The Sikkim & Darjeeling
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The Sikkim & Darjeeling HIMALAYAS Landscapes and Flora Botanic gardens, deep gorges, and the Valley of the flowers! May 14-28, 2022 Come explore the spectacular landscapes en route to Lachung. This will be our base to and flora of Sikkim and the Darjeeling explore two spectacular natural areas, the Himalayas! Yumthang “Valley of the Flowers” and the See tea plantations around Darjeeling— Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary which of British hill station fame—in the foothills blooms during April and May. of the Himalayas. Our route is within sight of Kanchenjunga, at Visit botanic gardens and orchid gardens, 28,169 feet, the 3rd highest peak in the world. then head to Sikkim which is filled with We’ll also explore the Thangu Valley which is carpeted with alpine flowers in May, and Old World charm. Learn about the art and Tsomgo Lake, a glacial lake in eastern Sikkim. heritage of the Tibetan culture of Sikkim. Come join us as we discover the foothills Then drive toward the higher Himalayas and mountains of Himalayan India with the through narrow valleys and winding mountain Pacific Horticulture Society’s Greg Graves roads, where waterfalls leap into deep gorges, and Alister Adhikari. ITINERARY Days 1/2 — Newark to Delhi Depart from Newark for our evening flight on United Airlines to Delhi. Arrive Delhi in the evening of Day 2; transfer to our Hotel. Day 3 — Delhi, Bagdogra, Darjeeling/3hrs/7004 ft. Fly from Delhi to Bagdogra, and transfer to Darjeeling, the renowned hill town of the British colonial era. Amidst rolling tea gardens and crowned by the majestic Himalayas, Darjeeling is fondly called the “Queen of the Hills.” This is the land of the muscatel-flavored Darjeeling tea recognized across the globe, and home of the world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway where the century old miniature steam engine still chugs uphill. Elgin Hotel, Darjeeling (2 nights). B,L,D Day 4 — Darjeeling & Lloyds Botanical Garden After breakfast, we will explore Darjeeling including the Bhutay Busty Monastery and Tibetan Self Help Centre. At the Takvar Tea Factory, we will sample teas and see the process of tea making. After lunch, visit Lloyds Botanical Garden. Here many alpine and sub-alpine plants grow under conditions similar to their natural habitats in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region. The garden has a section for medicinal plants which are native to the area. More than 60 orchids representing various terrestrial and epiphytic species primarily from Singalila National Park are found in Day 7 — Lachung & Shingba Rhododendron the Orchid House . In the evening, we will explore the little Sanctuary hill station’s traditions and culture. B,L,D After an early morning breakfast, we’ll visit Yumthang Day 5 — Darjeeling, Gangtok/4hrs/5500 ft. (25 km/1 hr), a valley at an altitude of 11, 800 ft through After breakfast, you will transfer to Gangtok, the capital of which Lachung Chu flows. The region is within the Shingba Sikkim, which means the “town on the hilltop” in the local Rhododendron Sanctuary which is fully covered with Bhutia language. Sikkim is one of the smallest states in India Rhododendron with more than 36 species, including and is also known as the most peaceful. Gangtok combines R. mekongense, which bloom during the months of an attractive mix of Old World charm, traditional hospitality April to May. and a modern We will also botanize and explore the lower regions of cosmopolitan the valley where you can expect to find many interesting outlook. En species of plant life such as: Meconopsis grandis, the route, we will national flower of Bhutan. Legendary mountaineer expect to find George Leigh Mallory discovered it in 1922 on his first Cardicrinum attempt to scale the unconquered Mount Everest. giganteum and Also see other members of Meconopsis, and Gentiana many Arisaema depressa, Fritillaria, Primula, orchids, and the species as we Himalayan mandrake. Growing under Magnolias look drive along for Lloydia, the lily Cardiocrinum giganteum, Trillium, forested areas. and the ever-changing diversity of orchids. B,L,D The guardian mountain Day 8 — Lachung & Yumesamdong /15,000 ft. Kanchenjunga Today we will enjoy an excursion to Yumesamdong, rises to 8,585 meters (28,169 feet) above Sikkim, and is the which is situated at an altitude of 15,000 ft. A valley grazed third highest mountain the world. It was first explored by by yaks and their nomadic shepherds, it is rugged, breath- the British botanist Joseph D. Hooker, Director of Kew taking, and one can stop for a hot water spring bath just Gardens, who visited in 1848 and 1849. The Hidden Forest below the snow clad peaks, which is renowned for its Retreat, Gangtok (1 night). B,L,D medical properties. Look for colorful lichens, grasses, and hearty plants in the vegetative stage. B,L,D Day 6 — Gangtok & Lachung/6hrs/9500ft. Day 9 — Lachung – Lachen The journey from Gangtok to Lachung will take about After breakfast, we will drive to the Dombang valley to 5 to 6 hours traveling through remote areas with narrow explore the rich diverse forest where we will find plants valleys and numerous waterfalls plunging into deep like the Iris, Pleione, Arisaema, Cardiocrinum, Asarum, gorges. During the drive, due to the altitude variation, Paris, Roscoea, you will witness warm sub tropical forests, temperate Trillidiums, various deciduous forests, and alpine zones in the higher ridges. Rhododendron, Lachung, a small hamlet at an elevation of about 9,600 ft Polygonatum, (3,000 m) provides the base for exploring Yumthang, the Smilacina, valley of flowers which is situated at an altitude of 11,800 ft Viburnumand and (3,564 m). It is a paradise for nature lovers and botanists many more. We will with a fascinating blend of flora and fauna and a take short walks picturesque landscape. Yarlam Hotel, Lachung (3 through the forest and nights). B,L,D later cross the Sebozung Chu to get to the other side of the valley to Day 13 — Gangtok & Kalimpong. /4163 ft. explore. In the afternoon, we will head to Lachen which After breakfast, we will visit the famous Rumtek is a small hamlet separated by deep gorges of Lachen Chu Monastery which is the World Dharma Chakra Centre and pine clad mountains with their snowy peaks and and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who black cliffs. The village used to be inhabited only in is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. winters by the owners who spent the summers on the Then transfer to Kalimpong. We will drive along roads less alpine pastures along the Tibet border tending to their traveled, passing through countryside and terraced land, AP herd of yaks. Overnight at the Apple Orchard in Lachen botanizing along the way. This evening, explore the little (2 nights). B,L,D hill station’s traditions and culture as you walk through Days 10/11 — Lachen – Thangu/12,880 ft the town. Silver Oaks Hotel. B,L,D This morning, we’ll drive 30 km beyond Lachen to Days 14/15 — Kalimpong, Bagdogra, & Delhi reach Thangu valley, at an altitude of 3963m (12,880 ft). Drive to Bagdogra Airport for our return flights to Delhi acifi We’ll have a full day of tracking in the Thangu area which and home. B,L in May and June is carpeted with alpine flowers! Tree lines disappear at Thangu and start a zone that can be compared only with the unreachable terrain in the Tibetan plateau. Situated on the high alpine plateau, Thangu is an ideal place for real nature lovers as it c H provides a base for fabulous walks. On Day 11, we’ll drive back to Gangtok spotting plants along the way. Hidden Forest Retreat (2 nights). B,L,D Day 12 — Tsomgo Lake Today we will have a full day botanizing in the Tsomgo orticultur Lake and Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary. Tsomgo Lake, also known as Changu Lake, is a glacial lake in East Sikkim, some 40 km from Gangtok, situated at 3,753 metres (12,880 ft). The lake surface reflects different colors with the change of seasons and is held in great reverence by the local Sikkimese people. The Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary, situated #1667 around the area adjoining the Tsomgo lake. It is rich in RESERVATIONS both flora and fauna. Rare, endangered ground orchids e and rhododendrons interspersed among tall junipers Yes! I/we want to join the Sikkim & Darjeeling Tour and taller silver firs are among the important plants Himalayas Expedition, May 14-28, 2022, offered by present. Rhododendron niveum (the State Tree of the Pacific Horticulture Society and Betchart Sikkim) and Cypripedium tibeticum (the ground slipper Expeditions Inc. Please reserve ____ space(s). As a deposit, orchid) which is on the verge of extinction have also been I/we enclose a check for $______________ ($500 per person) introduced here. In the evening, explore the local market payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. and the town square. B,L,D Name(s) _________________________________________ Age_______ LEADERSHIP _________________________________________ Age_______ Leading the expedition will be Alister Adhikari, a Address _____________________________________________________ tour guide and botanical specialist in the Darjeeling– Sikkim area of the Indian Himalayas. Representing the City _________________________________ State ____ Zip __________ Pacific Horticulture Society will be Greg Graves. Alister was born in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India and Phone: Home (_____) ______________Work (_____) _______________ graduated from Delhi University. From a very early age, Alister accompanied his father, who is a veteran tour Email Address ________________________________________________ guide, throughout Sikkim and the Darjeeling Himalayas. Membership in Pacific Horticulture Society? ___ Yes ___ No Since 2006, he has been conducting guided botanical tours in Sikkim, the Darjeeling Himalayas, and other To participate in this tour, non-members must pay a fee of nearby areas.