16D Sikkim Darjeeling & Kalimpong

05 - 20Oct 16D Sikkim Darjeeling & Kalimpong

 

2013 Confirmed Departures

05-15Jun 11D Ladakh Overland


Best season - Sep/Oct

 

About Sikkim: Small but beautiful, Sikkim is situated in the eastern Himalayas. The state is spreaded below the Mount Khanchendzonga (8534 mts), the third highest mountain in the world, and revered by the Sikkimese as their protective deity. With an area of 7,300 sq kms and measuring approx. 114 kms from the north to south and 64 kms from east to west, the elevation ranges from 300 meters to over 8540 meters above sea level. Amidst the grandeur of the mountain peaks, lush valleys, fast flowing rivers, hills, Sikkim offers her visitors a rare and singular experience. Within a matter of hours one can move from the sub tropical heat of the lower valleys to the cold of the rugged mountain slopes that reach up to the area of perpetual snow.

 

The modern history of Sikkim begins from 1642 A.D. with the coronation of Phuntsog Namgyal as the first Chogyal or king of Sikkim in a tranquil pine covered hill in Yuksom Norbugang in West Sikkim.The Namgyals were scions of the Mi-nyak House in Kham in Eastern Tibet. It is said that there were three brothers, chiefs of Kham Mi-nyak. A letter dropped from heaven directed the middle brother to go south towards Sikkim where his descendents were fated to rule. It was in Sakya that his eldest son single-handedly raised the pillars of the Sakya monastery and earned himself the sobriquet of ‘Khye Bumsa’( the strength of a lakh of men). Khye Bumsa also earned himself the hand of the daughter of the Sakya hierarch and settled in Chumbi Valley, which remained, for a long time, the epicenter of the later kingdom of Sikkim.

 

Bottled Water and Drinks: Every day 1000 ml of bottled water is provided by your Odyssey Manager throughout your stay.  We request all our guests to use bottled water especially when brushing teeth to make sure they stay healthy during their stay in India.  Beside bottled water all other drinks provided includes all the drinks provided during breakfast at your hotel.  Extra soft or hard drinks, bottled water ordered in Restaurants or at your hotel are not included in the cost and need to be paid by the guest.  

 

 

I T I N E R A R Y

 

Day 01: SINGAPORE KOLKATA (Meals on board)

Set your watch back 2hr 30min to Indian time. Welcome to Kolkata, India. Meet & greet by the local representative. Check in hotel.

Day 02: KOLKATA BAGDOGRA DARJEELING (4-hr drive) (BLD)

After breakfast, transfer to airport for your domestic flight to Bagdogra. Our tour guide will meet and welcome you at the airport and then transfer you on a journey drive through picturesque tea gardens to the world renowned hill station, Darjeeling. Perched on an altitude of 2134m, Darjeeling is set amidst a majestic backdrop of the great Himalayan peak of Kanchenjunga (3rd highest peak in the world at 8586m) and is regarded as the Queen of East India. After dinner, free at leisure to visit the local bazaar.

Day 03: DARJEELING (BLD)

Depart hotel at about 4am for Tiger Hill (2585m) for sun rising view and a panoramic view of the spectacular snow-clad mountain peaks of the Himalayan Range. After which, back to hotel for your breakfast and then visit the Himalayan Zoological Park. The zoo serves as a breeding center for snow leopards and red pandas, as well as a home for mountain yaks, Himalayan black bears and Siberian Tigers. Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, located within this zoo, which was founded in 1954 to commemorate history's first successful conquest of Mt. Everest in 1953 by 'Darjeeling's son', Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. Then after, visit to the Ghoom Monastery, built in 1850 by Lama Sharb, which enshrines a 15ft. Statue of Maitreya Buddha. Then proceed to Tibetan Refugee Center.

 

Day 04: DARJEELING YOKSUM (4-hr drive) (BLD)

 After breakfast drive to Yoksum  visiting Tashiding Gompa on the way ,perched on top of the hill rising between the Rathong River and the Rangit River, it provides breathtaking views of the scenery below. Tashiding Gompa of India dates back to the year 1717, which coincided with reign of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal. It is located on the site blessed by the great Guru Padmasambhava.  After check in hotel in Yuksom fresh up and visiting coronation Throne. Norbugang, where first king of Sikkim (Phuntshok Namgyal) was coronated and also visiting Karthok lake.  Overnight in yuksom.

 

Day 05: DAY TREK (BLD)

 After break fast carrying pack lunch and trekking to Dubdi Monastry which is oldest monastry of Sikkim built in 1701 by chempa chenpo.and trekking further to Chung village where you can get real taste of Sikkimese and Nepali tradition. Back to yuksom and overnight in yuksom.

 

Day 06: YOKSUM PELLING  KALUK (2 hr, drive)  (BLD)

Proceed to pelling visiting Khecheopari, means Wishing, Lake and drive to Pelling and visit Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest and important monasteries in Sikkim. Pamayantse Monastery and Rabdanste Ruins is situated less than a kilometer from Pelling. The monastery houses numerous religious idols and other objects of worship, most of which are priceless because of their antiquity.   Pelling is indeed a nice place away from the hustle, bustle and noise. Here, you can breathtaking view of Mt Kanchenjunga in the clear day. Rabdanste Ruins are now being preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and have been declared as a monument.  After lunch drive to Kaluk, on the way visit Singsor Bridge (Second Highest Bridge and Highest Bridge in Sikkim).  On completion drive to Kaluk.

 

Day 07: Kaluk to Temi  tea Garden  (5-hr drive) (BLD)

Bid farewell to Kaluk and leave for Ravangla en route Samduptse Guru Padmasambhava standing at 135 feet and Char Dham where there is highest statue of Lard Shiva standing at 148 feet. Tucked away in the clouds Rock Garden after this drive to Temi tea garden

 

Day 08: Temi Valley Dunga trek (4   hrs drive)  (BLD)

After break fast we start our spectacular 4 hrs low altitude Temi Tea Valley from Damthang to Bhaley Dunga Temi Tea Gardens is the one and only tea garden in Sikkim produces top quality tea for the international market. The garden spread out on gentle hill slop provides panoramic views of the Himalayas.

Day 09: GANGTOK (3 hrs drive) GANGTOK (BLD)

After breakfast we drive to Gangtok the capital of Sikkim with a population of approximately 50,000  has emerged into the mainstream of the Tourism Industry, with more and more tourist visiting this little Himalayan state every year. Gangtok has developed into a cosmopolitan flavour where old-world charm and hospitality exist along with the Internet Age evening time free and easy walk around the market

Day 10: GANGTOK Tsamgo lake (2 -hr drive) (BLD)

After breakfast, drive to Tsomgo Lake, also means as The Source of the Lake (3,780m). Warm clothes needed for this place. The lake derives its water from melting snows off the surrounding mountains, which is one of the famous sacred lakes in Sikkim, situated near the borders of Tibet. Back to Gantok.  After lunch at your hotel transfer to Hotel. Afternoon relax and shop in the market.

Day 11: Gangtok

After breakfast drive to Tibetogy and then ride on ropeway to Namnam View point and meet our transport and proceed to visit Sikkim Flower Exhibition Centre, where a wide range of rare species of orchids display (Seasonal) an finally drive to visit Inchey monastery.  On completion drive back to the town for lunch.  After lunch drive to visit Rumtek monastery.  Evening return back to your hotel.

 

Day 12:  (3-hr drive) Gangtok  Kalimpong -hr drive) (BLD)

After breakfast, we leave for Kalimpong (1,780m). This drive will take about 4 hrs. On arrival, drive to Deolo Garden for some viewing of the far horizon of the Himalayas, the Tharpa Choling Monastery and one of the famous Pradhan Nurseries where great varieties of cactus, orchids and other exotic plants can be found here.

 

Day 13: Kalimpong local trek  (B/L/D)

After breakfast walk up to Durpin Hill is one of the two hills (the other being Deolo Hill) connected by a ridge on which the town of Kalimpong stands. The hill is 1,372 metres (4,501 feet) above mean sea level and is located south west of the town. The hill commands a panoramic view overlooking the town of Kalimpong, the snow clad Himalayan ranges of West Sikkim, the Teesta River and its valleys and the Jelepla Pass in the distance. A golf course is also present just off the summit.Atop the hill sits the Zang Dhok Palri Monastery which was consecrated by the Dalai Lamain 1976. The monastery holds in its reliquary 108 volumes of the Kangyur, as well as other holy books scrolls that were moved out of Tibet after the Chinese invasion. On completion drive back to the town for lunch.  Evening return back to your hotel.

 

Day 14: KALIMPONG BAGDOGRA (3-hr drive) Kolkarta (BLD)

After breakfast, we leave Bagdogra Airport for your domestic flight back to Kolkarta. On arrival, our Kolkarta representative will welcome you and make transfer to Pareshnath Jain Temple. The Jain religion is one of India’s three most important spiritual traditions that originated in India besides Hinduism and Buddhism. After lunch, free for your last-minute shopping.

 

Day 15: Saturday: Kolkarta SINGAPORE (BLD)

After breakfast, visit Kali Ghat Kali Temple and Victoria Memorial.  visit Indian Museum housing over sixty galleries of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Botany sections, spreading over ten thousand square feet area. Many rare specimens both Indian and Trans - Indian origin relating to Humanities and Natural Science are preserved and displayed in the galleries of these sections. In time transfer to airport to board on your scheduled flight Home.  

 

Hotels Enviaged:

Kolkata                         : Dee Empresa

Darjeeling                        : Hotel Seven Seventeen

Yoksum                                    : Hotel Tashigang

Kaluk                              : Rinchenpong Village Resorts

Temi  Tea Garden          :- Cherry resort

Gantok                          : Hotel Hidden Forest

Kalimpong                       : Hotel Park

 (( 3 Star Hotels can be arranged ))

Meals Included : 14 Breakfast, 14 Lunch and 14 Dinner

Transport         : Mahendra Xylo / Toyota Innova / Choverlet Tavera / Mahendra Scorpio

Please note that we make sure every guest have window seat, so we do not provide any MPV for more than 5 persons in each transport. 

 

Cost Includes:

1.          Airport transfers and all transport costs in chartered transport from airport to airport including transport for all sightseeing as indicated in itinerary. 

2.          Accommodation in Hotels as indicated in the itinerary with all meals.

3.          Assistance to get permit at Sikkim Border and to visit Lachung.

4.          English speaking Guide.

 

PRICE - to be advised.

MIN GROUP SIZE - 4

 

Olevia Cheong

(65) 8112 8393