India’s first organic state, a storehouse of Buddhist monasteries, exotic Himalayan wildlife and above all the temporary home of Buddhist guru Padmasambhava, Sikkim doesn’t need any introduction and the word ‘epic’ barely does justice. Enjoy a great opportunity to get an introduction to Sikkim that fuses the remarkable beauty of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Pelling, Gangtok, Lachen, and Lachung with Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, and Yumthang Valley. Offered by India Holiday Tours, this Grandeur of Eastern India trip offers a plenty of time to examine the unique monasteries, rolling mountains and ponder over the majestic wonders of West Bengal and Sikkim’s most unusual locations.
Start your journey from Kalimpong and head east through series of tea plantations to Darjeeling, allowing a glimpse of its natural bounty. Onwards and further, head to Pelling, here you will indulge in little sightseeing. Next day, head to Gangtok but before that, you will enjoy a short stopover at the Namchi to see Temi Tea Garden, Samdruptse and Siddheshwar Dham (Chardham). When in Gangtok, you will pay a visit to the Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir. Once the sightseeing in Gangtok is done, you will go to Lachen and further to Chopta Valley and Gurudongmar Lake. From Lachen, follow the hills, which will take you to Lachung. Conclude your tour in Gangtok via the Yumthang valley on the eleventh day. See below for detailed itinerary.
Itinerary
Day 1
NJP Rly Stn / IXB Airport – Kalimpong (About 75 km / 3 hrs)
- Arrival Transfer
- Sightseeing tour
- Lunch
- Dinner
Other Benfits (On Arrival)
- Breakfast
- Transfers
- Stay Included
On arrival at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport, meet the Grandeur of Eastern India tour guide, who assists you while you take a transfer to Kalimpong. The movement, view of mountain and Teesta river starts getting clear; you will realize that you are quite close to Kalimpong. On arrival in Kalimpong, you will be transferred to a hotel. The evening will be free for leisure; you can either go for a nature walk or shop at the local market to buy Tibetan handicrafts, woollen garments, and copper and silverware. Stay and dinner at the hotel.
Day 2
Kalimpong Sightseeing – Darjeeling (57 km / 3 hrs)
Post a leisurely breakfast, in the first half; you will go for the city sightseeing from Grandeur of Eastern India tour. Today, you will be covering the prime attractions like Mangal Dham, Deolo Hill, Dr. Graham’s Home, Golf Garden, Durpin Dara Hills and Flowers Nurseries. Nature lovers should visit the flower nursery as here one can see 200-odd species of orchids. Kalimpong is a major flower exporter and produces about 80% of India’s gladioli and several orchid varieties. After the sightseeing tour, you will drop down to some restaurant for lunch. Post lunch, you will drive to Darjeeling, which is 57 km from Kalimpong. On arrival in Darjeeling, you will be transferred to a hotel for overnight stay and dinner. The evening will be free for leisure. Also, you can indulge in short trekking, paragliding, birding, camping and rural tours.
Day 3
Darjeeling Sightseeing
Get up early in the morning and visit the Tiger Hill to chase the dawn. At the tiger hill, the highest point of Darjeeling, one can see the spectacular 250km stretch of Himalayan horizon, including Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8501m) and Makalu (8475m) to the far west, rise early and jeep out to Tiger Hill (2590m). But what dominates the skyline is the view of Khangchendzonga, third largest peak in the work. After enjoying the breathtaking sunset, head back to Darjeeling hotel. En route, visit Ghoom Monastery, War Memorial and Batasia Loop. On reaching the hotel, have your breakfast and go for the next round of sightseeing. Today, you will visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, P.N. Zoological Park, Tenzing Rock, Tibetan Refugee self-help Centre, Tea Garden, Ropeway and Japanese Temple.
To explore the real beauty of Darjeeling, you must visit the tea estates and enjoy the cable ride. Once you’re done with the sightseeing tour, head back to the hotel and enjoy a stroll around the mall road in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4
Darjeeling – Pelling (80 Kms / 4 hrs)
Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at the Darjeeling hotel and then drive for 80 km to reach Pelling. To ease the bumpy ride, one should enjoy a short break at Singhik viewpoint, from where you can enjoy the dazzling view of mighty Khangchendzonga. Upon arrival in Pelling hotel, you will be transferred to a hotel for overnight stay and dinner.
Day 5
Pelling Sightseeing
Post breakfast, you will go for a sightseeing tour in Pelling. First, you will visit the Darap Village, where you can meet and greet people of Limbo community. Next stop will be Khecheopalri Lake, which is one of the largest and biggest lakes in Sikkim. Most amusing part of the lake is that it remains clean, without even a leaf on its surface, although it is surrounded by lush green forest. Locals say that even if the leave falls on its surface, the birds pick it up immediately. Also in the first half, you will visit the Rimbi Water Falls and Khangchendzongha waterfalls. While in the second half of the day, first you will visit the Pemayangtse Monastery. One of the oldest monasteries in India, Pemayangtse Monastery, houses many sculptures, idols, and paintings. Also, you will visit the Rabdantse Ruins and New Helipad Ground. Stay and dinner at the Pelling hotel.
Day 6
Pelling – Gangtok (150 km / 5 hrs) via Chardham
Today, after breakfast, you will drive to Gangtok, which is 150 km from Pelling. During the Grandeur of Eastern India journey, you will enjoy a stopover at Namchi and visit its prime attractions like Temi Tea Garden, Samdruptse & Siddheshwar Dham (Chardham). At the Temi Tea Garden, you can see the production of tea and indulge tea tasting session too. Then you will visit the Siddheshwar Dham (Chardham) where you can see a replica of all the 12 Jyotirlingas and four Dhams and 108 feet high statue of Lord Shiva. Also, you will see the tallest statue of Padmasambhava in India at the Samdruptse Hill. After this short sightseeing tour, continue your ride to Gangtok. Upon arrival at Gangtok, check in the hotel for overnight stay and dinner.
Day 7
Excursion to Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir
In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, go for the city sightseeing from Grandeur of Eastern India tour. First, you will visit the sacred Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft.). According to one of the locals, it is supposed that in ancient times, Buddhist monks study the colour of lake’s water to predict the future. Afterwards, you will visit Baba Mandir, which is approximately 55 km from Gangtok. Baba Mandir in made in the honours of Harbhajan Singh (also revered as the Hero of Nathula) was an Indian Army soldier who died in 1968 near the Nathu La. Later continue to drive to Gangtok hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8
Gangtok – Lachen (107 km / 6 hrs)
After breakfast check out from the hotel with limited luggage and proceed to Lachen (8,500 ft.), North Sikkim. On the way take a break for some beautiful spots which are worth seeing and visiting like Naga Waterfall, The Confluence of Lachen Chu (River) & Lachung Chu (River) at Chungthang and Bhim Nala Waterfall. On arrival at Lachen check into your hotel. Dinner & Overnight stay at Lachen.
Day 9
Lachen – Chopta Valley – Gurudongmar Lake- Lachen
Kick-start another day with a healthy meal; you will drive to Chopta Valley (13,200 ft.) & Gurudongmar Lake (17,100 ft.), which will take approximately four hours. During the journey, the view is exciting, and the view of sun rays highlighting the mountains is splendid. Chopta Valley will be the first stopover of the day. After the sightseeing tour, drive to Lachung, a major tourists hub in North India.
Next stopover will be at Gurudongmar Lake, which is believed to be approached by Guru Padmasambhava. The water of lake never freezes in an extreme situation as locals believe that Guru Padmasambhava touched a portion of the lake, since then, that part of the lake does not freeze even in severe winter. From then, the water of the lake is regarded as sacred. Dinner and overnight stay at Lachen.
Day 10
Lachen – Lachung (45 km / 2 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Lachung (8,700 ft.). Arrive at Lachung & Check in at your hotel. Dinner & overnight stay at Lachung.
Day 11
Lachung – Yumthang Valley Excursion – Gangtok
Next day, start with an early morning breakfast and drive to Yumthang Valley. The one hour drive to beautiful Yumthang crosses through the famous hot spring known for its curative properties of skin diseases. The movement you will step in the vicinity of the valley, you will be thrilled to see the riots of colours. The pastures of tall wildflowers are a glorious sight on a sunny day. Yumthang Valley is home to Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, which has over 24 species of the state flower rhododendron. After completion of the sightseeing tour, get down to the Gangtok hotel for overnight stay and dinner.
Day 12
Gangtok – NJP Rly Station / IXB Airport (120 km / 5 hrs)
After a lavish rest, get up in Morning for breakfast. After concluding your meal, pack your bags as your ride awaits. Get your ride back to Siliguri / New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) / Bagdogra Airport (IXB). Return home with cherished memories of North Sikkim tour.
Tour and Services ends
Inclusions
- Accommodation
- Transfer
- Meals
- Sightseeing