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Himalayan Jewels
Durations: 07 nights / 08 days
Destination Covered: Darjeeling, Gangtok, Pelling
Destination Covered: Darjeeling, Gangtok, Pelling
Day 01: BAGDOGRA DARJEELING: (93 Kms / 2.5 hrs)
Depart on your flight from Kolkatta. Arrive Bagdogra airport and you will be met on arrival and transferred Darjeeling. Darjeeling "The one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once-by even a glimpse would not give that glimpse for the shows of the rest of the world combined" - Mark Twain.
Nestled among the rolling mountains with the glistening Mt Kanchenjunga towering over the azure sky, Darjeeling fondly called "Queen of the Hills" provides a perfect gateway for those seeking to be in harmony with nature.
This is the land of the muscatel flavoured Darjeeling tea revered by connoisseurs across the globe. This is the land of the world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway where the century old miniature steam engine still chugs uphill vying for space with the fast disappearing Land Rovers. Rest of the day is free to explore this Hill queen. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: DARJEELING:
Early Morning at 0400 AM visit Tiger Hill - Tiger Hill 11 km from the town of Darjeeling is the summit of Ghoom, the highest railway station on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for spectacular sunrise view over the Himalayas. Leveling out at 8,500 ft (2,600 m), Tiger Hill is the highest hill in the immediate surroundings.
Later on the way back visit Ghoom Monastery - Called Sakya Monastery, the monastery located 8 km from Darjeeling. Sakya monastery is a historic as well as significant monastery of the Shakya Order. The original monastery was built during the early twentieth century. Return to the hotel. After breakfast visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute - (HMI) was established to encourage mountaineering as an organized sport in India., PNZ Zoological Park, (closed on Thursday) Tenzing Rock, Tibetean Refuge Centre- a rehabilitation centre for the Tibetan refugees in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region (closed on Sunday), Tea Garden (outer view), Ava Art Gallery and Japanese Temple. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.


Day 03: DARJEELING GANGTOK: ( 98 Kms / 3 Hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Later depart to Gangtok via Peshok Tea Gardens. Arrival at Gangtok - Gangtok ("top of the hill"), capital of Sikkim state, lies at 5,600 ft. It was the seat of the kingdom of Sikkim until the monarchy was abolished (1975) and Sikkim became part of India in 1976. The town, a market centre for corn, rice, pulses, and oranges, was an important point on the India-Tibet trade route via Nathula (Nathu Pass), 21 km northeast, until the border with Tibet was closed in 1962. Check into the hotel. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04: GANGTOK:
After breakfast visit Rumtek Monastery - located at a distance of approximately 24 km from Gangtok in Rumtek, is one of the most important sites for almost every Buddhist. This monastery was originally built in the 16th century, under the supervision of Wangchuck Dorge and with the financial assistance of the fourth king of Sikkim, Cable car, Botanical Garden, Do-Drul Chorten- the biggest stupa in Sikkim, is located on the hill hock, which is adjacent to the Tibetology Institute. Popularly known as Phurba, this stupa was built in 1945. This holy stupa was under the auspices of head of Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Trulshik Rinpoche., Institute of Tibetology, Flower show and Cottage Industry. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.


Day 05: GANGTOK:
After breakfast excursion trip of Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft.) - located 35 km away from the city on the Gangtok-Nathula highway. This highway is also a part of the old route that links India and China. Worshipped by Sikkimese, this holy lake is approximately 20 km away from the Nathula Pass, while located at a distance of around 400 km from Lhasa. The water in this lake has been accumulated from the melting snow on the mountains located nearby. The river Lungtze Chu originates from this lake, which meets Rangpo-chu down its course. According to the history, the colour of water of this lake was studied by Lamas so as to forecast about the future. They believed, if the water had a dark tinge, it indicated an year full of trouble and unrest in the state.

Tsomgo Lake is located in the restricted area for which tourists require an Inner Line Permit. This permit can be obtained from the Police through the travel agent or Tourism Department. Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: GANGTOK – PELLING (110 Kms / 3.5 Hrs)
After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to Pelling via Temi Tea Garden & the Gurupadmasambhava statue - A temple complex first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup (stag tshang seng ge bsam grub) cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three months in the 8th century. Padmasambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the tutelary deity of the country. Pelling- about 10 kms from Gyalshing (District Headquarter), Pelling is today emerging as the second biggest tourist destination in the state after Gangtok. Although in itself it is little more than a strip of road lined with hotels, its main USP is the breathtaking view it offers of the Khangchendzonga and surrounding ranges, as well as the easy access it provides to tourist spots in the area.One can enjoy the spectacular Eastern Himalayan Range from Peiling.

Day 07: PELLING
After breakfast start for full day sightseeing. You will visit
Pemayangtse Monastery: Pemayangtse literally means 'Perfect Sublime Lotus'. This is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of Sikkim. Founded in 1705, this monastery belongs to the Nyingma-pa sect. The three-storied building of the monastery houses a good collection of wall paintings and sculptures. On the third floor of the monastery, there is a seven-tiered painted wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche, complete with rainbows, angels and the whole panoply of Buddha and bodhisattva. In January/ February every year, a religious dance called 'Cham' is performed in Pemayangtse.
Sangachoeling Monastery is located on the top of the mountain behind the town of Pelling. The distance to the monastery from Pelling is about 3 km. The road is not motorable and one needs to take a 45 minutes walk through a quite path to reach the monastery. The effort of the uphill walk is well rewarded with great views of Pelling and surrounding mountains including great views of Mount Kanchenjunga that can be seen from the monastery compound.
Built in 1697 the Sanga Cholling is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. Sanga Cholling means 'the island of esoteric teaching'. This gompa is another of Lhatsun Chenpo's creations, and is highly venerated among the Nyingmapa. Gutted by fire, it has been rebuilt and houses some of the original clay statues.
The monastery is the second oldest in Sikkim. Since the place can only be reached on foot, even during high tourist season, the monastery does not remain crowded. One can still enjoy the great views among tranquility even though Pelling has become a popular tourist destination with thousands of tourists visiting the place.

Khechepalri Lake: Khechepalri Lake is considered one of the sacred lakes of Sikkim. The lake remains hidden in the rich forest cover. It is believed that birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the lake surface. Rabdantsey Ruins:
This was the second capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Sikkim after Yuksam and till the year 1814 A.D., the king of Sikkim had ruled the state from this place. Today, the Rabdentse ruins lie hidden from the main road at a walking distance from Pelling and the Pemayangtse monastery. It can be approached by following a footpath which branches off the main road. The scenic view from the top of the ruin scanning across deep valley to the mystic heights of Khangchendzonga ranges is something to be cherished and etched in memory. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08: PELLING – BAGDOGRA
Morning free for packing & personal activities. After breakfast transfer to Bagdogra airport for return journey.
Prices starting from: INR 43000.00 Per person on twin sharing basis
Notes
Kindly note the above package is flexible and can be customized as per your requirement.
You can have a choice of 5 star hotels, 4 star hotels, 3 star hotels.
The above tour will be organized with a "chauffeur driven" car / private coach.
The trip can be organized for singles, families, couples, groups.
The package will commence on a date convenient to travelers.
The above tour will be organized with a "chauffeur driven" car / private coach.
The trip can be organized for singles, families, couples, groups.
The package will commence on a date convenient to travelers.
Kindly contact us for further information & Costs.
Mr Neeraj Desai
Holidays@leisure
49, Bhulabhai Desai Road
Mumbai 400026
Holidays@leisure
49, Bhulabhai Desai Road
Mumbai 400026
Telephone:-
Board: +91-22-2351-2147
Fax: +91-22-2351-2148
Cell: +91-96190-47448
Email: ndesai@holidaysatleisurec.com
Board: +91-22-2351-2147
Fax: +91-22-2351-2148
Cell: +91-96190-47448
Email: ndesai@holidaysatleisurec.com
Please provide us with exact number of persons, age of participants, Dates of travel, type of hotels required, and if any changes required in the above tour program.