Darjeeling & North Sikkim - The Orchid Safari
Sikkim has always known for its unparalleled natural beauty , high hills , big Buddhist Monasteries and lakes. The newly opened region of North Sikkim has opened another opportunity for nature lovers and considered as botanist paradise. The Yumthang and surrounding region is full of many varieties of wild Himalayan flowers like Rhododendrons , Blue Poppies , many varieties of exotic Orchids and many more. The journey passes through lush green hill slopes and tea garden. |
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Day 1: Arrive - Kolkata :Arrive Kolkata. Met on arrival at International airport and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Kolkata - Bagdogra - Darjeeling :Transfer to airport to board flight to Bagdogra. Met on arrival at Bagdogra and transfer to hotel in Darjeeling. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in hotel. DARJEELING is one of the most important and organized hill station in eastern India. It is perched at a height of 2134 mt. with a back drop of the mighty Himalayan peaks.
Day 3: Darjeeling :Very early morning proceed for excursion to Tiger Hill to witness the Sun rise over Mt. Kanchendzonga Range of mountains. Return to Darjeeling visiting Ghoom Monastery enroute. Enjoy Toy Train ride (now a World Heritage entity). Afternoon sightseeing of Darjeeling. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 4: Darjeeling - Pemayangste :In the morning drive to Pelling via Legship. Arrive Pelling and Check-into hotel for . Afternoon sightseeing of Pemayangtse Monastery. It houses numerous antique idols and other objects of religious worship. There are more than 100 Monks living in the monastery. On the top floor of the monastery there is a wooden structure depicting the Mahaguru's Paradise 'Sangthokparli'.
Day 5: Pemayangste - Kechiperi - Yuksum :Drive to Yuksum via Kechiperi lake, often called `Wishing Lake’. The original capital of Sikkim , the tiny hill town of Yuksum is the base for many treks and climbing expeditions to Mount Kanchenjunga and other important peaks.
Day 6: Yuksum - Gangtok :Morning after breakfast drive to Gangtok via Rumtek. RUMTEK is one of the most important monastery in Sikkim. In appearance, it resembles Potala Palace. Also there is Nalanda Institute of Buddhist studies. After visiting Rumtek continue driving to Gangtok. Arrive Gangtok and check into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 7: Gangtok :Early morning drive to Tashi View Point to witness the Sunrise over Mt. Kanchendzonga range of Mountains. Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast proceed for tour of Gangtok. Enchey Monastery, Do-drul chorten, Tibetology and orchidarium. In the evening visit Handicraft center and Bazaar. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 8: Gangtok - Lachung :In the morning drive to North Sikkim. Enroute stop to visit Phodong and Labrang Monastery. After visiting the monastery continue driving to Lachung. Arrive by evening and check into lodge for overnight stay.
Day 9: Lachung :Day at leisure to explore the area around Lachung for flowers watching. The region is full of wild Orchids and Rhododendrons of many varieties. Overnight stay at lodge.
Day 10: Lachung - Yumthang - Lachung :After b/fast proceed for excursion to Yumthang (25 km) which takes about an hour. In the afternoon drive to hot water spring. Later drive back to Lachung for overnight stay.
Day 11: Lachung - Gangtok :Morning after breakfast return to Gangtok with packed lunch. On arrival check-into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 12: Gangtok - Kalimpong :After breakfast drive (130 km) to Kalimpong. The drive is very beautiful along Tista river. On arrival check-into hotel. Kalimpong nestles in Himalayan West Bengal at a modest altitude of 1,250 m and enjoys moderate climate. Forming a triangle with its neighbors, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kurseong and - Mirik are all endowed with charm. It may be more worthwhile spending more time on the roads. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of Durpin monastery. This massive monastery command bird eye view of Kalimpong town. In clear weather it is possible to see Kanchenjunga range and also some mountain peaks in Bhutan.
Day 13: Kalimpong - Bagdogra - Kolkata :Morning after b/fast transfer to Bagdogra airport to board flight to Kolkata. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the city on your own. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 14: Depart Kolkata :Departure transfer to Kalkota airport in time to board flight to onward destination.
