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DAY 01: ARRIVE KOLKATA
Assistance at the airport and arrival and
transfer to hotel.
Kolkata, on the Hooghly river, retains the
aura of days long gone, weaving the past and
the present, the intense and the funloving
into a charming fabric. Home to four Nobel
laureates - Ronald Ross, Rabindranath Tagore,
Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen, Kolkata is
the nerve centre of intellect and human
values, where many modern movements began in
art, cinema and theatre, science and
industry. India's quest for freedom began
here. Overnight in Kolkata.
DAY 02: KOLKATA
This early morning proceed for a heritage
walk around Dalhousie Square. Walk: The
Second City of the Empire. The area covered
by this walk was originally known in the
eighteenth century as ‘Lal Dighi’ (Red
Lake), and later as Tank Square. The area
near around the Dalhousie Square provides
one of the most interesting walks through
the eighteenth and nineteenth century
history and architecture of Kolkata.
THE WALK: starts from the Governor’s House (Raj
Bhavan) goes past the Treasury Building to
St. John’s Church, up to the Kolkata General
Post Office (GPO), and around past the
Collectorate Office and the Writer’s
Building – the seat of the state government.
Then you can take a quick round of St.
Andrew’s Kirk, take a straight walk down the
Old Court House Street and go past the Old
Currency Building. Cross over to see the
Postal Sorting Office, the Central Telegraph
Office. Then turn left into Wellesley Place
(now Red Cross Place), past the Raj Bhavan
outhouses and left again to the Great
Eastern Hotel. This would bring you out very
near Curzon Park where you would have
started off from.
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing in
Kolkata, including:
South Park Street Cemetery: This cemetery is
situated at the Park Street. It was
constructed in 1767 to accommodate the large
number of the British people who died for
their country. There are many heavily
inscribed head stones, pyramids, urns and
obelisks.
Victoria Memorial: This is one of India's
most beautiful monuments built between 1906
and 1921 on the lines of white marble. It
stands on the southern side of the maidan
(ground) near Jawaharlal Nehru Road. All
monuments of this memorial were designed in
Italian Renaissance-Mughal style and build
of white marble from Rajasthan. It houses
paintings, manuscripts, and other objects of
historic value in its Museum and Art
Gallery. Two regular sound and light shows
are held in the evening. (Closed on Mondays)
St. Paul's Cathedral: is 3 km from BBD Bagh.
The interior has exquisite scriptural
scenes. Above these are the two Florentine
frescos. In the centre of the eastern sector
is the magnificent alter piece. The massive
gold-gilt plate presented by Queen Victoria
to Bishop Wilson, and the western windows
are of special interest. The candlelight
service on Christmas eve is a moving
experience.
Indian Museum: It is about 2 km from BBD
Bagh. It is a huge piece of Italian
architecture on Jawaharlal Nehru Road, which
was built in 1875. The largest museum in the
country and is popularly known as Jadu Ghar
(Magic House), this is the premier national
collection in the subcontinent.
College Street is a street in north
Calcutta. It stretches (approximately) from
Bowbazar to Mahatma Gandhi road crossing. It
houses many centres of intellectual activity
in the city as well as well-known academic
institutions The College Street is most
famous for its bookstores. It is the largest
second-hand book market in the world and
collectively boasts of a collection of
almost any title ever sold at Kolkata. One
can buy rare books at throw-away prices and
extensive bargaining take place.
Proceed for a cup of coffee at The Indian
Coffee House, a cafe that has attracted the
city's intelligentsia for decades. Evening
return to the hotel. Overnight in Kolkata.
DAY 03: KOLKATA – BAGDOGRA –
DARJEELING
This day after breakfast, proceed to the
airport in time for flight to Bagdogra.
Arrive Bagdogra, meet and assist at the
airport, and immediately drive to
Darjeeling.
DARJEELING:
Standing high in the Himalayas at an
altitude of 2134m, ‘Dorje Ling’, or place of
the Thunderbolt, offers breathtaking views
of snow-capped mountain peaks, with the
Kanchendzonga rising higher than all the
others. Often referred to as the “Queen of
the Hills”, it remains just as alluring with
its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a
narrow gauge railway track. Surrounded by
World Famous Tea Gardens and snow capped
mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the
most exotic destinations. Check-in to your
hotel. Overnight in Darjeeling.
DAY 04: DARJEELING
Early morning visit Tiger Hill and Ghoom
Monastery.
Tiger Hill :- It is 13 kms from Darjeeling
and one can see a beautiful sunrise and
Himalayan Ranges like Kanchandzonga , Mount
Everest etc. One can see the horizon
changing colors just before sunrise and then
the entire Himalayan range turn golden. It
is truly a majestic sight.
Ghoom Monastery:- This is oldest Monastery
in the area which was built in 1875 and one
can see the image of Mythey Buddha 15ft.
height on the way back from Tiger Hill.
After breakfast enjoy Toy Train ride from
Darjeeling to Ghoom and back
TOY TRAIN: The spectacular landscape unfolds
as the 2-foot gauge Darjeeling Himalayan
railway, opened in 1881, labours at about 10
mph criss-crossing the road. It has tiny
4-wheel locomotives (some over 100 years
old) like living legends. One can experience
the sound, smell and romance of a bygone
era. DHR is a work of genius and
technological achievement of 1881. It has
social and cultural importance. It is
beautiful and has outstanding universal
appeal. Based on its unique features, it is
considered to be of lasting significance to
mankind.
Afternoon visit to Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute, Zoological Park and Tibetan
Refugee Centre
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute/Padmaja
Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park & Snow
Leopard Breeding Centre:- The Himalayan
Mountaineering Institute was started in
Darjeeling after Mr.Tenzing Norgay climbed
Mt.Everest successfully. The institute gives
training to learn Mountaineering and other
adventure sports related to mountaineering.
There is a small museum attached wherein one
can see the equipment used by Mr. Tenzing
Norgay during his expedition to Mr.Everest.
Visit Himalayan Zoological Park where one
can see Himalayan animals like Snow Leopard,
Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black
Bear and several varieties of birds.
Tibetan Self-Help Centre Or Refugee
Centre:- This institute is run by Tibetan
Refugees to preserve their handicrafts and
one can see making of Tibetan Carpets,
Leather work, Paintings and Wooden work etc.
Overnight in Darjeeling.
DAY 05: DARJEELING – PELLING (75
Kms By Car And 110 Kms By Tempo)
This morning after breakfast, drive to
Pemayangste / Pelling.
PELLING: Located at a distance of 120 kms
from Gangtok Pelling is another serene,
mountain village which lies in the western
districts of Sikkim. This village is
situated at an altitude of 2000 mts(approx)
and the distance from this village to the
mount Kanchandzonga, as a crow flies…is 26
kms approx. On arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon visit PEMAYANGSTE MONASTERY, only
2.5 Kms. from Pelling and standing at 2085m.
The Perfect Sublime Lotus, perched on a
wooded hilltop, commands the most sublime
view of the Khangchendzong. Built during the
late 17th century, it is one of the oldest
and most important monasteries of the
Nyingmapa order of Buddhism in Sikkim. To
the present day, it is only the monks of
this monastery who enjoy the title of
‘Tasang’ or pure monks.
Rabdentse- Sikkim’s second capital. The
ruins of Rabdantse are worth exploring. The
winding track through the forest brings you
to a small set of ruins of the early town
and eventually on the ruins of the palace
with Chorten (stupa) nearby. Further are the
Changay Falls. Overnight in Pelling.
DAY 06: PELLING
This day after breakfast at the hotel,
proceed for excursion to Yuksum, Khechipalri
Lake and Tashiding
YUKSOM (1840M): The first capital of the
kingdom of Sikkim and site of the coronation
of the first chogyal. Evidence of the
enthronement ceremony can still be seen in
the form of stone seats and a footprint of
the Head Lama on a stone. The stone throne
constructed for the great event stands today
at Norbugang and has been declared a
Heritage Site.
Walk to Dubdi Monastery: This was the 1st
Monastery established soon after the
consecration ceremony of the 1st Chogyal.
The Monastery is located on a hill top above
Yuksum surrounded by verdant forest. It can
be approached by trekking only, negotiating
steep slope of something like 40 – 45
minutes.
On the way back visit to Tashiding and
Khechipalri Lake.
TASHIDING: Sikkim’s most sacred monastery is
perched atop a conical hill. A mere glance
at the monastery is believed to absolve one
of all sins. Common sights around the Gumpa
are mantra engravings.
KHECHEOPALRI LAKE: Past the ruins of ancient
towns and monasteries tended by red robed
lamas lie the crystalline wish fulfilling
waters of Khecheopalri Lake. The sacred lake
lies in a depression surrounded by prayer
flags and forested hills. Overnight in
Pelling.
DAY 07: PELLING – GANGTOK 127 KMS
APPROX 6 HOURS.
This day after breakfast, drive to Gangtok
GANGTOK: At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok
became the state capital in the mid 19th
century and has undergone rapid development
since then. The downtown area is dominated
by huge government buildings decorated with
traditional Buddhist symbols. Gangtok is
also a resting ground for people traveling
to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries
and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a travellers
delight. Overnighti n Gangtok.
DAY 08: GANGTOK
This day after breakfast at the hotel,
proceed for a full day city tour of Gangtok
and also an excursion to the Rumtek
Monastery.
Rumtek Monastery: Just 24 Kms. from Gangtok
is the awe -inspiring Rumtek Monastery the
world Dharma chakra Centre and the seat of
His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the
head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan
Buddhism.
The Enchey Monastery: Perched on a ridge
above Gangtok, the Enchey Monastery is
nestled within lush woods with a spectacular
view of Gangtok town. Built in 1910 on the
site of the hermitage of the great tantric
saint, Lama Drutob Karpo, who was renowned
for his powers of levitation, this monastery
houses the monks of the Nyingmapa Order of
Tibetan Buddhism.
Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology: Amidst a
serene surrounding of oak, birch and ash
lies the unique organization established
in1958. Built in traditional style, the
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes
research in Mahayana Buddhism and the
language and tradition of Tibet. It has one
of the world’s largest collections of rare
books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism.
Directorate Of Handloom And Handicrafts:
-This Directorate was set up to promote
traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts.
Exquisitely carved wooden friezes, intricate
bamboo work, along with beautiful hand woven
carpets and handlooms are on exhibit here.
Visitors can not only purchase these items
here but also see the artisans at work.
Overnight in Gangtok.
DAY 09: GANGTOK
This day after breakfast, proceed for a
full day excursion to Tsomgo Lake.
Tsomgo Lake: 35 Kms from Gangtok at an
altitude of 12,400 feet is the beautiful
Tsomgo Lake. The lake freezes over
completely in winter. The lake derives its
waters from melting snows off the
surrounding mountains. Legends say that
lamas could forecast the future by studying
the color of the lake’s waters. Fishing is
totally prohibited and all are requested not
to dirty the environs of the lake to
maintain its sanctity. Above the 15th Mile
Sikkim Police check post lays the unique
high altitude Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary,
home of the Red Panda and the Blood
Pheasant, which are the state animal and the
state bird respectively.
Overnight in Gangtok.
DAY 10: GANGTOK – KALIMPONG 83 KMS
APPROX 3 HOURS.
This day dafter breakfast, drive to
Kalimpong.
KALIMPONG: At an altitude of 1250m,
Kalimpong’s location is ideal for a pleasant
, relaxed getaway. Its clement weather has
made Kalimpong’s Orchids and Gladiola well
renowned. Today it’s a quiet hill resort and
a haven for retired people.
In the afternoon, proceed for a city tour of
Kalimpong.
Flower Nurseries: The climate of Kalimpong
is ideal for the cultivation of flowers and
plants. Kalimpong is famous for its
nurseries which export exotic flowers like
Amaryllis lilies, Anthuriums, Roses
gerberas, Dahilias, Gladiolias as well as
Orchids and Cacti.
Zang Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery: This is a
fairly new monastery located in Durpin Dara,
from here one can get an exclusive panoramic
view of the town and surroundings. The
prayer room inside the monastery is adorned
with wall paintings and there is a rare
three-dimensional mandala upstairs.
Thongsa Gumpa: this monastery is of
Bhutanese origin and built around 1692. It
is the oldest in Kalimpong.The original
structure was destroyed in the inter-clan
wars before the British arrived. Overnight
in Gangtok.
DAY 11: KALIMPONG – BAGDOGRA –
KOLKATA
This day after breakfast, drive to Bagdogra
in time for flight to Kolkata. Arrive
Kolkata and transfer to the hotel. Overnight
in Kolkata.
DAY 12: KOLKATA – DEPARTURE
This day, you will be transferred to the
airport for flight to onward destination. |
