Itinerary
Arrival to Bagdogra. Transfer to the hotel with guide and (depending on arrival time) orientation walk.
DARJEELING :
Standing high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2134m, ‘Dorje Ling’, or place of the Thunderbolt, offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountain peaks, with the Kanchendzonga rising higher than all the others. Often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as alluring with its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a narrow gauge railway track. Surrounded by World Famous Tea Gardens and snow capped mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the most exotic destinations. Graeme Westlake in his book ‘ An introduction to hill stations on India’ refers to Darjeeling as having “A view Scarcely Unrivalled on Earth”.
Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast proceed for toy train ride.
TOY TRAIN
The spectacular landscape unfolds as the 2-foot gauge Darjeeling Himalayan railway, opened in 1881, labours at about 10 mph criss-crossing the road. It has tiny 4-wheel locomotives (some over 100 years old) like living legends. One can experience the sound, smell and romance of a bygone era. DHR is a work of genius and technological achievement of 1881. It has social and cultural importance. It is beautiful and has outstanding universal appeal. Based on its unique features, it is considered to be of lasting significance to mankind.
Afternoon proceed for walk tour Observatory Hill & Bhutia Basti Monastery.
Observatory Hill - Observatory Hill is a hill near Chowrasta square, or The Mall as it is popularly known, in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. Magnificent views of snow-clad peaks, including Mount Kanchenjunga, are visible from the Observatory Hill. Bhutia Busti Monastery - Bhutia Busty monastery or Karmaa Dorjee Chyoling monastery is a Buddhist monastery located in Tongsong, Darjeeling, India. It belongs to the Red Sect of Buddhist Lamas. Back to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Early morning visit Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery.
Tiger Hill :- It is 13 kms from Darjeeling and one can see beautiful sunrise and Himalayan Range like Kanchandzonga , Mount Everest etc. One can see the horizon changing colors just before sunrise and then the entire Himalayan range turn golden. It is truly a majestic sight.
Ghoom Monastery:- This is oldest Monastery in the area which was built in 1875 and one can see the image of Mythey Buddha 15ft. height on the way back from Tiger Hill
After breakfast visit
Tibetan Self- Helf Centre Or Refugee Centre:- This institute is run by Tibetan Refugees to preserve their handicrafts and one can see making of Tibetan Carpets, Leather work, Paintings and Wooden work etc.
Later transfer to Darjeeling Blossom eco tourism, Mangwa.
Darjeeling Blossom eco tourism is a rural community, which promises to be a new dreamland for nature and adventure lovers. An ideal place to experience rural life in Himalayan Kingdom. This project is dedicated to serve the tourists to inherit the Himalayan Home Stay with traditional hospitality.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pelling.
PELLING
Located at a distance of 120 kms from Gangtok Pelling is another serene, mountain village which lies in the western districts of Sikkim. This village is situated at an altitude of 2000 mts(approx) and the distance from this village to the mount Kanchandzonga, as a crow flies…is 26 kms approx.
Later visit Pemayangtse monastery and Rabdentse Ruins –
PEMEYANGSTE MONASTERY.
2.5 Kms. from Pelling and standing at 2085m. The Perfect Sublime Lotus, perched on a wooded hilltop, commands the most sublime view of the Khangchendzong.
Built during the late 17th century, it is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism in Sikkim. To the present day, it is only the monks of this monastery who enjoy the title of ‘Tasang’ or pure monks. The importance of this monastery grew with time and reached its peak when only monks from this monastery could anoint the reigning sovereign of the land with holy water.
Pemayangtse monastery follows the Mindroling tradition besides holding the lineage of Lhatsun Chenpo. Mindroling monastery was founded by Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje whose famous daughter Jetsun Migyur Paldon lived near Pemayangtse and taught there during her exile. Her stone throne is still to be seen in this monastery, which has 108 monks. The main attraction of the monastery is the wooden replica of Zangdog Palri; the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava built by Serdup Lhundrup Dorje Rinpoche in 1971. The annual chaam (monk dance) is held here on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar.
Rabdentse- Sikkim’s second capital. The ruins of Rabdantse are worth exploring. The winding track through the forest brings you to a small set of ruins of the early town and eventually on the ruins of the palace with Chorten (stupa) nearby. Farther afield are the Changay Falls.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and full day hike to Khechipalri Lake 18 kms 5 hours Approx. with packed lunch.
KHECHEOPALRI LAKE: -
Past the ruins of ancient towns below monasteries tended by red robed lamas lie the crystalline wish fulfilling waters of Khecheopalri Lake. The sacred lake lies in a depression surrounded by prayer flags and forested hills. Above (1.5km) is the Khecheopalri Gumpa.
Drive back to Pelling by vehicle
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Gangtok.
GANGTOK:
At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid-19th century and has undergone rapid development since then.The downtown area is dominated by huge government buildings decorated with traditional Buddhist symbols. Gangtok is also a resting ground for people traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a travellers delight.
Later visit Tibetology, Cottage Industry & Enchey Monastery.
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology: -Amidst a serene surrounding of oak, birch and ash lies the unique organization established in1958. Built in traditional style, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes research in Mahayana Buddhism and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has one of the world’s largest collections of rare books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. The Institute also has retail outlets where related books and commercially produced religious art and craft of Tibet can be bought.
Adjacent to the institute are two exquisite stupas, the Do Drul Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the Jhang Chub Chorten, built in the memory of Thrukshik Rinpoche, an ardent devotee, a great spiritualist and interpreter of Buddhism. Near the Chorten are housed two giant statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim.
Directorate Of Handloom And Handicrafts: -This Directorate was set up to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Exquisitely carved wooden friezes, intricate bamboo work, along with beautiful hand woven carpets and handlooms are on exhibit here. Visitors can not only purchase these items here but also see the artisans at work. Among others, a favourite item here is the choktse a wooden table with carved panels that can be folded into a portable pack.
The Enchey Monastery: -Perched on a ridge above Gangtok, the Enchey Monastery is nestled within lush woods with a spectacular view of Gangtok town. Built in 1910 on the site of the hermitage of the great tantric saint, Lama Drutob Karpo, who was renowned for his powers of levitation, this monastery houses the monks of the Nyingmapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and full excursion to Rumtek Monastery and Martham village
Rumtek Monastery: -24 Kms. from Gangtok is the awe -inspiring Rumtek Monastery the world Dharma chakra Centre and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the main monastery is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies, which attracts students from the world over. Opposite the entrance to the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten the Golden Stupa, which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness the xvi Gyalwa Karmapa. According to legend, it is believed that after years of meditation, the first Karmapa was said to have been visited by ten thousand fairies who came to congratulate him each of whom offered a strand of her hair as a gift. These were said to have been woven into a black hat, which was passed down and is still at the Rumtek Monastery today. It is said that unless held on to by the wearer (who of course, cannot be anyone else but the Karmapa) or kept in a box, the hat would fly away.
Martham:
Located 32 Kms from Gangtok, a holiday in Martham is a unique experience. Situated in the breathtaking and tranquil countryside of East Sikkim in the foothill of the Himalayas, the village overlooks a beautiful valley of rich terraced paddy fields.
Martham is a wonderful location for the nature lovers as well as the soft trekking seekers. One can walk up to the hill tops to see the unique flora and fauna or enjoy an evening village walk and participate in activities like planting and harvesting.
From Martham walk to Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary with packed lunch. This Wildlife sanctuary has an area of 51.76 Sq.Kms. This sanctuary is home to a large number of Wild Orchids, Rhododendrons. The richly forested area is also known to be home for various species of animals and birds.
Later drive back to Gangtok.
Overnight at hotel.
Day Free at Leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
In the morning, transfer to Neora Valley.
Neora Valley National Park:
The unique ecosystem that varies between 600 feet to 12000 feet, with several inaccessible gorges makes Neora Valley National Park the star of the biodiversity hotspot, East Himalaya. The park provides protection to various species of wildlife included in Red Data Book of IUCN and the appendices of CITES. These include more than 31 species of mammals, 258 species of birds, 276 species of insects, 38 species of other invertebrates including 6 species of leeches. This ‘Important Bird Area’ which falls within the Restricted Range Species site - the Endemic Bird Area, Eastern Himalayas and the Restricted Assemblages Biomes, Sino Himalayan Temperate Forest and Sino Himalayan Subtropical Forest. Though the principle species is the Red Panda, yet the Park is proud of its rich Tiger population.
Neora Valley Jungle Camp:
Where the Forests meet the village, a vast rocky land where the trees did not grow and with almost 50 degree slopes was lying abandoned because it was impossible to use for any agricultural activity, basically a grazing land which was handed over to Help Tourism by the village elder Gambhir Rai and his family to develop a tourism activity centre. Several eco-architects put together their brains to utilize the rocks in the slope for the foundation of the infrastructure and firewood excess from the Forest Department for the walls and partitions. Most of the expenditure was on local labour to put together the materials as per the plan. This gave birth to Neora Valley Jungle Camp, surrounded by forests with the backdrop of snow-capped ranges of Mt.Khangchendzonga, overlooking the village. The camp is equipped with the most tastefully constructed cottages with three attic rooms to accommodate families, one honeymoon cottage and two double bedded cottage tents. All of them have private/attached toilet cum bath with running hot and cold water. A well located spacious dining hall and open kitchen providing fresh local food with conventional combinations of Indian and Chinese recipes. A library of books based on nature and travel magazines. The more adventurous can choose the village home-stays.
Overnight at Jungle camp.
After breakfast enjoy full day Hiking (Nature walk).
Overnight at Jungle camp.
This morning we drive to Kalimpong , At an altitude of 1250m, Kalimpong’s location is ideal for a pleasant , relaxed getaway. Its clement weather has made Kalimpong’s orchids and gladiole well renowned. Up to the early 1700s, the Kalimpong area was part of the Sikkim raja’s domain.In the early 18th century, the Bhutan king also took it over. In 1865, after the Anglo-Bhutan War , it was annexed to Darjeeling. Scottish Missionaries came here in the late 1800s. The town thrived as a wool trading center with Tibet till 1950s. Today it’s a quiet hill resort and a haven for retired people.
Afternoon proceed for city tour of Kalimpong and visiting
Flower Nurseries: The climate of Kalimpong is ideal for the cultivation of flowers and plants. Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries which export exotice flowers like Amaryllis lilies, Anthuriums, Roses gerberas, Dahilias, Gladiolias as well as Orchids and Cacti.
Zang Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery – This is a fairly new monastery located in Durpin Dara, from here one can get an exclusive panoramic view of the town and surroundings. The prayer room inside the monastery is adorned with wall paintings and there is a rare three-dimensional mandala upstairs.
Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai hill on route to Dr.Graham’s Home belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Lamas to which the present Dalai Lama belongs.
Also visit Deolo Hills.
Overnight at Kalimpong
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Bagdogra airport to board the flight to your onward destination.
