Best of Sikkim-Darjeeling |
| Sikkim, a small Himalayan
State lying North-East. Sikkim is a dream that one can realize and
enjoy, now that the area is open to all. It is a state
cloaked in the mystery of remoteness, and far away from the din and
bustle of the modern world. It is a place full of Buddhist
monasteries, landscapes, flora & fauna. The magical lure of
Sikkim has always been attracting people all over the world. Its
legendary mountains, landscape that defy imagination, all culminates
into a masterpiece of the Creator. Famous for Kanchendzonga, the third
highest mountain in the world at 8,598m, the mountain kingdom of Sikkim
has a tremendous variety of plant and wildlife besides a diverse ethnic
mix of peoples with rich cultural traditions. Name of Program : Best of Sikkim-Darjeeling Places Visit : Delhi or Kolkata-Darjeeling-Pemayatse-Pelling-Yuksom-Gangtok-Rumtek Monastery-Kalimpong. Duration : 11 Nights Best Time : March-May OR Oct-Dec. Day 1: Arrival Kolkata OR Delhi : Upon arrival at Kolkata or Delhi meet to our representative, transfer to hotel for rest of the night. Day 2 : Full day sightseeing : After breakfast full day local city sightseeing, Kolkata - visit Victoria Memorial, Maidan, BBD Square, GPO, Writer's Buildings, Government buildings, Floweres Market, Kumartuli, Jain Temples, Indian Museum, Mother Teressa House and New Market. Delhi- Old Delhi, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chadani Chowk, Gandhi Memorial, Swaminarayan Temple, Government Buildings, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar and Lotus Temple. Overnight at hotel. Day 3 : Delhi OR Kolkata-Bagdogra : Early morning transfer to domestic airport, take flight to Bagdogra, On arrival meet to guide, later drive 94 km/ 3 hrs to Darjeeling, Founded by the British Raj as a hill retreat and sanatorium, Darjeeling is known as the "Queen Of Hill”, the finest hill resort of the raj. Famous for its delicate tea, the hills all around the town are draped in lush green tea gardens which give the impression of a huge carpet. Panorama of the HillsIts location on a 7000ft ridge with clear views of the Kanchenzongha range makes it a perfect place to escape the pre-monsoon heat of the plains. The earliest British settlers here revealed in its cool temperatures, fresh breezes and crisp mornings. Wandering around the promenades of Chowrasta and the mall today, you are surrounded by the echoes of Darjeeling’s past. The British-style solid stone houses are complimented by more fanciful wooden fronted buildings, that are more like idealized Swiss chalets with their steep roofs. Hotels old and new crowd the centre of the town but can still hardly accommodated the rush of visitors in real seasons. The remarkable "Joy Train" or Darjeeling Himalayan Railway chugs up from the plains of Siliguri in an exciting eight hour journey through picturesque landscape which involves more than 7000ft, of ascent. The faster but less unusual transport around the hill is provided by jeeps which can take you on breath taking beautiful trips along the torturous narrow roads of the district. Day 04 : Darjeeling Sightseeing : After breakfast commence sightseeing, Very early in the moring (04 hrs) drive to Tiger hill aound 16 km. form Darjeeling. Enjoying the sunrise from the Tiger Hill this is the best time to explore the Mount Khangchendzonga (8,598m). Though the best view depends absolutely on the luck because of unpredictable foggy climate, but that doesn’t damage the enthusiasm of tourist to wake up in the ere hours of the morning even in the chilling cold. The complete Kanchenzongha range can be viewed from Batasia loop which is also a war memorial. On the way back we visit Ghoom (Yiga-Choling) Monastery. More correctly known as Yiga Choling Gompa, this is probably the most famous monastery in Darjeeling, just below Hill Cart road and the train station near Ghoom. It enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha. Foreigners are allowed to enter the shrine and take photographs. As Ghoom is frequently swathed in mists, and the monastery is old and dark, it is often affectionately called Gloom monastery. Drive back to hotel, take breakfast later visit Tibetan Refugee Help Center, Zoo, The Padmaja Naidu Zoological Garden which is adjacent to H.M.I boasts the most diversified collection of birds and animals. Tourist can catch a glimpse of the great Siberian Tiger to snow Leopard, Red Panda, Yak, Tahr, Wolves and a number of colorful birds. HMI, set upon the top of Birch Hill is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, was established in the year of 1954 after the conquest of mount Everest by Tenging Norgay and Edmund Hillary in 1953 is located nearly. Beside providing training to aspiring mountaineers the institute house a museum which has an impressive collection of photograph and equipment related to mountaineering. The Rock Garden and Ganga Maiya park are the two newest spots of attraction for tourists where human creation blends with nature. At Gangamaiya Park tourists can also enjoy folk dance done regularly by local dance groups. Rest of the time Chowrasta the local "Mall Road" Overnight at hotel. Day 05 : Darjeeling-Melli-Jorthang or Nayabazar-Gezing-Pemayangise-Pelling : Morning after an early breakfast drive to Pelling cross the West Bangal border via Melli, over a brige on the Tista River, on the way we have a good chance to see the whole panoramic view of this valley along with the Kanchdzonga peaks, at Melli, show the permit and enter Sikkim, lunch at Jorthang than continue drive to Gezing, from there take left turn to ascend to Pelling, just 2km before the Pelling visit the Pemaangise Monastery, Pelling is a fast growing to be an urban settlement due to tourist influx situated at an altitude 6800 ft. it offer a good view of the entire mountain ranges of Kanchendzonga. Pemayangtse Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the state, originally established by Lhatsun Chempo, one of the revered Lamas to have performed the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal (Religious Monarch) of Sikkim, Rabdentse Ruins, this was the second capital of the erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim after Yuksom, On arrival check in hotel. Day 06 : Pelling-Yuksom : Morning drive to Yuksom around 2 hrs drive, this 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 is sill intact in Norbugang Chortan in the form of sone seats and a food prints of the Head Lama on a stone. Since the history of ths State began from this place. On arrival check in hotel rest of the time visit Dubdi Monastery, this is the first monastery established soon after the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal. if the time is allowed visit Khecheopalri Lake. Overnight at hotel. Day 07 Yuksom-Gangtok via Ravang-la : Morning after breakfast drive to Gangtok via Ravang-la (2130m), at the base o Menam Hill is Ravang-la, a small township and transit to various tourist destinations in South & West Sikkim, and transit points for trekkers to Menam Hill and Borong. En route visit Bon Monastery, this is the rare sect in Mahayana Buddhism. On arrival check in hotel for overnight. Rest of the time free. Day 08 Gangtok-Rumtek : After breakfast full day sightseeing of the Capital City of Sikkim, Morning visit Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center, about 24 km from Gangtok the seat of the Kagyupa order, one of he 4 major Tibetan Buddhist sects. Since the late 1960s after the arrival of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa the center house some of te world's most unique religious scriptures and religious rare object. Later drive back to hotel for lunch, than continue visit Do-drul Chorten (Stupa) The Do-drul Chorten or Stupa was built by the Venerable Trullshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism, in 194. Inside the stupa there are complete mandala set of Dorjee Phurba (Vajra Kilaya) a set of KangOyur relics (Holy Books). Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology, the most presstigious of it liking in India- the Buddhist institute is a treasure trove of vast collection or rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and rare Thankas (tapestries used in Buddhist liturgy). Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom, Enchey Monastery, Flower Festival, flower exhibitions are organised around the year at the Flower Show Venu near the White Memorial Hall Complex, Orchid Shows held during the spring season is one of the most popular shows organised in the state, Rest of the time visit M.G. Road (Lal Bazar) & local vegitable market, overnight at hotel. Day 09 Gangtok-Kalimpong : Morning drive to Kalimpong via Rangpo exit points where you have to verify you LIP. 2 hrs drive till the hotel at Kalimpong, on arrival check in hotel, later visit Caktus Nusury, Merry Church, Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery (Durbeen Moastery), Dr. Grahm Homme School and week-end market. Overnight at hotel. Day 10 Kalimpong : Full day relax, Kalimpong is one among the many popular hill stations in India that has managed to keep its natural beauty even though it is a popular summer retreat for many people. The hill station not only boasts of many tourist attractions but is also known for the exotic orchids that cover entire hillsides. Hill Resorts in India offers attractive tour packages to this heavenly hill resort, so you can simply book a tour today and spend a great vacation in Kalimpong. Overnight at hotel. Day 11 Kalimpong-Bagdogra or NJP (New Jalpaiguri) : Morning drive to Bagdogra, or NJP take flight or train. arrival Kolkata or Delhi. Rest of the time leisure for individual activities. Day 12 Delhi OR Kolkata Dep. : In time dep. transfer to onward destination. |
|
|
