North East Delight

On arrival, meet and greet by our representative and transfer to Gangtok.
This tranquil town makes every visitor witness spectacular views of the Majestic Himalayas. The pleasing weather and soothing ambience of the place promises to leave every visitor mesmerized.
Driving on National Highway 10 passing through lush green forest and undulating hills crisscrossed valleys forming lower ranges of the Himalayas. The river Teesta flowing side by side, the 4th largest Trans boundary river shared between Bengal and Bangladesh after Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna River. We arrive at Rangpo in East Sikkim the border between Sikkim and Bengal. After a brief formality stoppage at the border we commence drive to Gangtok.

Upon arrival at Gangtok check-in at Hotel.
Overnight stay at Gangtok hotel.

Early morning drive to Tashi view point to view sunrise over Mount Sin0lchu and Mt Kanchenjunga (3rd Highest peak in the World after Mt Everest and Mt K2) alongwith other Himalayan ranges. The site was constructed by Tashi Namgyal the king of Sikkim inbetween 1914 to 1963. It is located at a distance of 4 km from Gangtok adorned with a park on its top, this view point also offers a 360 degree view of Gangtok.

After breakfast at the hotel then proceed for sightseeing visiting the following:

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

# From Enchey Monastery one can get a view of the historical Royal Chapel of Tsuklakhang Palace which served as sacred place for coronation, marriages and victory ceremonies among Sikkim Royalty. The religious Pang Lhabsol dance ceremony is held every mid-September in honour of the guardian deity of Sikkim, The Kanchenjunga. During December the Kagyad dance to finalise the Pang Lhabsol.

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.

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.

After lunch visit to 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.

Enroute visit 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 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.
Also visit 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.

Late evening return back to the hotel.
Overnight stay at Gangtok hotel.

After breakfast, visit to Tsomgo Lake.
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 considered as a pilgrimage site by local Sikkimese people. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the banks of the lake. The Lake is also a paradise for bird watchers as one 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.

Later, drive back to Gangtok.
In the evening, go for a stroll around the MG Marg or any of the local shopping centres.

Overnight stay at Gangtok hotel.

After breakfast transfer to Kalimpong. Kalimpong is situated on the Shivalik hills in the lower ranges of the Himalayas. Altitude approx. 1,250 mtrs. Until 18th century it used to be part of Kingdom of Sikkim under the rule of the Chogyals. Due to its closed land status with Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal it catered as the wool trading centre with Tibet till 1950’s. Scottish Missionaries also came in the beginning of the 19th century and started building schools and hospitals slowly transforming a small hamlet town to a modern day city which you see today. Most of the colonial buildings are today converted into hotels like the Morgan House, Tashiding, Crokety and Galinka. Hence flower nurseries and orchids, spectacular views of the mountains blends Kalimpong into an exhilarating destination.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel. After a refreshment break commence for sightseeing tour visiting Dr Graham House founded way back in 1900 by Dr Graham, a Scottish missionary, especially for the Anglo Saxon children born out of British army men, planters and administrative personnel. These children were neglected and abandoned by the society. Dr Graham felt their pain and gave them shelter and education.  This extraordinary educational hub is situated on Deolo Hills on the eastern fringes of Kalimpong town. Sprawled over nearly 500 acres of land it has its own farmland, dairy, bakery, hospital and other departments of need. A charitable institute get sponsorship from all over the world.

Zang Dhok Palri Monastery seated atop Durpin hill, the monastery was consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1976. It contains Kagyur in 108 volumes, brought by the Dalai Lama when he fled Tibet. The mandala painting on the ceilings and frescoes on the fore walls containing Buddhist deities look so lively and sacredly divine. It also depicts devotion in art form that the artist has put in to perform karma translated as a way to good life in Buddhism.

After, visit Tharpa Choling Monastery which belong to the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded around 1912 AD by Domo Geshe Rinpoche, when he came to India to collect medicinal plants from India, Nepal and Bhutan. The First Gelug monastery in Tibet was named Ganden (which gives an alternative name to the Gelug School). Allying themselves with the Mongols as a powerful patron, the Gelugpa have emerged as the pre-eminent Buddhist school in Tibet and Mongolia since the end of the 16th century

Evening return to the hotel.

Overnight stay at Kalimpong hotel.

After a delicious breakfast, drive to Darjeeling the Queen of Hills. En route a refreshment break at view point overlooking the confluence of River Teesta and River Rangit, amidst surrounding of lush green tea estates and colourful local houses.

On arrival in Darjeeling, check in at the hotel.

After lunch enjoy 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 century old culture of travelling on steam engine train, the sounds of whistle piercing through silent hillside and charcoal smoke huffing and puffing the steam engine though not be faster but assuring a smooth ride. Through the windows of the train we can get best views of snow-capped peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga exceeding in all fascination along with window shopping from the toy train with shop keepers facilitating passengers to buy souvenirs adding flavour to the fun.
Later, return to the hotel. Evening walk around the local market area.

Overnight stay at Darjeeling hotel.

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 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 pass by Batasia Loop through which the toy train passes in a spiral loop like pattern to lower the gradient of the ascend covering the altitudinal 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 sightseeing also visiting 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 on the Institute considering 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. The HMI conducts basic, adventure and advanced mountaineering courses regularly.
Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center Started on October 2nd, 1959 by Mrs Gyalo Thendup to self-rehabilitate under privileged Tibetan refugees who took refuge into India, driven out from their homeland by the brutal Chinese invasion. Today we can witness Tibetan men and woman working on their traditional skills of the art of carpet weaving, making different handicrafts and clothing’s with motifs of Tibetan designs being manufactured 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.
Back to the hotel or enjoy a stroll around the mall in the evening.
 
Overnight stay at Darjeeling hotel.