Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

Sikkim & Darjeeling

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Detailed Trip Description

Sikkim, an erstwhile Himalayan kingdom, now a state in India, is richly endowed with a prominently Buddhist culture dating back to the 7 th century AD. It's unique location in the Himalayas and elevation ranging from 600 meters. To over 8000 meters spread over an area of 7000 sq. km. offers diverse flora and fauna ranging from sub-tropical to the alpine. Mt Khangchendzonga (8345 mtrs.), the third highest mountain in the world and the guardian deity of Sikkim looms majestically throughout the trip. Darjeeling- “The Queen of the Himalayas” is a bustling tourist town renowned for its tea gardens, the Himalayan mountaineering Institute, the sunrise over the Himalayas from the Tiger Hill and imprints of the British Raj.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Darjeeling

 
Welcome to Darjeeling.
Commercial Flight

Fly to Bhadrapur.

Private Car Service

Drive (4 ½ hrs) through the famous teagardens to Darjeeling.

Hotel

Overnight Hotel.


Day 2 - Darjeeling

 
Sightseeing

Early morning drive to Tiger Hill to for a singular experience of the first rays of the sun bathing the Himalayas. On the return visit the Ghoom Monastery. Built in 1875 the monastery which follows the Gelugpa sect, houses one of the largest statue of the Maitreya Buddha-“the future Buddha”.

Sightseeing

After breakfast drive to Darjeeling Railway Station (10mins) and take the joyride on the famous heritage toy train till Ghoom. On arrival at Ghoom Railway station transfer to your vehicle and visit The Himalayan Zoo which houses the Himalayan fauna like the Red Panda, black bear, yaks, tigers, snow leopard etc. in their natural habitat, and the adjacent Himalayan Mountaineering Institute - a premier training centre for mountaineers and a museum detailing the ascent of the Mt. Everest by Tenzing Sherpa & Sir Edmund Hillary and numerous other expeditions. Also visit Tibetan Self Help Centre , a centre of training young people in the intricate art of Tibetan handicrafts and handlooms. The sales emporium is open to visitors to pick up souvenirs.

Hotel

Overnight Hotel.


Day 3 - Gangtok

 
Darjeeling to Gangtok 1600 meters.
Private Car Service

Drive from Darjeeling to Gangtok 1600 meters.( Distance : 97 km | Time : 3 ½ hrs approx.

Sightseeing

Enroute to Gangtok visit the Rumtek Monastery , a magnificent Buddhist monastery established by the late Gyalwa Karmapa, the head of the Kagyupa sect. Built as an exact replica of the original Kagyu monastery in Tibet it is also the international headquarters of the Karma Kagyu centres.

Hotel

On arrival at Gangtok, check into hotel.

Sightseeing

Afternoon visit Government Institute of Cottage Industry a centre that offers you the opportunity to observe the local artisans at work and their skills being imparted to young boys and girls. If you want to take back souvenirs, the institute's salesroom is well stocked with local handicraft and handloom products. Do-Drul Chorten - One of the most important stupas of Sikkim built by the late Venerable Trulsi Rimpoche in 1945-46, it contains a mandala of Dorji-Phurpa, holy texts, mantras and is encircled by 108 prayer wheels. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology - Situated close to the Chorten, this institute is a repository of the largest collection of Tibetan artifacts outside Tibet . Also renowned worldwide for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion, it is a treasure house of rare Thankas, Buddhist icon and objects of art. Flowers Show Pavilion - Situated on the ridge above the city, this centre displays the floral diversity of Sikkim . The famed orchids of the state are on display as also a stunning variety of seasonal flowers. Overnight Hotel.


Day 4 - Gangtok

 
Day excursion to Tsomgo Lake.
Sightseeing

(Distance : 70 km | Time : 5 hrs)
Located east of Gangtok at an altitude of 3650 mtrs. The Tsomgo Lake is a typically beautiful mountain lake. The journey to the lake offers a magnificent view of Mt. Khangchendzonga and other peaks of Sikkim Himalayas.

Shopping

Afternoon free to explore the markets. Evening: Walk around the market place.

Hotel

Overnight Hotel.


Day 5 - Sikkim

 
Gangtok to Lachung 2700 meter.
Sightseeing

After breakfast drive to North Sikkim . Enroute visit Phodong Monastery. Built by the Chogyal Gyrumed Namgyal in the early eighteenth century, it is one of the important monasteries of Sikkim following the Kagyupa sect. (Distance : 126 km. | Time: 6 hours (approx.)

Hotel

Overnight Hotel.


Day 6 - Sikkim

 
Lachung to Yumthang 3600 meters. ( Distance : 24 km | Time: 1 hr (approx.).
Sightseeing

After breakfast drive to Yumthang. The road runs along the valley with snow capped mountains rising high up on either side. During spring season the journey is lit up with flaming rhododendrons and other mountain flowers.

Sightseeing

Yumthang is a wide valley where the local herdsmen from Lachung camp their herds of yaks and cattle during summer. The day can be spent walking around in the valley, taking a dip in the hot sulphur spring or just gazing at the towering White Mountains around.

Hotel

Return back to Lachung and overnight hotel.


Day 7 - Sikkim

 
Lachung to Ravangla 1950 meter.
Sightseeing

Drive from Lachung to Ravangla 1950 meter. (Distance : 130 km | Time : 6 hrs approx.) Also visit the Temi tea garden to observe the plucking and processing of one of the finest tea in the world. Overnight at Mt Narsing Village Resort, an ideal place to experience the peace and tranquility of the Sikkimese countryside coupled with the warmth of the typical Sikkimese hospitality.

Hotel

Overnight Hotel.


Day 8 - Sikkim

 
Ravangla to Yuksom 1800 meters.
Private Car Service

Drive from Ravangla to Yuksom 1800 meters (Distance : 57 km | Time : 2 ½ hrs approx).

Sightseeing

After an early breakfast, drive to Samdruptse the site of the 113 ft tall statue of Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rimpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim and the Buddhist scholar who restored Buddhism in Tibet in the 7 th century AD. The location also offers a breathtaking view of the Sikkim Himalayas and the Darjeeling hills. Return back to Ravangla and drive to Yuksom after lunch. Enroute visit Tashiding monastery, a 30 min walk from the road head. The monastery is the most sacred and was considered the heart of Sikkim by the Buddhist saint Guru Padmasambhava.

Hotel

Overnight Hotel.


Day 9 - Sikkim

 
Yuksom – Yangtey 1500 meters.
Private Car Service

Yuksom – Yangtey 1500 meters (Distance : 64 km | Time : 3 ½ hrs approx.

Sightseeing

After breakfast proceed to Khecheodpalri Lake, also known as the wishing lake. This unusually calm lake, located in the midst of a dense forest is considered very sacred and no water sport or other activities besides prayers and worship are allowed around it. Enroute also visit the Pemayangtse Monastery . Built in the 18th century AD, this monastery follows the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Pemayangtse - "the Sublime Lotus", also houses the famed "Zangdopalri", a fascinating model of the celestial abode of Guru Padma Sambhava, crafted single-handedly out of wood by the late Dungzim Rimpoche.

Hotel

Overnight Hotel.


Day 10 - Bhadrapur

 
Yangtey to Bhadrapur.
Private Car Service

Drive from Yangtey to Bhadrapur to connect the flight to Kathmandu.


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