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For those pressed with time and less inclined to undertake the rigours of hard mountain trekking, trekking up to the meadows of Dzongri will offer the benefits of having experienced a truly spectacular Himalayan trek in a short span of time.
The trail runs through moss-laden forests of oak, chestnut, pine, maple, magnolia and rhododendron culminating in the meadows of Dzongri at 4,000 meters with exceptional mountain views. It is a naturalist’s paradise. These forests harbor hundreds of varieties of wild plants, exotic orchids vie for attention with equally spectacular varieties of birds and butterflies. |
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Day 1: Darjeeling , 2064 m / 6812 ft
Transfers:
From Bagdogra, 91 kms, 4 hours
From Nepal, Bhadrapur Airport, 132 kms, 6 hours
Meet and greet at the airport and drive to Darjeeling. Also known as the “Queen of the Hills” since the days of the British Raj, Darjeeling is a quaint town perched on a beautiful ridge overlooking the majestic Kanchenjunga (Khangchendzonga) range.
Day 2: Excursions
After breakfast, we visit Darjeeling ’s lower bazaar and from here, proceed to the Lloyd Botanical Garden , bequeathed by Mr. Lloyd, proprietor of Lloyd’s Bank in Darjeeling . Home to some of the finest collection of Himalayan trees, plants, orchids and other flowers. We then visit Natural History museum, showcasing a comprehensive collection of the region’s fauna, and then onwards to the Himalayan mountaineering institute, home of Darjeeling ’s famous mountaineers, expeditions and gear. Adjacent is Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park , where we gain insights on the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Bear, Deer, Red Panda, Snow Leopard and other Himalayan animals.
Our next stop is the Tibetan Refugee Center , established in 1959. Source of some of the best craftsmanship, this center produces carpets, carvings, thangkas and other traditional Tibetan crafts. We get a chance to watch firsthand the artisans at work.
In the late afternoon, we go for a stroll around Chowrastha to soak in the local atmosphere.
Day 3: Gangtok, 1666 m / 5500 ft, 95 kms, 3 to 3.5 hours
An exhilarating early morning sunrise excursion to Tiger hill, 14 kms from where the Himalayan peaks of Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Jannu, Kabur, Pandim, Siniolchu, Frey’s’ peak and Mount Everest are visible in all their glory.
On our return, we stop and visit the Yiga Choling Gompa and the pilgrims engrossed in their, early morning prayer rituals and circumambulations of the monastery. This monastery is of the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism and set in the peaceful surroundings of Ghoom. At the Batasia loop, we stop for a short while to see the toy train in action.
Our program continues after breakfast, with a leisure and scenic drive along side the Teesta River to Sikkim ’s capital, Gangtok. Look out for the quotes written on the hill sides by the people who constructed this highway, which vary from poetic, amusing to dire warnings.
A little before arriving in Gangtok, we take a detour to the famous Rumtek monastery (Dharma Chakra Center), seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa. Sikkims largest monastery is located in a sprawling area, built as a replica of the Tsurphu monastery in Tibet , in 1969 -10.
Situated on the flanks of a ridge, Gangtok at 1540 m boasts an atmospheric vibes of past, present and future intermingled. In the evening, feel free to stroll around town to soak in its atmosphere.
Day 4: Excursions
After breakfast we visit the Enchey monastery. Built in 1909 - 10, by Chogyal Thutob Namgyal, it is believed that the saint ‘Druthop Karpo’ flew to the spot from Maenam hill and built a shrine on the exact location where the monastery currently stands today. This monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism.
We then proceed downhill to the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom. Here you can watch traditional handicrafts in the making. Established for promoting & training rural Sikkimese in their traditional arts and craft, you can shop for quality souvenirs. Popular items include carved Chokchis (Sikkimese tables with intricately carved designs), carpets, hand woven cloth, blankets, masks, lampshades and paper products.
Further downhill, we arrive at Deorali bazaar and nearby on a tranquil hillock, the Dodrul Chorten, Gangtok’s most revered Buddhist shrine. Built in 1945 by Trulsi Rinpoche, it commemorates victory of good over evil. Nearby the chorten is the Namgyal institute of Tibetology , housing rare Sanskrit, Tibetan and Lepcha manuscripts, statues and thangkas. Also within the same complex, we then visit the Orchid Sanctuary where over 200 species of orchids are grown.
Day 5: Pelling, 112 kms, 5 hours
After a hearty breakfast, drive to Pelling via Rabongla. This ridge top settlement, commands one of the most panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga . An insignificant settlement till a few years back, with the opening of tourism Pelling with its natural beauty has altered into a boom town full of visitors. Enroute we stop and visit the only Bonpo monastery, Kundragling monastery of Sikkim at Kewzing.
Day 6: Yuksam: 1,780 m
Yuksam is the base of West Sikkim ’s most popular trekking region, Dzongri and is also of historical importance to the Sikkimese.
Yuksam literally means ‘meeting place of the three lamas’. In the beginning of seventeenth century a rift between different factions of Buddhist sects in Tibet forced the Red Hat Sect to seek refuge in Sikkim . Lama Lhatsun Chempo, on his journey to Sikkim , arrived at Norbugang in Yuksam, where he met two other lamas, Sempa Chempo and Rinzing Chempo and began converting the people into their faith.
Sacred texts had revealed that the ruler designate of Sikkim would be a man named Phuntsog of Gangtok, so the lamas sent an envoy in search of him. The party returned with Phuntsog Namgyal, whose ancestry could be traced to the legendary prince Guru Tashi, founder of the Kingdom of Miyang in the Chumbi Valley . In 1641 Phuntsog Namgyal was crowned as Sikkim ’s first king, the Chogyal.
Day 7: Bakhim: 3,005 m, 16 km, 5 hours, camp 2,744 m
We walk gently uphill, following the Rathong River 's gorge, through dense mixed jungle with magnolia, rhododendron, ferns and several varieties of orchids, brightly colored birds, and the occasional monkey. After an hour or so we cross the Paha Khola bridge, 1733 m / 5685 ft. There is a swimming spot by a waterfall (for those who dare!) after two hours, and we can stop for lunch by a bridge over stream. Passing by sweet smelling viburnum we cross the Prek Chu River and then ascend steeply for two or three hours to arrive at Bakhim. This is a long trekking day and you should expect to be pretty tired by the time you arrive at Bakhim.
Day 8: Phedang: 3483 m, 5 km, 4 hours
We begin today’s walk by trekking for about one hour up to the picturesque village of Tshoka . Tshoka is home to a colony of Tibetan refugees who have erected a small monastery by a small lake. A fairly steep climb above Tshoka takes you into beautiful rhododendron forests, and you continue along a well-defined uphill path to Phedang (approx. 2/3 hours from Tshoka). Today we will be doing a shorter trail since we will be gaining much altitude.
Day 9: Dzongri: 4,030 m, 4 kms, 3 hours
Another short day’s walking today as we are now treading above the 4,000-meter mark. We will be setting up camp by lunchtime and suggest that you spend a relaxed afternoon acclimatizing. A brief climb beyond brings you to a meadow where we can pitch our tents in a campsite with views of Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Khangchendzonga, Simvo and Pandim.
Day 10: Excursion to Laxmi Pokhari
Early risers can get up before dawn to climb to a vantage point on a ridge above the campsite to watch the sunrise on Khangchendzonga, Kabru, Pandim, Rathong, and many other peaks of the Khangchendzonga range.
Full day excursion to Laxmi Pokhari.
The trial first goes through rhododendron bushes and pasture land for about an hour to Chamaray. From here it is a gradual ascent to Laxmi Pokhari, a big lake cupped in a deep crater. Here you will get good view of Khangchendzonga range, Pandim, Narsing, Kabur, Kabur dome, Koktang etc. If you reach Laxmi Pokhari early and feeling physically fit, an excursion towards Kabur rock will be a rewarding experience.
Day 11: Bakkhim: 3,005 m
Excursion around Dzongri and trek back to Bakkhim
Day 12: Yuksam: 1,780 m
After lunch trek to Dubdi monastery, ‘the hermits cell’, which is situated on the top of a lofty hill one thousand feet above Yuksam. The fir-clad mountains behind provide a dramatic background. Founded by Lhatsun Chempo in 1701, it is the oldest monastery in Sikkim . After visiting the monastery descend to the site where the first King of Sikkim was crowned in 1641 by three lamas.
Day 13: Kalimpong, 100 kms, 4 hours If lucky, this day falls on a Saturday or Wednesday, and we can view the ‘Haat’, that takes place at the weekly market square. From here we visit Kalimpongs’ oldest monastery, Thongsa built in 1692 by its then erstwhile ruler of Bhutan . If not a ‘Haat’ day, we will have the option of visiting other sites in the area. In the afternoon we will visit the famous nurseries of Kalimpong and Sangdophelri monastery where views of the majestic Kanchenjunga can be had.
Day 14: Departure Transfer
Transfer: Kalimpong to Bagdogra: 85 km. / 3 hours
After breakfast, drive to the airport for onward connection:
- Bagdogra for your flight to Delhi / Kolkata, or
- Bhadrapur, Biratnagar for flight to Kathmandu , or
- Drive to Phuntsholing for your Bhutan trip.
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| Tour code / Name |
Tour cost |
Dzongri trek
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2 pax |
US$ 3500.00 per person |
| 3 - 4 pax |
US$ 3220.00 per person |
| 5 - 7 pax |
US$ 3080.00 per person |
| 8 -9 pax |
US$ 2800.00 per person |
| 10 - 15 pax |
US$ 2520.00 per person |
| Single room supplement |
US$ per person |
| Airfare extra |
Kathmandu - Bhadrapur
Delhi - Bagdogra
Kolkata - Bagdogra |
US$ 156.00 per person
US$ per person
US$ per person |
| Note: All tour costs based on twin share basis. Individual (single) travel is also possible. Please contact us for details and costs. |
| Departures: private tour |
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Cost Includes |
- Sikkim inner line permit
- Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, monuments, parks entrance fees and conservation fees
- Hotels on twin share basis with all breakfasts
- Guided tours in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong as per the itinerary
- Transportation by SUV vehicles
- Airport transfers
- Fully catered camping trek supported by local crew & local guides
- All meals during trek portion of tour
- Required yak, yak herder and porters during trek
- Staff & equipment transportation
- Portable Altitude Chamber, first aid medical kit and other life saving equipments
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Cost Excludes |
- India Visa Fee
- Airfares, domestic & international
- Airport tax
- Insurance coverage against all eventualities
- Any cost incurred in emergency evacuation due to any reason
- Meals during hotel stay
- Tips, and expenses of personal nature
- Any other expenses not specified in our includes column
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