way, you would be able to see the beautiful Tenga Valley, Bomdila, the spectacular Sela Pass and lake, the Jaswantgarh Memorial and the famous Nuranang or Jang falls. While at Tawang A lot of good hotels are available in Tawang which provide comfortable stay and great food as well with charges ranging from ₹ 1000- 3000 per night. It gets extremely cold at night so carrying woollens and warm clothes is a must. The hotels generally have tie ups with local travel agents to provide vehicles to visit in and around Tawang. They charge around ₹4000-5000 to take you to all the places around Tawang which includes the Tawang Monastery, Tawang War Memorial, Bum La, Taktsang Gompa, Shongatser Lake and Pankang Teng Tso. The journey from Tawang to Shongatser lake is a mesmerising one with a number of isolated lakes and beautiful valleys. The best time to visit Tawang is Feb-Mar, Oct-Nov and Apr-July. You got to watch out for extreme cold and unhygienic roadside food. And hey, the civilians require something known as the Inner Line Permit (ILP), as Tawang is located near the international border with China. ILP can be easily obtained from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Tezpur and the Tawang district headquarters It takes approximately 10-12 hours for the process. It's the best to apply for it at Tawang itself as you can plan a day out there itself. For more details you can visit the Arunachal Pradesh tourism website. Tawang is a heaven for photographers and nature lovers out there. Don't forget to carry your medicines for motion sickness, sun-tan lotion, sun hat, goggles, raincoat and an umbrella. For all you hesitant solo travellers, don't let your fear stop you. Travelling solo allows us to know ourselves a little better. And, remember you hold the power to your feelings and being your own doesn't equate with loneliness. So, chuck that damn phone away and strike a conversation with yourself. Bon Voyage!

Tawang : Place That Mends Your Hurt And Takes You In

By Naveen Kaushik

Since I had to return the next day, I got in touch with the one of the local tour operators for my return to Tezpur. Next day morning I boarded the cab from the guest house and said good bye to our beautiful host Dehra Lama and he wished me all the best in his own unique gesture of folding the hand. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture with him (forgot to take one).Being a curious guy myself to know more about the places and people. I had good interaction with the migrants here (mainly Bengalis and Biharis) and how they have come to be here and doing business. Also, interacted with ITBP personnel and his experience. All these talks gives us a fresh perspective into a life outside ours and changes our thinking in some way or the other.I stayed overnight in Tezpur at one of the guest house nearby the bus stand. Next morning, I took the Volvo to Guwahati and then reached airport in a cab to board my flight in the afternoon.My journey ended with lots of beautiful memories which I have tried to put above. I would suggest to go out and explore. Life is meant to be enjoyed and experienced and what better way than travelling and meeting people.I am now locating a new place to visit. Signing off. Inbox me for contacts and any suggestions if you want visiting these places.

Short and Sweet Journey to North-east

TawangAfter 5 long hours of driving through the hilly terrain we reached our elusive destination Tawang. Tawang is synonymous with the Tawang Monastery, the mammoth structure very easily visible from far away in the hills. It is the soul of the Tawang hill people. Spirituality flows from here. The monastery is the 2nd largest in the world after the Potala palace in Lhasa.

Short and Sweet Journey to North-east

After Sela you will pass the Jaswant Singh War Memorial. He fought the Chinese in the Sino-Indian war of 1962. You can google more on this place. Jaswant Singh has been elevated to the position of a saint and the local believe that he protects the valley from disaster. This war memorial has on the outside beautiful quotes engraved on the walls and the stones. One thing in Buddhism is that they have heart touching quotes.

Short and Sweet Journey to North-east

This picturesque town in Arunachal Pradesh is located at an elevation of 2,669 meters and is cradled in the Himalayas. Covered in glistening snow for most parts of the year, Tawang has an exotic elegance, with its pristine wildness, criss-crossed by gushing streams, surrounded by deep valleys and glassy lakes in a mountainous backdrop, making it one of the perfect places to visit in May in India. The streets are dotted with monasteries, as most of the people residing here are Buddhists. The whisper of the Tashi Delek can be heard all along the valleys as one treks along the region, seeking pleasure in adventure!How to get there: Tezpur in Assam is the nearest major transit point to Tawang and is well-connected by rail, air and road. From Tezpur, government and private buses ply at regular intervals, SUV s could be hired as well.

Mesmerizing Places To Visit In India In May

Why go? The geographical position of Tawang at the northeastern edge of the country makes it a truly offbeat travel destination. This picturesque town lies 10,000ft above sea level, bound by Tibet on the north, Bhutan on the south-west and the cultural uniqueness sets it apart from any other destination in India.Things to do: Tawang Monastery, Taktshang Gompa and Urgeling Gompa are the chief religious attractions in Tawang. Beautiful lakes surrounding Tawang include Shonga-tser, Pangateng Tso and Nagula Lake. Gorichen Peak and Nuranang Falls are other great attractions in the vicinity.Budget tip for Tawang: Stay at Radiance International and earn up to 1000 JPMiles on booking with JetPrivilege hotel partners.

Dream Budget Destinations in India That You Need To Visit For The Upcoming Summer Vacations

By Disha Kapkoti

Tawang's Buddhist community is deeply rooted in the political history of the place, as until early 20th century it was a part of Tibet. This hill town in Arunachal Pradesh is home to the Tawang Monastery, which is largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world. In Tibetan, the monastery is called Galden Namgey Lhatse, which translates to "celestial paradise on a clear night". The city preserves the culture and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in the magnificent Himalayas.Where to eat: During your stay at Tawang, definitely check out the small street vendors in the main market that sell the most delicious momos and other snacks. The Woodland Restaurant is known for its salt tea and Dragon Restaurant for chopsuey.Where to stay: There are several stay options in Tawang, and most are widely available on the internet. Check out this page to get exact details, names and contact numbers of available hotels. Radiance International is one of the most popular hotels in Tawang.How to reach: The nearest airport is in Tezpur (143km). From there you will have to either take a local bus or taxi to the Tawang Monastery, which will take up to 8 hours.

9 Enlightening Buddhist Towns In India To Head To For Some Meaningful Travel

By Sreshti Verma

After a leisurely breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing of Tawang including a visit to the Tawang Monastery and War Memorial.

Experience North East With Tawang - Summer

Kurseong
193 Kms from Wangdue Phodrang

Best time to visit - January,February,March,April,May,December

Kurseong, located about 30 km from Darjeeling, is for travellers who are looking to get away from the chaos of typical hill stations. With tea gardens as the region's landscape, Kurseong is as charming as it is lively and a perfect weekend destination if you are in West Bengal. There are a number of spots here that promise you an overwhelming view of the enveloping mountains – the most significant being the clear views of the mighty Kanchenjunga. Like any other hill station, Kurseong has its share of lovely touristy spots including Dow Hill, Eagle Craig and various tea estates including Makaibari Tea Estate (which is said to be the oldest tea estate in the region). If you are looking to explore the town completely, it's best to get in touch with some locals and discover hidden gems including trekking sites and birdwatching spots.

Getaways · Places to Visit · Hotels · Trips

Kurseong, located about 30 km from Darjeeling, is for travellers who are looking to get away from the chaos of typical hill stations. With tea gardens as the region's landscape, Kurseong is as charming as it is lively and a perfect weekend destination if you are in West Bengal. There are a number of spots here that promise you an overwhelming view of the enveloping mountains – the most significant being the clear views of the mighty Kanchenjunga. Like any other hill station, Kurseong has its share of lovely touristy spots including Dow Hill, Eagle Craig and various tea estates including Makaibari Tea Estate (which is said to be the oldest tea estate in the region). If you are looking to explore the town completely, it's best to get in touch with some locals and discover hidden gems including trekking sites and birdwatching spots.

5. The Land of White Orchid, Kurseong. You can reach for the Clouds here.

10 Pictures that Prove North Bengal is truly Nature's Love Affair !!

By Debanjan Ray

Pelling
186 Kms from Wangdue Phodrang

Best time to visit - September to March

Pelling is approximately 130 km far from Siliguri and 115 km from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, and is very well connected by transport and jeep services. The lovely little town of Pelling is popular for magnificient views of the snow-topped Kanchenjunga range, the third most elevated crest in the world.The Placid town pulls a large portion of the guests for its representative status in history, and nature of the state of Sikkim. Situated at a height of 6,800 ft, Pelling offers great perspective of the whole Kanchenjunga mountain reach including Koktang, Kumbhakaran , Rathong, Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Siniolchu and many more. This is as close as you can get to the Kanchenjunga range without leaving the material solace of good lodgings. Because of its worthwhile area, numerous hotels and cabins have come up in and around Pelling taking into account shifted tastes and budgets. Also the climate in Pelling may change from bright and sunny to blurred and miserable in a matter of minutes.

Getaways · Places to Visit · Hotels · Trips

Pelling is approximately 130 km far from Siliguri and 115 km from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, and is very well connected by transport and jeep services. The lovely little town of Pelling is popular for magnificient views of the snow-topped Kanchenjunga range, the third most elevated crest in the world.The Placid town pulls a large portion of the guests for its representative status in history, and nature of the state of Sikkim. Situated at a height of 6,800 ft, Pelling offers great perspective of the whole Kanchenjunga mountain reach including Koktang, Kumbhakaran , Rathong, Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Siniolchu and many more. This is as close as you can get to the Kanchenjunga range without leaving the material solace of good lodgings. Because of its worthwhile area, numerous hotels and cabins have come up in and around Pelling taking into account shifted tastes and budgets. Also the climate in Pelling may change from bright and sunny to blurred and miserable in a matter of minutes.

Day 4

North-East Dairies (Part 2)

By Ishaani Sharma

Drive to Khecheopalri. The enchanting lake is cradled by pine forests and shrouded in local myths. You could head to Yuksom next and in the evening, visit the Pemayangtse monastery.

This Spectacular Trek Through Sikkim's Magical Mountains, Will Leave You Inspired And Breathless

By Sonalika Debnath

It was a very misty morning at Pelling making a man standing 10 meters far invisible. The hope of seeing Kanchenjunga faded away but not the mist. It just kept coming. But I was not ready to give up, thus Darjeeling came in to picture. But before that just a quick sightseeing of Pelling.

Sikkim – The Land of Mystique

By Nachikethas MJ

Pelling, a beautiful town in the West district of Sikkim, is becoming the second biggest tourist destination in Sikkim after Gangtok. The main attraction of the place is the breath-taking sight of the Khangchendzonga and the neighbouring peaks. The famous Pemayangste monastery is less than a kilometre from here and is a major tourist hotspot. It also provides sites for mountain biking, rock climbing, village tours, meditations, educational studies and several other activities. The scenic town of Pelling is a perfect holiday destination for all nature lovers. How to Reach Pelling Air: The nearest Airport to Pelling is Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri, which is a four hour drive from Pelling. You can take a taxi or bus from here to reach Pelling. Rail: The nearest Railway Station from Pelling is Jalpaiguri Railway Station, which is at a distance of 170 Kms from Pelling. It is well connected to major cities like Chennai, New Delhi, Howrah, Alipur and Darjeeling through Guwahati Express, Ndls Bgp Express, Mas Njp Express and Dbrt Rajdhani. Road: Pelling is well connected with the other cities of Sikkim via Sikkim State Road Transport Corporation (SSRTC) and some private travel services. Buses are available to get to Pelling and thus taking a bus or a rented/private vehicle is a good idea. However, owing to high elevation it’s better visited in Sumo or similar vehicle. rom Gangtok– 115 kms – 5 hours From Bagdogra– 135 Kms – 5.5 hours From New Jalpaiguri– 130 Kms – 5.5 hours From Darjeeling town – 109 kms – 4.5 Hours. There is an alternative short route through which the distance comes down to about 70 kms. But this route is quite steep and may not remain operational throughout the year. From Kalimpong – 85 kms – 4 hours From Jorethang – 42 kms – 2.5 hours From Ravangla – 45 kms – 2.5 hours Pelling Weather As is true for the entire state of Sikkim, weather here is unpredictable in nature. Weather in Pelling may change from Bright and sunny to clouded and gloomy in a matter of minutes. The cloud and sun plays a contineous game of hide and seek creating a mesmerizing environment for the traveller. April, May and June are the summer months in the plains and high season at Pelling as people try to avoid the excessive heat of the plains and find comfort in the mountains. Weather during this time is pleasant with average temperature around 15 to 20 centigrade. July to September is the rainy season, and it rains quite heavily here. Landslide is common and occasionally Pelling may not be accessible by the main road. This is the low season and hotel and tour costs come down sharply. So if you are looking for a budget friendly tour and don’t mind carrying an extra umbrella, you may consider Pelling most suitable for you during this season. October – November is the festival season in India and again a high tourist season in the hills. Pelling weather around this time is similar to the Summer months. But visibility is better with great views of the mountain range available during most of the days. December – March are the cooler months with temperature going below 10 degree. Most international tourists visit here around this season. Indian visitors not afraid of a little chill, may enjoy Pelling during the winter months. The best part of this time is post monsoon visibility remains excellent and since it is not a very high season, you can enjoy travel without having to hustle with other toursts. Sightseeing in Pelling Pemayangtse Monastery Sanga Choeling Monastery Khecheopalri Lake Sangay Waterfall Sewaro Rock Garden Singshore Bridge Rimbi Waterfall Kanchenjunga Fall &More....For more Please Visit ....https://www.facebook.com/TravelographybyPlabanBhattacharya

By Plaban Bhattacharya

DAY- 2A Proper Start to the DayIn the Morning it was just awesome to watch the view along our balcony. It was a typical weather with clouds as it was slightly raining but the absolutely blew our mind...

Explore the Beautiful Sikkim - Pelling, Namchi & Gangtok

By Dheeraj Kumar

After spending scenic tour of pelling including Kanchenjunga Falls and Singshore Bridge we will move to Darjeeling on our 4th Day of Sikkim.

Making of a Road Trip - Meghalaya & Sikkim

By Pragmatic Traveller

We immediately changed our plan and decided to go to Pelling. We hired a car, the driver demanded Rs100 per person extra as the condition of the road was terrible. We had no other choice. We reached Jorethang at 2 pm and another bad news was waiting for us! There was only one share jeep for Geyjing, but for an unknown reason the driver refused to take us to Geyjing. After 1 hour of pleading and pleasing him, he agreed to go but demanded Rs.500 extra! At 4.30 we reached geyjing.Its a small hamet. From there we had to trek 10 kms to reach pelling. When we reached , there were no sign of any human, no electricity,as if the city was abandoned. We were exhausted, hungry, worried and at the same time a bit scared too! we walked down the road and saw only one hotel was still open . Fortunately we booked a room for five of us and after having a heavenly Roti Egg curry we slept off. The Kangchendzonga Next morning we went to visit Pemayangtse Monastery and Rabdantse Ruins - as Pema suggested. Oh, she is a good friend of mine and she is from Yuksom, presently studing at Scottish church college.By 8 am we reached Pemayangtse. Pemayangtse Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Nyingma school in Sikkim, and the main holder of Lhatsun's tradition in the world. It was founded by Lhatsun Namkha Jigmed in 1647 A.D. It was originally started with a small shrine called Tsangkhang on the spot of present monastery probably in the year 1647 A.D. Later the third Dharma King Chogyal Chagdor Namgyal (1686-1716 A.D.) and Khenchen Rolpai Dorjee (Vajra Master of Pemayangtse) expanded this Lakhang and re-established it in the year 1705 A.D. and was named it as Sangchen Pedmayangtse monastery in Tibetan which means "most sacred lotus summit monastery" which was started with an enrolment of 108 monks.We entered the main shrine. The first floor of the monastery has a notable collection of ancient Buddhist antique idols, sculptures and decorated paintings. In the second floor Padmasambahva's eight incarnations in fierce form and the Tripitaka texts are also seen there. On the third floor particular note is a seven-tiered painted wooden structure, portraying Guru Rimpoche 's Heavenly Palace known as "PEDMA DRAWAI SHING KOD", which was originally built by Lhatsun Namkha Jigmed himself and later renovated by Khenchen Tsundre Rinpoche.The room was dark, uncannily quiet, those scary paintings and those tibbetan masks and that low hymn created a surreal world.

Lachung- On A Magical Misty Morning

By Anurag Banerjee

This morning after breakfast, proceed to Pelling.On arrival, check- in to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Pelling. (B, D)

Super Saver North East With Air

While thousands of travelers and photographers explore India's vibrant beauty, there are certain places in India which are not being traveled yet. Pelling is one of such places. Nested at an altitude of 7,200 ft and blessed with the blessings of world's third highest mountain range i.e. Kanchenjunga range, this place renders some unpredictable experience for adventurers and photographers. You will find fewer tourists so this place is quiet and serene, not much commercialized as compared to Gangtok. It was about 115km long road trip from Gangtok and as I was there in autumn season so the whole Pelling was almost converted into the carpet of alpine vegetation and numerous waterfalls. In winter season, Pelling is in the blanket of snow. It is the best place for trekkers to undertake the treks of Sikkim. My best part of the journey was living with locals at their home to know about their culture. Through the series of photos i will show you some of the spectacular view of Pelling.

Instagramming Sikkim: Tsomgo Lake, Namchi and Pelling

By prateek goel

Pelling is considered as Nature's Paradise. The greenery you find here is breathtaking and the landscapes are just unbelievable. Pelling is nearest to Kanchenjunga and the famous Sunrise can be seen from any hotel you stay in here. We woke up early in the morning to witness the sunrise, but the weather was cloudy. Though we got some breath taking view of the valley from our balcony.

Idyllic Pelling!

By Sayantan Mukherjee

Phuentsholing
90 Kms from Wangdue Phodrang

Best time to visit - March,April,May,September,October

A thriving commercial centre and a gentle mix of various ethnicities, Phuentsholing is a beautiful small town located in southern Bhutan. This is the town where the gorgeous big Bhutan gate is located and also where you can get your visa to visit Bhutan. While you wait for the visa, you can visit the Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang, a small temple representing the heaven of Guru Rinpoche, located at the city centre. This temple houses statues of manifestations of Guru Rinpoche and paintings on Buddha's life and times. The Kharbandi Goemba situated in the city is a charming monastery illustrating the life of the Buddha. From the monastery garden, you can get a fascinating view of Phuentsholing town and its surrounding plains. The local landscape and markets are fun to explore and offer the first peak in Bhutanese life! Phuentsholing has a great food scene as well. Don't forget to try the delicious meat dumplings and the chicken corn soup at the Zen restaurant. Once you are done exploring the quaint towns and completing all government formalities, take a bus or cab forward to visit Paro or Thimphu.

Getaways · Hotels · Places to Visit · Trips

A thriving commercial centre and a gentle mix of various ethnicities, Phuentsholing is a beautiful small town located in southern Bhutan. This is the town where the gorgeous big Bhutan gate is located and also where you can get your visa to visit Bhutan. While you wait for the visa, you can visit the Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang, a small temple representing the heaven of Guru Rinpoche, located at the city centre. This temple houses statues of manifestations of Guru Rinpoche and paintings on Buddha's life and times. The Kharbandi Goemba situated in the city is a charming monastery illustrating the life of the Buddha. From the monastery garden, you can get a fascinating view of Phuentsholing town and its surrounding plains. The local landscape and markets are fun to explore and offer the first peak in Bhutanese life! Phuentsholing has a great food scene as well. Don't forget to try the delicious meat dumplings and the chicken corn soup at the Zen restaurant. Once you are done exploring the quaint towns and completing all government formalities, take a bus or cab forward to visit Paro or Thimphu.

Day 1: Delhi -> Bagdogra -> PhuntsholingWe, a group of seven people had finalized our Bhutan trip in April. As four of us stay in Delhi and three were coming from Kerala, we opted for landing at Bagdogra Airport and then taking a cab provided by our travel agent to cross the border gate and reach Phuntsholing. We reached Phuntsholing in around four hours around 10 PM and instantly the unique and intricate building designs let us know that we have left our country behind. We went to our hotel to sleep, eagerly waiting for our trip to kick start properly the next day.

An unforgettable trip to Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon

By Dhruv Kaicker

We got our local visa sorted at the passport office right next to the border and it roughly took an hour and a half. You can only take passes for Thimphu and Paro from this office, for all the other areas, you will have to take passes either from Thimphu or Paro. We took a traveller from Phuentsholing at around 2 pm and reached Thimphu around 8-8.30 in the night where we were welcomed by our amazing host at the pre-booked Airbnb Villa.

Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon - Photo Story

Day 3: The zeal was at its par once we reached to New Alipurduar from there we took mini bus to Pheuntsholing- The gateway of Bhutan by road from India.The next spot to explore was Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang: This city centre temple represents the heaven of Guru Rinpoche. Again the chilled evenings waited for the sun to rise with every single day getting close to summer.

The land of Thunder Dragons- Bhutan

Today, after breakfast drive back to Phuentsholing - the gateway to the south and thriving commercial trade centre on the northern edge of the Indian plains. On arrival, check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Phuentsholing (B)

Bhutan - The Dragon Kingdom

We went to Bhutan for a getaway as a small trip and it turned out to be as great as any other place we've been to. We reached the border town of Phuentsholing by train from Guwahati and checked into the Druk Hotel which is one of the good ones in this border town. Getting into this border town doesn't take any special permits or formalities since Bhutan and India are on very friendly terms. We only have cross the border gates and these close after 11pm.

The Land of Gross Domestic Happiness - BHUTAN

By Pratyancha J Goyal

PhuentsholingFollowing a late start, we got slowed down due to bad roads, lot of constructions on the road which slowed our progress. The weather also din't help, and we took a right at alipurduar towards Bhutan. Bad roads and heavy rains again slowed us down and we reached Bhutan past the chaotic traffic on the indian side of the border by 1:30PM.

Biking across North east

By shishir gowda

If the hotel doesn't give you the form, don't panic, you will get at the immigration office. Process takes 1 - 2 hours, because of long queue and slow execution. If you are taking a car on hire or driving your own car ( India registration number), the car and the driver too need the immigration approval. Saturdays and Sundays, office remains closed. So, plan accordingly.Spent the night at Phuentsholing. To go further into Bhutan, we booked a cab for our entire 5 day trip at a total cost of 2800/day.25 October, 2016Started for Thimpu from Phuentsholing at 10. 30 am and reached Thimpu at 3.30 pm.Here, on this route, you actually start witnessing every aspect of the 'Happiest Country of the World'. A drive through beautifully pitch-paved mountain roads, waterfalls on the way, rolling mountains and valleys, small village settlement with a cluster of 50-75 houses, meandering rivers, white fluffy clouds hanging down from a clear azure sky, thin air and a pleasant nip! Bliss.

Happy In The Happiest Country

Phuntsholing :As I was travelling in winter, it was cold. From -4 to 10 degrees, the climate changed. I was OK with that. So in the morning, i gave the place a try. I was accustomed to Bhutan tradition. I came to know the various temples and the people behaviors. Temples or Monasteries are called Dzongs. The thing you note about Bhutan is their Prayer flags. They are tied such that, their customs and tradition be spread along the air. I found a trail which showed me a way to a river called Torsa River.

The Last Shangrila...

By A Lone Wolf!!!

You can see the difference as soon as you enter the gate. People of Bhutan usually follow dress code. You can even buy those in the market for around 2000 Ng. The roads are clean, People are friendly, It is happy Bhutan after all.As it was late, there were no busses and I had to stay in a hotel there for the night and thought of exploring Phuntsholing first. Remember Bhutan is 15 minutes ahead of us. If you cross the border, the time is different. If you have booked anything, follow BST not IST. If you reach Jaigon at 5:00 pm. It means it is 5:15 pm in Bhutan.

The Last Shangrila...

By A Lone Wolf!!!

Phuentsholing is the first border town you enter. To win the permit race you have to reach the immigration office well in time. You get a 15 day window in Bhutan, so make the best of it. Taking a Druk-Air flight to Paro is a smoother option if comfort is priority. Passport is not mandatory, any other government authorized document (preferably Voter Id card) will do. Don't forget to carry 2 passport photos for the formalities.Time & MoneyThe currency (Ngultrum) is at par with the Indian Rupee sparing you of all the mental math. Also, Indian notes are accepted everywhere making it more convenient. Time Zone is GMT+6 i.e. half an hour ahead of us, so chances are you will always be running late.Elements of BhutanPeople and Culture

How I Rode Through Bhutan and Discovered Myself Again

By Vinayak Shanker Sharma

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Weekend Getaways from Wangdue Phodrang Places to Visit in Wangdue Phodrang

It was on offer for Rs 2500 then which now would cost 4500INR. The food is local and costs 500 for each meal. The staff is very friendly. One can indulge in their local sport, archery or go trekking to the nearby hills! They are extremely friendly and lovely people!

Wangdue Eco Lodge -Bhutan