Day
1 - We receive you on arrival at Bagdogra Airport
/ NJP Station (We would wait for you at the main Exit with
your name placard) and help you board the car.
Your tour will start with a drive to Kalimpong
Via Tista Bazaar - 70kms in 2.5hrs. The journey to Kalimpong
has different characters as it first runs through the dense
forests of Mahananda Sanctuary giving you an opportunity to
see wild elephant and deer on the way. Stop a while at Sevok
just at the base of the hills to see the gorgeous view of
Tista River as it comes out from the deep gorge of the Himalayas
and spreads itself in the vast plains of North Bengal. Now
onwards you drive all along the beautiful emerald green River
Tista Till Chitrey. Form here the road takes sharp right turn
widening the view of the valleys as you climb further up towards
Kalimpong.
Kalimpong
- a little town and sub division head quarter at an altitude
of 4100ft (1250M) in the lower Himalayas, is famous for
its mild climate, scenic landscape doted with old colonial
buildings, magnificent view of Kanchenjunga and rare orchids.
Check in at Hotel.
After some rest we take you to ZANG DHOK
PALRI PHODANG MONASTERY, the largest and most beautiful Monastery
in Kalimpong established in 1976 by his holiness Dalai Lama.
The monastery belongs to the Yellow Hat Sect of Buddhism.
Also visit DURPIN DARA VIEW POINT close to the monastery.
Situated at a height of 4500ft (1380M) the place commands
a beautiful panoramic view of Kanchenjunga peak and other
prominent peaks of Himalayas along with the River valleys
flowing below through hills and forests. Return to your hotel
in a approximately 2 hours time. Rest of the day at your disposal.
You may take a walk down to the KALIMPONG BAZAAR - popular
place for shopping traditional handicraft items like hand
woven woolen garments, wooden masks, Tibetan paintings and
many other attractive souvenirs. (Overnight Kalimpong)
Day 2 – Today you
will visit Delo view point before moving on to Gangtok.
After light refreshment we take you to famous DELO VIEW POINT
at 5500ft (1650M), the
highest point of Kalimpong town having a very picturesque
view of the high snow mountains and the Tista River Valley.
On our way back we take you to the historical Dr. GRAHAM'S
HOMES, the house of Dr. J A Graham, one of the earliest Scottish
Missionaries, who established an orphanage and a farm house
in 1900. The Chapel at the house is a glorious example of
old European architecture. Back to hotel and after a short
break check out from Hotel.
Kalimpong to Gangtok Via Chitrey is 90kms in 3hrs drive. The
journey runs through the beautiful river valley of Tista.
We recommend white water rafting at Tista river (Melli to
27th Mile for 1.5 hrs) on your way. Stop on the way to take
some photographs of the scenic landscape. At Rongpo we enter
Sikkim and proceed to Gangtok along the winding roads. Gangtok,
the capital town of Sikkim, the erstwhile Himalayan kingdom
welcomes you with its typical traditional hospitality.
We assist you to check in at hotel. Get
refreshed and have free leisure evening. We recommend a relaxed
evening with short walk around the MG Road to enjoy the typical
hill city life of Gangtok in the twilights. (Overnight
Gangtok)
Day
3 – You will spend the day in local sight seeing
around Gangtok town. After breakfast we take you to city tour.
Visit GOVERNMENT INSTITUTE OF COTTAGE INDUSTRY (Closed on
Sunday, 2nd Saturday) where beautiful souvenirs like carpets,
hand carved tables (choktses), traditional handcrafts, furniture,
hand looms carpets and other products are produced & exhibited
for sale. VISIT ORCHID HOUSE to see or buy some rare orchids
and ornamental plants. We also take you to SIKKIM RESEARCH
INSTITUTE OF TIBETOLOGY, which holds world's largest collection
of books and rare manuscripts on the subject of Mahayana Buddhism
plus many religious works of art and incredibly finely executed
silk embroidered Thangkas (paintings). Just beside the institute
is the DODURL CHORTEN encircled by 108 prayer wheels built
by late Trulsi Rimpoche in 1945-46. This is one of the most
important and biggest stupas in Sikkim.
Next
we will take teh honeymoon couple to the most important religious
place of Sikkim - THE RUMTEK DHARMA CHAKRA CENTER, 24kms from
Gangtok. Built in 1960 by His Holiness the late 16th Gyalwa
Karmapa it is a replica of the original Kagyurpa Monastery
in Tsurphu, Tibet, the seat of His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa
Rinpoche, head of the Karmapa sub sect of Kargyudpa order
of Tibetan Buddhism. It now functions as the headquarters
of the Dharma Chakra Religious Centre. Walk to the Shri Nalanda
Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies just adjacent to the
Monastery Building.
While coming back from Rumtek visit JAWAHARLAL
NEHRU BOTANICAL GARDEN to see the collection of well tended
tropical and temperate plants and orchids. Stop for a while
at the SHANTI VIEW POINT to enjoy the panoramic view of the
Gangtok valley. Back to Hotel for lunch. Car Service Duration
3hrs. (Overnight Gangtok)
Day
4 – Gangtok to Tsongo
Lake 42kms in 2.5hrs (One way)
After heavy breakfast we take you to famous
Tsongo Lake at 12000ft (3600M). We start at 8.30 AM in the
morning from hotel. You have whole day to enjoy snow and Yak
ride at the scenic high altitude alpine lake near Indo-Tibet
border. The 1 km long and 15m deep lake is considered sacred
to the local people. The pristine clear water remains frozen
during winter. Have fun with snow and enjoy exciting Yak ride
around the lake.
Drive further to the legendary Babamandir
10kms from Tsongo Lake on the way to Nathu-la - Jelepla pass
at an altitude of over 13,000 feet. It was built in memory
of a soldier in the 23rd Punjab Regiment. Back to hotel in
the afternoon and have a leisure afternoon or roam around
the market for personal activities. (Overnight Gangtok)
Day
5 – Gangtok to Pelling
Via Jorthang - Legship 135 kms in 4hrs.
Today we drive to Pelling in West Sikkim.
The first phase of the journey rolls along the picturesque
valley of River Tista till Melli and then it runs along the
beautiful valley of Rangit till Legship. Take a refreshing
break at the view point near Melli and watch the magnificent
bird eye view of the confluence of both the rivers. From Legship
the road takes a steep turn through Geyzing. The view of the
entire surrounding widens as you proceed towards Pelling through
the clouds and forests. Stop a while on the way to enjoy the
scenic beauty and take some photographs. (Overnight
Pelling)
Day 6 – Pelling Full
Day Local Tour.
After breakfast we take you to the famous
and one of the most important monasteries in Sikkim- the PEMAYANGTSE
MONASTERY- the seat of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism
was originally a small Lhakhang built by Lhatsun Chempo in
the 17th Century. The monastery contains numerous antique
idols and objects of worship and is filled with wall paintings
and sculptures. The most astounding feature is a painted wooden
structure of Zantho Pelri – the heavenly palace of Guru
Rinpoche.
Now
we take you to legendary lake at KHECHEOPALRI
(25kms). The holy lake is surrounded by dense forests is believed
to have the power of wish fulfilling. Legend has it that the
birds pick up the leaves that float on the holy lake. It is
also a prominent place for the bird watchers. Visit KANCHENJUNGA
FALLS and RIMBI FALLS, two magnificent perennial waterfalls
on the way - the must see place for tourists. Back to Pelling.
After lunch we take you to DENTHAM VALLEY
about an hour drive from Pelling.
Visit TSANGEY FALLS and take some photographs of the gorgeous
falls. Also visit SINSORE BRIDGE - the highest bridge in Sikkim.
Back to Pelling in the afternoon and have a relaxed evening
watching at the Mighty Kanchenjunga from your Hotel. Car Service
Duration: 7hrs (Overnight Pelling)
Day 7 - Pelling to Darjeeling
via Tista Bazaar - 130kms in 4hrs.
After breakfast we proceed to Darjeeling.
The first phase of the journey passes through some fascinating
river valleys of River Rangit and River Tista. Take a refreshing
break at the view point near Melli and watch the magnificent
bird eye view of the confluence of both the rivers. Now we
proceed via Peshok. The view of the fascinating tea gardens
at Peshok with the Kanchenjunga snow range will demand you
to stop a while for a refreshing break. From Peshok the road
goes through the misty pine forests before you reach Darjeeling.
Darjeeling- the Queen of hills - greets
you with its grandeur: The great view of mountains and valleys
dotted with tea gardens and forests, and a blend of traditional
heritage and modern culture. This is one great place to end
your honeymoon tour.
We
assist you to check in at hotel. Get refreshed and have free
leisure evening. We recommend a relaxed evening with short
walk around the Mall to enjoy the Typical Hill life of Darjeeling
town.
Recommended: Free afternoon for roaming around the local market
for shopping and a leisure evening at the Mall. (Overnight
Darjeeling)
Day 8 - Early morning visit
to TIGER HILL at 8442ft above sea level to experience the
unforgettable sight of Sunrise over the snow peaks of Kanchenjunga.
The summit at Tiger Hill also commands a fine view of the
vast plains. On your way back from Tiger Hill visit GHOOM
MONASTERY - one of the oldest monasteries in Darjeeling and
also BATASIA LOOP - the picturesque garden and War Memorial
with the backdrop of snow ranges - on your way back to hotel.
Have your breakfast at the hotel and go
to the Darjeeling railway station for a Joy Ride on the heritage
train from Darjeeling to Ghoom and back to Darjeeling in 1.5hrs.
Ghoom is the highest rail station in India. The heritage toy
train runs on steam locomotive and snakes its way through
the zig zag trails along the road to Ghoom. It makes a round
to the picturesque Batasia Loop. Spend some time in photographing
in the landscape garden with the backdrop of Kanchenjunga.
The train now takes you to Ghoom Station and here you will
be taken to the Museum of the station. After a while you will
be taken back to Darjeeling after 1.5hrs of unforgettable
journey. Timing 9 AM to 11AM. Return to your hotel after the
joy ride for lunch.
Post
lunch we would take you to PADMAJA NAIDU ZOOLOGICAL PARK (CLOSED
ON THURSDAY) to see some rare collection of high altitude
Himalayan species like Snow leopard, clouded Leopard, Siberian
Tiger, Red Panda and many rare mammal and birds in the natural
surroundings. Visit HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINEERING INSTITUTE (CLOSED
ON THURSDAY) to see the priceless collection of mountaineering
gears used by legendary climbers in the Himalayas. After that
we take you to the TEA GARDEN on the undulating valleys for
viewing the scenic landscape with tea plucking and processing
(SEASONAL) then proceed to TENZING ROCK AND GOMBU ROCK for
some fun rock climbing activities. Now we take you to the
TIBETAN REFUGEE CENTER (CLOSED ON SUNDAY) and BHUTIA BASTI
to procure the traditional handicraft items made by the local
people. Visit AVA ART GALLERY that houses the unique art and
embroidery works of Mrs. Ava Devi. Back to Hotel. Car Service
Duration: 3Hrs (Overnight Darjeeling)
Day 9 – Darjeeling
to NJP / Bagdogra 90kms in 3hrs
We check out from Hotel after breakfast. Today your tour with
Naturebeyond concludes with your transfer to NJP Station or
Bagdogra Airport. We help you to board your train or flight
back home. Farewell and tour ends. |