Sikkim – “ Denzong, the rice bowl

“The land of the mountain crests” – lies between the kingdom of Bhutan in the east, Nepal to its west and on its northern border tower the plateau of Tibet. This small stretch of rugged land may just be a speck on the world map but it size belies its richness and diversity of culture, custom heritage, flora and fauna. Sikkim – one of the most beautiful nooks in the Himalayas offers visitors nature in all its grandeur. The worlds 3rd highest mountain Mt. Kanchanjunga (28,156 ft) and its attendant peaks – Pandim, Narsing, Kabru Talung, Siniolchu, Pau-unri, Simvo, and Jopuno present will have you believe resembles an alter of the gods.

Leaving behind the sweltering plains of the Ganges, you will travel up through orchid-laced subtropical forests of the Himalayan foothills, steep gorges verdant hillsides dotted with terraced rice paddies that turn from a brilliant emerald green to a soft golden hue with the passing of the seasons. Amidst the high peaks nestle fabulous natural Lakes Worshiped by the people of Sikkim and about which legends abound.

Crowing hilltops are fabled centers of Buddhists worship and learning, such as the monasteries at Rumtek, Enchey and Pemayangtse, to mention only a few. Awe inspiring Stupas and Chortens are set amidst fluttering prayer flags, and numerous prayer wheels spun by clear mountain streams tinkle melodiously to remind you that you are in the abode of the Gods. Come; explore the wonder that is Sikkim.

Area of Sikkim : 7,096 sq. Kms.
Altitude (Gangtok) : 1547m
Population of Sikkim : 510,000 (approx)
Commonly Spoken Languages : Sikkimes, Nepali, Hindi, and English

Darjeeling: “The place of Thunderbolt”
Is popular hill-resort in Eastern India. Also known as “The Queen of the Hills”, Darjeeling lies perched at a height of 2,134 meters with a panoramic view of the mighty Himalayan peaks of the Mt. Kanchanjunga Cluster. It has attracted many climes of the mountains. Darjeeling was the very hot Indian summers of Gangetic Bengal.

Toy Train:
By the late 1800s, Darjeeling had gained in importance as a hill station but the only means of transportation of goods to and from the town was by bullock carts using the Hill Cart Road beginning in the plains at Siliguri. An agent of the East Bengal Railway, Franklyn Prestage, came up with the plan for a narrow gauge rail link between Siliguri and Darjeeling. Construction started in 1879 and the first train pulled by the ‘gutsy’ little steam engine and there caches puffed into Darjeeling on 4th July 1881. Nicknamed ‘Toy Trans’ they have been making daily journeys for the plains – the journey takes around 8 hours – the trip is more of an experience. A joy ride on the train is included in your sightseeing tours.

Famous Tea Gardens ‘Darjeeling’ and excellent tea have become synonymous. Tea- drinkers the world over must constantly bless the memory of the person who decided 1840 that the climate of the Darjeeling region was very conducive to the growth of tea. Huge forest areas called in to teach the art of tea making and thousands of Nepalese were hired to work in the tea gardens. Darjeeling Tea become so famous for its aroma and delicacy of taste that it was soon named the “Champagne of the Earth”.

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Kalimpong – The Governor’s Fort
As the Lepchas , the original people of the region called it. Kalimpong nestles in Himalayan West Bengal at a modest altitude of 1250-m. enjoying moderate climate. Forming a triangle with its more illustrious ‘neighbors’, Darjeeling and Gangtok, Kalimpong is an excellent spot for a restful and quite holiday. Kalimpong has a number of houses, which speak of the town’s heritage and gracious living in earlier decades of this century when it was the main trading post between Tibet and British India. Today it is a flourishing floriculture center as the climate has proved to be extremely conductive to this activity.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival Day in Kathmandu, airport pick up and check in to hotel rest day.

Day 2 : Fly to Paro (Bhutan): Arrive Paro by Druk air BAe 146-100 series, the only national carrier.
The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities our Bhutan members will receive you. Afternoon / evening time at leisure. O/N Kichu Resort.

Day 3 : Drive to Wangduephodrang for Wangdue Festival by crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Observe wangdi Festival. O/N Wangdi Kichu Resort.

Day 4 : Today will be a long drive almost 6 / 7 hours crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. Picnic lunch will be served at the 18 century Chendebji chorten. After
one and half-hour arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was controlled from this fortress during the mid 17th century. Visitors are not allowed inside the building. Proceed another 2 hours to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center. Overnight at Karma Tobden Guest House.

Day 5 : Bumthang altitude 2600m, has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale. Sightseeing -Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more interesting done on foot. Overnight same.

Day 6 : Drive back to Wangdi via Gangtey valley. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measure to ensure the safety of the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks are not
allowed to make load noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley. Explore the fascinating glacier valley and O/N Kichu Wangdue

Day 7 : Early drive to Thimphu for festival. O/N River View or similar.

Day 8 : Full day Thimphu sightseeing - visit the Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. PM visit the
Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market. O/N same.

Day 9 : Drive to Paro(65kms, 2 hrs) by visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university. After noon proceed through the beautiful valley to the watchtower or locally known
as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme DorjiWangchuck. The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. A short walk downhillto the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. O/N Kichu Resort.

Day 10 : Paro Sightseeing - visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in
the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the dzong. Later hike to Taktsang monastery view point. Horses can be arranged with an extra cost. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. Stroll back to Resort. Evening at leisure. Overnight Kichu Resort.

Day 11 : Drive to P/Ling(175kms, 6hrs). O/N Hotel Druk (near the Indian boarder).

Day 12 : Exit Bhutan and Drive to Sikkim overnight in hotel hard dive (9-10 hours)

Day 13 : Sikkim sightseeing

Day 14 : one more day in Sikkim s/s

Day 15 : Drive to Darjeling

Day 16 : Darjeling sightseeing( morning excursions to Tiger hill)

Day 17 : Drive to Bhadarapur then fly back to Kathmandu ( Afternoon flight, about 40 m)

Day 18-19- 20 : Kathmandu free and easy

Day 21 : Fly to home town.

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