Sikkim Darjeeling Tour

Duration: 14Days / 13Nights
Places Covered:Kalimpong - Gangtok - Martem - Yoksum - Pelling - Darjeeling – Chalsa - Delhi

Day 1:Arrive Delhi
You will be assisted on arrival and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. In the afternoon you will proceed on a tour of Old Delhi to get a feel of the hustle and bustle of a vibrant city. The tour will include the Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 and was the seat of the Mugal power till the last emperor was dethroned. Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques built is 1656 and enjoy a walking tour in Chandni Chowk - the silver street of Delhi bustling with activity. On your way back visit Raj Ghat - the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.
Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 2:Delhi - Bagdogra - By Flight - Kalimpong (1,200 M / 3,936 Ft) - By Surface / 79 Km / Approx 2 ½ Hrs
You will be transferred in time to the Domestic Airport to board your flight for Bagdogra. At Bagdogra you will be received and drive to Kalimpong, which is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Kalimpong in local dialect means, "black spur" and as per Lepchas Kalimpong means "the ridge where we play". It is said that these local tribesmen used to organize field sports when not engaged in agricultural pursuits. It is also home to the most exotic species of flora and fauna. The short spring season sees these mountains bathed in all conceivable hues. Fiery rhododendrons splash the mountainside in most beautiful of reds, while the pale Magnolia forests provide a striking contrast. The valley too comes alive with a profusion of daises, daffodils, chrysanthemums and tuberous begonia, orchids, even the rarest; grow in abundance in the wild.
On arrival at Kalimpong, instead of the usual hotel, check in at Holumba Haven, which is located inside the premises of an expansive orchid nursery - "Nurseryman's Haven", renowned growers and worldwide exporters of Himalayan and Indo Burmese orchids species, Himalayan flora & exotic floricultures. Holumba offers the nature loving tourists an expansive orchid nursery. Here you get to enjoy the hospitality of one of the traditional & well-known families of Kalimpong, whose forefathers have walked the ancient Silk Route for trading between India & Lhasa in Tibet.
In the afternoon, visit Handmade Paper Industry renowned for the craft of paper making, which is an ancient tradition in the Himalayan region. The handmade paper that is being manufactured here still uses traditional tools and a special bamboo made screen is used to form the paper sheets. From here one can proceed to the Lepcha Museum. This museum has various articles of interest about the Lepcha tribal culture & religion. Various articles of worship, original Lepcha musical instruments and other article can be found. A Lepcha dominated village surrounds it.
Overnight stay at Holumba Haven.

Day 3 :In Kalimpong
Take on early morning drive before breakfast to Durpindara. It is the highest point in Kalimpong & offers breath-taking views of the plains & the mighty Teesta River. "Durpin" means binocular in Nepali. On a clear day the view of the entire range of the magnificent mountain, Khanchen Dzonga, presents an unforgettable sight. Besides, there is the Palri Fo-Brang Monastery on this hill that is a great attraction to tourist and Buddhist devotees.
After breakfast proceed to some of the famous flower nurseries in Kalimpong. Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries that export exotic flowers like Amaryllis, Lilies, Anthuriums, Roses, Gerbera, Dahilias, Gladiolas as well as Orchids and Cacti. Your visit to Kalimpong will not be complete unless you visit the two Kalimpong bazaars, one on the min road and the other near 10th Mile. It is a unique experience to see villagers turning up in their local costumes at the bazaars on weekly market days to sell their farm products. Passing through the main Kalimpong town you reach Dr Graham's Home. Rev, Dr JA Graham was a pioneer Missionary who established an orphanage-cum-school: St Andrew's Colonial & Industrial Settlement, now known simply as "Dr Graham's Home". The school has its own church, dairy, poultry & bakery. The church itself is worth a visit. Ahead of Dr Graham's Home is Delo View Point (1,667 m / 5,500 ft), which is the highest point in Kalimpong. The view from Delo is fantastic - one can see the entire Kalimpong town, the surrounding villagers & Relli valley on one side and on the other side is the entire Teesta river, Teesta valley, surrounding villages of South Sikkim & the massive mountains of Sikkim. On a clear day one can get breathtaking vies of Mt Khanchen Dzonga.
On the return spend some time in Kalimpong Bazaar, which you have to pass through. The Bazaar, which is spread in an area of one km, can be easily explored of foot. Walking down the main road one can shop for Chinese leather shoes, handicrafts, hand beaten silver, Chinese lanterns, Bhutanese hand woven clothes, hand beaten silver, Tibetan paintings and many other things of interest.
Overnight stay at Holumba Haven.

Day 4:Kalimpong - Gangtok (1,677 M / 5,500 Ft) - By Surface / 75 Km / Approx 2 ½ Hrs
After breakfast you drive to Gangtok, a city on a hill top that has a very spectacular setting and offers excellent views of the entire Khanchen Dzonga range from various points in its vicinity. It is a city, which, till one sees it, one would believe exists only in picture-story books. In the mystery-laden mists prayer flags whip the breeze and wheels spin in the hands of lamas mumbling invocations to God. In the distance are the snows, on the streets amidst brightly painted pagoda roofed houses, lined with friendly smiling people are silver, silk, spice and jewellery to gladden a maiden's heart. On arrival at Gangtok you will be assisted to check into your hotel.
In the afternoon visit the Flower Show Complex. The complex is a pride & joy of Sikkim where the world famous Orchids of Sikkim are on exhibition along with seasonal flowers & bonsai. Late one must take a walk through MG Road, the main thoroughfare of the town. Slightly less than a km in length & lined with shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, bakeries, studios, cyber cafes, pool rooms & curio shops, this short stretch constitutes the hub of Gangtok city life.
Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 5:In Gangtok
During the day, visit Enchey Monastery, Lama Druptob Karpo is supposed to have built a small hermitage at this spot after he flew here from Maenam Hill more than two hundred years ago. During the reign of Sidkeong Tulku, a monastery was built here in 1901 in the form of a Chinese Pagoda. The monastery follows the Nyingma Order and the main puja and dances are held here on the 18th and 19th of the twelfth month of the Tibetan calendar, which normally corresponds to the month of December.
On your way back from the Monastery you can visit the Government Institute of Cottage Industries: This centre offers you the opportunity to observe the local artisans at work and their skills being imparted to young boys and girls. If you want to take back souvenirs, the institute's salesroom is well stocked with local handicraft and handloom products. A visit to the Research Institute of Tibetology can be quite engrossing. This institute is a repository of the largest collection of Tibetan artifacts outside Tibet. Also renowned worldwide for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion, it is a treasure house of rare thangkas, Buddhist icon and objects of art.
The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore the bustling downtown area at you own pace, peeping into interesting curio shops and picking up some unique souvenirs along the way.
Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 6:Gangtok - Rumtek (1,677 M / 5,500 Ft) - By Surface / 26 Km / Approx 40 Mins - Martem - By Surface / 7 Km / 10 Mins
From Gangtok you proceed to Rumtek Monastery, which is perched on a hilltop facing the city of Gangtok. The original Monastery was built in 1730 by the ninth Karmapa but was destroyed due to a fire and His Holiness, the sixteenth Karmapa in 1960, then constructed the present one. It is certainly the largest monastery in Sikkim and is a fine example of Tibetan architecture. The prayer hall in the main monastery is intricately decorated with statues, wall paintings, thangkas and tubular silk banners. A flight of stairs from just outside the Main Monastery complex takes you to the Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies. 15 minutes walk downhill from the Main Monastery takes one to the Old Rumtek Monastery. After visiting the Rumtek Monastery drive a short distance to arrive at Martem for your night stay. In the afternoon take a village walk to visit a typical village home. Their enthusiastic hospitality will warm your heart. You can even partake in a cooking experience if you are so inclined or sample the local brew called "chang". You get the opportunity to gain a delightful insight in to the daily lives of these simple hill folk and go back with everlasting memories.
Overnight stay at the Resort.

Day 7:Martem -Yoksum (1,780 M / 5,840 Ft) -By Surface / 152 Km / Approx 7 - 8 Hrs
Today you drive further in to the interiors of West Sikkim to Yoksum. The road journey takes you past Tashiding Monastery located 20 km from Yuksom. The monastery is perched on a hill that dominates the entire countryside and its roof can be seen from a distance. One has to walk for about 45 minutes from the road to get to the monastery. Tashiding literally means the "Central Elevated Glory" and is the most sacred monastery complex in Sikkim. By the evening you arrive at Yoksum.
Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 8:In Yoksum
Yoksum is a village steeped in history and has a tranquil air about it. Life seems to go on amidst an atmosphere of total calm. There are tourists either present for sightseeing or for the more strenuous trek to Dzongri and beyond. Some scribbling notes while sitting in the sun at the wayside eateries. The villagers are non-interfering and go about there business in an unhurried manner. The village houses make a pretty picture.
After breakfast you visit the Dubdi Monastery. The monastery was established after the consecration of the first King of Sikkim. Dubdi means "the hermit's cell". The hermit here refers to Lhatsun Chenpo. Located on hill top and surrounded by verdant forests, it is an ideal place for lamas seeking meditation and recluse. The monastery is approached along a cobbled path that has cardamom growing on the hillside. Initially the ascent is gradual. There are interesting inscriptions urging the visitor to preserve the ecology of the area. A number of prayer wheels that are spun around by mountain streams have been erected along the path. Shortly after crossing a bridge the climb gets steep and one has to stop en-route to get catch one's breathe. Finally, a 40 mins walk up brings you to the entrance of the monastery. Rich collections of manuscripts and other ritual text are preserved at the ends of two side aisles of the monastery.
In the afternoon visit the Coronation Throne that stands mute testimony to the historic event of the coronation of the first Chogyal by three learned lamas. The Coronation Throne is towards the rear behind a huge stupa with 'khadas' tied around the fencing. The complete complex has a profusion of prayer flags that are tied to the surrounding trees. The separate stone in front of the Throne is said to bear the footprint of the Head Lama. In the evening walk around Yoksum village to get the local flavour.
Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 9:Yoksum - Enroute Visit Kecheopalri Lake - Pelling (2,121 M / 7000 Ft) -By Surface / Approx / 4 Hrs
Today on your drive from Yoksum to Pelling you take a short diversion to Kecheopalri Lake. Situated at a distance of 25 km from Pelling, the Lake is considered to be one of the sacred lakes of the State both by the Buddhist and the Hindus. The Lake remains hidden under the rich forest cover. However, birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the surface of the lake. As one dismounts from the vehicle and walks along the path that leads up to the lake the serenity of the area is all pervading. Religious sayings in the local script are brightly painted on the rocks alongside the road. On nearing the lake the first thing that catches the eye are the numerous prayer flags that have been erected on poles on the banks of the lake. A jetty with prayer wheels on ether side leads up to the banks of the lake. You may find some locals offering prayers at its banks. Continuing your drive to Pelling, you check in to your hotel on arrival.
In the afternoon you visit Pemayangtse Monastery. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the State. It is considered as one of the premier monasteries in the State. It has been entrusted with the task of performing all religious functions of the erstwhile monarch. Inside the monastery there is a wooden structure depicting the Maha Guru's heavenly palace (Sang-tok-palri), which is considered a masterpiece created by the Late Dungzin Rimpoche. The monastery, located on a hilltop at an altitude of 6,500 ft, commands a magnificent panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges, the surrounding hills and countryside.
A short drive away from the Monastery is the Rabdentse Ruins. This was the second capital of the erstwhile Kingdom after Yuksom and till the year 1814 AD, the King of Sikkim ruled from this place. Today, the ruins lie hidden from the main road, a short walk along a neatly laid out footpath leads it. The scenic view from the top of the ruins scanning across the valley to the mystic heights of Khanchen Dzonga ranges is something to be cherished and remains etched in ones' memory.
Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 10:Pelling - Darjeeling (2,165 M / 7,100 Ft) - By Surface / 123 Km / Approx 5 Hrs
At Pelling, in case the weather is clear, you enjoy beautiful sunrise view on Mt Kancha Dzonga you're your hotel room. Later, after breakfast you drive to Darjeeling. Darjeeling derived its present name from the local Tibetan name Dorjee - Ling, which means Place (Ling) of the Thunderbolt (Dorjee). The place conjures visions of serenity, of vibrant green hills steeped in splendor, a land of breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas. This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade - the flaming red rhododendrons, the sparkling white magnolias, the miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir - all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confirms Darjeeling as the QUEEN OF HILL STATIONS By the evening you will arrive at Darjeeling. Take a relaxed stroll on the Chowrasta under the watchful gaze of the mighty Khanchen Dzonga range in the east and the rolling hills of Sikkim in the north to enjoy the flavor of this picturesque hill station. The exquisitely designed wooden shops on the Mall were constructed more than a century ago and still hark back to the British era. The Chowrasta has many curio shops that sell thangkas (scrolls with religious paintings), fabrics, woodcarvings, carpets and many other local products. Your stroll takes you below the Saint Andrews Church that was built in 1843 and reconstructed in 1882. Adjacent to the church is the Gymkhana Club that was established in 1915. Spectacular views of the well-manicured tea gardens and various towns in South and West Sikkim can be obtained along the way. Far down below the Rangit River can be seen snaking its way through the mountains.
Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 11:In Darjeeling
You have an early morning start to view the sunrise on Mt Khanchen Dzonga (the third highest mountain in the world) from Tiger Hill. There is nothing to match the spectacle of rapidly changing colours over the colossal Khanchen Dzonga range of snow-capped peaks as the light of the rising sun touches them. On your way back to the hotel you can visit Ghoom Monastery.
Your sightseeing in during the day includes a visit to the Japanese Peace Pagoda, which was established by Nipponzan Myohoji a Japanese Buddhist order. Situated on the slopes of the Jalapahar Hill, the pagoda is the highest free structure in the town. It showcases the four avatars of Buddha. Situated near the Peace Pagoda is Nipponzan Myohoji Temple based on traditional Japanese architecture. You then visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, which is one of the most respected Zoological Parks in the nation. It offers wildlife rarely seen elsewhere in India. It was established in 1958 with the objective of "study, conservation & preservation" of Himalayan Fauna. The zoo today houses India's only collection of Siberian tigers & rare species of animals, such as the red panda & the Tibetan wolf. It also houses the Snow Leopard Breeding Centre. Next to the Zoological Park is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which is famous all over the world. The legendary Tenzing Norgay Sherpa was its first Director of Field Training. The Institute comprises of very well planned & well laid out museum on mountain lore, a well-equipped school, a comfortable hostel for students, a rock garden with a gold fish pool and Swiss-type houses for the Sherpa 'trainers' all add up to the beauty of the spot. On your return to town you stop at the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre. It is located at an altitude of 7,000 ft. Established to house Tibetan Refugees, the Centre is today a major centre for the production of Tibetan carpets, woodwork and leather goods. Establishes in 1959, it has a home for the aged, an orphanage, school, hospital, a monastery and craft workshops. It also has a show room selling Tibetan coins, banknotes and jewelry. A visit to the craft workshops was most interesting. It was quite hearting to see aged folks working industriously with complete sincerity of purpose. The evening is at leisure. Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 12:Darjeeling - Kurseong - By Toy Train / Dep At 0915 Hrs / Arr At 1137 Hrs - Chalsa - By Surface / 108 Km / Approx 3 Hrs
Today you have the unique experience of taking a ride world heritage Toy Train from Darjeeling to Kurseong. The railway tracks criss-cross the road and as you pear out of your window you pass by picturesque village houses which invariably will be having beautiful potted flowers that make a pretty picture. The countryside is landscaped with well maintained tea bushes of various tea gardens. On arrival at Kurseong Railway Station you will find your vehicle waiting for you. After lunch at a local restaurant in Kurseong you drive Chalsa.
You would reach Chalsa by late afternoon. Here you can indulge yourself in the swimming pool or treat your self in the Nature Cure Health Centre at the resort by experienced doctors trained in Ayurvedic Medicine and Naturopathy, especially after all the driving that you have been doing in the Eastern Himalayan region.
Overnight stay in Chalsa.

Day 13:Chalsa - Bagdogra - By Surface / Approx 2 Hrs - Delhi - By Flight / 9 W 602 / Dep At 1250 Hrs / Arr At 1650 Hrs
In the early morning you can continue to avail of the facilities at the Resort such as the swimming pool or the Nature Cure Health Centre and then take a drive to Bagdogra Airport to board you flight to Delhi. You will be received on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 14:Departure Delhi
In the morning, drive to visit Humayun's Tomb built in the Indo Persian style and a predecessor to The Taj Mahal in Agra, the tomb of the second Mugal emperor & also houses the graves of his wives; India Gate - A War Memorial Arch built in honour of 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I below it burns the Amar Jawan Jyoti, the eternal flame in tribute to all martyred soldiers of India. Also drive past the President's House called Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, Government Secretariat buildings and Connaught Place - the heart of New Delhi and a busy shopping center.
In the afternoon drive past Purana Qila. It is one of the most prominent monuments in Delhi. Then proceed to Bahai Temple. Bahai faith represents the equality of mankind and oneness of its soul. The same feeling has been successfully transcended into the beautifully and scientifically deigned Bahai Temple in Delhi, designed by Fariburz Sahba, an Iranian-born Canadian architect, in the shape of a lotus flower, the symbol of purity. Thereafter you visit the Qutab Minar - a soaring stone tower, 72 m high that was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1193. The tower has five distinct storeys, each with a projecting balcony At its base is the Quwwat-ul Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. A 7 m high iron pillar (4th century) stands in the courtyard of the mosque.
Later in the evening you will be transferred in time to board your flight back home.