This is a journey with Explore on its "Inside the Hidden Kingdoms" trip in March 2011.
It covers some remote areas of the Indian sub-continent that remain off the main tourist trail and hence infrastructure and facilities can be basic at times. We were warned that we were in for some long mountain journeys and occasionally, difficult road conditions.
Our journey begins In Bangladesh - to be precise in the vibrant and bustling city of Dhaka. It's situated on the mighty River Pemba (Ganges) and the aim will be to discover its ancient buildings and relics that define this remarkable country and its colourful past. Then it's off to the Buddhist ruins at Paharpur, the wonderful terracotta Kantanagar Hindu temple - hopefully gaining an understanding of the daily lives of the people in this little-visited, friendly country.
Crossing into India, we head towards the imposing mountain peaks, and on to the delightful hill station of Darjeeling (2430m). Along winding roads, we head Sikkim, and the Pemayangtse Monastery, an important monastery for the Red Hat sect of Buddhism and continues to Gangtok, the capital of this former kingdom. This is a a land of hidden valleys and small villages : rice paddies are contrasted with thick forest, surrounded by high snow-capped peaks which are synonymous with this region.
Continuing overland to Kalimpong, before continuing to Bhutan. Bhutan only opened up in the 1970s, and has tightly controlled the number of visitors, allowing a wonderful insight into a traditional way of life. After time in Thimphu, it's Eastwards across the Dochu Pass (3050m), through rural Bhutan to Punakha. Here is seen the impressive Punakha Dzong (fortress monastery), before driving to Paro, from where it's winding journey through oak and pine forest up to the sacred remains of the Taktsang 'Tigers Lair' monastery. Luckily, we are in Paro during the annual Tsechu Festival with sacred dances, retelling of holy stories and big markets.
Finally, there's a flight to Kolkata (Calcutta) for some final sightseeing in this vibrant Indian / Bengali city.
It covers some remote areas of the Indian sub-continent that remain off the main tourist trail and hence infrastructure and facilities can be basic at times. We were warned that we were in for some long mountain journeys and occasionally, difficult road conditions.
Crossing into India, we head towards the imposing mountain peaks, and on to the delightful hill station of Darjeeling (2430m). Along winding roads, we head Sikkim, and the Pemayangtse Monastery, an important monastery for the Red Hat sect of Buddhism and continues to Gangtok, the capital of this former kingdom. This is a a land of hidden valleys and small villages : rice paddies are contrasted with thick forest, surrounded by high snow-capped peaks which are synonymous with this region.
Finally, there's a flight to Kolkata (Calcutta) for some final sightseeing in this vibrant Indian / Bengali city.
