Location(s)
Darjeeling, Pelling, Gangtok, Lachen, Lachung & Kalimpong
Duration
10 nights/ 11 days
Destination
Darjeeling Transfer
Drive time: 4 hrs plus. Distance: 110 km. Altitude: 2134 meters/ 6800 feet
On arrival at Bagdogra Airport, our representative will meet and greet you with welcome drink. Drive to Darjeeling via Mirik, Snacks or Lunch at Mirik. After enjoying horse riding and boating at Mirik Lake for 1 hour you will be transferred to Darjeeling via Pashupati Indo – Nepal border town Pashupati Nagar.
The road continues to meander along the massive rolling hills of the Himalayas.
Overnight @ Darjeeling
Darjeeling Local Sightseeing
Early morning trip to Tiger Hill, if weather permits you will able to see the spectacular sunrise over the majestic Kanchendzonga and top of the world “Mt. Everest” on the way back Ghoom Monastery and Batasia loop. After breakfast, you could take the joy ride (10:40 hrs) on the famous toy train of Darjeeling. It is a heritage railways established during the British Raj. After a memorable joy ride lunch break will visit the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering and Zoological Park (Thursday close), Cable car, Tea Estate, Tibetan Refugee Centre (Sunday closed) and drive back to Mall and stroll around @ Mall Road.
Overnight @ Darjeeling
Pelling Transfer ( West Sikkim)
Drive time : 4 hrs. Distance: 85 km. Altitude: 2038 meters/ 6,600 feet.
After breakfast, you will be driven to Pelling, West Sikkim. If weather permits; the majestic Kanchendzonga will be visible during most of your journey. En-route you will visit the Tukvar tea estate to experience the stages of “Darjeeling Tea” Processing (Sunday closed). The road continues to meander along the massive rolling hills of the Himalayas.
On reaching (the border town of Sikkim), we break journey here where westerners will be asked to show Inner line permit to enter the region of Sikkim and as for the Indians they will be asked for their identity cards for the safety reason. The process will take approximately 15 minutes.
Here on you will drive via small settlements known as Jorethang that cater to the needs of the daily commuters and the people residing in the locality. For most of the time you will be driving along the mighty Rangeet River. We will drive via the West District Administrative centre – Gyalzing to Pelling last 20 kms to Pelling is gradual uphill climb.
Overnight @ Pelling.
Pelling Local Sightseeing
Today, you could start your day early and visit the Pemayangste Monastery for their morning prayers. Singsore Bridge drives over the “Singshore-bridge”, Asia’s 2rd highest suspension bridge. Urbanization in Uttarey progressed rapidly since the 1990’s after the bridge was installed. While in Uttarey, enroute visit Dentam Valley,Cheese factory (Sunday Closed), Changay Water falls, the Rabdentse ruins (the 2nd capital of Sikkim which was destroyed during the invasion by the Gorkha’s around the 4th century).. Evening @ leisure
Evening stroll around Pelling Town.
Overnight @ Pelling.
Gangtok Transfer (East Sikkim)
Drive Duration: 4 to 5 hrs. Distance : 125 kms. Altitude: 1,780 mtrs/ 5,800 feet. approx (Gangtok)
After breakfast, you will be driven to Gangtok, East Sikkim (Capitol of Sikkim). En-route to Gangtok, we will be driving via Namchi make a short detour to visit Samdruptse, the Magnificent 135ft tall statue of the patron of Sikkim “Guru Padmasambhava”, known for the vast knowledge of “Tantra-yana” he shared with us beings by founding the ‘Tibetan-Buddhism’ around the 8th century in Tibet. If weather permits, the himalaya’s are visible from here and the Temi tea estate. The road continues to meander along the massive rolling hills of the Himalayas. The last 12 kilometers to Gangtok town is a gradual uphill climb. Evening stroll around Gangtok town.
Overnight @ Gangtok
Gangtok Local Sightseeing
Post breakfast you will visit the Institute of Tibetology (Museum dedicated to the study of Buddhism. It was founded by the late Chogyal Sir Palden Thendup Namgyal), Chorten, you will be ferried uphill to the Secretariat (the Official Administrative office of the State of Sikkim) on the rope-way. We will walk along the Royal Palace Road via the White Hall (flower shows are conducted every now and then) to the Directorate of Handloom and Handicraft Center (Sunday closed).
After Lunch, you will drive for 30-45 minutes to visit the Rumtek Monastery (the Headquarters of the Kagyu sect of Buddhism).
Evening stroll around M.G. Marg.
Overnight @ Gangtok
Lachen Transfer and Sightseeing (North Sikkim)
NOTE: You need to carry photocopy of ID Proof and 2 passport photo of all travelers for North Sikkim. You may also consider the distance to Lachen on the first day, to be tiring. Acclimatization being of top priority, warm clothes should be kept in mind and water to be the essence of life should always be kept by your side.
Drive time : 5 hrs plus. Distance: 112 kms. Altitude: 2,750 mtrs/ 8745 feet
Drive to Lachen, Lachen is a town in North Sikkim district in the Indian State of Sikkim. It is located at an elevation of 2,750 metres. The name Lachen means “big pass”. The town is being promoted as a tourist destination by the Sikkimese government. The town forms the base to the Chopta Valley and Gurudongmar Lake annual yak race, the Thangu is held here in summer en route Tashi View Point, 7 Sister Water falls, Singhik View Point and Lunch @ Phodong.
The road continues to meander along the massive rolling hills of the Himalayas.
Overnight @ Lachen.
Lachung Transfer and Sightseeing (North Sikkim)
Altitude: 9600 ft approx Lachung. Distance: 47 km plus. Travel time: 2 hrs plus
After breakfast – drive to Thangu (14,000 ft) Gurudongmar Lake , Chopta Valley, and lunch @ Lachen . After lunch drive to lachung. A Bhutia village with a unique local self governing body called the Zumsa, which substitutes the Panchayat. Lachung has emerged as a tourist destination with the soaring popularity of Yumthang Valley, which is just 25 km from Lachung.
Overnight at Lachung.
Gangtok Transfer
Drive time 6 hrs. Distance: 126 km. Altitude: 5,800 mtrs
Drive to Gangtok with mesmerizing memories of North Sikkim.
Evening stroll around Gangtok town.
Overnight at Gangtok
Kalimpong Transfer and Sightseeing
Drive Duration: 3 hrs plus. Distance : 90 kms. Altitude: 1,243 mtrs. approx (Kalimpong)
After breakfast, you will be driven to Kalimpong via Mongsoog road en route visit Dr. Grams Homes, Delo Hills and you will check-in at your hotel. Kalimpong has a lot of flower nursery. Flowers from Kalimpong travel quite a distance to meet the demand of many florists across the world. You could visit a nursery, Monastery and Golf Course.
Evening at leisure or stroll around Local market
Overnight @ Kalimpong
Train Station / Airport Transfer
Drive time: 3 hrs. Distance: 65 km
You will be driven to the Airport (IXB) or NJP to meet your scheduled Flight or Train journey with everlasting memories to your next destination.
Please double check your flight/ Train departure timing
Acclimatization being of top priority, warm clothes should be kept in mind and water to be the essence of life should always be kept by your side.
Best time of the year: February to mid June and September to December.
Recommended Clothing: Light woollens in Summer (Umbrellas and raincoats are useful) and heavy woollens in winter.