Splendours of North East India

Overview

A Tour of Breathtaking Views and Buddhist Culture

Your tour starts with the winding bazaars and chilly air of Darjeeling, where you will view Kanchenjunga Mountain at sunrise, hop on a toy train ride, and visit the Ghoom Monastery, among other attractions. With wonderful nurseries and breathtaking views and hills, Kalimpong is your next stop.

The small town of Pelling with its historic monasteries and natural forests marks the start of your tour of Sikkim. Here you will visit the sacred Khecheopalri Lake, two-pronged Kanchendzonga falls, and Pemayangtse Monastery among others. Heading deeper into Sikkim, you will drive down to Gangtok, stopping at Namchi en-route. From Gangtok, you will be visiting the confluence of rivers Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu at Lachang and day excursions to the ethereal Yumthang Valley and breathtaking Tsomgo Lake.

With each destination in your tour, you will be delving deeper into the natural beauty of mountains, hills, lakes, and peaks and the Buddhist culture of the serene monasteries.

Trip Highlights

Breathtaking sunrise view of Kanchenjunga Mountain from Darjeeling’s Tiger Hills
2-hour Toy Train ride from Darjeeling to Ghum and back
Visiting the oldest monastery in Darjeeling, Ghoom Monastery
Exploring the nature sanctuary of Yumthang Valley
Drinking in the remarkable sights of the color-changing Tsomgo Lake

ITINERARY - 11 Days

Day 1	Arriving at Bagdogra The start of your tour is on your arrival at Bagdogra airport. From here you will head to Darjeeling. Darjeeling is India's ultimate hill station destination with the mighty Kanchenjunga towering and the tea plantations surrounding the city. The city's charms lie in the winding bazaars, the colonial architecture, and the Buddhist monasteries. However, a ride on the 140-year-old Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a must-do when visiting the city. After reaching this beautiful hill station, you will have the rest of the day in your hands after checking in to your hotel. Explore the city by yourself or relax in your room at your leisure. Overnight stay at Darjeeling.
Day 2	Exploring Darjeeling The day starts with an early morning visit to the Tiger Hills, if the weather allows, to catch a stunning sunrise over the Kanchenjunga Peak. Afterward, you will head back to the hotel. En-route you will visit the Ghoom Monastery, Bastia Loop. Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast, you will spend the rest of the day on a guided tour of Darjeeling. You will be visiting the Japanese temple, Peace pagoda, Tenzing & Gombu Rock, Padmaja Naidu & Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday), tea estate, and Tibetan refugee self-help Center (Closed on Sunday). After the tour, you will have the evening to spend at your leisure. Overnight stay at Darjeeling.
Day 3	Driving to Kalimpong On day 3 you will drive down to Kalimpong. Kalimpong is yet another hill station in West Bengal with breathtaking hills and wonderfully clear air and holiday weather. Set about 4000 ft above sea level, this small town boasts Himalayan views and Buddhist monastery that blends with West Bengal's traditional art and food. Upon arrival, you will check in to your hotel and proceed to a half-day guided tour of the town. During the tour, you will head to Kalimpong Durpin Dara and enjoy the great views of the mountain range and rivers. The next stop would be the Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery with its Buddhist manuscript and prayer wheels. You will also visit the Flower & Orchid Nurseries in the town to drink in its horticulture and Dello Hill, the highest point of the Kalimpong municipality. After the tour, you will return to the hotel for the evening. You can spend your time at leisure now. Overnight at Kalimpong.
Day 4	Starting the tour of Sikkim Post breakfast, you will drive down to Pelling. En-route we will visit Jorethang. Known for its hot springs, Jorethang is a town in Sikkim standing at an elevation of 300 meters above the sea. The highlight of the town is its annual Maghe Mela. After visiting Jorethang, we will continue towards Pelling. The small town of Pelling offers a marvelous view of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga at dawn. Architecturally, the town may seem uninteresting with an array of concrete buildings. However, the beautiful natural forests of the town along with the two historic monasteries will change your outlook of the Pelling. After arrival, you have the rest of the day at your leisure. You can choose to explore the city on your own. You will spend the night at Pelling.
Day 5	Exploring Pelling Today you will head for a full-day guided tour of Pelling. Your first stop is Pemayangtse, a small town that is an important Buddhist religious center and offers several trails for the adventurous. Next in line is the serene Rimbi Falls, where you can find tourists meditating in the calm surroundings and the nearby Rimbi Rock Garden with its orange trees and cardamom and flowering plants. The less-explored Sacred Khecheopalri Lake is the next stop, with its mythical connections and amusing tales. The perennial double-pronged Kanchendzonga Falls is the next stop on your guided tour. The last stop of the tour is the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim & Darap Village. It is a must-visit in your tour of Sikkim. Spend the rest of the day in leisure after returning to the hotel. Overnight stay at Pelling.
Day 6	Heading to Gangtok After breakfast at the hotel, drive down to Gangtok, Sikkim's capital city. En-route, you will visit Samdruptse Hill and Char Dham at Namchi. At the picturesque town of Namchi, you will visit the Samdruptse Hill, where stands a tall statue of the patron saint of Sikkim. You will also go to Siddheshwar or Char Dham, a vast cultural complex attracting several tourists annually. You will, then, continue heading towards Gangtok. Visiting the capital city is a must-do on a tour of Sikkim. Gangtok is a prominent Tibet Buddhist culture learning center with the presence of several monasteries, centers of Tibetology, and religious educational hubs. The Nathula Pass, Enchey Monastery, Do Drul Chorten, and Rumtek Monastery are some of the must-visit attractions in the city. After check-in, you have the rest of the day to either explore the city or relax in your hotel. Overnight stay at Gangtok.
Day 7	Driving to Lachung Today you will continue your tour of Sikkim by driving down to Lachung after breakfast. On your way, you will enjoy the confluence of Lachen chu and Lachung Chu at Chungthang, Tashi Viewpoint, Naga Waterfalls, Twin Waterfalls, Bhim Nala Waterfalls, and Kabi Longstok. Once you reach Lachung, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Known for the Lachung Monastery, the picturesque town of Lachung is the place where two tributaries of River Teesta Lachung and Lachen meet. The town with its beautiful waterfalls, scenic apple orchards, and untouched streams has been a favorite for writers across the globe. The best time to visit this town is between October and May. Overnight stay at Lachung.
Day 8	Excursion to Yumthang Valley The day starts with an excursion to Yumthang Valley or Sikkim's Valley of flowers after breakfast at the hotel. With hot springs, yaks, river, and grazing pasture on the rolling meadows, Yumthang Valley is a nature sanctuary surrounded by the Himalayan mountains. Situated close to Tibet, Yumthang Valley is the place where the tree line ends and the area is covered by Rhododendron and primula blooms. Offering the view of the peaks with Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa, a visit to the valley is a visual treat, especially between late February and mid-June when the flowers are in full bloom. After the Valley visit, drive back to Lachung for an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 9	Back to Gangtok On day 9, you will head back to Gangtok, as your tour of Sikkim gradually draws to a close. After check-in, you have the rest of the day at your leisure to explore the city or rest. You will spend the night at Gangtok.
Day 10	A visit to the color changing lake The day starts early with a day excursion to Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir, if weather permits. Considered sacred by the Sikkimese people for the way it reflects the colors of each season, Tsomgo Lake offers a stunning visual treat. During winters it remains frozen, while in the summers it is surrounded by blooming flowers. The oval-shaped lake is enclosed by alpine forests, making a yak-ride here a one-of-a-kind experience. With that ends your tour of Sikkim, and you will head back to Gangtok for an overnight stay.
Day 11	Heading home Today, as per your flight timings, our representative will drive you to the Bagdogra airport to catch your flight back home.