Darjeeling and Sikkim Combine Tour – 13

DARJEELING AND SIKKIM COMBINE TOUR
Duration: 13 Days 12 Nights

Bagdogra – Darjeeling
Arrival at Bagdogra and then drive to Darjeeling by road which takes about 4 Hours. Total distance 90 kilometres. Darjeeling is at an elevation of 2134 meters above sea level.(Overnight stay in Darjeeling)

Sightseeing in Darjeeling
Early morning visit to Tiger Hill to view sunrise over Mt Khangchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world. On the way back visit Yiga Choling Monastery, the old Buddhiest Monastery built in 1880.  Back to Hotel for Breakfast  A.M: Visit Tukvar Tea estate to see tea processing. On the way back visit Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre which was established in 1959 to rehabilitate displaced Tibetans, who had followed His Holiness the Dalai Lama to India. It has now evolved into a prime-manufacturing center for excellent ethnic Tibetan handicraft especially Woollen Carpets.It also helps to preserve the cultural heritage of Tibet.  Visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute established in 1954 after the conquest of Mount Everest to impart training in high altitude mountaineering. There is a museum on mountaineering, which you can visit. Visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park which houses many endangered animals from the Himalayan region. It is also a breeding centre for Snow Leopards, Red Panda and Tibetan Wolf. P.M: Free top pursue your own activities OR Go for a walking visit to Bhutia Busty Budddhist Monastery.(Overnight stay in Darjeeling)

Sightseeing in Darjeeling
A.M: Go for a joy ride till Ghoom, on the world famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a world heritage sight.Back to hotel for lunch.  P.M: Free to pursue your own activities. OR Go for a walk to Lloyd Botanical Garden.It’s park, which houses many different species of Trees form different parts of the world. OR Walk along the Mall and market area.(Overnight stay in Darjeeling).

Darjeeling – Pelling
Darjeeling to Pelling (alt 2000mtrs), a small village in the West Sikkim. On a clear day you can see Mount Khangchendzonga range just on the opposite hill. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery, a Buddhist
Monastery founded in AD 1705. Visit of Rabdantse Ruins which was the Second Capital of Sikkim, which is in a walking distance of Pemayangtse. From here the view of the valleys below are very scenic.(Overnight stay in Pelling)

Pelling – Yuksom – Pelling
Visit Yuksom, a small farming village, which is 32 kilometers from Pelling. This place was the first capital of Sikkim. According to historical records, the first King (Chogyal) of Sikkim was coronated, by three Tibetan Buddhist monks, here at a place called Norbugang, where one can still see the stone seats and footprints of the head monk. You can visit Dubdi Buddhist Monastery, which is one of the oldest Monastery of Sikkim, It is half an hour uphill walk. On the way visit m Khecheopalri Lake, which is considered a holy lake by both the Hindus and Buddhist. (Overnight stay in Pelling)

Pelling – Gangtok
Leave for Gangtok, the capital of the State of Sikkim. Distance 115 km. Time taken ; 5 hours. (Overnight stay in Gangtok)

Sightseeing at Gangtok
E.M Visit Tashi View Point to view Mount Khangchendzonga and other Peaks of the range.  A.M After breakfast vist Rumtek Buddhist Monastery, which is 24 Kms away from Gangtok. On the way back visit the Research Institute of Tibetology, which was built in 1954 by the Late Chogyal (King of Sikkim) Palden Thondup Namgyal. It has a large collection of Tibetan literature, rare manuscripts, paintings, thankas, statues and religious objects. It is renowned for study of Buddhist philoshopy and religion. P.M After lunch visit Government Institute of Cottage Industries. It is a training centre for handicrafts. There is a sales emporium where you can buy finished products. Visit Enchey Buddhist monastery, which is about 200 yrs old. Walk around the market. (Overnight stay in Gangtok)

Gangtok – Lachung
Leave for Lachung, 115 km away from Gangtok, a Bhutia village with a unique local self-govering
body called the Zumsa. The village, lies on either side of the Lachung Chu, has managed to retain its unique culture and tradition.(Overnight stay in Lachung)

Lachung – Yumthang Valley – Lachung
Visit of Yumthang valley which is 25 kilometers from Lachung. Yumthang valley is famed for its flowers, and natural beauty. In the left bank of the Lachung Chu (river) there is a hot water spring in which one can go for a dip. (Overnight stay in Lachung)

Lachung – Gangtok
Drive to Gangtok.(Overnight stay in Gangtok)

Gangtok – Kalimpong
Gangtok to Kalimpong. Dstance 73 Km. Time taken 2½ hours. Drive is along the river Teesta on which you can go for river rafting, which is optional and on direct payment bases.(Overnight stay in Kalimpong)

Sightseeing at Kalimpong
A.M, After breakfast visit Delo View Point in the Delo Hill. You can have a magnificient view of the Khangchendzonga Mountain range and River Teesta meandering down in the Valley. On the way back visit Mangal Dham a Hindu Temple and a Christain Church built in a style of Tibetan Monastery. P.M, After lunch visit Zandok Palri Buddhist Monastery located on top of Durpin Hills.
You can have a view of Kalimpong Town and the Khangchendzonga Mountain Range from here. On the way back visit flower nurseries. Walk around the town.(Overnight stay in Kalimpong)