Sikkim Road Trip

Assistance on arrival at Bagdogra airport and drive to Darjeeling.

DARJEELING: Located at an altitude of 2134 metres in the Himalayas, ‘Dorje Ling,’ or ‘Thunderbolt Spot,’ offers breathtaking views of surrounding mountain peaks, with the Kanchendzonga rising above them all. Often called the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as enchanting with its little waterfalls, small villages and a narrow-gauge railway track. Encircled by world-renowned tea gardens and snow-capped mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the most exotic destinations. Darjeeling is described as having “a view scarcely rivalled on Earth” by Graeme Westlake in his book “An Introduction to Hill Stations of India.” Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning visit to Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery.

Tiger Hill:- It is 13 km from Darjeeling and one can see stunning sunrise and mountain ranges like Kanchandzonga, Mount Everest, etc. One can see the horizon changing colours just before sunrise, and then the whole Himalayan range turns golden. It is truly an imposing sight.

Ghoom Monastery:- This is the oldest monastery in the area, built in 1875. One can see the image of Maitreya Buddha, 15ft in height, on the way back from Tiger Hill.

Breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy a toy train ride.

Toy Train

The stunning scenery unfolds as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which opened in 1881, crisscrosses the road at a speed of about ten miles per hour. Its small 4-wheel locomotives (some over a hundred years old) are like living legends. One can experience the sound, smell and romance of a bygone era. The DHR is a work of genius and a technological achievement of 1881. It holds great social and cultural importance. It is stunning and has outstanding universal appeal. Based on its distinctive features, it is considered to be of lasting significance to the world.

After lunch proceed for town tour.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute / Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park:- The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was established in Darjeeling after Tenzing Norgay Sherpa climbed Everest, to offer training in mountaineering and other adventure sports. In the institute, one can see the equipment used by Sherpa and the Everest museum with complete details on Everest. Attached to the institute, one can visit the Himalayan Zoological Park where one can see Himalayan animals like the red panda, Tibetan wolf, Tibetan yak, Himalayan black bear and several species of birds.

Tibetan Self-Help Centre or Refugee Centre:- This institute is run by Tibetan refugees to preserve their handicrafts. One can see the making of Tibetan carpets, leather work, paintings and woodwork, etc. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pelling.

PELLING: Located at a distance of 120 km from Gangtok, Pelling is another serene mountain village that lies in the western districts of Sikkim. This village is situated at an altitude of approximately 2000 metres, and the distance from the village to Mount Kanchandzonga, as the crow flies, is approximately 26 km.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning visit to Pemayangtse Monastery.

2.5 km from Pelling and standing at 2085m, this elegant monastery, perched on a wooded hilltop, commands the most magnificent view of the Khangchendzonga.

Built during the late seventeenth century, it is one of the oldest and most significant monasteries of the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism in Sikkim. To this day, only the monks of this monastery enjoy the title of ‘Tasang’ or pure monks. The importance of this monastery grew with time and reached its peak when only monks from this monastery could bless the reigning sovereign of the land with water.

Pemayangtse Monastery follows the Mindroling tradition besides holding the lineage of Lhatsun Chenpo. Mindroling Monastery was founded by Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje, whose renowned daughter Jetsun Migyur Paldon lived near Pemayangtse and taught there during her exile. Her stone throne can still be seen in this monastery, which has 108 monks. The main attraction of the monastery is the wooden replica of Zangdog Palri, the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava, created by Serdup Lhundrup Dorje Rinpoche in 1971. The annual chaam (monk dance) is held here on the 28th and 29th day of the twelfth month of the Tibetan calendar.

Rabdentse -- Sikkim’s second capital. The ruins of Rabdentse are worth exploring. The winding track through the forest brings you to a small set of ruins of the old city and eventually to the ruins of the palace with a Chorten (stupa) nearby. Further ahead are the Changay Falls. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Yuksom. Yuksom was the first capital of Sikkim. It was consecrated in 1642 when three celebrated Lamas who came from the north, west, and south to Yuksom crowned Phuntsog Namgyal as the first Chogyal (religious king) of Sikkim. There is a site known as the Enthronement Throne in Yuksom where the first king was crowned.

Afternoon visit to Norbughang Chorten: Fulfilling the prophecy of Tibet’s founding father of Buddhism, Guru Rinpoche, some nine centuries earlier, three learned Lamas -- Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, Kathok Rigzin Chenpo, and Nga-Dak Sempa Chenpo -- gathered at Yuksom in 1642 from different directions and enthroned Chogyal Phuntsog as the first religious king of Sikkim. A stone throne shaded by a 300-year-old fir tree still stands here today. A footprint in stone in front of the throne is said to belong to Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, and a nearby chorten (stupa) contains soil and water from all over Sikkim.

Dubdi Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, is located at the top of a hill about an hour’s walk from Yuksom. For bird watchers, an early morning or late afternoon visit is especially rewarding. Dubdi means ‘the retreat.’

Overnight stay in Yuksom.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Gangtok.

GANGTOK:

At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok became the capital in the mid-nineteenth century and has undergone rapid development since then. Gangtok is also a staging point for travellers heading to North Sikkim. Surrounded by monasteries and orchids, Gangtok is truly a traveller’s delight. Deer Park, Himalayan Zoological Park, and Ridge Park are among the several parks in Gangtok. Other must-see destinations include Nathula Pass, Menmecho Lake, and Tsomgo Lake.

Overnight stay in Gangtok.

Breakfast at the hotel and full-day city tour of Gangtok including an excursion to Rumtek Monastery.

Rumtek Monastery:- 24 km from Gangtok, this is the awe-inspiring Rumtek Monastery, the Dharma Chakra Centre and the seat of His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Enchey Monastery:- Perched on a ridge above Gangtok, the Enchey Monastery is nestled in lush woods with a spectacular view of Gangtok city. Built in 1910 on the site of the abode of the great Tantrik saint, Lama Drutob Karpo, who was celebrated for his powers of levitation, this monastery houses the monks of the Nyingmapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology:- Amidst a serene setting of oak, birch and ash lies this distinctive institution, established in 1958. Built in traditional style, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes research in Buddhism and the language and traditions of Tibet. It holds one of the world’s largest collections of rare books and manuscripts on Buddhism. The Institute also has shops where related books and commercially produced religious art and craft of Tibet can be bought.

Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts:- This directorate was established to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Finely carved wooden friezes, intricate bamboo work, along with stunning hand-woven carpets and handlooms are on display here.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Kalimpong.

KALIMPONG

At an altitude of 1250m, Kalimpong’s location is ideal for a pleasant, relaxed getaway. Its mild weather has made Kalimpong’s orchids and gladioli well known. Until the early 1700s, the Kalimpong area was part of the Sikkim raja’s domain. In the early eighteenth century, the Bhutanese king also took it over. In 1865, after the Anglo-Bhutan War, it was annexed to Darjeeling. Scottish missionaries arrived in the late 1800s. The town thrived as a wool trading centre with Tibet until the 1950s. Today it is a quiet hill resort and a haven for retired people.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning town tour of Kalimpong.

Flower Nurseries: The climate of Kalimpong is right for the cultivation of flowers and plants. Kalimpong is known for its nurseries that export exotice flowers like bulbous plant lilies, Anthuriums, Roses gerberas, Dahilias, Gladiolias likewise as Orchids and Cacti.

Zang Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery -- this is a relatively new monastery located in Durpin Dara. From here one can get an excellent panoramic view of the town and surroundings. The prayer hall in the monastery is adorned with wall paintings and there is a rare three-dimensional mandala upstairs.

Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai hill, on the route to Dr. Graham’s Home, belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Lamas to which the Dalai Lama also belongs.

Thongsa Gumpa: this monastery is of Bhutanese origin and was built around 1692. It is the oldest in Kalimpong. The original structure was destroyed in inter-clan wars before the British arrived.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Bagdogra, in time for flight/train to onward destination.