 Day 01 :
On reaching Bagdogra / NJP, you will be received by naturebeyond.
Bagdogra / NJP to Darjeeling is a three hour drive uphill through
tea gardens and small towns. We will occasionally meet the famous
Darjeeling toy train, huffing and puffing across our road. Overnight at Darjeeling
Day 02 :
Early morning visit to Tiger Hill for fabulous sunrise views of Mt.
Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world at 28,156 ft.
Mt. Everest and a host of other Himalayan giants are also seen on
the horizon.On our drive back to the hotel we will
stop at Ghoom, a Tibetan-Buddhist monastery. After breakfast we
shall visit the old botanical gardens to see their collection of
rare orchids and other plants. After lunch visit the Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute, the Tibetan Refugee Camp and the local market. Overnight
at Darjeeling.
Day 03 : Darjeeling : Happy Valley tea garden
This is one of the best tea gardens producing the famous Darjeeling
tea. We will spend the morning around the tea garden and return
back to hotel for lunch. After lunch we will visit the Jalapahar
area of Darjeeling including the Budhist monastery that is located
at the top of the hill. Overnight at Darjeeling
 Day 04 : Darjeeling - Kalimpong
This day we take the route via Mongpoo which is known for its unique
Cinchona plantation where the factory produces Quinine, the medicine
for malaria. This place became famous during the time of the British
raj. At that time there was a dense forest and it had become a paradise
for botanical students. Here we visit the plantation. Overnight at Kalimpong
Day 05 : Kalimpong
A hill station in the days of the British raj, this charming town
is two and half hours drive by road from Darjeeling. Before the Chinese took over Tibet it was the center of India's
wool and silk trade with that country, with Tibetan caravans wending
their way down from the Tibetan plateau to trade wool for manufactured
goods. Today Kalimpong is a holiday resort
for its fabulous mountain views, bird watching, and walks in the
hills. It has become a center for orchid and cactus nurseries, and
exports these plants to different parts of the world. Here we visit
several nurseries. We will also visit delo top and Durpin top at
Kalimpong during the day. Overnight at Kalimpong
Day 06 : Kalimpong : Loleygaon Orchid Sanctuary
This is only two hours drive from Kalimpong and the government has
preserved this area because of its rare orchids. This day we will
carry a packed lunch and spend some time exploring the beautiful
hilly country side in search of wild orchids. We will also visit
Dentam fort, Rikisum and the eco-tourism village at Pedong before returning to Kalimpong in the afternoon to see the local
handicrafts and the busy marketplace. Overnight at Kalimpong
Day 07 : Kalimpong - Pemayangste
Today we will enter sikkim. The drive is truly a naturalist's delight.
The hillsides and mountain slopes of Sikkim are strewn with bright
patches of myriad colors. The lower mountain slopes are abundant
with lush green bamboo and ferns. The northern valleys are draped
with wild cherry, oaks, chestnut, pines as well as magnolia variety's
called Magnolia Campbeli and Michelia Doltsopa. The higher altitudes
are abloom with 46 species of Rhododendrons. And of course, Sikkim's
600 variety's of orchid are everywhere. This day our 05 hour drive
is interesting as we move upstream along the river Rangit through
dense forests of sal and teak. Overnight we stay at Pelling.
 Day 08 : Pelling to Yuksom via Kecheoplari
lake Early morning after having our breakfast we walk to the Pemayangste
monastery which is only a km from the hotel. Here we hear the chanting
of morning prayers by the young and old monks and the smell of the
burning Juniferous Squamata and Rhododendron Nivele. Pemayangste, also known as the "Perfect
Sublime Lotus", is one of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim
and belongs to the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhists. After visiting
this monastery we will drive towards Kecheopalri Lake. After a walk
around this "wishing lake", a short trek downhill towards
Yuksum. We will see some common wild orchids like the Dendrobium.
This night we will be staying at Yuksom.
Day 9 : Yuksom
The original capital of Sikkim, the tiny hill town of Yuksum is
the base for treks and climbing expeditions to Mount Kanchenjunga
and other important peaks. This day we walk to the coronation throne,
Dubdi Monastery and the nearby jungles to see wild orchids like
the Coelogyne and Dendrobium, as well as the indigenous flora of
Sikkim. Overnight at Yuksom
Day 10 : Yuksom - Gangtok
The 5 hour drive from Yuksum to Gangtok passes lush green fields the
famous large Sikkimese Cardamoms as well as Golden Rice.
 Day 11 : Gangtok
Perched atop a ridge at a height of 1520 m. Lies Gangtok , a quaint,
colourful town. This small modernized town is the capital of Sikkim.
Here we visit the famous monastery of Rumtek which is the head quarters
of the Kagyu sect. Later, we visit the Institute of Tibetology which
has a collection of almost 30,000 volumes on diverse subjects like
astrology, philosophy, magic and religion. After lunch we visit
the Orchid Sanctuary which has over 200 species of temperate and
intermediate orchids on beautifully landscaped grounds. Our next
stop is the Epica gardens which has large collection of indigenous
plants of Sikkim. Overnight at Gangtok
Day 12 : Gangtok to Lachung (2679 m)
122 kms and 6 hours drive. This area was recently opened to foreign
visitors. We will be seeing the breathtaking landscapes of the northern
part of Sikkim. Our drive takes us through lush green
bamboo thickets intermingled with tropical flora and we arrive at
the historical place of "Kabi Logstok" where the Lepchas
and Bhutias had their brotherhood treaty.
Later we pass scattered villages and terraced paddy fields. A few
kilometers before reaching Mangan (the district capital of north
Sikkim), we will cross the Ranga Rang bridge which is said to be
one of the highest bridges in Asia. After Mangan the landscapes
turn even more interesting as we encounter magnificent water falls
cascading down steep mountain walls. Overnight at Lachung.
 Day 13 : Lachung - Yumthang (3658 m)
24 km 2 hr drive. This day we visit Shingba Rhododendron sanctuary
set at 12000 ft. Here we find different varieties of Rhododendrons
like the Triflorum, Hodgsonii, Dalhousie, Cilatum, Cinnbarinum,
Campanulatum etc. Besides this we find several pine families like
the Cedrus Deodara, Abies Spectabilis, Tsuga Dumosa, Pinus Wallichiana
etc. Of course, the sanctuary is also very rich with alpine flowers
like Rheum Nobile, Rheum Australe etc. Yumthang is also rich is
sulphur and even the kings of Sikkim have made their own bathing
huts. The air starts to get cooler as you enter the valley, with
towering peaks closing in from all sides. From this point Tibet
is only 25 kms as the crow flies. Evening return back to our lodge
in Lachung.
Day 14 : Lachung - Lachen
48 km 3 hr drive. This day we visit Lachen. This is famous for it's
monastery built in the early 1800 century and also for the wide open
valley. Overnight at Lachen
Day 15 : Visit to Chopta valley.
The valley is located at an altitude of about 4140 mt. The place has
been opened for tourists only during 2003. On the way visit to Thangu
(3970 mt). A small village close to indo Tibetan boarder. The beauty
of the place is only to be seen to be believed. As you move towards
Chopta valley the landscape changes from deep jungles to pine forests
then to rhododendron bushes and ultimately you will find only rocky
mountains at an altitude of more than 4,000 mts. A variety of high
altitude animals can be seen including bharal, beer, fox etc. Overnight at Lachen
 Day 16 : Lachung / Gangtok
After breakfast visit Lachung monastery before commencing the return
drive. Lachung is famous for Apple, and October and November are lively
months when the apples are harvested and sent to Gangtok.
On our return drive we will make stop
at different places and take short hikes to explore the country
side. We will have a picnic lunch at Singhik, famous for its clear
and unobstructed views of Kanchenjunga and its neighboring peaks. Overnight at Gangtok
Day 17 : Gangtok / Tsongo
Full day excursion to Tsongu lake (12000 ft) and the Kyongnosla
Alpine Sanctuary. Changu Primula Preservation Plot contains plants
on the verge of extinction that have been brought from various part
of Sikkim. Here we can find Primula varieties like Primula Rotundiifolia,
P. Sikkimensis, P. Macrophylla, P. Wigramiana, P. Stuartii, P. Irregularis,
etc. Tsangu lake (Changu) was also opened to foreign visitors very
recently. It falls on the Nathula pass highway which was one of
the old trade routes to Tibet and which has recently been opened
again for sino-indian trade. Overnight at Gangtok
Day 18 : Gangtok
Free day. This day we can see the local market and shop for local
handicraft. Evening we can arrange a cultural program by local tribes
such as the Bhutias, Lepchas and Nepalese (only for groups larger
than 6 heads this can be arranged). We sample Sikkimese cooking after
the program. Overnight at Gangtok
Day 19 : Gangtok - Bagdogra
The 5 hours drive from Gangtok to Bagdogra follows the Teesta river
and we will be making stops to see the low altitude Himalayan flora.
Tour concludes at Bagdogra. |
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Duration : 18 days