Darjeeling and Sikkim
Trip Highlights
- Toy Train
- Spectacular views of the well-manicured tea gardens
- Interaction with locals
- Rabdentse Ruins
The Route
| Title | Darjeeling and Sikkim |
| Details | Delhi – Bagdogra – Darjeeling – Pemayangtse – Rumtek - Gangtok – Kalimpong – Bagdogra - Delhi |
| Duration | 10 Nights / 11 Days |
Recently an independent country, but now part of India, Sikkim includes an incredible variety of landscapes ranging from the edge of the Indian plains to the dizzy heights of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. It is particularly famous for the wide variety of flora found there, and provides some very spectacular trekking. Sikkim is also home to its own branch of Tibetan Buddhism, and some spectacular monasteries can be found all over the state.
Day 01: 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; Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India 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 considered the Father of the Nation.
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; Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India 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 considered the Father of the Nation.
Day 02 : To Bagdogra – by flight To Darjeeling (2,165 m / 7,100 ft) – by surface / 88 km / approx 3 hrs
Fly today from Delhi 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. Darjeeling beckons thousands today for a leisurely respite from the bustle of the madding crowd. The traveler - whether a tourist or a trekker, an ornithologist or a photographer, a botanist or an artist - will find in Darjeeling an experience which will remain etched in one’s memory forever.
Fly today from Delhi 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. Darjeeling beckons thousands today for a leisurely respite from the bustle of the madding crowd. The traveler - whether a tourist or a trekker, an ornithologist or a photographer, a botanist or an artist - will find in Darjeeling an experience which will remain etched in one’s memory forever.
Day 03 : In Darjeeling
Today you have a delightful day in Darjeeling. You will have the opportunity to ride the Toy Train In the afternoon you visit Happy Valley Tea Estate of about seventy tea gardens in this hilly region, this is one of the nearest, about 3 km from the town.
Today you have a delightful day in Darjeeling. You will have the opportunity to ride the Toy Train In the afternoon you visit Happy Valley Tea Estate of about seventy tea gardens in this hilly region, this is one of the nearest, about 3 km from the town.
Day 04 : To Pemayanste (2,150 m / 6,840 ft) – by surface / 112 km/ approx 3 ½ hrs
A drive along the Tista Valley takes you to the Sikkim border at Melli and then you travel through the Rangit Valley up to Pemayanste. From here one can view Mt. Khangchen Dzonga (8,588 m / 25,168 ft), Pandim (6,693 m / 21,953 ft), Siniolchu (6,889 m / 22,597 ft) and other ranges.
A drive along the Tista Valley takes you to the Sikkim border at Melli and then you travel through the Rangit Valley up to Pemayanste. From here one can view Mt. Khangchen Dzonga (8,588 m / 25,168 ft), Pandim (6,693 m / 21,953 ft), Siniolchu (6,889 m / 22,597 ft) and other ranges.
Day 05 : In Pemayanste
Enjoy a guided tour of the premier monastery of Pemayanste (Perfect Sublime Lotus). Latsun Chembo first built it as a small temple in the late 17th century. Later Jigme Pawo, who was the third reincarnate of Latsun Chembo, extended and rebuilt the structure in the form of a big monastery. A 2 km walk from the main road near Pemayanste Monastery through a thick forest will take you to Rabdanste Palace. The Palace is ruins; however, the chortens around it have withstood the elements of nature.
Enjoy a guided tour of the premier monastery of Pemayanste (Perfect Sublime Lotus). Latsun Chembo first built it as a small temple in the late 17th century. Later Jigme Pawo, who was the third reincarnate of Latsun Chembo, extended and rebuilt the structure in the form of a big monastery. A 2 km walk from the main road near Pemayanste Monastery through a thick forest will take you to Rabdanste Palace. The Palace is ruins; however, the chortens around it have withstood the elements of nature.
Day 06 : To Rumtek - via Rabongla& Temi Tea Estate – by surface / 129 km / approx 4 ½
Drive to Rumtek, en route visiting Temi Tea Garden to observe the processing of one of the finest teas in the world.
Drive to Rumtek, en route visiting Temi Tea Garden to observe the processing of one of the finest teas in the world.
Day 07 : To Gangtok(1,677 m / 5,500 ft) - – by surface / 23 km / approx 1hr
In the morning visit Rumtek Monastery, this is perched on a hilltop facing the city of Gangtok. After your visit a short drive takes you to Gangtok, the “Lofty Hill”, which is the capital of Sikkim
In the morning visit Rumtek Monastery, this is perched on a hilltop facing the city of Gangtok. After your visit a short drive takes you to Gangtok, the “Lofty Hill”, which is the capital of Sikkim
Day 08 : In Gangtok
In Gangtok 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 The other places of interest during your day in Gangtok are - Government Institute of Cottage Industries, Do-Drul Chorten: One of the most important Stupas of Sikkim built by the late Venerable Trulsi Rimpoche in 1945-46, it contains a mandala of Dorji-Phurpa, holy texts, mantras and is encircled by 108 prayer wheels
In Gangtok 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 The other places of interest during your day in Gangtok are - Government Institute of Cottage Industries, Do-Drul Chorten: One of the most important Stupas of Sikkim built by the late Venerable Trulsi Rimpoche in 1945-46, it contains a mandala of Dorji-Phurpa, holy texts, mantras and is encircled by 108 prayer wheels
Day 09 : To Kalimpong (1,200 m / 3,936 ft) - by surface / 72 km / approx 2 ½ hrs
After breakfast you will drive to Kalimpong, which is nestled in the foothills of the Himalaya. Kalimpong in local dialect means “black spur”. 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” (Estd. 1972), renowned growers & worldwide exporters of Himalayan and Indo Burmese orchids species, Himalayan flora & exotic floricultures. Also visit Gangjong Paper Industry renowned for the craft of paper making, which is an ancient tradition in the Himalayan region.
After breakfast you will drive to Kalimpong, which is nestled in the foothills of the Himalaya. Kalimpong in local dialect means “black spur”. 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” (Estd. 1972), renowned growers & worldwide exporters of Himalayan and Indo Burmese orchids species, Himalayan flora & exotic floricultures. Also visit Gangjong Paper Industry renowned for the craft of paper making, which is an ancient tradition in the Himalayan region.
Day 10 : To Bagdogra –by surfaceTo Delhi – by flight
In time transfer to the airport to board your flight to Delhi.
In time transfer to the airport to board your flight to Delhi.
Day 11 : Departure Delhi
In time transfer to the International Airport to board your flight for home / onward journey.
In time transfer to the International Airport to board your flight for home / onward journey.