Itinerary Details
Day 01: Arrival transfer to Darjeeling,
alt. 2300 mtrs (85 kms, 4 hrs drive). First part of your
journey passes through the plains then begins gradual
climbing to the hill station, following the route of the
toy train en route to Darjeeling founded in 1833, as a
British sanctuary from Calcutta’s intense summer heat,
the city sits some 2300 mtrs above sea level, on a ridge
facing the Himalayan peaks. Quote of Mark Twain on Darjeeling
“The one land that all men desire to see, and having seen
once-by even a glimpse would not give that glimpse for
the shows of the rest of the world combined”. O/N Hotel.
Day
02: AM: Early morning excursion to Tiger Hill
(11 km) to view the sunrise over Mt.Kunchenjunga, the
third highest mountain in the world. En route visit Yigacholing
Ghoom Monastery. Later sightseeing tour of Darjeeling
includes, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological
Park, Panda Breeding Center, Tibetan Refugee Self Help
Center and the nearest tea garden to witness the orthodox
manufacturing process of Darjeeling tea. O/N Hotel.
Day 03: Joy ride on Toy Train from Darjeeling
to Ghoom and back to hotel by a private car. Later take
a short walk to Bhutia Bustee and Aloobari Monasteries.
Just 1.5 km from The Mall, descending from “Step Aside”,
the house with the past, is the Bhutia Bustee Tibetan
Monastery. With a long and colourful history. Evening
at leisure.
Day 04: Transfer to Pelling, West Sikkim,
alt. 2100 mtrs, 72 kms, 4/5 hrs drive through steep down
hill till Nayabazar on the Sikkim side passing through
the tea gardens. Later drive through terraced farms and
lush sub tropical vegetation on flat running just on top
of river Rangeet then uphill through occasional villages,
hamlets and forests. O/N Hotel.
Day 05: Pelling offers the magnificent
views of eastern Himalayas including Mt.Kunchenjunga on
a clear day. In Pelling visit the famous monasteries –
Pemayangtse and Sangacholing including a short walk to
ruins of Rabdentse, the second palace of erstwhile Sikkim.
O/N Hotel.
Day 06: Proceed to Yuksom via Kechipalri
Lake – wish fulfilling lake. This lake remains hidden
in the rich forest cover. It is believed that birds do
not permit even a single leaf to float on the lake surface.
Later visit the Kechipalri Monastery and leave for Yuksom.
O/N Hotel.
Day 07: Yuksom was the first capital
of Sikkim, where according to the historical records,
the first Chogyal of the Kingdom of Sikkim was consecrated
in 1641 AD by three learned lamas. The evidence of the
consecration ceremony is still intact at Norbugang Chorten
in the form of stone seats and footprint of the head Lam
on the Stone. Later visit the Dubdi Monastery located
on a hill top above Yuksom surrounded by verdant forest.
It can be approached by trekking only, negotiating steep
slope for about 35 minutes. It is an ideal place for seeking
meditational recluse. O/N Hotel.
Day 08: Proceed to Ravangla (60 kms,
3/4 hrs ) via Tashiding Monastery which is constructed
on top of a heart shaped hill with the backdrop of the
sacred Mount Kunchenjunga. Ravangla is located at the
base of Menam Hill, a small township and transit to various
tourist destinations in South and West Sikkim. It is also
an upcoming tourist spot. O/N Hotel.
Day 09: Explore the surrounding areas
visiting “ Shar Chok Bephu” – a sacred cave and hot spring
site. One can also take a short trek to Menam Hill situated
at an altitude of 10,300 ft to enjoy the unsurpassed views
of the Himalayas (Mt.Kunchenjunga etc) to its best. On
a clear day, it is possible to see the plains of India
spanning across Darjeeling, Kalimpong hills and the Indo-China
border towards north.
Day 10: Proceed to Gangtok (70 kms, 4
hrs dirve) .
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Gangtok includes
visiting Rumtek Monastery the Dharma Chakra Centre (27
kms) and return via Namgyel Institute of Tibetology. Later
visit Enchey Monastery, Du Drul Chorten (Stupa), Tashi
View Point, Handicraft Emporium and flower show. O/N Hotel.
Day 12: AM: Day excursion to Phodong
Monastery, one of the six major monasteries in Sikkim
which is located 38 kms from Gangtok. 4 Kms beyond Phodong
is the famous Labrang Monastery. En route visit Kabi Lungchok
where the historic treaty of blood brotherhood between
the Lepcha and the Bhutia Chiefs was signed ritually.
The spot where the ceremony took place is marked by a
memorial stone pillar amidst the cover of dense forest.
PM: Walk around the little town of Gangtok for souvenir
shopping. O/N Hotel.
Day 13: Transfer to Kalimpong (76 kms,
4 hrs drive). To-day one will immensely enjoy the driving
alongside the Teesta River with its blue green water rushing
over boulders which is another image not to be forgotten.
Once a gateway to the old Tibet trade route,
Kalimpong still offers the charm of old British Raj.
The sightseeing tour of Kalimpong includes visiting
Zangdok Palri Phobrang Monastery, Jelepla View
Point, Durpin Dara and Deolo View Points and enjoy
the wide varieties of orchids and thousands of other
flowers in a private flower nursery. Later explore
the inner town especially the Haat Bazar (local
market). On the market days one can see
traditionally dressed Lepcha and Gorkha rural folks
selling their wares. O/N Hotel
Day 14: Drive to Bhadrapur Airport (
125 kms, 4/5 hrs hrs) for outbound flight.
