DAY -1

Arrival

Meals

Meal Not Included

City

Darjeeling

Hotel

Silver Line Boutique or similar

On arrival meet our representative and transfer to Darjeeling.
Darjeeling is a beautiful hill town in West Bengal, popular for its tea plantations, home to Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this tranquil town makes every visitor experience spectacular views of the Majestic Himalayas. The pleasing weather and soothing ambience of the place promises to leave every visitor mesmerized.

On reaching, check-in to the hotel.
Step out to explore the Mall or shopping area of Darjeeling in the evening.
Overnight at Darjeeling

DAY -2

Darjeeling

Meals

Breakfast Only

City

Darjeeling

Hotel

Silver Line Boutique or similar

Early morning wake up call for an excursion to Tiger Hill. Tiger Hill is considered the best place to enjoy sunrise in Darjeeling. Located at an elevation of 7,407 feet above sea level it offers a great view of the snow-capped peaks of Himalayas in full range. The shining rays of the sun and soothing ambience of the hill makes you forget all concerns of the world.

While going back to Darjeeling enroute visit Batasia Loop through which the toy train passes in a spiral loop like pattern to lower the gradient of the ascend covering the altitude difference in the gradient of the hill. The location of the loop offers a 360 degree view of Darjeeling’s picture perfect landscape.
War Memorial located at the centre of the Batasia Loop garden. Built to honour the Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the different operations and wars post Indian independence. Completed and inaugurated on 18th April 1995, it consist of a 9ft tall statue of a Gorkha soldier who stands on top of a cenotaph. At the base of the cenotaph is the Roll of Honour with names of those who died along with the dates.
Ghoom Monastery or Yiga Choling Monastery was built around 18th century by a Mongolian Monk travelling in the region. It is famous for its Maitreya Buddha Statue the “Buddha of Future” worshipped in anticipation yet to reborn and enlighten mankind as predicted in the holy scriptures of Buddhism. The Monastery holds ceremonies during certain auspicious day of the Tibetan calendar during which period we can light prayer lamps for Nirvana or enlighteningly offer prayer for the karmic cycle of cause and effect of all cosmic beings.
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and then leave for next round of sightseeing.
Japanese Peace Pagoda was built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii (1885–1985), a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myōhōji Buddhist Order. It took 36 months for constructing the Stupa. The height of the pagoda is 28.5 metres (94 ft.) and diameter is 23 metres (75 ft.). It houses the four avatars of Buddha including Maitreya Buddha and is situated on the slopes of the Jalapahar hills of Darjeeling.
Also visit Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park Established on 14th August 1958. It is the only specialised Zoo in the country and internationally recognised for its breeding projects of the Red Panda, Snow Leopard and Tibetan Wolf and other highly endangered animal species of the Eastern Himalayas.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: Established on 4th Nov 1954 after the ascent of Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary. The Prime Minister of India sanctioned the Institute considering the youths of the country where they could learn the art of mountain climbing and pursue different skills of mountaineering as a sport. Tenzing Sherpa was the first director of the Institute. HMI conducts basic, adventure and advanced mountaineering courses regularly.
Tenzing & Gumpo Rock: natural formed rock named after the famous mountaineer Tenzing Sherpa who climbed Everest in 1953. It is said that Tenzing himself used to practice rock climbing in this precise rock. During the visit of the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru he had demonstrated a climb on the rock without any safety gears.

Nawang Gombu Rock: Nawang Gombu was the first person to climb Mt Everest twice in 1963 & 1965. Here on these natural rocks one can learn the art of mountain climbing with technical support of ropes and different knots that empower the skill to climb with assistance by trained Guides who share their expertise for a fee.

Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center Started on October 2nd, 1959 by Mrs Gyalo Thendup to self-rehabilitate the under privileged Tibetan refugees who took refuge into India, driven from their homeland by the brutal Chinese invasion. Today we can witness Tibetan men and women working on their traditional skills of the art of carpet weaving, making different handicrafts and clothing with motifs of Tibetan designs being manufactured and modified to wear and supplement with modern dresses. The workers at the centre are always humble and full of jokes, their laughter exceeding all barriers of languages.
After lunch enjoy a joy ride on the Steam Engine UNESCO Heritage toy train up to Ghoom and back covering about 16 kms. The ride offers a chance to experience the century old culture of travelling on steam engine trains, the sounds of whistle piercing through silent hillside and charcoal smoke huffing and puffing the steam engine though not being faster but ensuring a smooth ride. Through the windows of the train we can get best views of snow-capped peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga exceeded all fascination along with window shopping from the toy train with shopkeepers facilitating passengers to buy souvenirs adding flavour to the fun.
Evening walk around the local market area.
Stay overnight at the Darjeeling

DAY -3

Darjeeling – Gangtok

Meals

Breakfast Only

City

Gangtok

Hotel

Mansorovar Retreat or similar

After breakfast in the morning then transfer to Gangtok.
Enroute visit Rumtek Monastery, the Seat of His Holiness the 16th Karmappa who heads the Kargyu School of Tibetan Buddhist Order. After his exile from Tibet, His Holiness Karmappa made Rumtek the main seat of Kargyupa School, the original being Tshurpu Monastery in Tibet. In the 1980’s Rumtek Monastery was declared as the Dharma Chakra Centre for Tibetan Buddhism and right after Nalanda University for learning higher Buddhism was started. The site of monks dressed in their gowns flooding the premise of the monastery provides a spirit touching experience. After visiting the main prayers hall we then visit Golden Stupa which contains the relic remains of the 16th Karmappa who passed away in the early 1980s.
Research Institute of Tibetology Since its establishment in 1958, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology has sponsored and promoted research on religion, history, language, art and culture of the people of the Tibetan cultural area which includes Sikkim. The library holds one of the largest collections of Tibetan works in the world outside Tibet and a museum of Tibetan iconography and religious art.
Do Drul Chorten Stupa: one of the most important Stupas in Sikkim. The stupa features intricate architecture set on a scenic hill top. Built around 1945 by Trulshik Rinpoche who heads the Nyingamapa order of Tibetan Buddhism.

After the drive to Gangtok. Upon reaching Gangtok , check-in to the hotel.

Then after proceed for sightseeing visiting:
Enchey Monastery: Established in 1909. It is one of the major religious centre of Gangtok belonging to the Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism. The location where the monastery lies is believed to be blessed by Lama Drupthob Karpo, who was an attained being in the tantric practice of Buddhism. Enchey Monastery is beautifully decorated and features images of Buddhist deities including Loki Sharia, and Guru Padmasambhava.

Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom: is the recent name given to the old Handloom and Handicrafts Centre of Sikkim which was set up in 1957. The museum was founded during the reign of the Chogyals of Sikkim. It houses handwoven carpets with traditional motifs, blankets, shawls (in Lepcha weaves), graceful 'choktse', 'thangka' paintings, hand-painted masks, dolls, and many other objects. The carpets so produced at the museum have amazing design and fine texture ranging from stylish contemporary patterns to the traditional ones. Besides carpets, the exclusive handmade paper is another specialty which is made from the bark of algeri tree.

White Hall is one of the oldest buildings of the city and was built in 1932, when India was still under the British colonization. White Hall has been built in memory of Sir John Claude White, the first Political Officer of Sikkim. Hence it has named as White Hall. The White Hall in Gangtok is a two storied structure that is adorned with statue of Jawaharlal Nehru, the late Prime Minister of India. The design of the building represents the British architectural style.

Flower Show Best visited during March to May or October to December. Various varieties of roses, dahlias, carnations, gerberas and many more species of flowers are exhibited. The other major highlight is the yearly Cymbidium Orchid Show which starts from March to April.

Later, return back to the hotel.

Stay overnight at Gangtok.

DAY -4

Gangtok

Meals

Breakfast Only

City

Gangtok

Hotel

Mansorovar Retreat or similar

After breakfast, visit to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir.
A tranquil and scenic lake with a depth of around 48 feet and spreading over a kilometre, set at an elevation of 3780 m, the glacial lake is considered a pilgrimage site by local Sikkimese people. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the banks of the lake. The place is also a paradise for bird watchers as gets to spot varieties of Brahmini ducks alongside different migratory birds which flocks the vicinity of the lake. The water source of the lake comes from melting of snow glaciers of its surrounding mountains and forms the origin of Lungtse Chu River whilst the lake romances with its picturesque surrounding.

Baba Mandir: Located at a distance of around 16 km from Tsomgo Lake. A popular pilgrim centre, Baba Mandir is believed to possess wish fulfilling powers. The shrine is built in the memory of Baba Harbhajan Singh, who was an Indian Army soldier and lost his life near Nathula Pass. It is believed that he is still ‘on duty’ for the Indian Army and guards the lives of soldiers posted on the India- China border.

OPTIONAL VISIT TO NATHULA PASS
You have an option of visiting Nathula Pass, which is located 20 km from the shrine. Situated at an altitude of approx 4,310 mtrs. It has an open trading border post between India and China. It has been significantly used as an offshoot for the Ancient Tea Horse road as per history. Hence the name “Nathu” meaning listening ear and “La” stands for Pass.

Stay overnight at the Gangtok

DAY -5

Gangtok to Pelling

Meals

Breakfast Only

City

Pelling

Hotel

Norling Retreat or similar

After breakfast drive to Pelling. The drive passes though steep green hills and deep valleys across many nature pure mountain streams and majestic waterfalls. Enroute stop for lunch at Ravangla the valley of passes. Upon arriving at Pelling check in at the hotel

Start a brief sightseeing tour visiting:

We drive till the entrance and then start hike to the Ruins of the Rabdantse Palace. The second capital of Sikkim during the year 1640 to 1814 when it used to be a Kingdom. The palace was destroyed by the Gorkhas and the ruins of the palace and the chorten left behind. The Palace was established by Chakdhor Namgyal son of Phuntshok Namgyal the First religious King of Sikkim. The Rabdantse ruins are part of Buddhist pilgrim circuit and declared as of national importance by the Archeological Survey of India.

Overnight at the Peeling

DAY -6

Peeling

Meals

Breakfast Only

City

Pelling

Hotel

Norling Retreat or similar

After breakfast sightseeing of Pemayangtse Monastery popularly translated as “The Sublime Perfect Lotus” one of the premium monastery in Sikkim. Apart from its ancient religious importance and architectural magnificence, it is unique for its canvas paintings on the walls which exceeds all imagination of an artist in bringing to life the divinities in the paintings. Occasionally a holy site of a monk or a pilgrim going round the monastery with incense sticks and mantra chants is a delight. The Monastery was built in 1705 by Lama Lhatsun Chenpo a high reverend monk from the Tibetan Buddhist order.

After a day return excursion to the holy Kechipalri Lake and Yaksum - the first capital of Sikkim. The drive passes through ethnic villages and thick forests including plants in beautiful nature freshness. Upon reaching Kecheopalri Lake walk into the silent premise of the Lake, the surrounding of the Lake religiously covered with prayer flags of the five primordial colours of Buddhism that represents the element nature of co-existence, offer a prayer for the fulfilment of our wishes.

After continue drive to Yaksum, the first capital of Sikkim where the coronation of the First ruler of Sikkim took place in 1641 AD. Phunsthok Namgyal was the First Choygyal or the religious King of Sikkim. The Norbu Ghang Chorten site at the Norbu Ghang Park which still exist till date marks the historical place of coronation of the First King. The dynastic rule of the Chogyal lasted 333 years.

After lunch proceed for a short hike to Dubdi Monastery also called Hermit’s Cell. Located on top of a hill along a spur at an altitude of about 2000 mtrs. It was built around 17th century and belong to the orthodox school of Tibetan Buddhism or the Nyingmapa School with its founder as Guru Padmasambhava or the Lotus born, the pioneer Saint who spread Buddhism in Tibet.

After drive back to Peeling.

Stay overnight at Peeling

DAY -7

Departure

Meals

Breakfast Only

City

Pelling

Hotel

Norling Retreat or similar

After breakfast departure transfer from Pelling to Bagdogra Airport enjoying the tropical landscapes of the hills of Sikkim with the Teesta River running side by side. Passing through the stretch of forest at Sevoke and driving on the outskirts of Siliguri we finally arrive Bagdogra Airport