...bridging cultures since 1999 Bhutan, Darjeeling & Sikkim Roundtrip , 21 days with local English speaking guide Varied journey through the Himalayan kingdoms of Sikkim and Bhutan with easy hikes and maximum altitude of 3300 m Group Travel Dates & Prices: www.terralaya.com – „Group Tours“ This tour can be booked as an individual tour for one or more persons Introduction: We start our trip in Darjeeling. This "Hill Station" has kept much of the colonial atmosphere of the past. The "toy train" was built i n 1880 and has brought the English colonialists from the hot plains in the cool mountains. Today, this place is famous for the man y tea plantations and first - class tea. In the former Kingdom of Sikkim, we admire Buddhist monasteries and the varied landscape. Staying with a host family, we get a good insight into the everyday life of the locals. This former Kingdom in the Himalayas be tween Bhutan and Nepal was not discovered by the «mass» yet. Our stay in Bhutan is one of the highlights of the trip. A walk brings us to one of the most sacred monasteries of Bhutan, th e famous "Tiger's nest" in the Paro Valley. This monastery is spectacu lar on a steep rock face, hundreds of meters above the valley floor. To do this we visit impressive Dzong, ancient monasteries and small villages in Bhutan. This easy tour is very diverse and has many highlights. Highlights: • Very varied journey through Sikkim and Bhutan • Ride the toy train in Darjeeling • Old monasteries and Holy Lake in Sikkim • Hike to the Holy Monastery of «Tiger's nest». • Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan 1 Terralaya Travels • PO Box 20 • Head Post Office • 737101 Gangtok • Sikkim • India [email protected] www.terralaya.com [email protected] www.sikkim.ch M: India: +91 94343 82036, 98320 79320, 97330 06595 www.yetilaya.com O: India: +91 (0)3592 252516 www.himalayanhomestay.com M: Switzerland: +41 79 937 33 20 SKYPE: helen.kampf ...bridging cultures since 1999 Best time to travel Jan Feb M ar Apr Ma y Jun Jul Aug Sep O ct Nov De c Tour itinerary (Included meals B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner) _______________________________________________________________ 1. Tag: flight to Delhi The direct flight with the Swiss (depending on availability) puts us in good 7 ½ hours to Delhi in the capital of India. 10:00 meeting with the tour group at the check - in 1 in front of the group switch (left side of the escalator). 10:15 check - in handled by Swissport at Zurich airport in the area of check - in area 1. 12 h 40 departure from Zurich with Swiss LX146 to Delhi. 00.45 (at 12.3.) Clock arrival in Delhi. After the arrival of passport control and baggage acceptance. At the output, our local partner waits with a sign labeled with Himalayan of tours. He organized the transfer to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel at the airport in Delhi. Flight time 7 ½ hours Note: In case of an individual tour service of Terralaya Travels begins at Delhi Airport – you book your flight from Europe / overseas to Delhi yourself. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Tag: flight along the Himalayas Today, we fly along the Himalayas to Bagdogra. When weather is nice, we see the 8000 Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Everest and Kangchenjunga. From Bagdogra from we drive past wooded hills, small villages and tea plantations to Darjeeling. At the time of British colonial rule in India, Darjeeling was one of the most popul ar "stations of of Hill" to escape the heat of the flat country. Even today you can feel much colonial flair in this place. Overnight in the hotel in Darjeeling (2100 m). Flight time 2 hours travel time 3 - 4 hours ( B, L, D ) ________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 3. Tag: «toy train» and «4 o'clock tea. This morning, we continue with the famous "toy train", which was built over 120 years ago. The drive in this narrow - gauge railway is an exciting e xperience. After lunch, we will visit a tea plantation, which Darjeeling is famous. Here we learn what makes a good cup of tea and be amazed what anything work - in - hand work is done. And then it's time for a real "4 o'clock tea. Overnight in the hotel in Darjeeling (2100 m). Time toy train 2 hours travel time taxi 1 h ( B, L, D ) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Tag: fabulous Himalayan panorama Early in the morning we go to the «Tiger Hi ll» (2590 m). In good weather we enjoy a spectacular Sunrise and a fantastic view to Kangchenjunga massif. In fine weather, you can see up to Mount Everest. We run back to Darjeeling from the Tiger Hill. In the afternoon we visit the Himalayan mountaineeri ng Institute and the Tibetan refugee self help center. Further, we meet some unknown corners in Darjeeling, which remain hidden to most visitors. We make a "Heritage walk" through Darjeeling on foot and our local guide will tell stories exciting us and mak e us old restaurants, schools, Observatory, temples, churches and mosques. Overnight in the hotel in Darjeeling (2100 m). Journey time 1 hour walk 2 - 3 hours ( B, L, D ) ________________________________________________________________________________________ __________ 5. Tag: remote West of Sikkim 2 Terralaya Travels • PO Box 20 • Head Post Office • 737101 Gangtok • Sikkim • India [email protected] www.terralaya.com [email protected] www.sikkim.ch M: India: +91 94343 82036, 98320 79320, 97330 06595 www.yetilaya.com O: India: +91 (0)3592 252516 www.himalayanhomestay.com M: Switzerland: +41 79 937 33 20 SKYPE: helen.kampf ...bridging cultures since 1999 Varied trip to Westsikkim. On the valley floor, we cross the Rangit River and finally reach the village Rinchenpong in the far west of Sikkim. Here we are in a typical sikkimese farmhouse Lodge Guest. In the eveni ng we will visit the monastery of the village and must be there when the monks recite their evening prayers. Overnight stay in very simple farmhouse lodge in Rinchenpong (1600 metres). Travel time 3 hours ( B, L, D ) 6. Tag: beautiful hikes Today we explore the countryside on foot. We walk past secluded hamlets, and traditional houses and experience the rural life of the people. During this day, we receive insight into country life in Sikkim. Overnight stay in very simple farmhouse lodge in Rinchenpo ng (1600 metres). Hike 4 - 6 hours ( B, L, D ) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Tag: old culture and beautiful mountain views The town of Pelling owes its popularity with Indian tourists the beautiful views of Kangchenjunga. In addition, here stands the monastery of Pemayangtse, founded in 1705. Not far away, we hike to the ruins of the former Royal headquarters of Sikkim in 20 minutes. By Sanga Choling, breathtaking views of the ice Giants on the border between Sikkim and Nepal over the green mountains and hills of Sikkim awaits us in good weather. Overnight in the hotel in Pelling (2000 metres). Journey time 2 - 3 hour hike 1 hr ( B, L, D ) _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 8. Tag: Holy desire Lake Khecheopalri On our way to Yuksom, we visit the Holy, wish - fulfilling Khecheopalri Lake. Original name of the Lake was Kha - Chot - Palri, which means translated something like «heaven o f guru Padmasambhava. The legendary lake is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. Away from here we make a nice walk past small villages, terrace fields and plantations, where cardamom is grown. The hike leads mostly down and takes ab out 2 hours. By the end point here, we continue to Yuksom, where we will spend the night. Overnight in the guest house in Yuksom (1800 meters). Travel time 3 hours hike two hours ( B, L, D ) _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________ 9. Tag: former capital of Yuksom Yuksom is still a village, but once was the capital of Sikkim. From here away launches the most popular Trek from Sikkim, resulting in close to the 5000 - metre Goecha La pass at 8000 Kangc henjunga. We wander not quite so far, but are on the way after Dubdi. Here is the oldest monastery of Sikkim, which was built in 1670. It is a beautiful hike, which brings us up to the monastery. The afternoon we have available or can visit some of the sma ll villages in the surrounding area along with our local guide. Overnight in the guest house in Yuksom (1800 meters). Walk 2 hours ( B, L, D ) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. Tag: of in the current capital of Gangtok We visit the Tashiding monastery. Here is the most Holy Chortens of Sikkim. This will contain relics of the historical Buddha . It is said that just seeing this Chortens cleans all sins. We can try this Yes! The prayer wall s with elaborately carved prayer stones are beautiful. With a little luck we encounter a Quarryman who carves prayer stones or maybe even one of the many ceremonies to see which are celebrated in this holy place. Then we head towards Gangtok. This is the c urrent capital of Sikkim. We stay in Rumtek or in Gangtok. Overnight at Hotel in Gangtok (1550 metres) or in Rumtek. Journey time 6 hours ( B, L, D ) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. Tag: Rumtek Monastery, orchids and traditional crafts Today we will visit the great monastery of Rumtek. This monastery is the largest of Sikkim and seat of the Karmapa. In the Tibetan Buddhist world of one of the most important reincarnations and head of the Karma Kagyu is the Karmapa. This is one of the four main directions of the Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is head of the direction of the yellow hats 3 Terralaya Travels • PO Box 20 • Head Post Office • 737101 Gangtok • Sikkim • India [email protected] www.terralaya.com [email protected] www.sikkim.ch M: India: +91 94343 82036, 98320 79320, 97330 06595 www.yetilaya.com O: India: +91 (0)3592 252516 www.himalayanhomestay.com M: Switzerland: +41 79 937 33 20 SKYPE: helen.kampf ...bridging cultures since 1999 (Gelugpa).