An Introduction

The journey makes you experience the far eastern natural beauty of India. It stretches from the Bay of Bengal to the heights of Southern Himalaya. One can witness the beautiful and endless terrain of tea estates, Buddhist Monasteries, ancient temples and fog covered roads which provide a unique experience.

Journey Highlights

• Tiger hill, a viewpoint amidst the clouds which provides an excellent view of the sunrise
• Visit to Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the state
• Colonial houses and buildings in Kalimpong

  Arrival Bagdogra/ Bagdogra to Darjeeling (Approx. 72Kms-3/4 hrs)

Arrive Bagdogra by flight. You will be met on arrival by our representative and driven to Darjeeling.  Upon arrival you will check in at hotel.

Darjeeling conjures visions of serenity, vibrant green hills steeped in splendour, a land of breath taking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas. It is one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world. This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade. The flaming red rhododendrons, sparkling white magnolias, miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, exotic forests of silver fir all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly crowns Darjeeling as the Queen of Hill Stations.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel.

  Darjeeling 

Early morning tour to Tiger Hills (at around 4 am) to view sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak (subject to clear weather). On the way back, visit GhumMonastery and Batasia Loop.

In the afternoon, go for a half day sightseeing tour of Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park & Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday), Tenzing & Gumbo Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre(Closed on Sunday) & a Tea Estate.

  Darjeeling - Pelling (By road - Approx. 80 Kms/5 hrs)

After breakfast, you will drive to Pelling.

Pelling is a small town in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, at the foothills of Mount Khangchendzonga. The late-17th century Buddhist Sanga Choling Monastery has breath taking mountain views. Pemayangt se Monastery features wall paintings. sculptures and a gold plated statue of Guru Padsambhava. Overlooking a valley, the 17th century Rabdentse Palace, now in ruins, still has evidence of the king's bedroom and kitchen.

Upon arrival at Pelling, you will check in at your hotel.
For the rest of the day you are free to relax at the hotel.

  Pelling - Gangtok (By road - Approx. 140 Kms/5 hrs)

After breakfast, you will enjoy a visit of Pelling city including Kanchenjunga, which is the 3rd highest in the world and highest peak in India. Depending on the weather condition and visibility the peaks can be seen from Pelling. Also visit Pemayangtse Monastery & Rabdentse Ruins.

Later in the afternoon, you will depart by road to Gangtok.

Cradled in the manifold splendours of nature, deep within the snow-clad Himalayas, is Sikkim's capital Gangtok. It lies at an altitude of 1600 meters and is bounded on the west side by Ranipool River. Gangtok has a very spectacular setting and offers excellent views of the entire Kanchenjunga range from various points in its vicinity. It offers a hospitable base to explore the varied wonders of this highland, its picturesque valleys, monasteries, mountain lakes and trekking trails. The town's ambience is a blend of tradition and modernity. There is a sense of calm and serenity, symbolized by the stupas and monasteries in Gangtok.

Visit the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the state, originally established by Lhatsun Chempo, one of the reverend Lamas who performed the consecration ceremony of the Chogyal (Religious Monarch) of Sikkim. This ancient monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and has been considered as one of the premier monasteries in the state, having been entrusted with the task to perform all religious functions of the erstwhile Monarch.

Upon arrival at Gangtok, check in your hotel.

  Gangtok

Proceed on a full day tour visiting the city highlights such as the Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology (NRIT) - a renowned worldwide centre for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion. This Buddhist institute is atreasure trove of vast collection of rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and rare thankas (tapestries used in Buddhist liturgy) and has over 2000 Buddhist icons and other prized objects of art. (Visitinghours: 10 am - 4 pm and closed on Second Saturdays and Govt. holidays). Do-drul Chorten (Stupa) - encircled by 108 prayer wheels: this is one of the most important stupas of Sikkim, built by Truisi Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma order, containing rare mandalas, of Doli Phurpa (Bajra Kilaya). holy books and manras, Orchid Farm, situated just below the Institute of Tibetology at a distance of 3km from the heart of the town, offers an exotic treatof over 200 species of orchids set amidst beautiful landscape. Enchey Monastery (3 km from Gangtok) -this 200 years old monastery was built on the site blessed by the great tantric master Lama Druptab Karpa, revered for the flying powers accredited to him. You will also drive past the palace of the former Chogyal, or ruler of Sikkim, andthe impressive Royal Chapel.

  Gangtok - Kalimpong (By road - Approx. 80 Kms/3 hrs)

After breakfast, you will depart by road to Kalimpong.

Kalimpong is an East Indian hall town in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal. Perched on a ridge above the Teesta River, it is home to colonial-era buildings like MacFarlane Memorial Church, named after a Scottish missionary. Towards the South, the hilltop Durpin Monastery or Zang Dhok Palri Phodang, contains sacred Buddhist scriptures. Deolo Park has landscaped gardens and offers views of the town and surrounding hills.

Upon arrival you will check in at the hotel.

Later you will proceed on a half day tour of Kalimpong city. A bustling and rapidly expanding, thought relatively small bazaar town, Kalimpong is set among the rolling foothills and deep valleys of the Himalayas at altitude of 1250m. Visit the two Buddhist monasteries - Tirpai Choling at Tirpai belonging to theYellow (Gelug) Hat Sect and the Zang dog Palrifo Brang on Dubindera Hill at the other end of Kalimpong which is a replica of a celestial chorten that was destroyed by the Chinese in Lhasa and it took the Lamas two years to construct.

  Kalimpong - Bagdogra (By road - Approx. 80 Kms/3 hrs)

After breakfast, you will be proceed by road to Bagdogra airport. Upon arrival you will board your onward flightback home.