Day 01: Arrive Delhi
On Early morning arrival at International airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel.
Delhi, India’s modern capital is also an ancient city tracing its origins in legend. It is dotted with hundreds of landmarks and offers more than a millennium of history in stone. From here various Hindu and Muslim dynasties including the Mughals ruled India. When British administration moved to Delhi and New Delhi became the Capital of India once again.
Full day take the tour of New Delhi & Old Delhi.
Morning proceeds for sightseeing of New Delhi, visit Qutub Minar, One of the fine examples of early afghan architecture, Humayun Tomb, built by the wife of Humayun, Haji Begum in the mid 16th century, this red sand stone structure is considered to be the predecessor of Taj Mahal. Drive pass by India Gate (A War memorial) and Presidency House.
Afternoon proceeds for sightseeing of Old Delhi, include the drive past to Red Fort, visit to Jama Masjid, Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is one of the largest and best-known mosques, and later enjoy cycle rickshaw ride within Chandani Chowk market.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi / Bagdogra (Flight IC 879 1025 Hrs /1215 Hrs) - Darjeeling
Morning you will transfer to airport to flight for Bagdora and on arrival transfer to Darjeeling to check-in into hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
The cool climate of Darjeeling provides a delightfully different experience from most other parts of India. The town nestled in the lap of the mighty Kanchenjunga and it is a mixture of old colonial charm, bustling bazaars and the lush tea gardens, to the beautiful natural scenic views and a wide variety of activities, lush tea gardens, terraced farms and a slower pace of life.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 03: In Darjeeling
Full day take the tour of Darjeeling.
Early morning you will drive to Tiger Hill to witness the sunrise over the fabulous views of the famous Mt. Kanchendzonga (28,208 ft) (subject to clear weather conditions). On way back to the hotel visit Ghoom Monastery a Tibetan Buddhist monastery.
Afternoon, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Darjeeling.
Enjoy a tour of the various tea estates and the local monasteries and the flower nurseries.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Darjeeling - Gangtok (95 Kms / 03 Hrs)
Morning drive to Gangtok and on arrival check-in into hotel,
Gangtok means ‘Hilltop’, one, which was made flat in 1716 to build the Gangtok Monastery. The town is situated in the lower Himalayas & was a small hamlet until the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840 made it a pilgrimage center. It became a major stopover between Tibet & British India at the end of the 19th century. It is also a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture & learning with numerous monasteries & religious educational.
Afternoon visit to Research Institute of Tibetology,
Research Institute of Tibetology-a library with a large collection of documents and rare books on Buddhism and an attached museum with a rare collection of antiques, coins and Tibetan Paintings,
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 05: In Gangtok
Morning proceed on a city tour of Gangtok
Excursion tour to Tsongo Lake, considered extremely sacred by the local people. The place is a paradise for bird lovers with large number of Blue Whistling Thrush, Redstarts & Fork tails around. It hosts a number of migratory birds prominent among which is the Brahminy ducks. Next we visit Do Drul Chorten, are two exquisite Stupas, the Dul-dul-Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil. Thrul-Shik Rinpoche an ardent devotee of Buddha & one of his best interpreters died in 1962, the stupa immortalizes Rinpoche in the land of his birth.
Evening explore Lal bazaar, melody of colour. Various ethnic groups from different villages gather to haggle, bargain, gossip their wares.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Excursion Rumtek and Phodang
Morning proceed for the execution to Rumtek Monstery– an exact replica of the monastery at Tsurphu in Tibet.
It served as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim. But when the 16th Karmapa arrived in Sikkim in 1959, after fleeing before the Chinese occupation of Tibet, it was in ruins. Despite being offered other sites, the Karmapa decided to rebuild Rumtek. To him, the site possessed many auspicious qualities & was surrounded by the most favorable attributes.
Afternoon the execution to Phodang,
Phodang, original monastery has been rebuilt & like Ralong & Rurntek the main annual Puja is performed here on the 28th & 29th days of the tenth month of the lunar calendar with religious dances being the main attraction.
Later retire to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 07: Gangtok - Kalimpong (98 Kms / 5 Hrs)
Morning proceed to Kalimpong by surface and on arrival check-in into hotel.
Kalimpong is a unique extravaganza typical to rural regions, a cultural experience you will never forget. , the picturesque town of Kalimpong is definitely a place to visit in this region. Once a part of Sikkim, this town is was an important centre for trade and commerce for Tibetans from the north and the headquarters of the Governor of Bhutan. If you like going for long walks, this is where you should head for. The temperate climate and sylvan surroundings makes it an ideal place for spending a restful weekend.
Evening is at leisure to visit the local monasteries and the flower nurseries.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 08: In Kalimpong
Full day proceed for city tour
Visit Thongsa Gompa also known as the Bhutanese Monastery. It is the oldest monastery in Kalimpong, Though the old structure was destroyed by the Gorkhas, it was rebuilt on the same site. Next visit the Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa, which is on the Durpin hill & is famous for the Tibetan wall paintings. It also has a religious debating society along with a school of Tibetan medicine.
Later you will visit Tharpa Choeling Monastery founded in 1937 & belongs to the Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect of Tibetan monastery. This Monastery houses many old scriptures & literary works. Next Dr Graham's Home, mission school was founded by Scottish missionary Dr. John Anderson Graham in 1900. The purpose of the school was to educate children of the tea garden workers & poor labourers.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 09: Kalimpong – Bagdora (78 Kms / 02Hrs) – Delhi – Depart
Transfer to Badogra airport to board on flight for Delhi. After reaching the airport of Delhi take the connecting flight to your onward destination. |
