Samye Travels & Tours (P.) Ltd. P.O. Box 5439, EPC 7260, Sorhakhutte, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel:977-1-4389898, 01-2010434 Fax: 00977-1-4389898 [email protected]
Darjeeling and Sikkim Tour 6 nights / 7 days Darjeeling, Pelling, Gangtok, Kalimpong Easy tour at 2,0452 meters (6,710 feet).
Darjeeling comes from the Tibetan "Dorje Ling" meaning the place of the Thunderbolt and sits on the border with Tibet in West Bengal, India. This area is intertwined with the history of Nepal, it used to be Nepal after an 18th century invasion but the British took it back, and as a result is also rich with the history of British India. Parts of Darjeeling still look like a small British town. Mount Kangchenjunga, which at 8,586 meters (28,169 feet) is the third highest mountain in the world, dominates the area.
Nearby Kalimpong, as well as all the towns we visit on this trip, served as a British Hill station due to the agreeable climate even during the hottest seasons down on the "burning plains" of India. Lavish gardens boast a panoplay of vegetation, much of it rare and definitely exotic. Kalimpong once acted as the primary entrepôt between Tibet and India.
Darjeeling abuts the Indian state of Sikkim, home to a rich supply of Buddhist monasteries, pilgrimage spots and institutes of higher learning.
Itinerary:
Day 01
Arrive Bagdogra airport in Siliguri, West Bangal where our envoy meets you and transfers you to Darjeeling. Check in to the hotel Villa Everest or the Golden Height or equivalent lodging.
Day 02
Transfer to Tiger Hill, 2,550 meters, to watch the sunrise over Kanchenjunga. Then visit visit Ghum Monastery and sightseeing in Darjeeling, including the Japanese Temple, Pagoda of the world; the Himalayan Zoo; Padmadzhi Naidu Himalayan Mountain Institute of Tenzing Norgay; the Tenzing rock and Gomba; the Tibetan Centre and local tea plantations. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03
After breakfast, transfer to Pelling (Pemayangtse). From here we visit the Pemayangtse Monastery. Overnight at Golden Height Hotel, the Tashigang Hotel or equivalent lodging.
Day 04
After breakfast walk to Sangachöling Monastery and thence on to Gangtok, the capitol of Sikkim. On the way we visit a Bon Мonastery, a temple devoted to the religious tradition that predates Buddhism in Tibet. In Gangtok we stay at the Hotel Mentokling, the Sonam Delek or similar comfortable lodgings.
Day 05
After breakfast an excursion to the 18th century Rumtek Gompa, a huge monastery devoted to the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Highlights include the Do Drul Chörten, or stupa, and the Research Institute of Tibetology. The Directorate of Handicrafts and flower show are also not to be missed! Overnight in Gangtok at our hotel.
Day 06
After breakfast, transfer to Kalimpong and visit Dello Hills where we enjoy a beautiful view of the mountains and the valley. Excursions and overnight in Kalimpong at the Hotel Holumba or the Park Hotel or similar digs.
Day 07
After breakfast, transfer to Bagdogra airport to take flight to your next destination.
Group size requires a minimum of 3 people. COST US$ 570.00 per person)
Note: All prices, costs, fees and other charges subject to change without prior notification or warning.
SERVICE INCLUDES:- All sightseeing arrival & transfer by private tourist vehicle (a Toyota Innova), Twin bed shared rooms including breakfast. All sightseeing tours in the Toyota Innova and passage aboard the famous Toy Train with its fabulous steam engine to Darjeeling. English speaking driver; Sikkim permit; all monastery entrance fees in Ghum & Sikkim.
SERVICE EXCLUDES:- DELHI to BAGDOGRA flight, usually anywhere from US$255.00 to US$ 295.00. Gratuities, which are customarily 15% but tips are up to you, and any personal expenses.
Important Safety Note
Your safety is the most important job for us whilst traveling with Samye Travels & Tours. Please note that your leader has the authority to alter or even cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the itinerary; however, this is adventure travel in remote mountain regions so there cannot be any guarantees of anything. It's an adventure! Weather conditions, health conditions of members, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all be possible reasons to change an itinerary. The leader will attempt to make every effort to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.