Darjeeling and Sikkim

DAY 01: DELHI / BAGDOGRA BY flight

                             BAGRDOGRA – DARJEELING 93 KMS / 3.5 HRS APPROX… 

Arrive Delhi, Yatra exotic routes representative will be waiting for you outside the EXIT gate of arrival terminal, holding a placard. Met upon arrival and transfer to connect onward flight for Bagdogra.

The capital of modern India has behind it centuries of history, which has enriched its culture. Nowhere has tradition blended with modernity on a scale as evident in New Delhi. Delhi is what you want it to be – a modern city with life or a city of monuments and history.

Assistance at the airport by our representative on arrival and drive to Darjeeling

 

DARJEELING:

Standing high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2134m, ‘Dorje Ling’, or place of the Thunderbolt, offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountain peaks, with the Kanchendzonga rising higher than all the others. Often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as alluring with its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a narrow gauge railway track. Surrounded by World Famous Tea Gardens and snow capped mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the most exotic destinations. Graeme Westlake in his book ‘An introduction to hill stations on India’ refers to Darjeeling as having “A view Scarcely Unrivalled on Earth”.

Overnight at hotel

DAY 02: DARJEELING

Breakfast at the hotel later proceed to visit Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery.

  

Tiger Hill: – It is 13 kms from Darjeeling and one can see beautiful sunrise and Himalayan Range like Kanchandzonga, Mount Everest etc. One can see the horizon changing colors just before sunrise and then the entire Himalayan range turn golden. It is truly a majestic sight.

Ghoom Monastery:- This is oldest Monastery in the area which was built in 1875 and one can see the image of Mythey Buddha 15ft. height on the way back from Tiger Hill.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute/Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park:-  (Closed on Thursdays)

The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was started in Darjeeling when Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest to give training  to learn Mountaineering and other adventure sports related to mountaineering and in that Institute one can see equipment etc.used by Mr. Tenzing Norgay and Everest Museum having complete details on Everest attached to institute one can  visit Himalayan Zoological Park where one can see Himalayan animals like Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black Bear and several varieties of birds.

Tibetan Self- Helf Centre Or Refugee Centre:-  (Closed on Sundays) This institute is run by Tibetan Refugees to preserve their handicrafts and one can see making of Tibetan Carpets, Leather work, Paintings and Wooden work etc.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 03: DARJEELING – PELLING via RINCHENPONG 110 KMS / APPROX 4.30 HRS

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pelling

PELLING

Located at a distance of 120 kms from Gangtok Pelling is another serene, mountain village which lies in the western districts of Sikkim. This village is situated at an altitude of 2000 mts(approx) and  the distance from this village to the mount Kanchandzonga, as a crow flies…is  26 kms approx. 

 

 

Upon arrival in pelling check in at hotel later proceeds for the sightseeing.

Pemayangtse monastery follows the Mindroling tradition besides holding the lineage of Lhatsun Chenpo. Mindroling monastery was founded by Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje whose famous daughter Jetsun Migyur Paldon lived near Pemayangtse and taught there during her exile. Her stone throne is still to be seen in this monastery, which has 108 monks. The main attraction of the monastery is the wooden replica of Zangdog Palri; the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava built by Serdup Lhundrup Dorje Rinpoche in 1971. The annual chaam (monk dance) is held here on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar.

Rabdentse- Sikkim’s second capital. The ruins of Rabdantse are worth exploring. The winding track through the forest brings you to a small set of ruins of the early town and eventually on the ruins of the palace with Chorten (stupa) nearby. Farther afield are the Changay Falls.

Sanga Choeling means ‘the island of esoteric teaching’. 45 minutes walk from Pelling will take you to this second oldest monastery of Sikkim. A 4 km trail rises from the playing fields just above Pelling to reach the small monastery of Sanga Choeling is one of the oldest gompas in Sikkim. This gompa is another of Lhatsun Chenpo’s creations, and is highly venerated among the Nyingmapa. Gutted by fire, it has been rebuilt and houses some of the original clay statues.

Overnight in Pelling.

DAY 04: PELLING – GANGTOK 125 KMS / APPROX 3.5 HRS

Breakfast at the hotel later check out & visit Pemayangts. After visit continue drive to Gangtok via Dorjee Kazi Marg.  

 

GANGTOK:

At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid 19^th century and has undergone rapid development since then.The downtown area is dominated by huge government buildings decorated with traditional Buddhist symbols. Gangtok is also a resting ground for people traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a travelers delight.

Overnight in Gangtok.

DAY 05: – GANGTOK

Breakfast at the hotel and full day sightseeing in Gangtok.

Rumtek Monastery: -24 Kms. from Gangtok is the awe -inspiring Rumtek Monastery, the world Dharma chakra Centre and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the main monastery is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies, which attracts students from the world over. Opposite the entrance to the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten the Golden Stupa, which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness the xvi Gyalwa Karmapa. According to legend, it is believed that after years of meditation, the first Karmapa was said to have been visited by ten thousand fairies who came to congratulate him each of whom offered a strand of her hair as a gift. These were said to have been woven into a black hat, which was passed down and is still at the Rumtek Monastery today. It is said that unless held on to by the wearer (who of course, cannot be anyone else but the Karmapa) or kept in a box, the hat would fly away

The Enchey Monastery: -Perched on a ridge above Gangtok, the Enchey Monastery is nestled within lush woods with a spectacular view of Gangtok town. Built in 1910 on the site of the hermitage of the great tantric saint, Lama Drutob Karpo, who was renowned for his powers of levitation, this monastery houses the monks of the Nyingmapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism.

Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology: -Amidst a serene surrounding of oak, birch and ash lies the unique organization established in1958. Built in traditional style, the namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes research in Mahayana Buddhism and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has one of the world’s largest collections of rare books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. The Institute also has a retail outlets where related books and commercially produced religious art and craft of Tibet can be bought.

Adjacent to the institute are two exquisite stupas, the Do Drul Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the Jhang Chub Chorten, built in the memory of Thrukshik Rinpoche, an ardent devotee, a great spirtualist and interpreter of Buddhism. Near the Chorten are housed two giant statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim.

Directorate Of Handloom And Handicrafts: -This Directorate was set up to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Exquisitely carved wooden friezes, intricate bamboo work, along with beautiful hand woven carpets and handlooms are on exhibit here. Visitors can not only purchase these items here but also see the artisans at work. Among others, a favourite item here is the choktse a wooden table with carved panels that can be folded into a portable pack.

Overnight in Gangtok

DAY 06: GANGTOK – KALIMPONG BY SURFACE 80 KMS / APPROX 03 HRS 

Breakfast at the hotel Later check out and drive to Kalimpong.

KALIMPONG

At an altitude of 1250m, Kalimpong’s location is ideal for a pleasant , relaxed getaway. Its clement weather has made Kalimpong’s orchids and gladiole well renowned.

Up to the early 1700s, the Kalimpong area was part of the Sikkim raja’s domain.In the early 18^th century, the Bhutan king also took it over. In 1865, after the Anglo-Bhutan War , it was annexed to Darjeeling. Scottish Missionaries came here in the late 1800s. The town thrived as a wool trading center with Tibet till 1950s. Today it’s a quiet hill resort and a haven for retired people.

Afternoon at leisure

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 07: KALIMPONG

Breakfast at the hotel then proceed for Sightseeing in Kalimpong.

Flower Nurseries: The climate of Kalimpong is ideal for the cultivation of flowers and plants.  Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries which export exotice flowers like Amaryllis lilies, Anthuriums, Roses gerberas, Dahilias, Gladiolias as well as Orchids and Cacti.

Zang Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery – This is a fairly new monastery located in Durpin Dara, from here one can get an exclusive panoramic view of the town and surroundings. The prayer room inside the monastery is adorned with wall paintings and there is a rare  three-dimensional mandala upstairs.

Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai hill on route to Dr.Graham’s Home belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Lamas to which the present Dalai Lama belongs.

Thongsa Gumpa: this monastery is of Bhutanese origin and built around 1692.  It is the oldest in Kalimpong.The original structure was destroyed in the inter-clan wars before the British arrived 

Overnight in Kalimpong.

DAY 08: KALIMPONG – BAGDOGRA BY SURFACE 83 KMS / APRROX 01:30 HRS

BAGDOGRA – NEW DELHI BY FLIGHT

Breakfast at the hotel, later check out & drive to Bagdogra airport. On departure Yatra Exotic Routes representative meet you & assist you at the airport. Upon arrival in Delhi airport Yatra Exotic Routes representative help you to connect your international departure.. 

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