LOCATION: Singalila Region of Darjeeling & Sikkim around Singalila Range of Eastern Himalayas

DESTINATIONS: Darjeeling( 2 N) -Sandakphu (2 N)-Glenburn Tea Estate (2 N) -Pelling( 2 N) -Gangtok( 2 N)-Bagdogra

HIGHLIGHT: Trek, Riverside camping, Tea Gardens, Vintage Safari, Sikkimese Culture

Flora: Rhododendron Forest, Alpine Vegetation & Deciduous forest.

Fauna: Biodiversity hotspot for Birds, red panda,

Day 1: Bagdogra (IXB) to Darjeeling( 90 Km, 3 Hours). Welcome drink, rest and stay at the heritage hotel at Mall Road, The Windamere. Visit the Mall Road in evening. Stay at Darjeeling.

Day 2: Whole day sight-seeing around Darjeeling ( Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the zoo, Batasia Loop, Japanese Pagoda, Tibetan Institute etc). Rest and stay at Darjeeling.

Day 3: After breakfast, drive from Darjeeling to Manebhanjyang( 30 Km, 45 min). From Manebhanjyang take the vintage Land Rover to Sandakphu ( 30 Km, 3 Hours). Enroute rest and trek from Gairibas to Kalpokhari. Drive from Kalpokhari to Sandakpu.

Day 4: Morning Sunrise from Sandakphu with a panoramic view of the mounatain range( Everest Range & Kanchenjunga) View of the 4 of the top 5 highest mountain( Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse). Visit the Rhododendron forest and Phalut. Return to Sandakphu in evening. Stay at Sandakphu.

Day 5: After Breakfast trek from Sandakphu to Kalpohkari. Drive from Kalpokhari to Manebhanjyang in Land Rover. From Manebhanjyang drive to Glenburn Tea Estate ( 60 Km. 3 Hours).

Day 6: Visit the tea garden and enjoy the tea culture at Glenburn. Stay at Glenburn.

Day 7: Drive from Glenburn to Pelling. Rest and stay at Pelling. Visit the famed Pemayangtse monastery in evening.

Day 8: Whole day sight-seeing at Pelling. Visit the famed Kichepokhari lake and the old ruins of the fort. Stay at Pelling.

Day 9: Drive from Pelling to Gangtok. Rest and stay at Gangtok ( 130 Km, 6 Hours)

Day 10: Visit the famed Rumtek Monastry, Institute of Tibetology and local sight-seeing around Gangtok. Stay at Gangtok.

Day 11: Take a helicopter ride from Gangtok to Bagdogra ( 35 minutes)

OPTIONS

1. Day 11 can be spent at Dzonghu among the Lepcha tribes, the original inhabitants of Sikkim, Day 12 at Gangtok and Day 13 flight from Gangtok to Bagdogra.

3. Option of river rafting en-route from Pelling to Gangtok.

4. One more day can be added for visit to Kalimpong ( Silver Oaks or hotel Himalayan)

STAY:

Darjeeling: Windamere, Elgin ( Rs 12,000 per room)

Glenburn: Glenburn Tea Estate ( Rs 22,000 per room)

Pelling: Mt Pandim ( Rs 8000 per room)

Gangtok: Norkhill, Hidden Forest ( Rs 9000 per room)

Sandakphu: Rs 6000 per day

Location:- Darjeeling & Gangtok

DARJEELING: There is no finer place than Darjeeling to steep yourself in the grandeur and beauty of the towering snow-capped mountains. Its a fascinating place where you can see Buddhist monasteries, visit a tea plantation and see how the tea is processed, spend days for bargains in colorful markets and handicraft shops or go trekking to high altitude spots near the border with Sikkim. Darjeeling has been very popular hill station, since the British established it as an R & R Center for their troops in the mid eighteen hundreds.

Gangtok, with its different cultures and religion existing in perfect harmony, shows that “Unity in Diversity” exists in Sikkim.Nestled within higher peaks of the Himalaya and enjoying a year-round mild temperate climate, Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim’s tourism industry.Gangtok rose to prominence as a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site after the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840. In 1894, the ruling Sikkimese Chogyal, Thutob Namgyal, transferred the capital to Gangtok.

Highlights:- Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmanaidu Zoological Park, DHR Toy Train, Sunrise from Tiger Hill, Mirik Lake, Institute of Tibetology,Handicraft Center, Ropeway, Tsongmo Lake, Yak Ride

ITINERARY

Travel

Day 01 Arrive NJP Rlw Station / Bagdogra airport, Transfer to Darjeeling & over Night stay at Darjeeling. 90 Km/ 3 Hrs

Day 02 After breakfast at hotel, depart for the sight seeing Full Day city tour of Darjeeling. Padma Naidu Himalayan Zoological park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday), Tensing — Gumbo Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center (Closed on Sunday), Tea Estate, Lebong Race Course, Peace Pagoda. & Rock Garden – Gangamaya Park.

Day 03 Darjeeling Early Morning Excursion to Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery & Batasia Loop. After breakfast at hotel go to Mirik Lake via Nepal Border. O/n at Darjeeling. 140 Km/ Whole Day

Day 04 After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the Gangtok. O/n at Gangtok. 100 Km/ 4 Hrs

Day 05 After breakfast at hotel, depart for the sight seeing Full day city tour of Gangtok Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms, Research Institute of Tibetology, Chorten ( Stupa ), Orchid Sanctuary, Rumtek Monastery, Shanti View Point, Flower show, Ropeway. O/n at Gangtok.

Day 06 After breakfast at hotel, depart for the sight seeing full day tour of Thshangu Lake & Baba Mander. O/n at Gangtok/Rumtek 90 Km/ Whole Day

Day 07 After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the NJP RlyStation / Bagdogra airport for your journey. 128 Km/ 4 Hrs

Duration: 3 Nights/4 Days

Highlight: Gangtok- Monatsry – Ropeway- Tsongmo Lake – Handicraft Center

The capital of the idyllic Himalayan State of Sikkim, the city offers a harmony of the modern and the traditional. The journey to Gangtok is besides the meandering river Teesta with regions covered with lush green forest and distinct Sikkimese architectures. Enjoy the stroll at M G Marg which has been especially designed for window shopping and tourist walk. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from its cable car and visit the famous monasteries and the Institute of Tibetology. Make a day tour to the holy Tsongmo Lake located at a height of almost 10,000 feet and enjoy riding a yak, the ship of the himalayas. If you are lucky, you can also enjoy snowfall and a panoramic view of the mountain range of Kanchenjunga.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive at Bagdogra (IXB) or NJP Railway station. Drive form there to Gangtok ( 130 Km, 4.5 Hours). Check into the hotel and rest for the evening. Option of visiting the M G Marg in evening.

Day 02: After breakfast depart for whole day sight-seeing around Gangtok. Visit Tashi View Point, Floweshow, Handicraft Center, Ban Jhakri Waterfalls, Ropeway etc. Rest and enjoy the stroll in M G Marg in evening. stay at Gangtok.

Day 03: After breakfast depart for Tsongmo Lake and Baba Mandir before 0800 hrs. Enjoy the scenic view of the holy lake and also the yak ride. Return to hotel by evening. Rest and stay at Gangtok.

Day 04: After breakfast depart for IXB/NJP or proceed towards North SIkkim/Darjeeling/Pelling or Kalimpong.

Kindly Note:

1. You can also take a helicopter ride from Bagdogra to Gangtok ( Rs 2500 per person, max 10 kg luggage allowed per person, 35 minutes journey)

2. Option of also doing river rafting en-route from Darjeeling/IXB/NJP to Gangtok or during return journey

3. Tsongmo lake is closed on Mondays. For visit to lake, permits are required and all guest are requested to provide 2 passport size photos and 1 photo ID ( DL, PAN Card etc) for the permits at least 7 days in advance.

4. Tsongmo lake and Baba Mandir trip can be extended to Nathu-la border. However special permits are required to visit Nathu-la border.

5. Alternative option for Tsongmo lake trip is a day tour to South Sikkim( visit the Char Dham, Temi Tea Gardens and the famous statue of Guru Padmasambhava )

6. Adventure activities available: Para gliding at Ban Jhakri Falls, Mountain Biking from Gangtok to Martam, River Rafting on Teesta River.

Highlight: Yumthang Valley-Gurudongma Lake- Lachen-Lachung

North Sikkim is high.. its unexplored & pristine…its wilderness..its valley of flowers..its holy lake at 17600 feet.. its deeply entrenched in culture & heritage.. Its Unforgettable

Tour Itinerary ( 4 Days)

( Ex Gangtok.. All Packages for North Sikkim are ex-Gangtok and end at Gangtok)

Day 1: After breakfast, depart for Lachen ( 130 Km, 6 Hours). Enroute visit Tashi View Point, Kabi Lungchok, Phodong, Namok, mangan, Singhik, Chungthang. Reach Lachen in the evening. Rest and stay at Lachen.

Day 2: After breakfast excursion to Gurudongmar Lake (17,600 ft.). Gurudongmar Lake offers magnificent view of Mount Sinolchu & Kanchandzonga. Return to Lachen for lunch & transfer to Lachung (50 km).

Day 3: After breakfast excursion to Yumthang Valley (11,800 ft.). The valley is rich in Rhododendrons, Orchids & varieties of flora & fauna . Yumthang is the summer grazing ground of the yaks. Near the valley is also situated a Hot Spring. Return to hotel and rest at Lachung.

Day 4: After breakfast depart for Gangtok ( 125 Km, 5.5 Hours). Rest and stay at Gangtok.

Options

2 Night/3 Days Package:- Same as above, except after visit to Yumthang Valley, return to Gangtok by evening.

1 Night/2Day Package:- Only visit Lachung-Yumthang Valley. Day 1: Drive from Gangtok to Lachung. Halt at Lachung. Day 2: Visit Yumthang Valley and then return to Gangtok on same day.

Information

1. Due to rough terrain only SUV like Sumo/Max or Scorpio/Xylo ply on these roads.

2. Permits are required to visit North Sikkim. Tourist planning to visit North Sikkim during peak season or Pooja holidays are requested to make their reservations at least 15 days in prior.

3. The vehicles charge extra for visit to Gurudongma Lake, Chopta Valley and Zero point.

4. All hotels in Lachen and Lachung are on all meal plan.

5. People with altitude sickness and asthma are not advised to visit Gurudongma Lake ( 17,600 feet)

6. Foreigners are not allowed to visit Gurudongma Lake

Duration: 5 Days/4 Nights

Areas of Highlight: Darjeeling-Tiger Hill-HMI-Gangtok-Tsongmo Lake

Visit Darjeeling, the Queen of hills and Gangtok, the Himlayan Shangrila in your five day journey of Sikkim and Darjeeling. Drive past the meandering river and enjoy the view of lush green tea gardens of Darjeeling. Do not miss a visit to Tiger Hill, where you see the sun rising between the mountains seems like a ball of orange fire slowly changing its color as well as its surroundings. Also when in Gangtok, makeit a point to visit Tsongmo lake, a holy lake at 10,500 feet covered with snow 9 months a year and enjoy the wonderful yak ride.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: NJP Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport–Darjeeling

Meet & Greet assistance at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport and get transferred to the beautiful hill retreat of Darjeeling (about 90 kms/3 hrs). On arrival, check into hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at hotel. 90 Km/3 Hours

Day 2: Darjeeling

Leave early morning (04.00 AM) to visit Tiger Hill for splendid views of sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga, the Third Highest Peak in the World. On your way back, visit places like Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop. After breakfast, sightseeing includes Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, P.N. Zoological Park (closed on Thursday), the Tenzing Rock, the Tibetan Refugee Centre (closed on Sunday), Tea Garden (outer view) and the Japanese Temple. Spend the evening walking around the Mall. Stay overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to Kalimpong and check-in to hotel on arrival. After lunch, enjoy half day sightseeing of Kalimpong, including Delo Hills, Dr. Graham’s Home & flower nurseries. Return to hotel for overnight stay. 90 Km/ 3 Hours

Day 3: Darjeeling – Gangtok

After breakfast, transfer to Gangtok by drive and check into hotel on arrival. After lunch, enjoy a sightseeing city tour, including Rumtek Monastery, Institute of Tibetology (closed on Sunday), Do-drul-Chorten and Flower Exhibition. Stay overnight at hotel. 90 Km/ 3 Hours

Day 4: Gangtok (Tsomgo Lake Trip)

In the morning, visit the highly revered Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft.) located 34 km from Gangtok city & Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Gangtok – New Jalpaiguri Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport

Spend the morning at leisure. Transfer in time to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport for your return journey. 128 Km/ 4 Hours

Sikkim is situated in an ecological hotspot of the lower Himalayas, one of only three among the Ecoregions of India. The forested regions of the state exhibit a diverse range of fauna and flora. Owing to its altitudinal gradation, the state has a wide variety of plants, from tropical to temperate to alpine and tundra, and is perhaps one of the few regions to exhibit such a diversity within such a small area. Nearly 81% of the area of Sikkim comes under the administration of its forest department.

The flora of Sikkim include the rhododendron, the state tree, with a wide range of species occurring from subtropical to alpine regions. Orchids, figs, laurel, bananas, sal trees and bamboo grow in the lower altitudes of Sikkim, which enjoy a subtropical-type climate. In the temperate elevations above 1,500 metres, oaks, chestnuts, maples, birches, alders, and magnolias grow in large numbers. The alpine-type vegetation includes juniper, pine, firs, cypresses and rhododendrons, and is typically found between an altitude of 3,500 to 5 000 m. Sikkim has around 5,000 flowering plants, 515 rare orchids, 60 primula species, 36 rhododendron species, 11 oak varieties, 23 bamboo varieties, 16 conifer species, 362 types of ferns and ferns allies, 8 tree ferns, and over 424 medicinal plants. A variant of the Poinsettia, locally known as “Christmas Flower”, can be found in abundance in the mountainous state. The orchid Dendrobium nobile is the official flower of Sikkim.

Whereas Tsomgo Lake is open to visitors of all nationalities a visit to Nathula is so far only possible for Indian visitors. The alpine lake of Tsomgo at 3800 m is worth a visit, especially on a clear day. You can try yakriding along the shores of the holy lake or you can climb up a nearby view-point  (40 min. one way) to enjoy fantastic views of the Mt Khanchenjung range. The lake freezes completely during the winter and in spring a variety of flowers bloom upon its banks. From Gangtok it is a 2.5 hrs drive to Tsomgo Lake (53 km).

• To visit both Tsomgo Lake and Nathula prior notice must be given as special permits need to be obtained beforehand. No permits on Monday. All Taxis must leave Gangtok town before 0800 hrs. Its advisable to make your permits in advance during peak season.
  
• You can either hire a jeep from Gangtok or take a shared taxi. The taxi fares vary during season and off-season.

Yak Ride at Tsongmo Lake

No of Days 11 Days / 10 Nights

Permits Required North Sikkim and Tsongmo Lake

]]> http://www.firefoxstay.com/2009/12/15/hello-world-2/feed/ 0