SIKKIM DELIGHTS
Sikkim, India
Day 1: ARRIVAL KOLKATA
Upon arrival at Kolkata international airport, you will be met by our representative who will assist you with the arrival transfer and check in formalities at the hotel.
Day 2: KOLKATA CITY TOUR
Today after breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Kolkata visiting: -
Victoria Memorial hall, Calcutta Victoria memorial hall is a fabulous museum that was established in the year 1921. Here you can view the photos and effigies of prominent personalities, who made an incredible contribution in the glory of India. Today, Victoria memorial is one of the finest art museums in Kolkata. It is a 184 ft tall edifice that was constructed on 64 acres of land. The museum houses a group of mind-blowing figures above the north porch that epitomize prudence, learning and motherhood.
Howrah Bridge, popularly known as the Rabindra Setu, Howrah Bridge is an engineering marvel and is counted amongst the busiest cantilever bridge in the World. Observing a daily traffic of about 60,000 vehicles and innumerable pedestrians, Howrah Bridge has equalled its position to Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Fort William: is a must visit tourist attraction place of Calcutta. Situated at the banks of river Hooghly, it was named after King William III of England. Fort William of Kolkata, India, was established during the tenure of British Raj in 1696. It was the guardroom of this two-storied building, where the black hole tragedy took place.
Marble Palace: of Kolkata was built in the year 1835 by Rajendra Mallick, it is an exquisite art gallery. Marble palace houses the marvelous objects of art, sculptures, pictures & oil paintings. Its major highlight includes the Reuben's masterpieces. You can also find the original paintings of Rembrandt,
Reynolds and Van Goyen etc. Calcutta marble palace is the one of its kinds and consists of exquisite pieces of art.
Belur Math: is the most enchanting temple in Belur. In 1897 Swami Vivekananda founded Ramakrishna Mission in loving memory of his Guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa who preached unity of all religions. It is the international head quarters of Ramakrishna Mission. The architecture of the structure is very interesting. From any angle you look at it the structure is like a temple, a mosque or a church depending on the way you look at it.
Botanical gardens: The gardens were originally founded in 1786 by Colonel Kyd, containing about 12,000 living plants and over two and half million dried out plant specimens in the herbarium collected from all over the world. This is the oldest of all the Botanical Gardens in India. Trees of the rarest kinds, from Nepal, Brazil, Penang, Java and Sumatra can be found here. The main attraction of the garden is the 200 year old Banyan Tree, claimed to have the second largest canopy in the world.
Dakshineswar Kali Temple is situated alongside the Vivekananda Bridge north of Calcutta, about 20 km. from BBD Bagh. It is famous for its association - with Ramakrishna who achieved spiritual vision here. This temple was built by Rani Rashmoni in 1847. The 12- spired temple with its enormous courtyard is surrounded by 12 other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3: KOLKATA- BAGDOGRA (Flight) - BAGDOGRA- GANGTOK (Surface)
After breakfast transfer to Kolkata airport to board flight for Bagdogra.
Departure: Kolkata At: 1225 Hrs By: 9W 2452
Arrival: Bagdogra At: 1330 Hrs
Upon arrival in Bagdogra you will be driven towards Gangtok (120 Kms/ 03 hrs). Gangtok- Capital of the 22nd State of India, Sikkim is one of the most beautiful hill stations, upon arrival at Gangtok check in at the hotel. Evening free at leisure for own independent activities, overnight stay at the hotel
Day 4: GANGTOK
After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing of Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir nearly 40 kilometers and 2 hours drive along the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, the home to the red panda and the blood pheasant with Rhododendron and other alpine trees along the road - Situated at an elevation of 3753 meters / 12310 feet - The Lake is oval shaped lake nearly 50 feet deep - Generally covered in snow for most of the year the year – This lake is home to the Brahmini ducks & many migratory birds – Nearby is the sacred Baba Mandir known to be a very holy site for all.
Return back to Gangtok, evening free for local Shopping, overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5: GANGTOK- LACHUNG (Surface)
Pick from Gangtok Hotel and transfer to Lachung (Approx 125 Kms/ 4 Hrs). Lachung is a town near the border with China. Lachung is at an elevation of about 9,600 ft or 3,000 m and at the confluence of the Lachen River and Lachung Rivers, tributaries of the River Teesta. The word Lachung means "small pass".
On the way visit Tashi view point, Kabi Longtsok, Seven sister’s water fall Singhik view point, Lunch Enroute, upon arrival in Lachung, transfer and check in at the hotel. Evening free at leisure and overnight stay at hotel
Day 6: LACHUNG - YUMTHANG – GANGTOK (Surface)
Early morning proceed on a half day excursion to Yumthang Valley and Lachung Monastery. On the way visit the Hot Spring and Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary.
Lachung Monastery is a Nyingma Buddhist Gompa in the Lachung Valley established in 1880. Lachung means a 'small mountain'. Lachung is at an elevation of about 3,000 m (9,600 ft) at the confluence of the Lachen River and Lachung River, tributaries of the Teesta River. The monastery hosts a famous mask dance each year.
Yumthang Valley: is a grazing pasture surrounded by the Himalayan mountains in the North Sikkim. It is at an elevation of 3,575 meters (14,000) It is also home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, and has over twenty-four species of the rhododendron, the state flower. A tributary of the river Teesta flows past the valley and the town of Lachung, the nearest inhabited centre. Yumthang is closed between December and March due to heavy snowfall. During the spring months, the area blooms with rhododendrons, primulas, poppies, iris and other flora.
Later you will be driven back to Gangtok. On the way, see Bhim Nala water fall & Twin water fall.
Overnight stay in Gangtok.
Day 7: GANGTOK – PELLING (Surface)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed for half day sightseeing of Gangtok visiting
Rumtek Monastery: Originally built by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje in 16th century, one of the finest monastery where His holy Dalai Lama stayed for some time.
Do Drul Chorten: is the biggest and the most important stupa in Sikkim. This has been built in the year 1945 under the supervision of late Truslshi Rimpoche. There are about 108 prayer wheels (Mani-Lhakor) in this Chorten. There are some mantras have been engraved in these prayer wheels; by turning these prayer wheels, the devotees can read and chant these mantras. The renowned Chorten has a gold-plated steeple.
Research Institute of Tibetology: The foundation stone of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology was reposed by the fourteenth Dalai Lama on 10 February 1957. It is a hoarded wealth of huge collection of rare Lepcha, Sanskrit and Tibetan manuscripts, ancient statues, and Thankas, which is colorful tapestries exploited in the Buddhist liturgy. Besides an appealing museum, the institute consists of more than 200 Buddhist icons and many other treasured objects of art. Presently, the institute is the famous worldwide centre for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion.
Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom: was founded in 1957, as Handloom and Handicrafts Centre of Sikkim. This organization has been established to conserve and pass around the art and craft skills
of the artificers of Gangtok. In this centre, the visitors can see blankets, elegant hand-carven folding tables (Choktse), hand-loomed carpets with conventional themes, hand-painted masques, shawls, traditional paintings, wooden dolls and many other handicrafts. Besides the above-mentioned products, one can find batiks, crafts made of bamboo, embroidery footwear, lamp stands, and silk cloths.
After completing the sightseeing you will be driven towards Pelling (approx 110 Kms/ 3 Hrs). Upon arrival transfer and check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 8: PELLING - DARJEELING (Surface)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed for half day sightseeing of Pelling visiting Sangachoeling Gompa: The second oldest Gompa in Sikkim, Sangachoeling has some beautiful murals and a magnificent ridge top setting. It’s a steep 3 km walk from Pelling starting along the track that veers left where the asphalted road rises to Pelling’s new helipad.
Rabdanste Palace Ruins: is located about 1 km away from the Gyalshing bazaar and near the Pemayangtse Monastery. Rabdanste was the second capital of Sikkim and was established in the late seventeenth century by the second Chogyal. It was the royal capital of Sikkim from 1670 to 1814 and was abandoned towards the end of the eighteenth century because of the threat posed by the Nepalis and the capital was shifted to Tumlong. The Rabdanste Palace is now in ruins but the chortens found around the palace are not in ruins. The entrance to the site is around 3 km from Upper Pelling, 1 km closer to Geyzing than the Pemayangtse turn-off. From the site’s ornate yellow gateway, the ruins are a further 15 minutes’ hike around a pond then across a forested hill. To reach the palace one has to trek for about two kilometers from the main road near Pemayangtse Monastery through a thick forest. The ruins are being preserved by the Archaeological survey of India and have been declared as a monument. Rabdanste consists of chunky wall-stubs with a few inscription stones. A small almost-finished museum building should eventually house local archaeological finds.
Khecheoparli Lake is pronounced as ‘catch-a-perry’. This holy lake is highly revered by Sikkimese Buddhists situated at an altitude of 1951 meters, Kechopari means the Wishing Lake. The water in this lake is very calm and crystal clear. Not even a leaf can be seen floating on the water although a beautiful
dense forest lies above the lake. It is said that if a leaf even drops on the surface of the water it is picked by a bird.
After finishing the sightseeing you will be driven towards Darjeeling (Approx 125 Kms/ 4 Hrs). Upon arrival in Darjeeling, transfer and check in at the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: DARJEELING
Early morning tour to Tiger Hills to view sunrise over Kanchendzonga Peak, The Tiger Hill is located about 11 km from Darjeeling, at an altitude of 2555 meters above the sea level. The dawn view of Kanchenjunga, the highest mount after Mount Everest and K2, and other eastern peaks of the Himalayas is excellent. On a clear day, Mount Everest, which is around 225 km from Tiger Hills, can also be seen; however, this is a rare sight. One must get up at 4 am to be able to be there to watch the sunrise. As the sun rises, the color of the mountain changes, which is an amazing sight.
Ghoom Monastery: is the popular name of the Sampten Choling Monastery or Yiga Choeling Monastery located at Ghoom at an elevation of 8,000 feet, 8 km from Darjeeling. The monastery follows the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. There is a 15-feet high statue of "Maitreya Buddha" (Coming Buddha) in the monastery. It contains images of Buddha’s disciples, Chenrezi and Chongapa. It was built in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyatso and is the largest of the three monasteries in Ghoom.
After breakfast proceed for city tour of Darjeeling visiting Japanese Temple which is also known as the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple in Darjeeling . The temple is located near the Peace pagoda. The Japanese Temple in Darjeeling is built in a pure Japanese architectural form. The peace rocks were built by the Fuji Guru in India. The Guru was very much inspired by the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi and felt the urge to build these stupas after being inspired by Gandhi's teachings.
Peace pagoda is one of the Peace Pagodas designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds to help unite them in their search for world peace. Like most of the other Peace Pagodas, it was built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii (1885–1985), a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the
Nipponzan-MyŨhŨji Buddhist Order. The height of the pagoda is 28.5 meters (94 ft) and diameter is 23 meters (75 ft).
Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park is claimed to be the only zoo in the world to breed Tibetan wolf in captivity. It is also the first South Asian zoo to breed Snow Leopard and Siberian Tiger. Rare red pandas are also seen here. The park is situated at an altitude of 2133.5 meters, with scenic and mighty Kanchenjunga forming the backdrop. The zoo was established in 1958, with the aim of conserving the Himalayan fauna. In 1975, the park was dedicated to the memory of Padmaja Naidu, former governor of West Bengal, by Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister of India.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: Everest Museum and Mountaineering Museum are entered through the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Zoo. The zoo and the two museums are run by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which trains mountaineers. The mountaineering museum has a grand collection of historical mountaineering equipment, specimens of Himalayan flora and fauna, and a relief model of the Himalayas. The Everest museum is situated next door. This museum traces the history of attempts to climb the Everest. Sherpa Denzing Norbay, who conquered Mount Everest along with Edmund Hillary, was the director of the institute. He died in 1896. His statue is standing near his cremation spot.
Also visit the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center & Tea Estate. Rest of the day is at leisure for own independent activities. Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 10: DARJEELING – BAGDOGRA- KOLKATA- DEPARTURE
In time transfer to Bagdogra airport (approx 95 Kms/ 3 hrs) to board flight for Kolkata, upon arrival in Kolkata direct transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
** TOUR ENDS **