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06 nights 07 days
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Darjeeling is a town in an India’s West Bengal state, in the Himalayan foothills. The Once a summer resort for the British Raj elite, it remains the terminus of the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or “Toy Train,” completed in 1881. It’s famed for a distinctive black tea grown on plantations that dot its surrounding slopes. Its backdrop is Mt. Kanchenjunga, among the world’s highest peaks.
Arrive Bagdogra New Jalpaiguri * On to Gangtok (135 km/ approx. 4-hour drive)
Welcome to ' Hills of East' tour! On arrival at the airport in Bagdogra railway station in
New Jalpaiguri, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Gangtok. On arrival,
check in to your hotel Overnight in Gangtok.
After breakfast proceeds for a full day sightseeing tour of Gangtok visiting places like the
Rumtek Monastery, Banjhakri Falls and Energy Park, Do Drul Chorten, Namgyal
Institute of Tibetology, Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom and Flower Exhibition
Centre. Built by Rangjung Dorje the 16th Karmapa Lama in 1959 after he fled Tibet, the
Rumtek Monastery functioned as his home in exile. The Monastery is located in a very
scenic corner of Sikkim. The flowing streams of water, Snow-capped mountains, the
proximity of the river and the silence of the valley give the monastery a tranquil and
peaceful environment. Located in East Sikkim, Gangtok, are situated the Ban Jhakri Falls
which is a magnificent destination for tourist viewing. The ban means forest and Jhakri
mean healer. The Ban Jhakri was considered a legendary character that walked the land
in Nepal. Imagine a pristine, white waterfall descending onto the earth from the height of
40 feet with tremendous force. The waterfall is surrounded by 2 acres of well maintained,
beautifully landscaped gardens. Do Drul Chorten is Buddhist Stupa situated in Gangtok.
Built by the revered Trulshi Rimpoche, who served as the head of the Nyingma order of
the Tibetan Buddhism, the Chorten, is a Buddhist shrine, typically a saint's tomb or a
monument to the Buddha. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology was established in 1958 and
has been promoting the study of Tibet and its culture since then. The study includes the
religion, history, language, art, culture which overlaps with the culture of Sikkim.
Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom was established as a Technical Institute for
Training and Production of traditional arts and crafts with the intention to tap the
employment and income-generating potential of the Handloom and handicrafts sector. It
eventually evolved into a major center of learning and training in the Traditional Arts and
Crafts of the State, not to mention it becomes the single most important place in the
Preservation and revival of the languishing ethnic Traditional Arts and crafts of the state.
Sikkim's pride is the Flower Exhibition Centre in east Sikkim. The complex is an
astounding collection of rare flowers that are displayed here. The flowers are rare for
various reasons. Some of the are rare because they bloom once in a year, some bloom
once on five years, some species bloom only once in their lifetime.
After breakfast, proceed on an excursion to
Tshangu Lake followed by a visit to Baba Mandir. The Tsang Lake is close to the Nathu
La pass between India and China. The lake is at 12400 feet which are fed mostly by the
Himalayan springs, streams, and melting summer glaciers. The lake has a very finely
developed ecosystem that has allowed flora and fauna to survive in such harsh
temperatures. The Lake is generally frozen during the winters and is an amazing sight.
Later, visit the Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial Temple (Baba Mandir) was erected in
the memory of Baba Harbhajan Singh who was a Sikh soldier in the Indian army
stationed at Nathu La pass In Sikkim. Harbhajan Singh's room was left as is, and
converted into a shrine for him, Overnight in Gangtok.
On to Pelling (116 km / approx. 5 -6 hours drive) Post breakfast, drive to the hills of
Pelling. On arrival, check in to your hotel.
On to Darjeeling (115 km / approx. 5-6 hours drive) This morning, proceed for half-day
sightseeing of Pelling covering Pelling Monastery, Rimbi Waterfalls, Hydro Project
(outer view)and Khechepadi Lake (6000 Ft / 1829 Mts). Thereafter, proceed to
Darjeeling is popularly known as ' Queen of the Hills' and one of the most magnificent hill
stations in the world. On arrival, check in to your hotel. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Early morning, proceed to Tiger Hills (8364 Ft / 2550 Mts at around 4 AM). Tiger Hill is
synonymous with an amazing view of the sunrise. You will visit Ghoom Monastery
locally known as Yogachoeling Gompa and Batasia Loop- a gigantic loop through which
the Toy train makes a 360-degree turn. After breakfast, proceed on a half-day sightseeing
tour of Darjeeling visiting places like the Japanese Temple, Peace pagoda, Padmaja
Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Tenzing
Rock and Gombu Rock and Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center (Closed on Sunday) and
Tea Estate (panoramic view). Overnight in Darjeeling.
Depart Darjeeling Today, bid farewell to your 'Hills of East' tour as you are transferred
to the airport in Bagdogra / railway station in New Jalpaiguri for your onward journey.