Sikkim- the “Home of The Lepchas”, among the few of the vanishing race of Himalayas, is a land of azure sky, fascinating mountains, hills covered with a variety of trees, plants and flowers, cascading brooks and swift glacial rivers rushing with primeaval force. A Shangri-La where people live in perfect harmony with nature.

 An independent, Buddhist Kingdom, Sikkim- somehow merged with Indian union in 1975 replacing monarchy with democracy. Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim lies on top of a hill at an altitude of 1600m. The road leading to Gangtok from the plains of West Bengal runs beside the mighty Teesta river upto Rangpo, the gateway to East Sikkim. The main town faces towards Kanchendzonga, a magnificient abode of snows that rises over the hills to an awesome height of 8598 m.

The capital has many places of interest, some of them are Handicrafts Centre, Deer Park and the Orchid Santury-where the flowers, that Sikkim is famous for , grows abundantly in the wild.

Sikkim being a religious domain, there are monasteries in all directions. The Enchey Monastery and Tsuk-La-Khang, the Royal Chapel, in gangtok belongs to the Nying-Ma-Pa sect, the official sect of Sikkim during the reign of the Chogyals- the Religious King. The world famous Rumtek Monastery, the home of the Supreme Master of Kargyu Tradition –“ Karmapas”, lies at a distance of 24 kms from Gangtok. The Rumtek, a replica of the Tshurpu monastery of Tibet is also the Seat of Rev. 17^th Gyalwa Karmapa the Living Buddha, who escaped from the Beijing’s hands to Dharamsala heightening the complex power struggle among Tibetan Buddhist clergy and upsetting India’s equation with China.This world famous hill top monastery-Rumtek presents an aura of a typical Tibetan Monastery and has an institute where higher Buddhism is taught and shared.

The museum at the Research Institute of Tibetology in Gangtok is very interesting. In West Sikkim, stands the Pemayangtse Monastery built in 1705 and is famous for its wooden carving of the heavenly abode of Guru Padma Shambhava, the founder of Nying-Ma-Pa sect. Further west in Yuksom is the Dubdi Monastery and the throne where the first Chogyal of Sikkim was consecrated in the year 1642.

Towards the North is the Phodong and Labrang Monasteries and in the South is the spectacular Tashiding Monastery.

…Sikkim, a land of terraced fields, is also known as “Dema-zong”, the hidden valley of rice…

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TOUR:

SIKKIM AND DARJEELING SPLENDOUR

DURATION: 11 DAYS

DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI Meeting & assistance at airport and transfer to hotel. Afternoon half day sightseeing tour of Delhi with visits to Red fort, Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar and  Safdarjung’s Tomb. Overnight hotel.:

DAY 02 : DELHI / BAGDOGRA / DARJEELING

Assistance on arrival and transfer to Darjeeling. The drive is 03 hours long and passes through tea gardens and small villages till we reach the town of Kurseong which is halfway from Darjeeling. Here we can stop for a cup of the finest Darjeeling Tea which is famous all ovr the world. On arrival in Darjeeling check into hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 03: DARJEELING

Early morning excursion to Tiger Hill to witness a spectacular sunrise over the snows of Kanchenjunga and the Skkim Himalayas. On a clear day even Mt. Everest is visible from this point. Return to hotel for breakfast visiting the old Ghoom Monastery enroute. This is the oldest monastery in Darjeeling and was built by a Mongolian Monk in the year 1850 After breakfast visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute which houses very interesting museums on Mt. Everest.The Institute provides courses of different levels and the Late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa was the field director of this institute. Visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo and the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre which has a number of handicraft workshops run by the Centre. Lunch at the Hotel. Afternoon visit tea garden to see the tea manufacturing process. Evening walk around the local market and the Mall. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 04: DARJEELING / GANGTOK:

After breakfast drive to Gangtok ( 5hrs ).Passing thru tea gardens and follow the Teesta river. And the drive is dotted with numerous small villages along the way. Check into hotel upon arrival at Gangtok. Afternoon walk around the local marketplace and visit the Flower show which includes a wide variety of Sikkim’s orchids. Overnight hotel .

DAY 05: GANGTOK : 

DAY 06: GANGTOK/LACHUNG:

Drive to Lachung. The drive is about 115 kms and takes about 6\7 hrs. Enroute stop at the scenic places like Tashi View Point, Kabi Lungstok (the historic place where the Lepchas and the Tibetans signed the blood brotherhood treaty), Naga waterfalls, the Holy rock of Guru Rimpoche at Chungthang (confluence of the Lachung Chu and the Lachen Chu),Bhim Nala Waterfalls. Stop for Lunch at Mangan, the district HQ of North Sikkim. Lachung (2624mts) is a small village in alpine surroundings and the inhabitants here had long migrated from the western valleys of neighbouring Bhutan. Meals and Overnight at Log Cabins.

DAY 07 : EXCURSION TO YUMTHANG VALLEY

After breakfast drive to Yumthang valley with an amphitheatre of lush green valleys and high mountains. During the flowering season in April / May / June, the valley is struck by a riot of colours with Rhododendrons, Primulas and various other varieties of alpine flowers. Also visit the Sulphur hot springswhich is a popular place for the local inhabitants who come there for the medicinal attributes of the water and to rejuvenate themselves. Lunch back at the Log cabins. After Lunch guided walk of the Lachung village, the Monastery and the local cottage industry.

DAY  08 : LACHUNG / GANGTOK

Drive back to Gangtok. Enroute visit the Phodang, Labrang Monastery and the Tumlong Palace. Overnight Gangtok.

DAY 09 : GANGTOK / BAGDOGRA / DELHI

Morning drive following the Teesta river and enter into the Terai – foothills of the Himalayas to Bagdogra airport (5hrs). Upon arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel. Overnight hotel.

DAY 11: Day free. Evening after fare well dinner transfer to airport for final departure.

KANCHENDZONGA CLASSIC:

BEST TIME : FEB TO MAY AND SEP TO DEC

DURATION : 14 DAYS

DAY 01 : ARRIVAL DELHI

Meeting & assistance at airport and transfer to hotel. Afternoon half day sightseeing tour of Delhi with visits to Red fort, Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar and Safdarjung’s Tomb. Overnight hotel. 

DAY 02 : DELHI / BAGDOGRA / DARJEELING

Arrive Bagdogra, Assistance on arrival and transfer to Darjeeling. The drive is 03 hours longand passes through tea gardens and small villages till we reach the town of Kurseong which is halfway from Darjeelimg. Here we can stop for a cup of the finest Darjeeling Tea which is famous the world over. On arrival in Darjeeling check into hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 03 : DARJEELING

Early morning excursion to Toger Hill to witness a spectacular sunrise over the wnows of Kanchenjunga and the Sikkim Himalayas. On a clear day even Mt. Everest is visible from this point. Return to hotel for breakfast visiting the old Goom Monastery enroute. This is the oldest monastery in Darjeeling and was built by a Mongolian Monk in the year 1850 After breakfast visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute which houses very interesting museums on Mt. Everest and general mountaineering. The Institute provides courses of different levels and the Late Tenzing  Norgay Sherpa was the field director of this institute. Visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan  Zoo and the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre which has a number of handicraft workshops run by the Centre. Lunch at the Hotel. Afternoon visit tea garden to witness the tea manufacturing process Evening walk around the local market and the Mall. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 04 : DARJEELING / YUKSOM

After breakfast drive to Yuksom- the first capital of the Sikkim. Arrive in the afternoon at Yuksom (1800m). After lunch at camp, excursion to Norbu Gang – The Coronation Throne of the First Chogyal of Sikkm and Dubdi Monastery. Evening, briefing by the Trek Manager. Meals and overnight at camp.

DAY 05 : YUKSOM / CHOKA

After breakfast start trek (12kms / 06 / 07hrs) thru loss green forests echoing with the sound of birds and cross thru small, narrow bridges over cascading brooks, waterfalls and streams. Stop for hot lunch on the way. Reach the small Tibetan settlement of Choka (3050m). This is the last village on the trail. It also has a small monastery. Hot lunch on the way. Overnight camp at Choka.

DAY 06 : CHOKA / DZONGRI

After breakfast trek (10kms/06/07hrs) to Dzongri. (4000m). The trail is well defined and there are over 400 flowering species in this region, most of which come to full bloom from mid – April to late May. Enroute we stop at Phedang for Hot lunch and to enjoy the views of the mountains. From here the climb is steep and takes us to the upper limits of the conifers and on the top of the ridge which separates the two valleys in the area. From here the view is at an angle of 360deg. And almost all the mountains of the Sikkim Himalaya can be seen. The route from here to the camp site is covered with dwarf rhododendron bushes and it leads to the open grazing meadows at Dzongri. Overnight camp at Dzongri.

DAY 07 : DZONGRI / THANGSING

Early morning excursion to Dzongri Top for sunrise view. The walk uphill takes about 30mins. From here the panoramic views of the Sikkim Himalayas can be seen with the peaks of Kanchanjunga and Pandim dominating. After breakfast start trek to Thangsing (3930m). The trail passes through the meadows and steadily descends till it reaches the river bed of the prek chu, a river that starts at Lake Samiti,.From here a gradual climb through rhododendron forest brings one to the meadows at Thangsing where camp is set for the night. From here there are uninterrupted views of the Mt. Pandim and the east ridge of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Sidewalks can be under taken in the afternoon. Overnight Camp at Thangsing.

DAY 08 : THANGSING / LAKE SAMITI

After breakfast start trek to Lake Samiti (4200m), a mystical lake surrounded by the towering peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Kabru and Mt. Pandim. The first half of the walk is almost flat and the level ground ends at Onglathang, where there are a few sheds of Yak herders. From here about an hours climb brings one to Lake Samiti. Aternoon is spent exploring the area around the lake. Overnight Camp at Samiti Lake.

DAY 09 : LAKE SAMITI / GOECHALA / THANGSING

Early start for Goechal, a pass at an altitude of 5000m at the foot of the Mt. Guicha. The trail is through moraines and stretches of dried up glacial lakes and boulders. From Goechala the peaks of Mt. Simvo and other peaks in North Sikkim can be seen. Return back the same way stopping at Samiti lake for hot lunch and descend to Thangsing. This is a long day and involves walking 15kms at high altitude. Overnight camp at Thangsing.

DAY 10 : THANGSING / BAKHIM

After breakfast trek to Bakhim. Taking a diversion from the river and come out at Phedang. From here a downhill walk of about 02 hours to Bakhim where camp is set for the night.

DAY 11 : BAKHIM / YUKSOM / PEMAYANGTSE

Early start to Yuksom retracing the trek path. Hot lunch stop enroute. Trek to Yuksom and then drive to Pemayangtse (2100mts). Overnight at hotel.

DAY 12 : PEMAYANGTSE

Day visit to Pemayangtse monastery which is famous as the second oldest monastery in Sikkim and for the views of the mountains from here. Also visit the Sanga Choling Monastery. Overnight hotel.

DAY 13 : PEMAYANGTSE / BAGDOGRA / DELHI

Early morning drive to Bagdogra airport to board the flight to Dilhi. Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. Farewell dinner in the evening.