On arrival at Kolkata, you will be met by our representative at airport and transfer to hotel (Hotel Check in time is 1400hrs). Depending on your flight, your accommodation will be booked. Kolkata (earlier called Calcutta) is the cultural capital of India and also known as “City Of Joy”. Till the 17th century, Kolkata was nothing more than a village. But, today it is one of the major metropolitan cities of India along with Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. The credit for its present status goes to the expansion plans of the European powers, especially the British Raj. Kolkata was once the capital city of British India and also the Gateway to India till 1912.
overnight at hotel
After breakfast proceed for full day guided city tour visiting Dalhousie Square (covering St John’s Church, High Court, Governor House, General Post Office and Writer’s Building), Kumartuli (Potter’s Colony cum Statuary), Jain Temple, Indian Museum (Closed on Mondays), Victoria Memorial (Closed on Monday), St Paul’s Cathedrals and Mother Teresa’s House (Closed on Thursday).
Overnight at the hotel
After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport to board your flight to Bagdogra. Assistance on arrival at Bagdogra Airport 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
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.
Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to enjoy toy train ride. The spectacular landscape unfolds as the 2-foot gauge Darjeeling Himalayan railway, opened in 1881, labours at about 10 mph criss-crossing the road. It has tiny 4-wheel locomotives (some over 100 years old) like living legends. One can experience the sound, smell and romance of a bygone era. DHR is a work of genius and technological achievement of 1881.
Later visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursday).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, also visit Himalayan Zoological Park (closed on Thursday) where one can see Himalayan animals like Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black Bear and several varieties of birds. Then onwards to Tibetan Self- Helf Centre Or Refugee Centre:- (closed on Sunday).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.
Overnight at hotel
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pelling.Located at a distance of 120 kms from Gangtok Pelling is another serene, mountain village which lies in the western districts of Sikkim. This village is situated at an altitude of 2000 mts(approx) and the distance from this village to the mount Kanchandzonga, as a crow flies…is 26 kms approx.
Overnight at the hotel
Morning visit PEMEYANGSTE MONASTERY.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. 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. Farther afield are the Changay Falls.
Overnight at hotel
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to 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 Rumtek Monastery Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology Handloom And Handicrafts resting ground for people traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a traveller’s delight.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and full day city tour of Gangtok including excursion to 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.
Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology: - (closed on Sundays), 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.
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: - (closed on Sundays) 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.
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to 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.
Afternoon city tour of Kalimpong.Flower Nurseries: The climate of Kalimpong is ideal for the cultivation of flowers and plants. 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.
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.
After breakfast check-out from the hotel. You will be picked up our representative and transfer to airport to board your flight to Kolkata and connect to your onward flight back home.
Duration : 9 Nights 10 Days
Destinations covered : KOLKATA - BAGDOGRA – DARJEELING - PELLING - GANGTOK - KALIMPONG
