The Travel People

GLORY OF SIKKIM DARJEELING KALIMPONG TOUR ITINERARY 19 NIGHTS 20 DAYS

Small but beautiful, Sikkim is situated in the eastern Himalayas. The state is spreaded below the Mount Khanchendzonga (8534 mts), the third highest mountain in the world, and revered by the Sikkimese as their protective deity. With an area of 7,300 sq kms and measuring approx. 114 kms from the north to south and 64 kms from east to west, the elevation ranges from 300 meters to over 8540 meters above sea level. Amidst the grandeur of the mountain peaks, lush valleys, fast flowing rivers, hills, Sikkim offers her visitors a rare and singular experience. Within a matter of hours one can move from the sub tropical heat of the lower valleys to the cold of the rugged mountain slopes that reach up to the area of perpetual snow.

The modern history of Sikkim begins from 1642 A.D. with the coronation of Phuntsog Namgyal as the first Chogyal or king of Sikkim in a tranquil pine covered hill in Yuksom Norbugang in West Sikkim.The Namgyals were scions of the Mi-nyak House in Kham in Eastern Tibet. It is said that there were three brothers, chiefs of Kham Mi-nyak. A letter dropped from heaven directed the middle brother to go south towards Sikkim where his descendents were fated to rule. It was in Sakya that his eldest son single-handedly raised the pillars of the Sakya monastery and earned himself the sobriquet of ‘Khye Bums (the strength of a lakh of men). Khye Bumsa also earned himself the hand of the daughter of the Sakya hierarch and settled in Chumbi Valley, which remained, for a long time, the epicenter of the later kingdom of Sikkim.

DAY 01 : MALAYSIA – KOLKATA

Open arrival at Kolkata subash Chandra boss international airport welcome by our local representative then transfer to hotel.

DAY 02 : KOLKATA LOCAL SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast local sightseeing around Kolkata visit Victoria Memorial hall , Mother Teresa House , Kali Temple ,Hawra Bridge & St paul church and local market overnight at Kolkata.

DAY 03 : KOLKATA - BAGDOGRA - MIRIK

After breakfast check out from the hotel then transfer to domestic airport for Bagdogra well come by your tour guide then transfer for Lunch after lunch drive to Mirik drive trough beautiful tea garden on arrival check in to hotel.

DAY 04 : MIRIK - DARJEELING

Morning walk around the beautiful local market at Mirik visit Mirik monastery and lake side afternoon transfer you on a journey drive through picturesque tea gardens to the world renowned hill station, Darjeeling. Perched on an altitude of 2134m, Darjeeling is set amidst a majestic backdrop of the great Himalayan peak of Kanchenjunga (3rd highest peak in the world at 8586m) and is regarded as the Queen of East India visit the local bazaar shopping time.

DAY 05 : DARJEELING

Depart hotel at about 4am for Tiger Hill (2685m) for sun rising view and a panoramic view of the spectacular snow-clad mountain peaks of the Himalayan Range.Visit to the Ghoom Monastery, built in 1850 by Lama Sharb, which enshrines a 15ft. Statue of Maitreya Buddha After which, back to hotel for your breakfast and then visit the Himalayan Zoological Park. The zoo serves as a breeding center for snow leopards and red pandas, as well as a home for mountain yaks, Himalayan black bears and Siberian Tigers. Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, located within this zoo, which was founded in 1954 to commemorate history's first successful conquest of Mt. Everest in 1953 by 'Darjeeling's son, Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. Then proceed to Tibetan Refugee Center.

DAY 06 : DARJEELING – OKREY

Morning check out from hotel then drive to west Sikkim en- route visit beautiful tea garden along the road side stop at Triveny view point for photo graph view of River Teesta and river Rangit and stop at Melli for Sikkim immigration on completed all paper work drive to Okrey visit Sai Temple at Dramdin which is beautiful please, over night at Orkey.

DAY 07 : OKREY HIKE TO BARSEY RHODODENDRON CENTURY

After breakfast drive up to Hellay then start our hike to Barsey through the beautifully laid gravel path shaded by different species of rhododendron to Varsay Rhododendron Sanctuary or Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, situated in Western Sikkim in Singalila Range forming a natural border with Nepal in The West. The sanctuary also borders the State West Bengal from Sikkim in the south by Rambong Khola stream. The entire sanctuary is spread over 104 km2, across the Singalila Range. The Varsey Sanctuary can be reached from three points, Hilley, Dentam and Soreng. Overnight at Orkey.

DAY 08 : OKREY – CHAYATAL

After breakfast drive to Kaluk start up hill low altitude trek to Resom Monastery walk through from Basmey village this village is famous for Orchid farming on completed walk down to Rinchenpong visit Poison Lake with Dak Bonglow, afternoon drive to Chayatal.

DAY 09 : CHAYATAL - PELLING

After breakfast drive to Pelling en route visit Singsor Bridge second highest hanging bridge in Asia on completed drive to pelling visit Pamayantse Monastery is situated less than a kilometer from Pelling. The monastery houses numerous religious idols and other objects of worship, most of which are priceless because of their antiquity. Pelling is indeed a nice place away from the hustle, bustle and noise. Here, you can breathtaking view of Mt Kanchenjunga in the clear day. Rabdanste Ruins second ancient capital of Sikkim now being preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and have been declared as a monument over night at Pelling.

DAY 10 : PELLING - YUKSOM

After breakfast drive to KHECHEOPARI HOLI LAKE- This is considered one of the sacred lakes of Sikkim. The lake remains hidden in the rich forest cover. It is believed that birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the lake surface. Do not forget to take a packet of biscuits and to break them into pieces and offer them to the fishes in the lake. RIMBI WATERFALLS- About 12kms away from Pelling and about 5 kms further down from Darap village is Rimbi River Bank which falls on the way to Khecheopalri and Yuksam where the main attraction is waterfalls which is spectacular in summer that attract many waterfalls lovers. On complete drive to Yuksom first capital of Sikkim also famous for trekking base camp for Goecha-la Kanchendzonga base camp trek over night at Yuksom.

DAY 11 : YUKSOM HIKE TO CHONG VILLAGE

Morning carry our pack lunch and walk to chong village en- route visit Norbugang first capital of Sikkim then walk down to kartok holi lake and start our trekking Dubdi monastery below to Ningma-pa sect on completed walk up to Chong village then after noon slowly walk down to Yuksom bazaar. Over night at Yuksom.

DAY 12 :YUKSOM - NAMCHI

Morning drive to Ravangla on arrival visit Buddha park highest statue of lord Buddha then drive to Ralong monastery on completed drive back to Ravangla for lunch after lunch drive Sangdruptshe highest statue guru Padmashambawa ( Guru Rimponge)& visit Chardham Lord Shiva incarnated as Kirateshwar in Indrakeel (Present Sikkim). Therefore, in this incarnation he is locally worshipped by the people of Sikkim as Lord Kirateshwar. A statue of 16 1/2 feet height of Lord Kirateshwar is also installed in the complex.In order to attain Moksha, the Hindu belief is to perform pilgrimage to all the existing four Dhams. Thereby, replicas of these four Dhams, namely Badrinath, Jaganath and Dwarka dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Rameshwar, dedicated to Lord Shiva over night at Namchi.

DAY 13 : NAMCHI - GANGTOK

After breakfast drive to Gangtok the capital of Sikkim. Tucked away in the clouds, Gangtok is spread out on a ridge 1880 m above sea level, and looks something out of a fairy tale with houses precariously balanced on the slopes of steep hills. Apart from the gorgeous view of deep valleys, waterfalls and snow-capped mountain ranges that separate from neighboring Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal & west Bengal on arrival walk around the local market at Gangtok.

DAY 14 : GANGTOK - TSAMGO LAKE

After breakfast, drive to Tsomgo Lake, also means as “The Source of the Lake” (3,780m). The lake derives its water from melting snows off the surrounding mountains, which is one of the famous sacred lakes in Sikkim (If you need to hike at Tsamgo lake the walk about 3 Hrs to Tsamgo Lake top) drive back to Gangtok on arrival visit Hanuman tok for panoramic view of Sikkim mountain if weather is clear.

DAY 15 : GANGTOK – LOCALSIGHTSEEING

After breakfast start local sightseeing around Gangtok Capital, morning visit The Enchey monastery literally means the solitary temple. At the time it was constructed, it was the only building in the entire area. This place especially attracts attention during the religious dances or \’Chaam\’ performed in January. The relatively small monastery was built 200 years ago and the present building was constructed in the year 1909. The site where the monastery is built is supposed to be blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his flying powers. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is a great way to get acquainted with Tibetan culture. Regarded as the highest seat of learning amongst the Mahayana scholars, this Institute was built in 1958 and is a famous global centre for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion today. It houses the world's largest collected works and rare manuscripts on the theme of Mahayana Buddhism. Flower exhibition centre & Handy craft and handloom centre.

Rumtek monastery originally built by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje in 16th century, Rumtek served as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim for some time. But when the 16th Karmapa arrived in Sikkim in 1959, after fleeing Tibet, the monastery was in ruins. Despite being offered other sites, the Karmapa decided to rebuild Rumtek. To him, the site possessed many auspicious qualities and was surrounded by the most favorable attributes. For example, flowing streams, mountains behind, a snow range in front, and a river below. With the generosity and help of the Sikkim royal family and the Indian government, it has been built by the 16th Karmapa as his main seat in exile. After four years, construction of the monastery was completed. The sacred items and relics brought out from Tsurphu Monastery, the Karmapa's seat in Tibet, were installed. On Tibetan New Year's day (Losar) in 1966 the 16th Karmapa officially inaugurated the new seat called, "The Dharma chakra Centre, a place of erudition and spiritual accomplishment, the seat of the glorious Karmapa." The monastery is currently the largest in Sikkim. It is home to the community of monks and where they perform the rituals and practices of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

A Golden Stupa contains the relics of the 16th Karmapa. Opposite that building is a college, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies. Visit LINGDUM MONASTERY located an hour's scenic drive from Gangtok, Lingdum Monastery is a destination for Buddhist pilgrims and devotees of fine art alike. The sprawling complex, set amid serene forested hills, is a specimen of sacred architecture. Its exquisite murals, statues and adornments, besides the impressive scale of the edifice, bring a look of wonderment to every visitor's face. Completed 10 years ago, Lingdum Monastery is a Buddhist centre in the tradition of the Zurmang Kagyud lineage. It is under the spiritual direction of Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche, who is the 12th unbroken successor of the lineage. Up on a hill behind the monastery is a retreat centre where monks retire to meditate.

DAY 16 : GANGTOK - LACHUNG

Today, we leave for North district of Sikkim to a small village, Lachen (2,400m). This spectacular drive will take about 6-7 hrs (lunch en-route). If weather is clear, you’ll see the magnificent range of the third highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga and some wild orchids blooming (during spring) on the way. Arrive Lachen in the late afternoon and check in at a lodge. (Please be reminded that the facilities here are very basic).

DAY 17 : LACHUNG - YUMEYSAMDONG – LACHUNG

After breakfast, we leave for Yumthang (3,500m) excursion. This panoramic drive will bring you to the Valley of Flowers which consists of about 36 species of rhododendrons, primulas and other spectacular alpine wild flowers. Yaks and dzos can be seen grazing on the meadows. On way back, walk across the Lachung Chu and have a dip in a hot spring (swimming costumes needed). If not, just enjoy the scenic surrounding. On complete drive to Zero point then drive back to Lachung evening free and easy.

DAY 18 : LACHUNG – GANGTOK

After breakfast drive back to Capital city Gangtok, En-route visit Phodong monastery and seven sister waterfalls on arrival check inn to hotel evening walk around the local market MG Marg.

DAY 19 : GANGTOK - KALIMPONG

After breakfast drive to Kalimpong another beautiful hill town on arrival visit Delo garden it is very famous for picnic spot then visit Dr Grams homes & Tharpacholing monastery, Pradhan nursery, Durpin monastery Atop the hill sits the Zang Dhok Palri Monastery which was consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1976. The monastery holds in its reliquary 108 volumes of the Kangyur, as well as other holy books and scrolls that were moved out of Tibet after the Chinese invasion on completed drive back to hotel check inn and evening free and easy walk around the local market overnight at Kalimpong.

DAY 20 : KALIMPONG-BAGDOGRA - KOLKATA – MALAYSIA

After breakfast drive 3 hrs to Bagdogra airport for domestic flight to Kolkata on arrival at Kolkata last minute shopping around local market then as per your international flight schedule transfer to airport for Malaysia.