Destination : Bagdogra - Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kamlimpong - Bagdogra
Himalayas grace Sikkim in east India. Buddhist monasteries, snowcapped peaks, gurgling streams, springs beautify Gangtok, the capital city. Bengal's Darjeeling has been a favorite of mountaineers since colonial era, close to Sikkim. Home to Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, the busy hill station also has tea plantations, natural springs, waterfalls. Toy trains meandering through hilly terrain is a complete joyride. Kalimpong is a quaint hill retreat, dotted with mystifying heritage places.
Our representative will welcome you on arrival at the airport and then drive to Darjeeling. Upon arrival Darjeeling you will check in at a hotel and relax. Thereafter you are at leisure for your independent activities. (no vehicle)
Overnight in Darjeeling
Early morning proceed for sunrise view at Tiger Hill; thereafter back to hotel and enjoy breakfast. Later proceed for sightseeing of Darjeeling :
Toy Train Ride: In morning enjoy a train ride from Darjeeling township to Ghoom. Thereafter you will proceed for a day tour of Darjeeling as in follows.
Dhoom Gompa, About 8 kms from Darjeeling is the Dhoom Gompa. Here a very beautiful statue of the Maitrayie Buddha is established. The Monastery has also preserved some of the rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts.
Observatory Hill:The oldest site in Darjeeling is Observatory Hill, known locally as “Makal-Babu-Ko-Thaan”. According to legend, a Red Hat Buddhist Monastery called Dorje Ling, or 'place of the Thunderbolt', stood at this very spot. The Nepalis destroyed it in the 19th century. The Shivas and Buddhists share the temple that stands there today.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:A spot not to be missed is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute created by the late Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who conquered Mt Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953. A display of equipment used on the climb is one of the highlights. A zoological garden nearby has an assortment of wildlife such as yaks, Siberian tigers and red pandas who call the region their home.
Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway:At North Point about 3-km from the town, this is the first passenger ropeway in India. For reservation of ropeway seats please contact - officer in-charge, Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Ropeway Station, North Point, Darjeeling. Regular share taxi service is available from Market Motor and Taxi Stand is to the Ropeway Station.
Later in evening visit the Mall:
The Mall:The Mall is Darjeeling's popular commercial street. It is lined with Tibetans selling hand-knitted sweaters and souvenir shops chock-full of Himalayan artifacts and both real and imitation antiques. Photo shops carry turn-of-the-century photos as well as specialising in hand-painted black and white prints with glowing oil colours. The Mall leads to Chaurasta, a square, which doubles as a bandstand, a pony riding arena for children and a haven for lovers.
Overnight in Darjeeling.
After breakfast in morning you will drive to Gangtok; upon arrival check in at a hotel and relax. Thereafter you are at leisure for your independent activities. Overnight in Gangtok.
After breakfast, you will proceed for day visit of Gangtok as follows: Places to visit in the city Gangtok, Drul Chorten is the most important stupa of Sikkim. Built in 1945 by Trulshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism, this stupa also has sacred gold-topped shikhara with 108 prayer wheels. This highly revered Chorten is also characterised by complete mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya), a set of Kan-gyur relics ( Holy Books), complete \’Zung\’( mantras) and other religious objects. The Chorten also has two huge statues of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) around it.
Enchey monastery is another place you must visit in Gangtok. This place especially attracts attention during the religious dances or chaam performed in January. Located above Siniolchu Lodge, about 3 km away from the town centre, the relatively small monastery was built 200 years ago and the present building was constructed in the year 1909. The site where the monastery is built is supposed to be blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his flying powers. You can also get wonderful view of Kanchenjunga from here.
Orchid Sanctuary makes a must visit in Gangtok. The sanctuary is famous for its rare and extensive collection of orchids. The sanctuary\’s collection also varies depending on the seasons. However, the wide spread orchid sanctuary has almost 454 species of orchid found in Sikkim. A interesting place to visit especially for nature lovers.
Tashi Ling is located at a distance of just 6 kilometres from the main town. The Tashi Ling is another important site to visit in Gangtok for it provides astounding view of the Kanchenjunga range. Here lies the Tashi Ling monastery mostly known for its Bumchu(Sacred Pot). This pot contains holy water which has never run dry for last 300 years. The place also provides view of the the Phodong and the Labrang monasteries located on the opposite hill. Just a day\’s walk from Pemayangtse, this is also a wonderful picnic spot.
Must visit in Gangtok, the Namgyal Institute was built in the year 1958 to promote research in Mahayan Buddhism and Tibetan language and traditions. Built in a traditional style, this institute has world\’s largest collections of books and rare manuscripts on Mahayan Buddhism, in addition to the works of art and silk embroidered Tankhas. Moreover, it also houses relics of monks, samples of Lepcha scripts, masks and sacred objects like Kapali, a bowl made from a human skull, and the carku, a flute made from a thigh bone.
Another place that must be included in your sightseeing is the Tsuk la Khang. A depository of a large collection of scriptures, this is the principal place of worship and assembly for the local Buddhists. The Tsuk la Khang is also characterised by the beautiful and impressive building with mural covered interior, lavishly decorated altars or images of Buddha, bodhisattvas and Tantric deities and the many fine works of woodcarving. The Tsuk la Khang remains open for the general public and tourists during Losar, the famous dance festival.
Overnight in Gangtok.
Today, after breakfast you will drive to Kalimpong; upon arrival you will check in at a hotel and relax. Thereafter you are at leisure for your independent activities.
Overnight in Kalimpong
After breakfast you wil proceed for day long visit of Kalimpong.
Visit Thongsha Gompa, Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery, Tharpa Choling Monastery, Nature Interpretation Centre, Mangal Dhaam, Colonial Bungalows, Dr. Graham's Homes Campus, Dharmodaya Vihar, Kali Mandir, Gauri Pur House. There are some panoramic snow views of Kanchenjunga, Siniolchu, Paunhari, Lama Anden, Chola, Nathu La, Jalep La and Gymochen peaks. The best view points are Durpin Dara and Deolo View Point.
Thongsha GompaBelow the Tharpa Choling Monastery is Thongsa or Bhutan Monastery. Thongsha Gompa is the oldest Gompa built during the Bhutanese period, in 1692.
Tharpa Choling MonasteryTharpa Choling Monastery belongs to the Gelukpa sect and is on the way to Dr. Graham's Home. Tharpa Choling Monastery was built in 1937 and is the repository of old scriptures and documents.
Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang MonasteryZong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery was consecrated personally by the Dalai Lama in 1976. It contains the Kanguyar, in 108 volumes, brought by the Dalai Lama when he fled Tibet. Excellent view point for snow and valley views.
Nature Interpretation CentreNature Interpretation Centre is operated by the Forest Department. Nature Interpretation Centre focuses on flora, fauna and local people interacting with ecology.Flower, orchid and exotic flora nurseriesThe name of Kalimpong has become synonymous with flower nurseries many of which abound here. Gladioli, orchids, cacti, amaryllis, anthuriums, roses, gerberas, dahlias and other exotic plants are grown in a number of flower nurseries in Kalimpong, mainly for export. The weather and the soil of Kalimpong are very conducive to the growth of orchids, roses, gladioli and dahalias.
Mangal DhaamMangal Dhaam was recently constructed as the place of worship. This is a marvelous piece of architecture. The temple has been built in the memory of the late Guru Shree 108 Mangal Dasji. The samadhi of the Guruji is located within the temple.
Deolo View PointDeolo View Point is situated at the top of Deolo Hill at 1914 metres, overlooking the town of Kalimpong. The top of which is the highest point in Kalimpong. There are excellent views of snow peaks, Kalimpong town and the Teesta Valley. Two big reservoirs here are the source of water supply to the town of Kalimpong below.Dharmodaya ViharThis is a Nepali Buddhist Temple situated on the Rishi road and a stones throw away from the town. The statue of Buddha was donated to this temple by the Burmese Buddhists. The library of the temple is well stocked with books some of them very old.
Durpin DaraTowering over the town of Kalimpong is the Durpin Hill, the top of which offers breathtaking views of rolling plains of Siliguri and the Tista and Rangit valley. On the northwest horizon can be seen the panoramic Kanchendzonga range and on the east the Chola range on which lies the Nathula pass. On the southern horizon looms the Tiger hill. On the Durpin Dara Hill is nestled a beautiful golf course with gently rolling slopes.
Kali MandirKali Mandir, the Hindu temple has a statue of Goddess Kali and is about 2 Kms away from the town.Gauri Pur HouseGauri Pur House, situated about 2 kms. from town on the way to Durpin Hill, now accommodated the Cooperative Training Institute but has old stories to tell. It was the favorite retreat of none other than the Nobel laureate and poet Rabindranath Tagore who wrote many of his works here.
Overnight in Kalimpong
After breakfast you are at leisure; later at noon check out hotel and transfer to airport to board flight; henceforth your journey ends with sweet memories.