Sikkim Adobe of Gods
Sikkim
is a land of rich and varied scenic beauty, magnificent mountains, eternal
snows, dark forests,
green fertile valleys, raging torrents and calm, placid
lakes. Her magnificent variety of flora and fauna are the naturalist's
dream; the steep variations in elevation and rainfall give rise to a
glorious multitude of species within a comparatively limited area. The
scenic grandeur of mighty snow-capped peaks, the highest of which is the
28,162 feet - the mighty Kanchenjunga.
"Abode of the Gods" -
is the right phrase for this beautiful state.
DAY 01. ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive
Delhi. You will be met on arrival and escorted till your check in at Hotel.
Overnight.
DAY 02. IN DELHI
Post breakfast proceed
for the city tour of Old and New Delhi. Drive past the opulent Red Fort.
Visit Jama Masjid - the biggest mosque of Asia, Rajghat - memorial site of
Mahatma Gandhi and later enjoy a rickshaw ride through the busy streets of
Chandni Chowk, the shopping center of Old Delhi. In the afternoon proceed
for the tour of New Delhi and visit Humayun's Tomb - the mausoleum of
Emperor Humayun, Qutab Minar built by Qutab-ud-din Aibek. Drive past the
secretarial offices, Parliament. Visit the India Gate - war memorial and
Connaught Place, the city center. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 03. DELHI - BAGDOGRA BY AIR AND BY SURFACE TO DARJEELING
This
morning after breakfast, in time transfer to airport to connect flight for
Bagdogra. You will be met on arrival and then continue the surface journey
to Darjeeling (93 kms/58 miles). Upon arrival check in at the hotel and
later relax at the hotel or take a walk to the bazaar. Overnight.
DAY 04. IN DARJEELING
Set out early this morning to see a truly
spectacular sight (weather permitting), the snow-clad Kunchenjunga Range
with some of the world's tallest peaks, is clad in orange gold raiment of
the rising Sun. Visit Ghoom Monastery, and built in the Tibetan style
enshrining an image of Maitreya Buddah. Later, tour this picturesque area
stopping at Lebong Valley, home to the world's highest racetrack and the
Mountaineering Institute of India. Overnight.
DAY 05.
DARJEELING - PEMAYANGTSE (117 KMS/73 MILES)
This morning after
breakfast drive on to Pemayangtse in Sikkim. Afternoon visit the 17th
century Pemayangtse of the Nyingmapa order, which is perched at a height of
2085 m, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Soak in the haunting beauty of
the Khangchendzonga and its retinue of peaks. Evening at leisure and
overnight.
DAY 06. PEMAYANGTSE - GANGTOK (140 KMS/88 MILES)
Morning after
breakfast proceed by surface to Gangtok. Arrive late afternoon and upon
arrival check in at the hotel. This afternoon relax in the hotel. Overnight.
DAY 07. IN GANGTOK
The picturesque 24-km drive from
Gangtok to the impressive Rumtek Monastery takes you through some of the
prettiest areas around the town. This lavishly built monastery is said to be
a replica of the Tsurphu Monastery of the Kagyupa order, in Tibet. Afternoon
visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, the world-renowned center for
Buddhist philosophy and religion. It is the world's largest treasury of
invaluable old Tibetan books and manuscripts on science, medicine, astrology
etc. The center also has a wide range of Leach and Sanskrit manuscripts and
scrolls of ancient vintage.
Evening at leisure and overnight.
DAY 08. GANGTOK - BAGDOGRA BY SURFACE AND THEN BY AIR TO DELHI
Morning after breakfast drive back to Bagdogra airport (127 kms/79 miles) to
connect flight to Delhi. You will be met on arrival and taken to airport
hotel where you can relax in the lobby till your transfer to International
terminal to connect flight for onward destination.
DAY 09.
LEAVE DELHI
Take the flight back home today.
Note:
You could also make Calcutta as your entry and exit point
