Under the Foothills of Mt. Kanchendzonga: Overland tour-10 days

Trip Introduction

Sikkim, an untouched, timeless land with extraordinary beautiful soaring mountains, plunging rivers and lush tropical forests, brilliant with a profusion of vivid flowers, birds and butterflies and decorated with verdant terraced hillsides, simple stilted villages and colorful temples and monasteries. An amazing land of hidden valleys, mystical monasteries, snow fed lakes and a mountain setting covered with flowers and forests. Darjeeling provides the perfect ambiance of a hill resort with its mild climate, verdant hills and valleys interspersed with vast stretches of lush green tea gardens. Darjeeling is hemmed in by Sikkim in the north, Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east with Kalimpong and Kurseong as the major urban centers. Heavily influenced by British India, Darjeeling still carries imprints reminiscent of its colonial past. The toy train is one of the most striking examples of Darjeeling's British Raj influence. Sikkim is a region influenced by Buddhism, with a number of Buddhists temples, monasteries and learning centers that depict the culture and value of the Sikkimese version of Buddhism.

The tour begins with your arrival at Darjeeling, and which way you come to Darjeeling depends on from where you're travelling. Our local representative will meet you at Bhadrapur Airport (Nepal Border), if you're coming via Nepal OR at Phuntsholing (Bhutan Border) if you're coming via Bhutan OR at Bagdogra Airport, if you're flying from Delhi or Calcutta. In case you're taking a train to the nearest Railway Station, either at New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri, our local representative will meet you at the respective station. From Darjeeling, we head toward Pelling and then to Yuksom, the old capital of Sikkim. Then we move on to Gangtok, the present state capital of Sikkim. While returning back to Darjeeling, we stay at Kalimpong.

Important Note and Optional Activities
Your safety is of paramount concern whilst traveling with Himalayan Glacier Trekking. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, as this is adventure travel in remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, health condition of a member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Darjeeling
Your Sikkim & Darjeeling tour begins today. In the morning, meet the local representative at Phuntsholing ( Bhutan Border) or Bhadrapur Airport ( Nepal Border) and Bagdogra Airport(Flights connects from Delhi and Kolkata). Transfer to Darjeeling. Check in at Hotel at Darjeeling. Leisure overnight.

Day 02: Darjeeling, sightseeing
Today starts with the transfer to Tiger Hill at early morning to see the view of sunrise over Mt. Kanchendzonga. At the back to the hotel way we will visit Yiga-Choling (Ghoom). Then, after breakfast out sightseeing around Darjeeling starts. We will visit Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, inhabited by rare representatives of Himalayan fauna: Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, red panda, snow leopard and many other animal and bird species. Next places for visiting are Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center, also known as a major center for the production of Tibetan carpets, woodwork and leather goods, and famous Tea Garden and Tea Factory of Darjeeling.

Day 03: Transfer from Darjeeling to Pelling (130 km, 5-6 hours)
After breakfast we depart to Pelling, a small town in western Sikkim. There are a few interesting places for visiting on our way. First place is Pemayangtse Monastery, the premier monastery of Sikkim. It lies near about 118 km from Gangtok at the altitude 2085 m. It is the second oldest monastery of Sikkim and belongs to Nyingmapa Buddhist School. The Monastery was founded by Chahdor Namgyal in 1705. It contains numerous antique idols and objects of worship. Annual Chaam dance is held on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. Dressed in costumes of rare magnificence the lamas represent Mahakala and Guru Drag-mar.

Day 04: Transfer from Peling to Yuksom Village (25 km, 2 hours)
Today's point of destination is Yuksom Village. On the way we are going to visit Khechopalri Lake, one of a few sacred lakes of Sikkim. The name Khechopalri means Lake of birds in pleasant mountains, but Sikkimese call it Tsho-Sho aslo which means Great Lake. The water is placid and crystal clear. Not a single leaf can be seen floating: there is an ancient belief, if a leaf drops on the surface of the water it is picked by a bird. Khechopalri lake lies in a depression (1780m) surrounded by prayer flags and forested hills. The tranquillity of the lake is mood elevating. Check in at Hotel at Yuksom. Check in the hotel in Yuksomand overnight.

Day 05: Yuksom, sightseeing
We are going to spend this day in Yuksom, former capital of Sikkim. Yuksom was the first capital of Sikkim established in 1642 AD by Phuntsog Namgyal who was the first Chogyal, the then temporal and religious king, of Sikkim. he term Yuksom means the meeting point of the three Lamas. The town lies at the head of the Khangchendzonga National Park and is also the base camp for trekking to Mt. Khangchendzonga. Day starts with a walk to Dubdi Monastery after breakfast. After sightseeing we will come back to our hotel for lunch. After lunch we will do sightseeing of the Throne of the first King of Sikkim. Then village walk around Yuksom in the evening.

Day 06: Transfer to Gangtok (130 km, 6 hours)
Today after breakfast we have a transfer to the capital of Sikkim Gangtok. The drive to Gangtok passes lush green fields of the famous large Sikkimese Cardamoms as well as Golden Rice. On the way to Gangtok we will visit Tashiding Monastery and Bon Buddhist Monastery. At evening time check in at Hotel and leisure overnight.

Day 07: Gangtok, sightseeing
Today early morning visit Tashi View point About 8 km From Gangtok. It is a resting shed. Astounding view of Khangchendzonga and the Siniolchu Range is the main attractive of this point. The distant north Sikkim monasteries are also visible from this point along the North Sikkim highway.Then back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast you will be visiting these places. Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms or Government Institute of Cottage Industries Enchey Monastery, Research Institute of Tibetology, Rumtek Monastery, Tashi View Point. We also visit the Research Institute of Tibetology, a world-renowned research center for Tibetan Buddhism, founded by the Dalai Lama in 1957. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Transfer to Kalimpong (80 km, 3-4 hours)
Today after breakfast, we drive to Gangtok, 74 km from Gangtok and about 2 hrs drive. Kalimpong is a small town established for the Trade with Bhutan and Tibet by India. Check in at Hotel at Kalimpong. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Kalimpong Sightseeing
Today we are going to visit Shri Diwakar Vahara Institute of Kalimpong and some other sightseeing places like Dello View point and Hat Bazar. Overnight at Kalimpong. There are a few Tibetan Buddhist Gompas in Kalimpong as well. Among them are Tharpa Choling Gompa belonging to the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Thongsa Gompa, of Bhutanese Monastery, Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa, five km south of the town centre at the end of the ridge, consecrated by the Dalai Lama. In the evening we move to Darjeeling, 47 km, and hour's drive from Kalimpong. Overnight at Darjeeling.

Day 10: Farewell Sikkim-Darjeeling!!!
The Trip concludes: Today after breakfast transfer to Phuntsholing (Bhutan Border) or Bhadrapur Airport (Nepal Border) or Bagdogra Airport (Flights connects from Delhi and Kolkata) for your flight for onward tour.

Trip Cost

No. of Person	Price in USD per person
1 person	3263
2-4 person	1728
5-8 person	1550
9-12 person	1461

Trip Cost Includes

Accommodation in twin sharing with 9Breakfast, 9Lunch and 9Dinner.
Transportation by Tavera ac Vehicle and Sightseeing in Gangtok in Maruti Van as for the Government rule. We will have 3 to 4Pax in one Vehicle
Services of English speaking escorts/guide all throughout the tour
Services of porters at Airport and hotels
Welcome drink on arrival.
Monuments fees & Entry Fees during sightseeing
Toy Train Ride in Darjeeling
All government and local taxes

Trip Cost Does Not Include

Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, alcohols, tips etc
Air fares & Train Fare
Travel and medical insurance,
Any extra activities & optional tours, apart from the Itinerary.
Meals apart from the itinerary above.
To travel to Sikkim and Darjeeling guest must have Indian Visa. With double or more entry.
Items not mentioned above

Accommodations

All accommodations for this Tour are on twin sharing basis included in the trip cost and are chosen based on standard of hygiene, standard of service and food, location, etc. There are two styles of accommodations during our tour. One is Standard Deluxe Hotel (it is like 2-stars hotel), other is 3-stars Hotel: we can provide any in accordance with your wishes. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference and get single rooms on request by paying single supplement USD 612.

Meals

Every day's breakfast in above mentioned places is included in the package. This will be a dish of Tibetan or continental origin cooked by the lodgings you stay at. Lunch, dinner and any extra food are up to you; as a rough guide, budget is US$10 to US$20 per day.

Equipments & Packing List

While packing for “ Under the Foothills of Mt. Kanchendzonga: Overland tour”certain gears are essential to be considered.
Please Click here for the comprehensive packing list for this trip.

Tour Day

Soon after first light your guide will knock on your door and will offer you a nice cup of warm tea. After freshening up, you will be picked up by your jeep to some high view point. After approximately 2-3 hours of morning walking you will take a breakfast it the hotel and continue day with main sightseeing program. After a relaxing lunch, you will typically spend 3-4 more for sightseeing and acquaintance with local culture. Finally, it`s off to bed for a well earned night`s rest before starting all over again the next day.

Team Composition

For the Sikkim cultural tour there will be one English-speaking guide. We can run this Tour for group of any size, but generally have a maximum of twelve people, as we've found this to be the optimum size for a successful trip. However, if you'd like to make a group booking for more than twelve people together, we can arrange this too.

Departure Dates

We will organize this trip on the dates requested by you. Please contact us for your customized departure date. Best time to visit this region is from September till June. We keep July and August as Monsoon.

Additional Information

Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip. However, if you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip or your suitability for it please contact us.

Trip Facts

Price from : US$ 1461
Activities: Cultural Tours & Sightseeing, Overland Tours, 4x4 Driving
Trip Duration:10 days
Trip Grade:Easy
Accommodation: All accommodations in standard DBL room
Meals:Breakfasts all over the route.
Transportation: Transportation by 4WD private vehicle on the basis 3-4pax in one.
Group Size: From 1 to 12 pax