> DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Delhi Arrival
As soon as you land at Delhi airport, our staff will be at your warm reception to escort you to your hotel. After getting thoroughly briefed about the travel plan, you can make all the apt travel preparations accordingly. You get to have free time to indulge in any kind of activities of your choice.

Day 2: Delhi – Darjeeling
You have to take an early morning flight from Delhi to Baghdogra airport. From the airport, our staff will escort you to your hotel in Darjeeling. You will find this 3-hour drive amidst the panoramic Himalayn horizon completely mind boggling.

3: Darjeeling
Darjeeling sightseeing tour starts immediately after breakfast. Nestled at an altitude of 2134 m in the Northern West Bengal India, Darjeeling prides on its world’s best tea gardens lying spread across an area of 11.44 sq. kms. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is another most sought after travel destination. It makes an interesting sight to observe this railway still using steam engine. On driving 15 km away from Darjeeling town, Tiger Hill awaits you with a breathtaking view of Himalayan range, especially that of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga range. You can even catch a magnificent view of Darjeeling from the Observatory Hill. This hill is regarded very sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. At a distance of 5 km from the town, Batasia Loop displays its awe-inspiring engineering work. History unveils as you visit the War memorial constructed in the fondest memory of the martyrs. Yiga Cholling Monastery, Samten Cholling Monastery, Drukpa Kargyud Monastery and Bhutia Busty Monastery enlighten you on the religious belief of local people. Japanese Peace Pagoda is yet another magnificent sight that boasts mesmerizing vistas and unique cultural history. You even get to visit Dhirdham Temple, a structural replica of Pashupatinath temple of Nepal and feel the religious harmony in the town. A leisurely walk around the Mall is an ideal way of exploring the lifestyle of localities. Visit to Natural History Museum, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Himalayan Zoological Park, Snow Leopard Breeding Centre and Lloyds Botanical Garden can be equally fascinating for ardent adventurers and nature lovers. Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway situated at North Point is the most dotted site. Your guide will also take you to popular handicraft centers and Ava Art Gallery to you a glimpse of authentic Darjeeling arts and craft before heading back to your hotel.

Day 4: Darjeeling – Sikkim
You will take an early morning 4 hours scenic drive from Darjeeling to Sikkim shortly after breakfast. Our staff accompanies you to your hotel.

Day 5: Sikkim
In the morning after breakfast, your experienced guide takes you to the major sightseeing sites. The tour begins with a visit to 200 years old Enchey Gompa which enlightens you on the religious belief of local people. If you travel to this part in January, you will get to witness two-day religious masked dance. You can visit famous flower Show Hall, Saramsa Garden and Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden to observe the beautiful plant species that are endemic to Sikkim. Sightseeing tour gets more spiritually rejuvenating as you head towards Do-Drul Chorten which was built in 1945 and epitomizes Tibetan Buddhism. Several mandalas, holy scriptures and other religious items can be spotted. The best way to learn more about blooming cottage industries of Sikkim is by visiting reputed handloom and handicraft center. Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology, formerly known as the Namgyal institute of Tibetology, is the most popular institute for learning Buddhist philosophy and religion. Upon visiting this institute, you get to see ancient Tibetan literatures, paintings, paintings, thangkas, statues and many other rare objects of unique significance. Another major religious site is Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, situated 24 kms away from Gangtok. Water Garden is the most preferred picnic spot for Sikkim people. Set amidst a panoramic view, Tsomgo Lake is coupled with both exquisite beauty and religious significance. Nathaula is another equally interesting site to explore. If you wish to capture a perfect view of Mt. Kanchandzonga and towering hills, Tashi view point lying 4 km from Gangtok town offers an ideal vantage point for this. There is a famous temple of Ganesh called Ganesh Tok on Gangtok-Nathula Road. 5 kms away from Gangtok town Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre, a Tibetan refugee monastic institution established in 1961, houses unique cultural richness of Tibetan Buddhism.

Day 6: Sikkim – Kalimpong
Soon after breakfast, you will be driven to Kalimpong for three blissful hours to your hotel. Along this drive, you can feast on the magnificent scenery of gladioli, orchids and hills. Nestled at an altitude of 1,247 m, Kalimpong is a beaulitful hill station situated in the Shiwalik Hills in the Indian state of West Bengal and is widely acclaimed as an ecological hotspot.

Day 7: Kalimpong
Kalimpong sightseeing tour begins after breakfast. On walking for 40 minutes from the main town, Tharpa Choeling Gompa stands before you with its pristine religious significance. Other Gompas like Tongsa Gompa and Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa are equally sacred for Buddhists. You get to visit leading flower nurseries and observe flora and fauna. 80% of gladioli comes from Kalimpong in India. Production of gladioli and orchid has hugely contributed in the economic growth of Kalimpong. Shri Mangal Dham, a religious site, gives you unique insight into Hinduism. You can visit Dr. Graham’s Home and bask in the splendor of its architectural beauty and natural vistas.
Visit to Golf course near the Durpin Dara Monastery makes an adventurous experience. The nine-hole golf course situated at Senchal is regarded one of the highest in the world. You can visit Sericulture Research Institute to observe the breeding of silkworms and production of silk and other herbs. Visits to Nature Interpretation Centre can be equally educational. During the trip
Indigenous ethnic groups include the Lepchas, Bhutias, Sherpas, Rais, Yamloos, Damais, Kamais and the Limbus.
Bengalis, Marwaris, Anglo-Indian, Chinese, Biharis and Tibetans

Day 8: Kalimpong – Delhi
Early in the morning after breakfast, you will be escorted back to Bagdogra airport to board a flight to Delhi. On reaching Delhi, you get to enjoy the ambience and hospitality of your hotel.

Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, you will be driven to Delhi airport to board a flight back to your home town.

Contact us at enquiry@explorehimalaya.com for more information