Darjeeling,
the enchanting town, also known as the “Queen of Hills” lies nestled in the
grandeur of the snow-capped mountains and lush green tea gardens. A holiday
resort during the British rule, this town still exudes its past grandeur, charm
and majesty, attracting a lot of visitors. Tucked away in the Himalayas, south
of the state of Sikkim, Darjeeling at an altitude of almost 7000 ft is situated
in West Bengal, sharing its border with Sikkim in the north, Nepal in the west
and Bhutan in the east. Darjeeling derives its name from the local Tibetan name
‘Dorjee-ling
’, meaning ‘Place of the Thunderbolt’.
Kalimpong
is a small sleepy hill resort at an altitude of about 4000 ft and is cradled on
a saddle between the Durpin Hill and Deolo Hill. Kalimpong meaning ‘Fort of the
King’s Minister’ was once the hub of the trade of India with Tibet, but now
attracts a lot of visitors looking for a quiet holiday.
Darjeeling
internationally acclaimed as one of the best hill resorts is also a paradise
for trekkers and adventure seekers. Trekking in Darjeeling is an experience
which no lover of nature should miss. It takes one to places where nature is
yet in her primeval majesty. It brings one face to face with sublime grandeur
of the Himalayas.
The
region abounds in rhododendrons, magnolias, primulas, orchids and ferns of
numerous varieties. About six hundred different species of birds inhabit the
green forest on the slopes of the mountains.
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Darjeeling - Your Darjeeling
tour starts from today. On arrival at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (70.3 km)
/ Bagdogra Airport (65.3 km) / Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand (61.9 km), meet our
IHPL representative who assists you while you take a transfer to Darjeeling.
Set
at an elevation of 2050 m, Darjeeling is a beautiful hill town in West Bengal,
popular for its tea plantations. Home to Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, this tranquil town makes every visitor experience
spectacular views of the Majestic Himalayas. The pleasing weather and soothing
ambience of the place promises to make your trip to Darjeeling memorable.
On
reaching, check-in to the hotel. Step out to explore the Mall or shopping area
of Darjeeling in the evening. Later, come back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Darjeeling Local Sightseeing – Wake up early
this morning and start your family tour by driving towards the famous Tiger
Hill (11 km) to experience a sunrise like never before. As you pass through,
thick forests of oak and magnolia, get ready to enjoy a sunrise over
Kangchenjunga Peak (subject to clear weather). Tiger Hill is famous to offer a
panoramic view of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga together. As the first
rays of the sun hit the place, you get to see the twin peaks of Kanchenjunga
painted in shades of pink and orange.
After
enjoying this breathtaking sunrise, head back to Darjeeling. En-route, visit
Ghoom Monastery, War memorial and Batasia Loop. An age old monastery, Ghoom
Monastery is known for its spiritual ambience, beautiful thangkas and alluring
surroundings. The monastery holds much importance for Buddhists as it preserves
some of the rare Buddhist manuscripts. Batasia Loop is the perfect host to
Darjeeling Himalayan toy train, which passes through the place in a loop-like
pattern. Near Batasia loop, there is a war memorial dedicated to the brave
soldiers who lost their lives for the country during wars and operations after
independence.
On
reaching the hotel, have your breakfast and go for your next round of
sightseeing. Start with a visit to Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, which is
well-known for its exotic flora and fauna. Visit Peace Pagoda, another major
tourist attraction of Darjeeling. The place is believed to be a symbol of peace
and spirituality. There is a Buddhist temple and monastery located near Peace
pagoda. Done up in traditional Japanese style, they offer a serene ambience to
meditate.
With
that spirit of mountaineering, you really can’t miss visiting the famous
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday). Enjoy the beautiful
views of the tea plantations and snow-capped peaks with a Cable Ride that takes
you to the beautiful Rangit Valley from Darjeeling. Explore the true beauty of
Darjeeling, which lies in its Tea Estates and pick the best tea for yourself.
Also, visit attractions like Tensing Gumpo Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self Help
Center (Closed on Sunday) and Natural History Museum (Sunday Closed). Head back
to the hotel and enjoy a stroll around the mall in the evening. Stay overnight
at the hotel.
A
well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site, Gangtok is nestled amid the high peaks of
the Himalayas. Set at an elevation of 1600m, the place allures tourists from
all over the world to explore its untouched beauty. Lakes, gardens,
monasteries, Gangtok has something for every tourist. Gangtok experiences
pleasant weather all throughout the year, this is why, people throng the place
to enjoy some time amid natural beauty all through the year.
On
reaching, check-in to the hotel and go for sightseeing at major tourist
attractions of Gangtok. Do Drul Chorten Stupa is one of the most important
Stupas in Sikkim. The stupa features intricate architecture which leaves every
visitor mesmerized.
Set
on a scenic hill above Gangtok, Enchey Monastery is one of the major
attractions of Gangtok. It is believed that the monastery belongs to the
Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism. The location where the monastery is
located is believed to be blessed by Lama Drupthob Karpo, who was an expert in
tantric art of Buddhism. Enchey Monastery is beautifully decorated and features
alluring images of the deities Buddha, Loki Sharia, and Guru Padmasambhava. One
can find a number of masks in the monastery which are used during the annual
religious dances. Do visit other attractions like Directorate of Handicrafts
& Handloom, Research Institute of Tibetology, White Hall and Flower Show.
Later, return back to the hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Stay overnight
at the hotel.
A
tranquil and scenic lake, Tsomgo Lake is one of the most popular attractions of
Gangtok. Set at an elevation of 3780 m, this glacial lake is considered holy by
Sikkimese people. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the
banks of the lake. The place is a paradise for bird watchers as get to spot a
number of Brahmini ducks and migratory birds near the lake.
Located
at a distance of around 16 km from Tsomgo Lake is Baba Mandir. A popular
pilgrim center, Baba Mandir is believed to possess wish fulfilling powers. The
shrine is built in the memory of Baba Harbhajan Singh, who was an Indian Army
soldier and lost his life near Nathula Pass. It is believed that he is still
‘on duty’ for the Indian Army and he guards the lives of soldiers posted on the
India- China border.
You
have an option of visiting Nathula Pass, which is located 20 km from the
shrine. Later, head back to Gangtok. In the evening, go for a stroll around the
Mall road or any of the local shopping centers. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Departure - Gangtok to Siliguri – This morning
marks the end of your 5 days Darjeeling Gangtok tour package. Have some
delicious breakfast and then leave for Siliguri / New Jalpaiguri Railway
Station (119 km) / Bagdogra Airport (126 km) / Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand (113
km). On reaching, carry on with your onward journey.
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