The Himalayan Week
Duration: 6 Nights/ 7 Days
Tour
Cost USD 531 Per Person on twin sharing (applicable for minimum 2 pax)
Day 01 ARRIVE DARJEELING
Bagdogra/NJP – Darjeeling (93 KMS 3.5 HOURS APPROX.) Assistance on arrival
at Bagdogra Airport/New Jalpaiguri Railway station and drive to Darjeeling.
DARJEELING: Standing high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2134m, ‘Dorje
Ling’, or place of the Thunderbolt, offers breathtaking views of snow-capped
mountain peaks, with the Kanchendzonga rising higher than all the others. Often
referred to as the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as alluring
with its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a narrow gauge railway track.
Surrounded by World Famous Tea Gardens and snow capped mountains, Darjeeling
remains one of the most exotic destinations. Graeme Westlake in his book ‘
An introduction to hill stations on India’ refers to Darjeeling as having
“A view Scarcely Unrivalled on Earth”. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Darjeeling
Early morning visit Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery. Tiger Hill :- It is 13 kms
from Darjeeling and one can see beautiful sunrise and Himalayan Range like Kanchandzonga
, Mount Everest etc. One can see the horizon changing colors just before sunrise
and then the entire Himalayan range turn golden. It is truly a majestic sight.
Ghoom
Monastery:- This is oldest Monastery in the area which was built in 1875
and one can see the image of Mythey Buddha 15ft. height on the way back from
Tiger Hill. Return to the hotel for breakfast and proceed for city tour.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute/Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
& Snow Leopard Breeding Centre:- The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
was started in Darjeeling when Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest to give training
to learn Mountaineering and other adventure sports related to mountaineering
and in that Institute one can see equipment etc.used by Mr. Tenzing Norgay and
Everest Museum having complete details on Everest attached to institute one
can visit Himalayan Zoological Park where one can see Himalayan animals like
Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black Bear and several varieties
of birds.
Tibetan Self- Helf Centre Or Refugee Centre :- This institute is run
by Tibetan Refugees to preserve their handicrafts and one can see making of
Tibetan Carpets, Leather work, Paintings and Wooden work etc.
Happy Valley Tea Estate :- Teas grown on the misty heights of Darjeeling,
popularly known as the ‘Champagne of Tea’ are famous world over for
their exquisite taste. The premium Darjeeling tea are mild in character and
have distinctive natural fruity flavors. The different steps in Tea manufacture
can be seen in the factory of Happy Valley Tea Estate.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Darjeeling – Pemayangste
(75 KMS 4 Hrs BY CAR ; 110 KMS 6 Hrs BY COACH APPROX.)
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pemeyangste.
PEMAYANGSTE : -
2.5
Kms. from Pelling and standing at 2085m. The Perfect Sublime Lotus, perched
on a wooded hilltop, commands the most sublime view of the Khangchendzong.
Built during the late 17th century, it is one of the oldest and most important
monasteries of the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism in Sikkim. To the present day,
it is only the monks of this monastery who 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 anoint the reigning sovereign
of the land with holy water. On arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing of Pemayangste visiting Raptentse and Pemayangste Monastery.
Pemayangtse monastery follows the Mindroling tradition besides holding the lineage
of Lhatsun Chenpo. Mindroling monastery was founded by Minling Terchen Gyurme
Dorje whose famous daughter Jetsun Migyur Paldon lived near Pemayangtse and
taught there during her exile. Her stone throne is still to 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 built
by Serdup Lhundrup Dorje Rinpoche in 1971. The annual chaam (monk dance) is
held here on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar.
Rabdentse- Sikkim’s second capital. The ruins of Rabdantse are worth exploring.
The winding track through the forest brings you to a small set of ruins of the
early town and eventually on the ruins of the palace with Chorten (stupa) nearby.
Further are the Changay Falls. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Pemayangste – Gangtok(127 KMS 4.5 HOURS APPROX.) Breakfast
at the hotel and drive to Gangtok
GANGTOK:
At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid 19th century
and has undergone rapid development since then.The downtown area is dominated
by huge government buildings decorated with traditional Buddhist symbols. Gangtok
is also a resting ground for people traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by
Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a travellers delight. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 05 Gangtok
Breakfast at the hotel and full day city tour of Gangtok .
Rumtek Monastery: -24 Kms. from Gangtok is the awe -inspiring Rumtek Monastery,
the world Dharma chakra Centre and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa,
who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the main monastery
is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies, which
attracts students from the world over. Opposite the entrance to the Institute
is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten the Golden Stupa,
which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness the xvi Gyalwa Karmapa.
According to legend, it is believed that after years of meditation, the first
Karmapa was said to have been visited by ten thousand fairies who came to congratulate
him each of whom offered a strand of her hair as a gift. These were said to
have been woven into a black hat, which was passed down and is still at the
Rumtek Monastery today. It is said that unless held on to by the wearer (who
of course, cannot be anyone else but the Karmapa) or kept in a box, the hat
would fly away
The
Enchey Monastery : - Perched on a ridge above Gangtok, the Enchey Monastery
is nestled within lush woods with a spectacular view of Gangtok town. Built
in 1910 on the site of the hermitage of the great tantric saint, Lama Drutob
Karpo, who was renowned for his powers of levitation, this monastery houses
the monks of the Nyingmapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism.
Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology : - Amidst a serene surrounding of oak,
birch and ash lies the unique organization established in1958. Built in traditional
style, the namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes research in Mahayana Buddhism
and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has one of the world’s largest
collections of rare books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. The Institute
also has a retail outlets where related books and commercially produced religious
art and craft of Tibet can be bought.
Adjacent to the institute are two exquisite stupas, the Do Drul Chorten, built
to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the Jhang Chub Chorten, built
in the memory of Thrukshik Rinpoche, an ardent devotee, a great spirtualist
and interpreter of Buddhism. Near the Chorten are housed two giant statues of
Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the patron
saint of Sikkim.
Directorate Of Handloom And Handicrafts : - This Directorate was set up
to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Exquisitely carved wooden
friezes, intricate bamboo work, along with beautiful hand woven carpets and
handlooms are on exhibit here. Visitors can not only purchase these items here
but also see the artisans at work. Among others, a favourite item here is the
choktse a wooden table with carved panels that can be folded into a portable
pack.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 Gangtok – Kalimpong(80 KMS 3 HOURS APPROX.)
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 clement weather has made Kalimpong’s orchids and gladiole
well renowned. Up to the early 1700s, the Kalimpong area was part of the Sikkim
raja’s domain.In the early 18th century, the Bhutan king also took it over.
In 1865, after the Anglo-Bhutan War , it was annexed to Darjeeling. Scottish
Missionaries came here in the late 1800s. The town thrived as a wool trading
center with Tibet till 1950s. Today it’s a quiet hill resort and a haven
for retired people. Afternoon city tour of Kalimpong. Flower Nurseries: The
climate of Kalimpong is ideal for the cultivation of flowers and plants. Kalimpong
is famous for its nurseries which export exotice flowers like Amaryllis lilies,
Anthuriums, Roses gerberas, Dahilias, Gladiolias as well as Orchids and Cacti.
Zang Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery – This is a fairly new monastery
located in Durpin Dara, from here one can get an exclusive panoramic view of
the town and surroundings. The prayer room inside the monastery is adorned with
wall paintings and there is a rare three-dimensional mandala upstairs.
Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai hill on route to Dr.Graham’s Home belongs
to the Yellow Hat sect of Lamas to which the present Dalai Lama belongs.
Thongsa Gumpa: this monastery is of Bhutanese origin and built around 1692.
It is the oldest in Kalimpong.The original structure was destroyed in the inter-clan
wars before the British arrived. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Kalimpong – Bagdogra/NJP(83 KMS 3 HOURS APPROX.)
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Bagdogra/NJP in time fro flight/train
to onward destination.
END OF SERVICES
PACKAGE COST USD 531 Per Person on twin Sharing (applicable for minimum 2 pax)
The cost includes:
06 nights accommodation at mentioned hotels on full board basis.
All transfers and sightseeing tours using vehicles mentioned
Accompanying English speaking guide throughout the tour.
Entrances at all places of interest mentioned in the itinerary.
Porterage at all places.
The cost does not include:
Any Airfare(International or Domestic).
Any expense of personal nature like tips to service providers, laundry, medical
expenses, etc.
Any other service not mentioned above.
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