Tour Duration: 07 Nights/ 08 Days
Darjeeling and Sikkim are often referred as “Crown of the Eastern Himalayas”. In our Darjeeling and Sikkim tour, you will visit some of the most popular destinations of the region. One of the most beautiful destinations not just of eastern Himalayas but in the world - picturesque landscape, omnipresent view of the snow-capped mountain peaks of eastern Himalayas, rolling carpets of tea plants that produces champagne of non-alcoholic drink (Darjeeling Tea), chugging of steam powered 150 years old narrow gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Rail, breath-taking sunrise view with an amazing display of colours on the mountains, most impressive Tibetan monasteries are some of the highlights of this tour.
Day 01 - Arrive Bagdogra and drive to Darjeeling
Day 02 - Early morning sunrise excursion to Tiger Hill. Return to hotel for breakfast visiting Ghoom Monastery en route. Later in the morning sightseeing tour of Darjeeling visiting Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) and Everest Museum, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
Day 03 - Morning take 150 years old 'Toy Train' to Ghoom. Drive to Pelling on finishing the ride.
Day 04 - Morning excursion to Kechopelri Lake. Later in the day sightseeing tour of Pelling.
Day 05 - Morning drive to Gangtok visiting Yung Drung Kundrak Bon Monastery at Kwezing en route.
Day 06 - Full day sightseeing tour of Gangtok visiting Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery, Do-Drul Chorten, Research Institute of Tibetology, Handicrafts & Handloom etc.
Day 07 - Morning drive to Kalimpong. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Kalimpong visiting Local Markets, Flower Nurseries, Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa.
Day 08 - In time drive to Bagdogra airport to board the flight for onward destination.
Day 01 – Bagdogra to Darjeeling
Arrive Bagdogra met by our representative and drive to Darjeeling (98 Km/ approximately 3 to 4 Hrs. drive). Arrive Darjeeling and check in at hotel with rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 – Darjeeling
Early morning sunrise view from Tiger Hill (11 Km/ one way). An early morning drive for a short distance from Darjeeling town takes one to Tiger Hill the highest point of Darjeeling town area to view spectacular sunrise view. Apart from a spectacular display of colour over the snow-capped mountains one can see four of the five highest peaks of the world.
Return to hotel visiting Ghoom Monastery en route. Considered to be one of the holiest monasteries in the area, the unique part of this Ghoom Monastery is that it houses a statue of the ‘Maitreye Buddha’ believed to be coming Buddha and rare scriptures of learning.
After breakfast proceed on a sightseeing tour of Darjeeling visiting Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre - started in 1959 to rehabilitate hundreds and thousands of Tibetan refugees who left Tibet along with HH Dalai Lama after Chinese aggression the center today has over 700 workers producing traditional Tibetan handicrafts like carpets, Khada (scarf), carved wooden items, metal and leather works. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) and Everest Museum – associated with the legendary mountaineer like late Tenzing Norgay (one of the two persons to summit Mt. Everest for the first time), HMI has produced some of the finest mountaineers. Everest Museum inside the institute that houses interesting memorabilia and records of those who braved to climb the Mount Everest in different times is the highlights of the visit here. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park - Internationally recognized for its work in the field of conservation of fauna of Eastern Himalayas, this unique high altitude zoological park is the only zoological park in the world to successfully breed Tibetan Wolf in captivity, first South Asian Zoo to breed Snow Leopard and Siberian Tiger and highly endangered animals including Red panda in captivity.
Afternoon at leisure or free for optional activities. One can take walk around the Mall which commands an spectacular view of the surrounding hills and Kanchenjunga mountain range from different angles.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 – Darjeeling to Pelling
Morning take a joy ride Darjeeling Himalayan Rail. Taking a joy ride on 130 years old narrow gauge steamed powered Darjeeling Himalayan Rail (UNECO World Heritage Site) which is popularly known as “Toy Train of Darjeeling” is an experience of its kind. An engineering marvel 8 Km journey from Darjeeling passes through Batasia loop to reach Ghoom one of the highest railway stations in the world. It is truly an engineering genius.
Instead of returning to Darjeeling alight at Ghoom and continue driving to Pelling (122 Km/ 6 Hrs. approx.). Arrive Pelling and check in at the hotel with rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities.
Pelling is special in more than one ways, it is one of the important historical places in Sikkim. Located in western Sikkim at an altitude of 6800 Ft. in a close proximity to Kanchenjunga range, Pelling has served as capitol of Sikkim at one point of time. Boasts of one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, it is nature lover’s paradise, botanist’s delight and bird watcher’s dream.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 – Pelling
Morning proceed on an excursion to Kechopelri Lake (32 Km one way) - believed to be in existence for last 3500 years, Kechopelri a crystal clear high altitude lake is situated at an altitude of 1700 Mtr. It is a sacred lake and local here believes that it poses the power to fulfil one’s wishes – thus, reference of the lake is deeply rooted in local folklores. Its unrivalled scenic beauty, rich biodiversity, and pristine surroundings make it a beckoning site.
Return to hotel by noon following visit to Pemayangtse Monastery and Rabdentse in the afternoon. Pemayangtse Monastery - 17th century monastery belonging to Nyingmapa or the red hat sect is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim. Architecture of the monastery is very interesting and it houses an impressive collection of idols, objects of religious rituals and scriptures most of which are precious because of their antiquity. However, highlight of the visit here is ‘Zangtopelri’ or the imaginary heaven of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava), a seven tired intricately carved wooden sculpture with colourful paintings depicting images.
Rabdentse – for almost 150 years Rabdentse served as capital of Sikkim for almost 150 years. A historical site, it was the second capital of erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim after Yuksom (the first capital). Though the place is in ruins now, exploring around gives an idea of local architecture. The place commands stunning views of surrounding hills and mountain range.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 – Pelling to Gangtok
Morning drive to Gangtok (135 Km/ approximately 06/ 07 Hrs. drive), visiting Yung Drung Kundrak Bon Monastery at Kwezing en route. A small monastery established in 1980s by Yung Dung Tsultrim is the only Bon monastery found in the whole of Sikkim which is training 50 odd Bon monks. Bon is considered one of the oldest surviving religions in the world. One can see how Thankas or “religious scroll art” are painted in case of monks are on the job. Arrive Gangtok and check in at hotel with rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities.
Situated at an altitude of 5500 Ft. Gangtok the capital of mountain state of Sikkim is very charming town. This bustling big town dotted with old Tibetan Monasteries, memorials a good example of place where history has seamlessly given space to modern lifestyle.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 – Gangtok
Morning proceed on a sightseeing tour of Gangtok.
Day will start with a short excursion to Rumtek Dharma Chakra – located about 20 km (one way) from Gangtok town, a replica of original Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet, Rumtek is the seat of HH Karmapa head of the Kagyupa sect (one of the four major order of Tibetan Buddhism). Built in traditional Tibetan architecture Rumtek is head quarter of the Karma Kagyu order. Monastery has an elaborate collection spiritual treasures, relics and texts that had been collected for 700 years which HH Karmapa brought along with him in 1959 when he took exile from Tibet after the aggression. Enchey Monastery – Enchey Monastery or the Solitary Temple is built on a site blessed 200 years ago by Lama Druptob Karpo a tantric master famous for his flying power. Legend has it that Karpo Rinpoche has landed on the spot after he flew from Maenam Hill in South Sikkim and established a small hermitage here. One of the important seats of the Nyingmapa sect (the oldest sect of Tibetan Buddhism), monastery has impressive murals painted on the walls depicting mandalas and many other religious objects. Do-Drul Chorten - it is believed that anyone dared wandering around the place where Chorten stand would suffer and die as the place was haunted by evil spirits. A revered monk of Nyingmapa order Trulshig Rinpoche from Tibet built his hermitage here on 1945 and subdued all the demons. The Stupa is surrounded by 108 Mane Lhakor (prayer wheels) and a complete set of Dorjee Phurba mandala, a set of Kangyur (holy books), complete mantras and several other religious objects is keep inside the Chorten. The Chorten is surrounded by Guru Lakhang and Chorten Lakhang with two huge statues of Guru Rinpoche or Guru Padmasambhava. Research Institute of Tibetology – A premier institute for studying and learning Buddhist religion and philosophy, for those who are looking for information on Buddhist religion it is a treasure trove. Institute has a large collection of literature on Buddhism including rare manuscripts in Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit languages. It also houses over 200 Buddhist icons and rare Thankas and other relics of Buddhism. Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom - started with an objective of preserving and promoting traditional arts and crafts of the region it houses many items of traditional crafts and handlooms.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 – Gangtok to Kalimpong
Morning to Kalimpong (83 Km/ approximately 03 Hrs. drive). Arrive Kalimpong check in at hotel with rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities.
Afternoon proceed on a sightseeing tour of Kalimpong visiting Local Markets - a visit to local markets in Kalimpong is a very interesting experience. Surrounded by many farming villages farmers come here to trade their produce here. Also, local craftsmen come here to sell the local crafts of the area. Flower Nurseries - Kalimpong is very famous for horticulture, hence many flower nurseries are located here. A visit to one such nursery is interesting as one gets an idea of the kind of flowers locales are growing. Later drive a short distance to Durbin Dara hills to visit Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa - built in the mid-1970s on Durbin Hill and sanctified by His Highness the Dalai Lama monastery houses relics of Buddhism brought from Tibet after Chinese annexation there. This monastery is famous for its traditional Tibetan wall paintings. This site also commands panoramic view of the mountains in a clear day. Witness the afternoon prayer if one is in progress.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 – Kalimpong to Bagdogra
Morning depart Kalimpong by surface for Bagdogra airport (87 Km/ 04 Hrs. approx.) to board flight for onward destination.
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