Sikkim Darjeeling Tour

Sikkim is the 22nd state of India that came into existence with effect from 26th April, 1975. Sikkim state being a part of innsiker mountain ranges of Himalayas, is hilly having varied elevation ranging from 300 to 8540 meters. days But the habitable areas are only up to the altitude of 2100 mtrs. Constituting only 20% of the total area of the state. Sikkim has been divided into four districts and each district has further been bifurcated into two sub-divisions for administrative purpose.

The highest portion of Sikkim lies in its north west direction. A large number of mountains having altitudes of about seven thousand meters stands here with - Kanchenjunga (8598 m.), The third highest peak in the world. The high serrated, snow capped spurs and peaks of Kanchenjunga look attractive consisting of Kumbha Karna (7711 m.), Pendem (6706 m.), Narsingh (5825 m.), Kabru Dome (6545 m.), etc. A number of glaciers descends from eastern slopes of Kanchenjunga into Sikkim where snow clad line is found above 5300 mtrs. The biggest of them is Zemu, from whose snout above Lachen monastery

NOTE: This trek has to be booked in advance period of atleast 3 months. Royalty fees are implied in this trek and the minimum number of 4 participants are required for this trek. This is the real base camp for Mt. Kanchenjunga Climbing from India, Sikkim. rises the river Teesta

Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur which takes about 45 minutes. You will then take a drive from Bhadrapur to Kakarivitta (Eastern Border town of Nepal). You will undergo with some custom formalities and then drive to Darjeeling by jeep which takes about four and half hours.

Day 02: Darjeeling sight seeing. Morning visit Tiger Hill to see the sunrise and also get the best view of the world's third highest mountain Kanchenjunga and other peaks. On the way back visit Ghoom Monastery Enshrining Maitreyee Buddha. After breakfast proceed for a ride in the famous toy train for half an hour. This day you visit Botanical Gardens, Observatory Hill, mountaineering institute to know the history and the equipment and used in the first conquest of Mt. Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norge. Then you go to Zoological Park to see the Siberian Tigers. Visit Llamas, Himalayan Black Bear and Panda. Visit tea estates and Tibetan Refugee self-help centre for woolen carpet and leather products. You stay overnight in hotel.

Day 03: Drive from Darjeeling to Gangtok which takes about 3 and half hours. You will drive through the breath taking downhill pitched road Maney Bhanjyang - Loptsu – Teesta. You will gradually drive to Rongpu the border between West Bengal and Sikkim. Beware: You are not allowed to spit on the road throw the wrappers of foods and chocolates and no smoking in public areas. You will have some custom duties to be fulfilled and then drive to Melli – Singtam – Ranipol – Tadong – and then to Gangtok. “A mountain of houses”

Day 04: Sight seeing in and around Gangtok. The main places of interests are as stated below. Tashi View Point: From here, you could have a view of Mt Kanchanjunga and other peaks of the Himalayas. One can have an experience of the changes in colour of snows of the mountains there. Institute of Tibetology was established in 1958 to promote research on the language and culture of Tibet, as well as Mahayana Buddhism, it is the most prestigious of its kind in India. It has on display a vast collection of rare Tibetan, Sanskrit and Lepcha manuscript. The museum section, houses a number of exotic ritualistic chortens, brass bells, dorjis, rosaries and some very rare thanas. Today it is renowned worldwide center for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion. Rumtek Monastery is the sect of the Gyalwa Karmapa Lama. The monastery is a magnificent example of Tibetan Monastic art and was built by His Holiness, Gyalwa Karmapa, (a leader of the Kagyu Sect of Tibetan Buddhism).

It is a close replica of the H.H. Karmapa's monastery at Tsorphu in Tibet and houses some of the world's most unique religious art objects. The sacred Tsomgo Lake (elevation 3780 m) is situated 38 km to the east of Gangtok amidst picturesque mountains.a a Tibetan Buddhist lamasery of the Nyingmapa order, is a 95 km drive from Kalimpong. Enchey Monastery is an important sect of the Nyingmapa order, this 200 year old monstary, atop a hill above Gangtok, was once the hermitage of Lama. Dripthob Karpo, a tantric master renowned for his powers of flying. The annual ritual dance is performed on the 18th and 19th day of the 12th Month of the Tibetan calendar corresponding to the month of December/ January. Deer Park: Embraced by gardens f flowers lies a beautiful Deer Park – an ideal place to be solitude, beside the Secretariat. Built to commemorate the Buddha’s reincarnation as a musk deer, it has a large fielded statue of Buddha under a beautiful canopy in preaching posture, a replica of the statue at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. It is a popular viewpoint on the edge of the ridge.

White Hall: Built in 1932 in memory of the first Political Officer of Sikkim, Sir Claude White. Situated on a ridge, it has historical value only. There is an officer’s club. Orchid Sanctuary: It is near Research Institute of Tibetology, where you can see many of the 454 species of orchid found in Sikkim. The best time to visit is April-May, July-August and October-November. There yet another collection of orchids produced by the Governmental Tissue Culture Department of Sikkim in Saramsa or Apeca Garden about 14 Kms. from Gangtok besides Ranikhola. This is this garden for the home of Sikkim’s many exotic orchids and other rare tropical and temperate plants. Formed and maintained by the Department of Forest, it is an excellent recreational and beautiful picnic spot, and a swimming pool. Ganesh Tok: It is at an altitude of 6500 ft. above Gangtok and 7 Kms. There is a small temple of God Ganesha nested. Panoramic view of Gangtok, magnificent and breathtaking view of Khangchendzonga and Siniolchu can be observed and enjoyed from this spot on a ridge. A cafeteria serves hot tea, coffee and snacks. Hanuman Tok: It is at an altitude of 7200 ft., about 5 Kms. From Gangtok where there is a temple of God Hanuman. Panoramic view of Gangtok and adjoining hills and valleys with Khangchendzonga on the background can be seen from here. Sunrise can be observed from here. Night view of the Gangtok city lights is mood elevating. Tashi View Point is About 8 Kms. from Gangtok. It is a resting shed.

Astounding view of Khangchendzonga and the Siniolchu Range is the main attractive of this point. The distant north Sikkim monasteries are also visible from this point along the North Sikkim highway. Do-drul Chorten (Stupa):Situated on a hillock, it is a five minutes drive from Gangtok town, Built by late Trulshik Rimpoche in 1946, head of the Nyingmapa order and the late Chogyal Tashi Namgyal in 1957 to invoke the Gods for the peace and tranquility in the State. Set of Kagyur holy books, relics, complete mantras, rare mandalas of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya) and other religious objects are found inside the Chorten. A small Chorten known as Jhang Chub is built beside the Phurba Chorten in memory of Trulshik Rimpoche who passed away in 1962. Few yards below the Chorten is the rock known as “DO-TA-PU” or “Stone Horse”. There is a monastery close by called “Guru Lakhang” with the state of Guru Padmasambhava and Guru Snong Zisil Gnen, the incarnated one of the first. Around the Chorten is installed the ‘180’ Mani-Lhakor or prayer wheels. The Chorten has the sacred topped stupa. Saramsa Garden: Also know as Ipecac Garden is about 14 kms from Gangtok, the home of Sikkim's most exotic orchids and other rare tropical and temperate plants. The garden is know as Ipecac garden because of the plant Ipecac that is grown here. Established and maintained by the Department of Forest, it is an excellent recreation and picnic spot. Besides this plant, this garden also contains a wide variety of other flora including numerous types of orchids and medicinal plants. A large green house also accommodates many other species of plants. One has to take a taxi to reach this place.

Day 05: Drive from Gangtok to Pemayangtse (Pelling) which takes about 4 to 4 and half hours. The drive today will be through bank of perennial river Teesta and many beautiful places of tourist interests.

Day 06: Free day for monastery visit and enjoy mountain views. In the western district of Sikkim, Pemyangtse is a picture perfect destination. It offers a breathtaking view of the world's 3rd highest peak of Mount Khanchendzonga. The little place is home to a number of tourist attractions in Gangtok, namely Pemyangtse Monastery which is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, located on a hilltop at a height of 6840 ft. Apart from it, there are many other monasteries Pelling like: Sangachoeling Monastery, Dabdi Monastery, Tashiding Monastery and so on.

Day 07: Drive from Pemayangtse to Kalimpong which takes about 5 to 6 hours.

Day 08: Sight seeing in and around Kalimpong. Kalimpong is a sleepy little town situated at an altitude of 1,200 m, some 50 km to the east of Darjeeling. Kalimpong, "The Stockade of the King's Minister" was once a bustling town on the trade route to Tibet. It once used to be the hub of the trans-Himalayan trade between India and Tibet when merchants used to ferry goods by mule caravan over the Jelepla Pass on the Sikkim - Tibet border. Although the trade route has closed down since the early sixties, the town still retains its tranquility and intrinsic charm. It enjoys the best climate in the region and is a favorite haunt of those in search of peace and serenity. It enjoys the best climate in the region, with dense forests of golden oak trees offset by the rich undergrowth of moss and lichen. Owing to its rich flora, Kalimpong is a blaze of colors throughout the year. The orchids of this region in particular are famous for their infinite variety as well as their delicate tints.

Day 09: Drive from Kalimpong to Kakarivitta via Siliguri which takes about 4 hours. You will then drive to Bhadrapur via Kakarivitta and fly from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.