Activities

Duration: 10 Nights & 11 Days

Major Attractions: Buddhist Monasteries, Tea Estates, captivating snow covered mountains, Himalayan toy train

Destination Covered: Kolkata, Gangtok, Enchey, Rumtek, Pelling, Yuksom, Darjeeling and Tiger Hill

Sikkim is India’s one of the amazing destinations located in the Himalayas bordering the beautiful countries like Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet of China. Buddhism is the main religion in Sikkim. Due to its scenery, biodiversity and culture, it has become a very famous tourist destination in India and has the third-highest mount peak Kanchenjunga.

Sikkim has beautiful Buddhist monasteries, Serene Lakes, beautiful valleys, and shimmer mountains. The most impressive thing of Sikkim is almost 25% of its part comes under Kanchenjunga National Park. It is the first organic state of India as it has completely implemented organic farming.

Darjeeling is among the most picturesque hill stations in India having beautiful tea gardens producing the finest tea in the world. It has got breathtaking pines, magnificent orchids, and enormous rhododendrons. The delightful Himalayan Train whistles the way through the Himalayas.

Itinerary Details

Day 01: Arrive Kolkata

Upon arrival at Kolkata international Airport, you are meet & greet by our company representative. Afterwards you will be transferred to your pre-booked hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02: Kolkata

After breakfast, Full day guided city tour of Kolkata city visiting Victoria Memorial, situated in the center of Kolkata city; Victoria Memorial was constructed in the memory of Queen Victoria. The edifice is a perfect example of the Indo-Saracenic architectural style and it houses a variety of paintings and other displays that belong to the British period.

Later, visit other major attractions of the city – Pareshnath Jain Temple, Howrah Bridge, Mother Teresa House, and Dalhousie Square. Pareshnath Jain Temple is an intricately carved temple complex that is dedicated to 4 Jain Tirthankaras. The structural design of the temple is done by beautiful glass work and it also includes tremendously maintained fountains and gardens. Howrah Bridge is undoubtedly one of the iconic attractions in Kolkata.

Also referred to as Rabindra Setu, Howrah Bridge is a gigantic steel cantilever bridge. The bridge expands across River Hooghly and joins Howrah and Kolkata. Mother House is a Roman Catholic sacred congregation that was founded by Mother Teresa. At one part of the house, there is Mother Teresa’s Tomb as well as a display that depicts various belongings of Mother Teresa. Dalhousie Square or B.B.D. Bagh (Benoy-Badal-Dinesh Bagh) is an example of British colonial architecture that serves as a political and commercial center of Eastern India.

Evening visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple regarded as one of the holiest of the 51 Shakti Peeths on Earth, the Kalighat Kali Temple is a must visit place in Kolkata due to its history and legend. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali is usually seen in her bloodthirsty form, garlanded with skulls.

Return back to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel

Day 03: Kolkata - Bagdogra (By Flight)

After early breakfast you are transferred to Kolkata airport to board flight for Bagdogra, Upon arrival you are meet & greet later drive to Gangtok (04 Hours drive). Upon arrival check-in to your pre-booked hotel.
Evening you can scroll the local market to explore the local lifestyle and culture or try out local food items.
Overnight stay at hotel.

Gangtok is a heavenly and alluring hill station that houses a variety of eye-catching monasteries.

Day 04: Gangtok - Excursion to Rumtek (01 HRS drive)

Rumtek
After breakfast we visit Gangtok and nearby places. Our day tour will begin with visiting two celebrated monasteries in Gangtok that are Enchey and Rumtek Monastery to start off your Gangtok tour on a religious note. The Enchey Monastery is believed to be constructed approximately 200 years ago and it symbols an essential work surface of Tibetan Buddhism’s Nyingma.

Renowned saint Lama Dhrupthob Karpo blessed this monastery. One of the noteworthy monasteries of the state, Rumtek Monastery or Dharma Chakra Centre is open for everyone and it holds remains of the 16th Karmapa. Green mountains enclose the monastery and it offers the spectacular sight of the entire Gangtok town.

Later visit Do Drul Chorten and Kagyu Headquarter. Built-in 1945, Do Drul Chorten is one of the vital stupas in Sikkim that encompasses about 108 prayer wheels (Mani Lhakor). The prayer wheels are carved with significant mantras that can be a hymn by revolving them. Kagyu is one amongst six key schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05: Visit famous monasteries near Gangtok

Gangtok

Today visit our famous monasteries near Gangtok, i.e. Phodong Monastery and Labrang Monastery. Located on the North Sikkim highway, Phodong Monastery is designed with striking paintings and it comprises a wealthy collection of antique murals.
The monastery belongs to the Karma Kagyu division of Tibetan Buddhism. Labrang Monastery is also a great example of ancient architecture.

Return to Gangtok. Evening at leisure

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06: Gangtok – Pelling (05 Hours drive)

After breakfast, drive to Pelling en-route visiting Ravangla that is renowned for its picturesque beauty and various old monasteries. While your stay you can visit Bonn and Ralang Monastery and from the historical market of Ravangla you can buy traditionally designed shawls and wooden carvings as a tour souvenir.

Later, visit Temi Tea Garden, which is a single tea garden in Sikkim that produces top-quality tea.

Afterwards, continue your drive to Pelling.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07: Excursion to Yuksom (02 Hours one way)

Pelling-Yuksom-Pelling

After breakfast excursion to Yuksom – the former capital of Sikkim. It is a meeting place of three monks.
En route visit Khechepari Lake, which is one of the most sacred mountain lakes for Buddhists and Hindus both and considered to be a wish accomplishing lake. The lake is an essential component of the well-regarded Demazong Valley.

Overnight sta at hotel.

Day 08: Drive to Darjeeling via Pemayangtse (05 HRS)

Pelling-Pemayangtse-Darjeeling

After breakfast, we leave by surface to Darjeeling, on the way visit Pemayangtse Monastery and Rabdantse Ruins to get a feeling of calmness and spirituality. Built approx 300 years ago, Pemayangtse Monastery offers the expression of the well-off architecture. The three-storied structure houses various sculptures of saints and Rinpoches along with several antique idols. The Rabdantse ruins are the fraction of Buddhist sacred pilgrimage route that includes ruins of the ancient palace and chortens.

Upon arrival at Darjeeling check in to your pre-booked hotel. Enjoy the awesome beauty of tea town.

Day 09: Darjeeling City Tour Himalayan Toy Train Ride

After breakfast we visit Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre (TRSHC), located at Lebong hillside TRSHC is a Recuperation Centre for the Tibetan migrants. Later, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Everest Museum. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute conducts an assortment of adventure & mountaineering courses and Everest Museum outlines the history of endeavors on the highest peak of the World, Mt. Everest.

Also visit Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park – which is quite known for its thriving breeding programs of the Himalayan wolf, Red Panda, and Snow Leopard. After having lunch (Pay direct), board a toy train (An UNESCO World Heritage Site) to Ghoom (one of the highest elevation stations). Later take a tour of Ghoom Monastery. Ghoom Monastery is an ancient monastery which is about 7 km away from the town. The monastery is well-known for its colossal figurine of Maitreya Buddha (Lord Buddha).

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10: Excursion to Tiger Hill for sunrise (30 Minutes) Drive to Bagdogra Airport (03 Hours)Fly to Kolkata

Darjeeling-Bagdogra-Kolkata

After breakfast we will visit the stunning peak point of Darjeeling, Tiger Hill. From here, you can see the amazing view of snow-capped Kanchenjunga peak and 3 other mountain peaks including Mt. Everest. If you want to see the real beauty of snow and sunrise, visit the place early in the morning.

Later transfer to Bagdogra airport to board a flight to Kolkata for your onward flight.