Day 04: Kalimpong / Bagdogra

This morning drive about 4 hours along beautiful Teesta River to the small town of Ranipool. Begin a 30-minute
hike to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. En route briefly stop at the small border town of Rangpo. The scenery is stunning with excellent views of the entire Kanchenzunga Range. On arrival check in at the hotel and time permitting, visit the Enchey Monastery, the Institute of Cottage Industries and a flower show. This area is known for its Himalayan orchids and Rhododendrons that bloom in April.

Overnight at your hotel.

Day 05: Gangtok

Travel about one hour to the other side of Ranipool Valley to Gangtok. The city is perched atop a ridge at an altitude of 5,000 feet and today is bustling with hectic activity. Witness the architectural beauty displayed throughout the city with its pagoda shaped roofs painted in blue. Visit renowned Rumtek monastery, seat of Gyalwa Karmapa, and the head of the Kagyu-pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Gyalwa Karmapa newly built the main monastery, in strict accordance to Buddhist architecture. Visitors are welcome to join in the prayer and chanting sessions. On the way back visit Namgyalk Institute of Tibetology with its collection of Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, statuary and Thangkas. All of these attract worldwide scholars. It was established in 1958 to promote research in the language and culture of Tibet and Mahayana Buddhism. It has a collection of almost 30,000 volumes on diverse subjects such as astrology, philosophy and religion. After lunch explore the Enchey Monastery, the Institute of Cottage Industries that is run by the Government of Sikkim and visit a flower show.

Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 06: Gangtok / Yuksum

Morning departure from Gangtok on a six hour drive to Yuksum, a quiet town that is the main entrance for trekking into the Dzongri areas. In 1642 it served as the first capital of Sikkim. The drive to this town will provide breathtaking views with crossings at the Teesta and Rangit rivers. Along the way, you will pass by several small towns like Singtam, Ravongla, Kewzing Legship and Tashiding. Upon arrival in Yuksum, check into your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at your hotel

Day 07: Yuksum

Morning visits the Chorten and the first coronation throne, which is still intact. Later, spend some time walking around and exploring the villages. In the afternoon walk to the Dubdi monastery, the oldest monastery in Sikkim that has recently been renovated. From here you will have a great view of Pemayangtse and the surrounding hills. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 08: Yuksum / Pemayangtse

Morning, drive approximately two hours to Pemayangtse, founded in 1705 by Chador Namgyal. Spend the morning exploring the Pemayangtse monastery, the second oldest monastery in Sikkim and all the other Nyingma-pa monasteries in the area are subordinate to it. From here you will have views of the Darjeeling hills and the beautiful Kanchenjunga ranges. Visit the Rabdenste ruins and palaces. This used to be the second capital, but was ransacked by invading Gorkha soldiers in the mid 17th century. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 09: Pemayangtse / Darjeeling

Today drive approximately 5 hours to Darjeeling. Along the way pass by Legship, where the road diverts via the Rangit River towards the town of Jorthang. After getting your passports stamped at the border, continue uphill via the tea garden of Tukvar and Singla. The rest of the drive includes scenic views of famous tea plantations of Darjeeling. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 10: Darjeeling

Early this morning visit Tiger Hill, the highest spot in the area (8,497 ft), for sunrise views over the Kanchenzonga and Eastern Himalayan ranges. On a clear day even Mt. Everest is visible. On return to Darjeeling, visit the Ghum Monastery that houses the image of Maitreyee Buddha (future or coming Buddha). After breakfast, explore this tiny mountain town with its Nepali population. Stop at the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Village, established in 1959 to help facilitate the refugees arriving in Tibet. Here you will see handicraft works on carpets, woolen goods, woodwork, and leatherwork, all made by refugees. Next, proceed to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Everest museum, which specialize on the various expeditions taken to the Himalayas and Mt. Everest.

Adjacent to them is the high altitude wild life park, named after the first governor of the state of West Bengal. Here you will find a great collection of Himalayan animals and birds. After lunch take a 45 minute ride on the famous Toy train of Darjeeling, towards Ghum railway station, which is the 5th highest in the world. Drive back to Darjeeling and end the day exploring the upper market.

Overnight at your hotel

Drive about 3 ½ hours to Bagdogra and stop for tea at the quaint town of Kurseong. Later drive to
the airport to take flight to Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi transfer to the International airport in time to board International flight.

End Of Your Tour