INDIA TOUR » Nepal - Darjeeling - Sikkim Tour
Darjeeling is a world famous hill station of West Bengal. Gifted to the British East India Company in 1817, Darjeeling is one of India's most famous hill resorts at an altitude of 2134 m or 7000ft above sea level. In 1835, Darjeeling was given to the East India Company by the King of Sikkim. It became a popular resort for the British who wanted to escape from the sweltering heat of the plains.
The real fun in coming to Darjeeling is on the toy train. It takes six to seven hours to cover a distance of 82 kms and the slow speed gives you enough time to watch and appreciate the beauty which nature has provided it. This train passes through the Forests, waterfalls, over deepvalleys and through the mountains and tunnels.
Darjeeling has plenty of tourist spots in and around the city. Some of the most important are listed here.
- The Japanese peace pagoda depicts the various stages of the Buddha's life.Another attraction is the nation's oldest passenger ropeway which connects North Point to Singla Bazar.
- A visit to the Tiger Hills before dawn is a must for all Darjeeling visitors who want to see sunrise over the Mt Kanchenjungha. Tiger Hill is 2590 m above sea level and 11 kms from town (45 min).
- Two kilometers from Darjeeling is the town of Ghoom which is the highest railway station in the world. It also has a monastery.
- The Batasia loop (5 kms from Darjeeling) on the Darjeeling Himalayan railway is an engineering marvel and is another attraction even if someone doesn't want to take the slow train ride.
- The Tenzing Norgay Himalayan Mountaineering Institute trains mountaineers. It has a small museum as well. Adjacent to it is the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
- The Lloyd's botanical gardens is another attraction.
- The two popular view points are Jawahar Parbat and the Observatory Hill which offer views of the Himalayan ranges.
- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park : Located adjacent to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. It is a high altitude wild life park and a new home for the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Deer, Deer Panda, Llama and birds. It is open from 8 am to 4 PM
- The Dhirdham Temple, built in the style of Katmandu's Pashupatinath temple adds to the varied religious architectural styles of Darjeeling. It is near the railway station.
SIKKIM, This small erstwhile Himalayan in the northeastern frontier of India, is wedged between China, Nepal, Bhutan and the sleepy Darjeeling district. Remote, wild and unbelievable, the small state tucked in the eastern Himalayas is an experience simply out of the world. Catch the sunrise atop the mighty Kanchenjunga, visit ancient Buddhist monasteries and tea gardens, enjoy a nature walk, or relax amidst peaceful environs of emerald green. Merged into the Indian republic in 1975, Sikkim offers the magical feel of a Himalayan fairytale land. It has everything you need to relax the body and revive the human spirit.
It is an amazing place of hidden valleys, mystical monasteries, and snow fed mountains covered with rare flora and fauna. A collage of three distinct ethnic groups - Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese - this former kingdom is a colorful melange of distinctively flavored cultures.
Itinerary:
- Day 01: Arrival at the Kathmandu Airport, meeting and assistance by our representative and transfer to Hotel Shanker.
- Day 02: Full day sightseeing tour of Old Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath Stupa and Patan City. O/N at the Hotel in Kathmandu.
- Day 03: Fly to Bhadrapur (Eastern Nepal), meeting and assistance at the Airport by our Sikkimese counterpart and drive to Darjeeling (144km/6hrs) with stop at the border for immigration formalities and hot lunch at Marina's in Baghdogrs. Overnight at Hotel New Elgin in Darjeeling.
- Day 04: Sightseeing in Darjeeling (3124m). In the morning visit Happy Valley Tea Garden, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Zoo, and Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center. Afternoon take Toy Train ride to Ghoom (subject to availability), visit Railway Museum and Ghoom Monastery. O/N Hotel New Elgin.
- Day 05: Early morning trip to Tiger Hill to view sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast drive to Gangtok with halt at Rangpoo for Sikkim Permit and Lunch. (116km/5-6hrs). O/N Netuk House.
- Day 06: Sightseeing in Gangtok (1600m); morning: Ganesh Tok View Point, Enchey Monastery, Handicrafts Center and Flower Show (if available). Afternoon: Institute of Tibetology and Rumtek Monastery (24km from Gangtok). O/N Netuk House.
- Day 07: Drive to Pemayngtse via Rabong La with hot lunch at Rabong La. O/N Norbu Gang Resort.
- Day 08: Whole day sightseeing in Pemayangste - Sanga Choeling Monastery, Pemayangste Monastery and Rabdanste Palace (Rabdanste was the second capital of Sikkim). O/N Norbu Gang Resort.
- Day 09: After early breakfast drive to Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim where the first Chogyal (Religious King) of Sikkim was consecrated in 1642. On the way visit Kecheopalri Lake. Check into hotel and after lunch walk to hermit's retreat at Dhubdi Monastery (circa 1700), possibly the oldest monastery in Sikkim. O/N Hotel Tashi Gang.
- Day 10: After early breakfast drive to Kalimpong. Visit Tashiding Monastery on the way. It takes about 45 min to 1 hour to walk up to the monastery and about 30 min to walk back. Proceed to Kalimpong after monastery visit with pack lunch on the way. O/N Himalayan Hotel.
- Day 11: Sightseeing in Kalimpong. Morning: Durpin Danra View point, monastery and flower nursery. Afternoon: Delo View point and local market. O/N Himalayan Hotel
- Day 12: Drive to Bhadrapur to connect the flight to Kathmandu. Rest of the day at your leisure. O/N Shanker Hotel.
- Day 13: Full day sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Bhaktapur City. O/N Shanker Hotel.
- Day 14: Final departure.
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