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 Sikkims 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. Sikkim ’s 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, 56 km, 4 hours
Sikkim ’s oldest monastery, Sangachholing, commands majestic views of the hill, valleys and dales of western Sikkim is located on a hillock 40 kms from Pelling. Built by the patron saint of Sikkim , Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo in the 17 th century is worth the visit.
Nearby is the Pemayangtse monastery, ‘the Sublime lotus’, which houses the famed “Zongdogpaldri”, the celestial abode of Padmasambhava, crafted by the late Dungzim Rinpoche.
We also visit the famous Khecheodpalri lake (wishing lake), located amidst a dense forest about 24 kms, 75 mins drive. Considered a sacred wish fulfilling lake, no untoward activities besides prayers are permitted in this area. As per a local belief, if a leaf falls on the lake it is immediately picked up by the birds that look after the lake. You will notice that true to the saying, though the forest covering is very close to the lake, you will not see any leafs floating on the lake surface.
After partaking of a picnic basket, we head for Yuksam. Yuksam is the historical site of the enthronement of the first king of Sikkim in 1641 and is also the gateway for all adventure treks to the Dzongri and Goecha La regions.
Day 7: Bakhim, 2804 m, 5 hours
Your trek begins with a straight 3 hours walk passing through sparkling waterfalls and torrential streams like Paha Khola, Soosay, Mintogang and Prek Chu. Halt at Sachen for lunch followed by a steep 2 hours ascent from Prek Chu to Bakkhim.
Day 8: Phedang, 3520 m, 3½ hours
Passing through Tshoka the last human settlement at an altitude of 10,000 ft., we move onwards to Phedang (11,550 ft).
Day 9: Dzongri, 4050 m, 3 hours
Walk quite steeply upwards crossing Deorali view point and move to Dzongri.
Day 10: Pangding, 4270 m, 6 hours
From Pangding you get excellent close up views of Mt. Kabru , Kokthang, Rathong and Pandim. For the first two hours the trail runs straight through a beautiful forest of juniper, rhododendron and silver fir, and then continues to descend at a gradual rate zigzagging down into the valley to meet the Rathong River.
Views seen on descent include the Rathong Peak , Rathong Glacier, Zamlingang and the hills of Tshoka.
Day 11: Gomathang, 3500 m, 6 to 7 hours
A relatively easy day of hiking with gradual descents and ascents along the way. The trail crosses three valleys of the rivers Tikip Chu, Yangsap Chu, and Boktok Chu and the two passes of Kokling (4400 m) and Yangsap, 3950 m which maybe snowbound between December to April.
En route we see the Kang La, 5004 m pass amidst a black rocky range of mountains and occasional glimpses of Danphe Bhir, the steep rocky climb coming up on the following day. We camp at the base of Danphe Bhir.
Day 12: Garakhet, 4280 m, 6 to 7 hours
We begin the day with a sheer ascent of almost 800 m tackling the steep rock-face of Danphe Bhir arriving at its top, Danphe Bhir Pass , 4631 m in about 3 to 4 hours. The ordeal is followed by what may seem an easy half hour’s walk along a straight stretch but this too may be literally breath-taking because of the altitude. Thereafter it is a steep descent for around 2 hours into the pastures of Garakhet where we set up camp.
Day 13: Upper Yambong , 3735 m, 6 to 7 hours
Today will be an exceptional day as we take an excursion towards the Nepal and en route view scenic lakes like Lam Pokhari, Haas Pokhari, Ram-Laxman Pokhari. As we head eastwards, there will be spectacular views of Everest, Makalu and Kumbakarna as well as that of the indomitable Khangchendzonga range.
Day 14: Lower Yambong , 3300 m, 4 hours, 5-6 hrs walk.
The trail descends for about 1½ hrs and from the place called Kopche the trail becomes steep from about 1½ hrs. After this climb you descend down to Megu valley. This trail is dominated by rhododendron shrubs and primulae, which bloom during May-June.
Day 15: Naya Patal, 3000 m, 5 to 6 hours
Today’s trek begins with a straight stretch for about an hour followed by an uphill zigzag climb of around 1.5 hours, and after which the trail descends gradually until the last portion leading into the campsite, which is a sharp descent for around an hour.
On this day, we can observe the vegetation gradually transforming from the alpine into temperate. Pine trees give way to chestnut groves, and clumps of dwarf bamboo and ferns replace the previous day’s views of azaleas.
Day 16: Sang Khola, 2050 m, 5 hours
We continue walking through a forest interspersed with chestnut, magnolia and rhododendron trees. At the start is a straight stretch for 1.5 hours followed by a gradual descent of 3 hours to Chongri, a Bhutia village. Finally, the last stretch for 1 hour is a steep descent into the river valley of Sang Khola . We set up camp near by the school.
Day 17: Darap, 1530 m, 4 hours
For around 2 hours we trace our route along the riverbanks of the Sang Khola encountering several villages along the way until we arrive at Rimbi Khola after which we must ascend a hill for 1 hour to get to the village of Nambu . Our final destination, Darap village is then an hour’s descent all the way.
Day 18: Kalimpong, 1 250 m / 4125 ft, 107 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 19: 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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