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This week long trip to Sikkim and Darjeeling is one of the best trips in North east India. It combines the natural and cultural beauty of Sikkim and the age old appeal of Darjeeling as a hill destination will be the panoramic sites which surprises of all kind.
Pronounced as ‘Su-Khyim’ in local Lepcha language (the Lepchas are the original inhabitants of Sikkim) Sikkim a state located in northeast India. It shares border with China, Nepal and Bhutan. Sikkim is known as the garden of India because of its richness and abundance of floral diversity. It is believed that 25% of all the flowering plants of India are found in Sikkim. Sikkim is also home to Kanchenjunga (8586m), the world’s third highest peak. The climate ranges from subtropical to high alpine. Altogether 28 mountain peaks, more than 80 glaciers, 227 high-altitude lakes, five major hot springs, and more than 100 rivers and streams have been documented in Sikkim. Further a total of 5,000 species of flowering plants have been comprehended including 515 rare Orchids (Cymbidium), 60 Primulas (Primroses) species, 36 rhododendron species, and 16 conifer species, 362 types of ferns and ferns allies, and over 424 medicinal plants.
According to legends, the Buddhist guru Padmasambhava visited Sikkim in the 8th century AD, and introduced Buddhism. One of world’s largest statues of Guru Rimpoche is situated in Sikkim including many monasteries and dzongs. Developed as the summer capital by the British during their colony in India, Darjeeling is the tourist as well as educational center of India. The major group of inhabitants of Darjeeling is Nepalese, Tibetan, Bengali and other ethno-linguistic groups.
Visa & Permits for inflowing Sikkim vicinity
In addition to an Indian visa, foreigners must acquire inner line permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim, the permits can be obtained from all Indian missions, Tourism Office, New Delhi, Sikkim Tourism office, Calcutta and Sikkim Tourism Office, Siliguri on the potency of an Indian Visa.
Foreigners are issued a permit for preliminary period of 15 days duration on the spot without any delay provided photocopies of Passport and Visa details along with two passport photos of applicants are made available. It can be extended for further 30 days of 15 days each. The extension of permits can be obtained from FRO at Gangtok, Superintendent of Police of North, South and West Districts.
If you are visiting the interior regions, you also require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) OR Protected Area Permit (PAP) which is obtainable in Gangtok from the Police Check Post and Department of Tourism.
Note: This permit is issued to local government registered travel agents only.
These days Darjeeling is recognized as a town in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated at the elevation of 2,045m. Tea plantations are seen in abundance in Darjeeling which produces some of the world’s best teas. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a world heritage site, is another attraction for tourists visiting Darjeeling. The rail connects Darjeeling with the plains of West Bengal. Darjeeling also offers splendid scenery of Eastern Himalayan ranges including Mt. Kanchenjunga which is easily visible from famous tourist spot Tiger Hill.
Mirik is West Bengal's latest hill resort at an altitude of 1700m with its own special charm. Mirik has its meaning, the burnt hill and is derived from the term "Mi-Rek" being the Lepcha dialect meaning ‘the burning jungle’. It is located at 49 km from Darjeeling and 52 km from Siliguri. This hill resort is further beautified for having a magnificent lake fed by perennial streams. It is located between 26°47' North latitude and 26°55' North latitude 88°8' East longitude and 88°15' East longitude.
Its flora is significant from the scientific, cultural and utilitarian view points. It has a wide range of habitats which provide ecological diversity. It has both the combination of tropical and temperate elements. Very few urban areas in India can claim to have such a range of economically important plants of both indigenous and exotic origin as Mirik.
Sikkim’s capital city Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Ranka monastery, Chorten Monastery and Tibetology and Lachung are the must see destinations’ which can be explored with our Sikkim tour packages. Sikkim is a known destination which inspires the poets to write and the writers to frame their story, just with the rejuvenating breeze that soothes the soul. Live this experience of paradise with our Sikkim and Darjeeling tour packages. Be a part of a treasured travel story with us and relish our legacy to travel, explore and celebrate life.
Itinerary
Day 1
FLY KATHMANDU TO BHADRAPUR AND DRIVE TO DARJEELING
The flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur takes about 45 minutes. You will then take a drive from Bhadrapur to Kakarivitta (Eastern Border town of Nepal). After some custom formalities, drive to Darjeeling by jeep which takes about four and half hours.
Stay overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 2
FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING OF DARJEELING
Early morning visit to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise and also get the best view of the world's third highest mountain, Kanchenjunga and other peaks. On our way back we will visit Ghoom Monastery that is home to Maitreyee Buddha.
After breakfast proceed for a ride in the famous Darjeeling toy train for half an hour. We will further visit Botanical Gardens, Rock Garden, Observatory Hill, mountaineering institute to know the history and the equipment and used in the first conquest of Mt. Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norge. Then you will visit Zoological Park to see the Siberian Tigers, tea estates.
Stay overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 3
DRIVE TO GANGTOK (SIKKIM) VIA MIRIK
After morning breakfast, we will drive to Gangtok. We will spend the first few hours descend drive in between the beautiful landscape of various tea gardens like Ghoom, Sonada, Tung, Pokhriabong, Nagari, Turjam, Rambhang and many more. The centre of all attraction is Sumendu or Shamendu Lake, surrounded by a garden named Savitri Pushpaudyan (after Savitri Thapa, a martyr soldier of Indian National Army) on one side and pine trees on the other, linked together by an arching footbridge called Indreni Pool (named after Indreni Thapa, a martyr soldier of Indian National Army). A 3.5-km-long road encircles the lake and is used for walks with the view of Kanchenjunga on the far horizon. Boating on the quaint boats and horse riding are available. There several places you can visit here specially the Bokar Monastery, Rameetay Dara – viewpoint, Swiss Cottage – Lodges positioned up high to ensure the entire view of Mirik town, lake and the surroundings, Tingling viewpoint, Mirik Tea Garden, Rambhang Resort, Orange Orchards and nevertheless the beautiful panoramic view of Tea Plantation with Mt. Kanchenjunga on the backdrop.
Once you reach River Dudhiya the drive sets off effortless till you reach Rongpu via Siliguri which is the border between the states of West Bengal and Sikkim. The drive then ascends till the capital city Gangtok.
Stay overnight in Gangtok.
Day 4
FULL SIGHTSEEING TOURS IN GANGTOK
We will enjoy the ropeway and then visit the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms, Research Institute of Tibetology, Rumtek Monastery, Orchid Sanctuary, Deer Park, and Botanical Garden among others. Institute of Tibetology was established in 1958 to promote research on the language and culture of Tibet, as well as Mahayana Buddhism. The museum houses a number of exotic ritualistic Chortens, brass bells, Dorjis, rosaries, rare Thangkas and vast collection of rare Lepcha and Tibetan, religious manuscript. Rumtek Monastery belongs to the sect of the Gyalwa Karmapa Lama. The monastery is a magnificent example of Tibetan Monastic art and was built by His Holiness, Gyalwa Karmapa. It is a close replica of the H.H. Karmapa's monastery at Tsorphu in Tibet and houses some of the world's most unique religious art objects. The sacred Tsomgo Lake (elevation 3780 m) is situated 38 km to the east of Gangtok amidst picturesque mountains. Orchid Sanctuary: Orchid Sanctuary has a collection of 454 species of orchid found in Sikkim. Do-drul Chorten (Stupa): Situated on a hillock, it is a five minutes drive from Gangtok town and was built by late Trulshik Rimpoche in 1946, as the head of the Nyingmapa order to invoke the Gods for the peace and tranquility in the State. Set of Kagyur holy books, relics, complete mantras, rare mandalas of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya) and other religious objects are found inside the Chorten. There is a monastery close by called “Guru Lakhang” with the state of Guru Padmasambhava and Guru Snong Zisil Gnen, the incarnated one.
Stay overnight in Gangtok.
Day 5
DRIVE FROM GANGTOK TO PEMAYANGTSE (PELLING)
The journey takes about 4 to 4 and half hours. The drive today will go through bank of perennial river Teesta and many beautiful places of tourist interests. The famous Pemayangste monastery is less than a kilometer from Pelling and is a major tourist hotspot. Pelling also has sites for mountain biking, rock climbing, village tours, meditations, apart from serving as a base for a number of treks in the region.
Stay overnight in Pelling.
Day 6
FREE DAY IN PEMAYANGTSE OR PELLING
We will spend today sightseeing around Pemayangtse. We will visit Pemyangtse Monastery which is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, located on a hilltop at a height of 6840 ft. and enjoy mountain views of the world's 3rd highest peak of Mount Khanchendzonga. The scenic town of Pelling is a perfect holiday destination for all nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. This ridge being situated in between two old Buddhist monasteries (Pemayangtse and Sangacholing) developed into a full-fledged village named Pelling. Today, Pelling is one of the best-chosen tourist hotspots in Sikkim. Other places of interest include Dabdi Monastery and Tashiding Monastery.
Stay overnight in Pelling.
Day 7
DEPART FOR KATHMANDU
Drive from Pelling to Kakarivitta via Siliguri which takes about 5 hours. You will then drive to Bhadrapur via Kakarivitta and fly from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.