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| Darjeeling is a small hill station situated to the North of West Bengal. The place offers serene atmosphere and a superb view of the Kanchenjunga . The state of Sikkim is further North of Darjeeling and is perhaps one of the most tranquil places on earth. Sikkim offers wonderful trekking routes and is almost pollution free to a very serious degree. |
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| Duration: 11 Days |
| Darjeeling-Sikkim |
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Day 01 |
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Arrival at Bagdogra airport near Siliguri where our representative will meet you. It is about a 3 hour drive to Darjeeling from the airport. The drive is pleasant as you pass through tea gardens, which from every standpoint looks like a green carpet. When you reach Darjeeling you will be transferred to your hotel. If time permits you can visit Chowrasta a popular meeting point in Darjeeling . |
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| Day 02 |
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You have to wake up very early in the morning to watch the sunrise from Tiger Hill. The view of sunrise from Tiger Hill is famous all over the world and is sometimes considered one of the most pleasant views in the world. Return back to the Hotel for breakfast. You will then be taken for a Joyride in the steam engine. Afternoon, visit the Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda established by the Japanese Buddhist Order Nipponzan Myoji, Dhirdham Temple-a replica of the Pashupatinath Temple of Kathmandu, Ava Art Gallery of the fine arts and embroidery works, and finally the Natural History Museum which has a wide range of collection of preserved reptiles, birds, butterflies and other insects. It's open from 10 am to 4 pm and is closed on Thursdays and half on Wednesdays. At the end of the day, you would like to independently hang around Chowrasta-situated on the ridge of Darjeeling which is lined with the shops and restaurants. Its an ideal place to take a relaxed stroll under the watchful gaze of the mighty Kanchenjunga range in the east and rolling hills of Sikkim in the north. You would also like to have some fun filled horse ride in Chowrasta. |
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| Day 03 |
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Today, visit Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park that shelters the most exotic breed of high altitude Himalayan fauna including Himalayan black beer, the red pandas, tigers, snow leopards and colorful Himalayan birds. The zoo can be visited between 8 am to 4 pm but is closed on Thursdays. Other sites include Himalayan Mountaineering Institute-the premier school of mountaineering in the world, established after the conquest of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillalry and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, Rangit Valley Passenger Ropeway ride ( for strong hearts only), Tenzing & Gomba Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center, Tea Estate and Labong Race Course. |
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| Day 04 |
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Drive to Gangtok. En route, sightseeing of Rumtek Monastery-the principal seat of Karma pa outside Tibet . The monastery lies 1.5 miles before Gangtok. This is the largest monastery of Sikkim and is an example of Tibetan architecture. Gyalwa Karmapa, the 16 th Karmapa, settled in Sikkim in the late fifties when the Chinese took the control of Tibet . |
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| Day 05 |
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At Gangtok go for a day sightseeing covering Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom, Enchey Monastery of the Ntyingma Order with a history of more than 200 years, the world renowned Research Institute of Tibetology stocked with the rare books and documents on Buddhism, the holy Phurba Chorten and Orchid Sanctuary. |
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| Day 06 |
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Transfer to Pelling/Pemayangtse (132 km / 5 hrs.). Check in hotel and in the afternoon, visit to Pemayangtse Monastery, situated at 6840ft, which is the most important monastery of Nyingmapa order. The monastery preserves numerous religious idols and other objects of worship, most of which are priceless because of their antiquity. |
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| Day 07 |
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Take an excursion to Khecheopari Lake - the sacred Buddhist mountain lake. It is believed that whatever is wished in front of the lake that comes true. Myth has its that when a leaf falls on the placid clear water surface is picked by a bird. From here, you will continue further 3 ½ miles to Yuksom-the first capital of Sikkim where the first Chogyal (a ruling dynasty in Sikkim ) was crowned. |
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| Day 08 |
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Early morning, 30 minutes moderate trek to Dhubdi Monastery (built in 1700 AD, the oldest monastery of Sikkim ) and Tashi Namgyal (the stone throne for the first king). |
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| Day 09 |
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Departure |
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