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Journey through Sikkim:

Lamas, Tea and Orchids

Gangtok - Rumtek - Darjeelng - Kalimpong

 

DARJEELING-SIKKIM

Darjeeling-Sikkim Escape

Lamas, Tea and Orchids

Tea Estates and Mystique Himalaya

Kathmandu to Sikkim

Sikkim Trekking

 

 

 

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Eastern Himalaya, Tea Gardens & Toy Train

Tour Itinerary

 

*Sample itinerary, other tour options available

Day 01: Fly Delhi or Kolkata to Bagdogra; overland to Gangtok 123 kms / approx 5 hrs

You will be received on arrival at Bagdogra Airport and driven to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Gangtok lies at an altitude 1600 meters with the Ranipool River running to its west. Gangtok has a very spectacular setting and offers excellent views of the entire Kanchenjunga range from various points in its vicinity. On arrival at Gangtok you will be assisted to check into your hotel for overnight stay.

 

Day 02: Gangtok to Rumtek – by surface 24 kms / approx 1 hrs

Rise early for a pre-breakfast drive to Tashi View point, which was built by the late King of Sikkim Tashi Namgyal. It is situated about six kilometers away from Gangtok on the North Sikkim Highway. This place offers an astounding view of the Khangchendzonga range on a clear day. On the opposite hill, the Phodong and the Labrang monasteries can also be seen.

 

After breakfast at the hotel you will check out and drive to Research Institute Of Tibetology. This institute was established to promote research in the language and traditions of Tibet as well as the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. There are about 30,000 volumes, mostly xylographs, (xylographs are documents that are printed using wooden slabs that have the text embossed on them in the reverse) translations of the original teachings of Lord Buddha, and treatises by distinguished Buddhist scholars from different parts of the world. The museum at the Institute consists of rare collection of antiques like statues, coins and thangkas (scrol paintings.) This institute is a premier institute in the world that conducts research in the language and culture of Tibet. It has eminent scholars on its faculty. 

 

After your visit to the Institute you drive to Rumtek in time for lunch and check into your accommodation.

 

In the afternoon visit Rumtek Monastery, which is perched on a hilltop facing the city of Gangtok. The original Monastery was built in 1730 by the ninth Karmapa but was destroyed due to a fire and His Holiness, the sixteenth Karmapa in 1960, then constructed the present one. The prayer hall in the main monastery is intricately decorated with statues, wall paintings, thangkas and tubular silk banners. A flight of stairs from just outside the Main Monastery complex takes you to the Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist studies.

 

Overnight in Rumtek.

 

Day 03: Rumtek to Darjeeling via Temi Tea Estate – by surface 130 kms / approx 7 hrs

After breakfast you will drive to Darjeeling. En-route stop at Temi Tea Estate. This tea estate was established in the year 1969 with an estimated area of 435 acres. Visit the factory for first hand experience of the fascinating manufacture of the world renowned Darjeeling Tea. A Tea Tasting Session will be arranged exclusively for you at the factory's Tea Tasting Room.

 

After your visit to the Temi Tea Estate you continue to drive to Darjeeling.  On arrival check in to your accommodation for overnight stay.

 

Day 04: Darjeeling to Kalimpong – by surface / approx 90 kms / 3 hrs

Today will ride the Toy Train. On this railway track one cannot help marvel at the engineering feat, Batasia Loop.  It was constructed with the purpose of allowing the trains to take the sharp rise in altitude between Darjeeling and Ghoom with ease.  It is quite an interesting experience to watch the toy train negotiate the loop through the well-manicured garden of flowers with the Kanchenjunga and the Darjeeling town in the background.

 

Depending on the time available, besides the Toy Train ride you may also visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which is one of the premier schools of mountaineering in the world. The museum of the institute portrays a range of mountaineering equipment that was used by various expeditions as well as excellent photographic coverage of these expeditions.

 

After lunch you will drive to Kalimpong, another well-know small twon nestled in the foothills of the Himalaya. Kalimpong town itself is the headquarters of the sub-division. It compares favorably with the other hill stations of India, possesses mild climate and magnificent panoramic views.

 

On arrival at Kalimpong, instead of the usual hotel, check in at Holumba Haven, which is located inside the premises of an expansive orchid nursery - “Nurseryman’s Haven” (Estd. 1972), renowned growers & worldwide exporters of Himalayan and Indo Burmese orchids species, Himalayan flora & exotic floricultures.

 

Day 05: In Kalimpong

In the morning you will have a guided tour of HOLUMBA - 2 acres natural landscaped botanical extravaganza, water fed by a natural spring, inhabited by a flora population over 1000 species of orchids, plants & trees.

 

This will be followed by a visit to a flower nursery. The towns flower nurseries have achieved international recognition owing to the excellent qualities of rare flowers grown by the local flower entrepreneurs of the area. Flower buds from Kalimpong are exported to different parts of the world and command a good price in the international market.

 

Also visit Gangjong Paper Industry renowned for the craft of paper making, which is an ancient tradition in the Himalayan region. The handmade paper that is being manufactured here still uses traditional tools and a special bamboo made screen is used to form the paper sheets.

 

In the evening you're free to stroll in the downtown. Overnight stay in a hotel.

 

Day 06: Kalimpong to Bagdogra by surface / 80 kms / 3 hrs  & flight to Delhi / Calcutta

Today drive back to Bagdogra in time to board your flight back to Delhi / Kolkata

 

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