The Travel People

SIKKIM DARJEELING KOLKATA

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 : SINGAPORE – KOLKATA

Kolkata airport and meet & greet by the local representative. Check in hotel.

DAY 02 : KOLKATA - BAGDOGRA DARJEELING (94 KM 3-4 HRS)

After breakfast check out hotel then transport to domestic airport & Open arrival in Bagdogra Airport meet and welcome you by our Guide at the airport and then 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. After dinner, free at leisure to visit the local bazaar.

DAY 03 : DARJEELING SIGHTSEEING

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 Then proceed to Tibetan Refugee Center.

DAY 04 : DARJEELING PELLING (4-5 HRS)

After breakfast drive to Pelling on the way, perched on top of the hill rising between the Rathong River and the Rangit River, it provides breathtaking views of the scenery below. On arrival visit sanga cholin Monastry which is one of the oldest monastery in west Sikkim over night at Hotel.

DAY 05 : PELLING LOCAL SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast Proceed to sight seen on the way passing by Rimbi Falls and Kanchenjunga Falls visit the placid & clear Khecheopari lake “means wishing”. After lunch, visit the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest and important monasteries in Sikkim. 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. Rabdanste Ruins are now being preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and have been declared as a monument on completed drive to Pelling over night at Pelling.

DAY 06 : PELLING GANGTOK (5-HRS)

Bid farewell to Pelling and leave for Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Tucked away in the clouds, Gangtok is spread out on a ridge 1520m 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 neigh bouring Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal. En-route, visit Temi tea garden on arrival check inn to hotel evening free and easy over night in hotel.

DAY 07 : TSOMGO LAKE (3 HRS) GANGTOK

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, situated near the borders of Indo-Tibet and drive Back to Gantok,

DAY 08 : GANGTOK LACHUNG (6~7-HRS)

Today, we leave for North district of Sikkim to a small village, Lachung (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 Lachung in the late afternoon and check in at a lodge. (Please be reminded that the facilities here are very basic)

DAY 09 : LACHUNG YUMTHANG (1-HRS) EX GANGTOK (6~7-HR DRIVE)

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. Back to Lachung for lunch after lunch drive to Gangtok.

DAY 10 : GANGTOK BAGDOGRA – KOLKATA – BANGKOK (4 HRS)

After breakfast, we leave for Bagdogra Airport which is 4 hrs journeys & on arrival at Kolkata meet our local representative visit Victoria memorial hall then last minute shopping in local market dinner at local restaurant after dinner transfer to International airport Departure.