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8 Nights/ 9 Days thru North Sikkim & Darjeeling
2 nights Kalimpong- 2 nights Gangtok – 2 nights Pelling – 2 night Darjeeling
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Day 1 Kalimpong
Pick- up by a NAC Maruti Van from Bagdogra Airport/NJP to be taken to Kalimpong (4000 Ft) a drive of 80 kms also called the garden of flowers. This town has almost everything- scenic beauty, flowers, greenery, waters, mists, clouds etc..
Checkin at “The Silver Oaks”, the only 4-star luxury hotel in Kalimpong,just 2 minutes from the Mall. Built originally in 1930, the present day building has been spruced up with modern amenities housing 23 fully equipped rooms, multicuisine restaurant etc.. The hotel has more glass than walls which allows the breathtaking beauty of the great outdoors to fill the indoors.
If you are in Kalimpong on a Wednesday/Saturday, walk down to the “Haat Bazaar” or local market – a place where villagers from all nearby villages come & sell/display their wares (right from handicrafts to food items). The market starts early morning by 6-7am & is on till 4pm. This is a unique extravaganza typical to rural regions, a cultural experience you will never forget. Night halt at The Silver Oaks, Kalimpong. |
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Day 2 Kalimpong
After breakfast proceed for a half day sightseeing of Durpin Hill (which has the famous Zong Dog Palri Fo- Brang Monastery which belongs to the same Buddhist sect as the present Dalai Lama) , Jelapla View Point, Pine View Point, Chitra Bhanu & Kalim Temple, Dr Graham's Homes complex with its historic church & well maintained grounds founded in 1900 by Rev. Dr. J A Graham, a Scottish missionary, Delo Hill(5556 ft) appears to be the roof- of- the- world, is the highest point in Kalimpong. Delo also has the town’s picturesque water reservoir. Then on to Mangal Dham Temple constructed in memory of the late Guru Shree (108) Mangal Dasji and dedicated to Lord Krishna, Kalimpong Arts & Crafts Centre, Nature Interpretation Centre ( Forest Museum). Evening at leisure with a visit to the market.where you do some curio shopping, buy some Kalimpong Cheese & lollypops of Swiss technology from “Larks” or just take a walk thru the market . Night halt at The Silver Oaks, Kalimpong.
Day 3 Gangtok
Early morning Depart for a 2hr 30mins journey to Gangtok (5500 Ft), Sikkim - the Land of the Pristine and unspoilt natural beauty with alpine landscapes and thick luxuriant forests, rivers in torrent and peaceful lakes. Checkin at The Norkhill - the erstwhile Guest house of the King of Sikkim, a Heritage Property. With rich traditional interiors, 25 rooms having Satellite TV, Direct Dial Phones etc., a Kanchenjunga view, Multicuisine Restaurant, there is no better place where one can experience a mix of Culture-Modern lifestyle-Natural beauty in the ambience of History. Rest of the day at Leisure, explore the city. Night Halt at Norkhill, Gangtok.
After check in at the hotel,take a sightseeing trip to TheHandicraft & Handloom Showroom, which promotes traditional arts & crafts, a veritable storehouse of exquisite carpets, blankets, shawls in “Lepcha “ weaves ; The Flower Show which contains over 200 species of orchids set amidst a beautiful landscape;
Enchey Monastery- built in 1910 on the site blessed by the great tantric master Lama Drutob Karpo, known for his flying powers, this monastery houses the monks of the Nyingmapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism ; Nam Nang VP/Ropeway ; Do-Drul Chorten (Stupa) which is one of the most important stupas of Sikkim, built by the head of the Nyingma order- Trullshi Rimpoche in 1945. It contains rare details of Dorji Phupa, Holy Books, Mantras and is encircled by 108 prayer wheels ; The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology built in 1958 in traditional style, a renowned worldwide centre for the study of the Mahayana Buddhist philosophy & religion, a treasure house of rare “Thankas”, statues, over 200 Buddhist icons and prized objects of art& finally Rumtek Monastery, 24 kms from Gangtok was built in 1960 by His Holiness the Late 16 th Gyalwa Karmapa & this is a replica of the original Kagyurpa Monastery in Tibet, a must see for every visitor, the seat of the “Kagyu Order” . Behind the Monastery is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies which attracts students from the world over. Here one can find the most unique religious scriptures & art objects of the world .Back to the hotel by late afternoon. Night Halt at Norkhill, Gangtok.
Day 4 Gangtok
After breakfast proceed to Tsomgo Lake (12,210 Ft), a 40 km drive which takes 2.5 hrs. This lake is located very close to Nathula Pass which is the entry point to China termed as the “ Silk Route & remains frozen for most parts of the year. Legend has it that the Lamas use to forecast the future by studying the colour of the lakes waters. Enjoy the surroundings, majestic snowy peaks which feed the lake and the clean fresh air. Back to Gangtok by 3pm for a late lunch. Evening free for leisure or go shopping for Sikkimese traditional handicrafts. Night Halt at Norkhill, Gangtok.
Day 5 Pelling
Depart early morning for Pelling (6800 Ft), a 5 hour journey (112 kms) via Ravangla (6800 Ft) , a small township & transit point to various destinations in South & West Sikkim, situated at the base of Meenam Hill (10300 Ft). A visit to the Tibetan Refugee Settlement Camp just above the town which houses the Kheunpheling carpet centre where one can buy fine Tibetan style woollen carpets. Lunch at Ravangla & then a fleeting visit to the Bon Monastery at Kewzing, 5 kms from Ravangla which is one of its kind in Sikkim, a symbol of the determination of the community to preserve their religious traditions.
Arrive at Pelling & checkin at Norbu Gang Resort. This is one of the closest points to the Khanchenjunga range & one can see it upfront touching the sky from Pelling. Proceed to The Pemayangtse Monastery (7021 Ft), 2.5 kms from Pelling. Built during the late 17 th century, it is one of the oldest & most important monasteries of the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism in Sikkim. Even today, it is only the monks of this monastery who enjoy the title of ‘Tasang’ or pure monks. The monastery follows the Mindroling tradition & has 108 monks. The main attraction of the monastery is the wooden replica of Zangdog Palri , the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava, built by Serdup L Dorje Rinpoche in 1971. Back to the hotel. Night halt at Norbu Gang Resort, Pelling.
Day 6 Pelling
Leave early for the Khecheopalri Lake, also called the “ Wish Fulfilling Lake”. It lies in a depression surrounded by prayer flags & forested hills. Then to Yuksom (5800 Ft) . This is the first capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim & the coronation site of the first Chogyal.
Evidence of the enthronement ceremony can still be seen in the form of stone seats and the footprint of the Head Lama on a stone. The stone throne constructed for the great event stands today at Norbugang which has been declared a Heritage site.
If you have the time & energy, trek up to the Dubdi Monastery at Yuksom. This is a 30-35 mins trek into the forest negotiating steep slopes. It was built in 1701 after the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal. It is an ideal place for Lamas seeking meditation and recluse. Dubdi means “the Hermit’s cell”. On the return stop to see the Khangchendzonga water falls. Back to the Resort by evening. Night halt at Norbu Gang Resort, Pelling.
Day 7 Darjeeling
Leave early for a visit to the Rabdentse Ruins - the second capital of the erstwhile King of Sikkim till 1814 A.D. This is also very close to the Pemyangtse Monastery, a 30mins walk from the main road. The scenic view from the top of the ruins scanning across the deep valley, to the mystic heights of the Khanchenjunga range is something to be cherished & etched in memory.
Proceed to Darjeeling (7100 ft), a 72 kms drive taking around 3-4 hours, the “Queen of the hill stations” , its name derived from “Dorje-Line” which means the place of “Dorje”, the mystic thunderbolt. After a very scenic drive thru the mountains, tea gardens etc., reach Darjeeling by late afternoon & checkin at “The Elgin”, Darjeeling.
The Elgin – a 120 years old property, now given “Heritage Status” is located at 2 minutes walking distance from the mall. The Snug & Cosy feeling, Burma teak Furniture, Wooden floorboards and panelling, crackling log fireplaces, well thumbed volumes at the library, candle-lit dining tables with soft strains of the melodies wafting from the piano…. each has a story to tell – The story of the stylish lifestyle of its first owner, the Maharaja of Cooch Behar. Having 25 well appointed rooms equipped with Satellite TV, Direct Dial Phones & a view of Kanchenjunga, The Elgin also provides hospitality alongwith a flavour of history. Spend the evening lazing around or walk up to the mall. Night Halt at The Elgin, Darjeeling.
Day 8 Darjeeling
Start the day at 4am with an early morning trip to Tiger Hill (7800 Ft) to catch the sunrise from behind the majestic Kunchenjunga range. On the way back visit the Ghoom Monastery & Batasia Loop. Back to the hotel for breakfast. Rest a while & then visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoo, Tenzing Rock, Labong Race Course, Tea Garden, Tibetan Refugees Self Help Centre & Rope-way. Back to the hotel by late afternoon. Take a walk to “Chowrasta” the centre point of the Mall area. Do some window shopping. Night Halt at The Elgin, Darjeeling.
Day 9
After Breakfast Depart to Bagdogra/NJP
