Sikkim Darjeeling with Kolkata
Season: best from April – June and Sept – November
The essence of our tour is to introduce visitors to beauty of Himalaya Mountains and its nature, to experience big city atmosphere, to recognize cultural, religious and spiritual aspects of North-East India life. Sightseeing of KOLKATA known as ‘city of joy’ includes visiting MOTHER THERESA house, old temples, VICTORIA MEMORIAL. Then we will move north to GANGTOK – capital of SIKKIM where we will visit famous Buddhist Monastery – RUMTEK, go for evening walk in Mall Road and more. Other unforgettable sites in our tour are beautiful YOUMTHANG VALLEY surrounded by the HIMALAYAS, famous TEA ESTATES in DARJEELING, Toy Train ride, admire sunrise from Tigre Hill, PELLING tour with majestic view over Mt. Kanchendzonga – the third highest mountain in the world, SOFT NATURE WALKS and more!
For booking contact TREK NATION INDIA
at: info@treknationindia.com, travelnatindia@gmail.com
call: (+1) 929 293 2029, (+1) 646 644 1979
or use the book/inquiry link below:
Day 1
Arrival at Kolkata
Meet upon arrival at Kolkata International Airport and transfer to the hotel for rest and relaxation after a long flight. Evening dinner provided with overnight stay in Kolkata
Day 2
In Kolkata
After breakfast begin sightseeing of Kolkata city also known as Calcutta, the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it is the principal commercial, cultural, and educational center of East India. Main attractions will be home of the adored Mother Theresa, RamKrishna Math and Mission known as Belurmath Temple founded by swami Vivekanand. Later we will cross Hooghly River by boat to visit famous Dakshineshwar Kali Temple. We will also visit Victoria Memorial Hall and walk in the center of Kolkata Esplanade. Evening return back to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3
KOLKATA/BAGDOGRA/GANGTOK. Departure: according to flight time
Transfer to Dum Dum Airport to catch flight to Bagdogra. After a short flight (about one hour) we will start driving to Gangtok (126 km, 4hr) a capital of Sikkim. Drive itself is very scenic, passes through lush green vegetation adjacent to Teesta River. Gangtok means ‘hill top’, views are inspired with Himalayas Mountains. Evening walk in Mahatma Gandhi Mall Road. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.
Day 4
In Gangtok.
After breakfast we will sightsee Gangtok. Main attractions will be Rumtek, also called the Dharmachakra Centre is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, founded in 16th century is one of the biggest monasteries in Sikkim. We will also visit Flower Show, Hanuman Tok, Tashi View Point and Dro-dul Chorten Stupa. Flower Show houses contain large number of different flowers as well as ornamental plants of Sikkim. Hanuman Tok situated at hilltop has a Hanuman Mandir which is a Hindu Temple complex and during the clear weather Mount Kanchendzonga range can be viewed at its best. Tashi View Point also provides an excellent view over the Himalayas and far-flung North Sikkim villages. Dro-dul Chorten is a stupa built in 1945. Inside this stupa, a complete set of Dorjee Phurba, Kangyur relics (Holy Books) and other religious objects. Around the stupa there are 108 prayer wheels. Evening come back to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 5
In Gangtok/Lachung
In the morning we begin our journey with a drive to Lachung (126 km, 4/5hr) a small mountain town situated at around 3000 m with a total tribal culture in one of the remote areas of Sikkim. The word Lachung means “small pass”. The Lachung Monastery on the slope opposite the highway is a focal point of all religious functions of the local inhabitants. Scenic views while traveling to Lachung are amazing. Overnight stay at a hotel in Lachung.
Day 6
LACHUNG/YUMTHANG/LACHUNG.
After early breakfast we will drive (about one hour) to Yumthang Valley which is a grazing pasture surrounded by the Himalayas. Situated at an elevation of 3,564 m popularly known as ‘Valley of Flowers’, it is also home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, and has over twenty-four species of the rhododendron. A tributary of the river Teesta flows past the valley. During the spring months, partly covered with snow the area blooms with rhododendrons, primulas, poppies, iris and other flora. It is very beautiful excursion for mountain and nature lovers. It is a day trip, evening we are back in Lachung for dinner and overnight stay. A packed lunch will be provided this day!
Day 7
LACHUNG / PELLING
After early breakfast we will continue our scenic journey to Pelling (165 km, about 6/7 hr), a hill station nestled at an altitude of 2,150 m. It is a new tourist destination and provides excellent view of Mt. Kanchendzonga which rises with an elevation of 8,586 m. After arrival late afternoon will be free for walking around local bazaar. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 8
IN PELLING
After breakfast we will drive (about one hr) to visit Kacheopalri Lake, a sacred place for both Buddhists and Hindus, which is believed to be a wish fulfilling lake. An interesting feature of the lake is that leaves are not allowed to float on the lake, which is ensured by the birds which industriously pick them up as soon as they drop into the water surface. Pelling tour also includes visiting Pemayangtse Monastery. Planned, designed and founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo in 1705, it is one of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim. Another sightseeing delight is Rabdentse. It was the second capital of the former kingdom of Sikkim from 1670 to 1814. The capital city was destroyed by the invading Nepalese Gorkha army and only the ruins of the Palace and the Chortens are seen here now. We recommend going for sunrise view of Mount Kanchenjonga which can be seen at its best from many points in Pelling. Overnight at a hotel in Pelling.
Day 9
PELLING / DARJEELING
Depart to Darjeeling (95km 3/4 h), a town in the Indian state of West Bengal. A popular tourist destination located in Lesser Himalaya at an average elevation of 2,045 m. It is noted mainly for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Evening walk on Mall Road and explore the surroundings. Overnight stay in a local hotel in Darjeeling.
Day 10
IN DARJEELING
We begin our morning with a drive to Tiger Hill to enjoy sunrise and the panoramic views of Singalila range of Himalaya; if the weather is clear we can see Mt Everest also. Afterwards come back to hotel for breakfast and short rest, followed by visiting Darjeeling Zoo and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, famous tea gardens and Ghoom Monastery founded in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyatso . Evening come back to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 11
IN DARJEELING – Departure according to train time.
In the morning one more major attraction of Darjeeling – Toy Train ride run by Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, built between 1879 and 1881, the railway is about 78 kilometres (48 mi) long. Daily Kurseong-Darjeeling return service and the daily tourist trains from Darjeeling to Ghum (India’s highest railway station) are handled by the vintage British-built B Class steam locomotive! Afternoon half a day free for shopping and other personal activities. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 12
DARJEELING / BAGDOGRA / KOLKATA. Departure: according to flight time
We will leave Darjeeling according to our flight time from Bagdogra airport to catch flight to Kolkata. Overnight at a hotel in Kolkata.
Day 13
KOLKATA / DEPARTURE
