Adventure In The Eastern Himalayas
- Toy Train
- Spectacular views of the well-manicured tea gardens
- Interaction with locals
- Rabdentse Ruins
| Title | Adventure in the Eastern Himalayas - Sikkim |
| Details | Kolkata – Bagdogra – Darjeeling – Pelling - Kewzing – Home Stay - Gangtok – Kalimpong – Trekking around Kalimpong – Mountain Biking – Chalsa – Bagdogra - Departure |
| Duration | 11 Nights / 12 Days |
The journey will start by visiting Kolkatta. Visit The Botanical Garden situated at Shibpur area of Howrah District. Later visit the Howrah Bridge. It one of three bridges on the river Hooghly and is the most famous landmark in all of West Bengal.
Later fly to Bagdogra and undertake a three hours’ drive to Darjeeling along verdant hillsides carpeted with well-maintained tea bushes of the tea gardens that cover the landscape. In Darjeeling you will get an opportunity to ride the Toy Train. It was a tiny four-wheeled trolley when it first rolled out.
From Pelling one gets an impressive view of the Mt Kanchenjunga. An opportunity not to be missed. Drove to Kechopari Lake at an altitude of about 1951 m. Kechopari means ‘Wishing Lake’. The water in this lake is placid and crystal clear. On your journey to Gangtok you stop to visit Temi Tea Garden to observe the processing of one of the finest teas in the world. After breakfast drive to visit the Rumtek Monastery drive a distance of 26 km in approx 40 minutes to arrive at Gangtok.
A trek to Dumsong Fort from Kalimpong. At the highest point of your trek you arrive at Damsang Fort (1,789 M / 5,900 FT). The journey will culminate by a drive through a forest road to Chelsa. Here you can indulge yourself in the swimming pool or treat yourself in the Nature Cure Health Centre at the resort by experienced doctors trained in Ayurvedic Medicine and Naturopathy, especially after all the trekking that you have been doing in the Eastern Himalayan region.
Welcome, meet & assist upon arrival, transferred to hotel.
Today you will start your day by visiting the Botanical Garden situated at Shibpur area of Howrah District. Later visit the Howrah Bridge. It one of three bridges on the river Hooghly and is the most famous landmark in all of West Bengal. Visit the Dalhousie Square. Afternoon you will visit the Kali temple.
Today you will fly from to Bagdogra. On arrival you will be received and undertake a three hours’ drive to Darjeeling along verdant hillsides carpeted with well-maintained tea bushes of the tea gardens that cover the landscape. Darjeeling has been aptly referred to as QUEEN OF HILL STATIONS.
Day 04 : In Darjeeling –– Toy Train & Tea Garden Experience
After breakfast at the hotel you will have the opportunity to ride the Toy Train. It was a tiny four- wheeled trolley when it first rolled out. People, sacks of tea, bags of potatoes, wool from Tibet, Kalimpong oranges, jute and paddy stacks and more used to find space under its canvas roof and two quaint wooden benches.
After your Toy Train ride you drive out of Darjeeling for about an hour to the picturesque hill town of Kurseong. After lunch you get to visit Tea Garden. By the evening you will be back in Darjeeling. Take a relaxed stroll on the Chowrasta.
Setting out from Darjeeling you divert from Jor Bunglow to the right for your journey in to Sikkim. Later in the afternoon, 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.
Day 06 : To Kewzing - via to Kechopari Lake / Yoksum / Tashiding by surface / 70 km / approx 5 hrs
From Pelling one gets an impressive view of the Mt Kanchenjunga. An opportunity not to be missed, we will wake up early in the morning for this rare opportunity not to be missed. (Subject to clear weather).
After breakfast, a 24 km drive takes you first to Kechopari Lake at an altitude of about 1951 m. After the visit proceed to Kewzing where you will be welcomed for a Village Home Stay. In the evening you will get the opportunity to interact with the local villagers and take a village walk as well as participate in their daily chores, if you are so inclined.
On your journey to Gangtok you stop to visit Temi Tea Garden to observe the processing of one of the finest teas in the world.
Day 08 : In Gangtok– Rumtek Monastery
Today you will be out of your hotel before the crack of dawn to take 20 minutes’ drive to Tashi View Point. Situated along the North Sikkim Highway, from here one gets a breath taking view of Mt Khanchen Dzonga as the morning rays of the sun settle on it.
After breakfast drive to visit the Rumtek Monastery drive a distance of 26 km in approx 40 minutes to arrive at Gangtok. Gangtok has a very spectacular setting and offers excellent views of the entire Khanchen Dzonga range from various points in its vicinity. Later drive back to Gantgtok visit the Government Institute of Cottage Industries: A visit to the Research Institute of Tibetology can be quite engrossing. In the evening if time permits one can explore the downtown of Gangtok city by walking along the Mahatma Gandhi Road,
Day 09 : To Kalimpong – by surface / 75 km / approx 2 ½ hrs
After breakfast drive to Kalimpong. 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
In the afternoon, visit Handmade Paper Industry renowned for the craft of paper making, which is an ancient tradition in the Himalayan region. From here one can proceed to the Lepcha Museum. Overnight stay at Holumba Haven.
You climb up a ridgeline passing through a couple of settlements, where you can interact with the local people, after which you enter dense forest cover. At the highest point of your trek you will arrive at Damsang Fort (1,789 M / 5,900 FT
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. Later you drive through a forest road to Lava from where the road descends to Gorubattan.
After breakfast drive to Bagdogra in time to board your flight for Delhi / Kolkatta.