Journey from Bhutan to Darjeeling and Sikkim to Kathmandu and Chitwan

Amazing Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet

India luxury tours to

North East India

The Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim is a remote Himalayan region bordering Tibet to the north and wedged between the Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan. It is a picturesque lush country with a fascinating capital city, Gangtok, and containing the world’s third highest mountain, Kangchenjunga (28,1 68 ft/8,586m), which straddles Sikkim's border with Nepal. After its annexation by India in 1975, Sikkim became a Restricted Area, requiring special entry permit, as a result of which Sikkim has retained much of its original charm, especially in Western Sikkim.

Darjeeling and Sikkim Tour Itinerary: see map below

*Sample itinerary, other tour options available

Day-1 Delhi or Kolkata to Bagdogra / Darjeeling.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Arrive in Bagdogra, if flying from Delhi or Kolkata. transfer to  Darjeeling. Nestled against the background of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest, dotted with Tibetan Monasteries and teeming with Himalayan Tribal Life, Darjeeling is the queen of the hill stations.

Check-into your hotel and rest of the day at your own leisure.

Overnight at Hotel Mayfair in Darjeeling.

Day-2 Darjeeling.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Very early wakeup. (3. 30 AM) and drive to Tiger Hill. 1 Hour 20 minutes drive by Car. From Tiger hill one gets the view of several peaks, notably the Everest, Kanchenjunga etc. The main attraction is the fall of the rays of the raising Sun on the Kanchenjunga. Return back to Darjeeling and breakfast at Hotel. After breakfast this morning you’ll visit the Tibetan Refugee Centre, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, known for housing the Red Panda and breeding the Snow Leopard. Free for lunch. This afternoon you’ll visit of the Happy Valley Tea Estate and the Bazaar.

Overnight in Darjeeling.

Day-3 Darjeeling / Pemayangtse.
Meals Included : Breakfast.
After breakfast you’ll drive to Pemayangtse. It’s a 5 hours journey from Darjeeling. On arrival Check-Into your hotel. This afternoon you’ll visit of the Pemayangtse Monastery. The Pemayangtse monastery is the second oldest monastery in Sikkim and is the headquarters of the Nyingma sect. There seems to have been an earlier shrine at the sight of the monastery, which dates back to 1705. Many priceless antique idols are housed here, and the top-most floor, the most fascinating, contains some magnificent sculptures, very intricate and very intriguing.

Overnight at Hotel Norbu Ghang in Pemayangtse.

Day-4 Pemayangtse/Gangtok.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
After breakfast this morning, you’ll drive to Gangtok. Enroute visit the only Bonpa Monastery, a prevailing religion in Tibet before the introduction of Buddhism. Continue driving to Gangtok. Gangtok, is a picturesque mountain clinging town with monastaries, parks, pagoda style houses and colorful bazars. Check-In to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Royal Park in Gangtok.

Day-5 Gangtok.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
This morning you’ll drive to Rumtek. Located 25 Kms from Gangtok, it’s a 1 hour’s drive each way. Visit the Rumtek Monastery. See the 16th Karmapa’s relics. On your way back you will stop to visit the Centre of Tibetology and Museum. The Institute of Tibetology, the only one of its kind in the world, was set up by the erstwhile ruler to promote research on Mahayana Buddhism, and on the language and traditions of Tibet. Afternoon visit of the Enchy Monastery.

Overnight in Gangtok.

Day-6 Gangtok/Kalimpong.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
After breakfast this morning you’ll drive to Kalimpong located at 4 hours drive from Darjeeling. On arrival Check-Into your hotel. This afternoon you’ll visit of the Orchid and Cactus Sanctuaries of Kalimpong and the Red Hat Sect monasteries founded by Drudgen Rimpoche, who’s mummified body is still preserved there.

Overnight at Hotel Himalaya in Kalimpong.

Day-7 Kalimpong / Bagdogra / Departure.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
After breakfast this morning you’ll be transferred in time to the Bagdogra Airport. On reaching Bagdogra Check-In for you flight back to your next destination.

Option: GLENBURN EXPERIENCE
For a unique experience just outside of Darjeeling, we recommend the Glenburn Tea Estate. The Glenburn is a 1600 acre Tea Estate run by one of India’s pioneering family of tea planters. The Burra Bungalow at the Estate is a 100 year old colonial house meticulously restored to its present state. It offers accommodation in tastefully decorated suites. Activities include, hiking bird watching, picnics to the riverside.

Logistic Detail: Glenburn is located 1 hour 15 minutes drive from Darjeeling, 2 hours from Gangtok and 3 hours from Kalimpong.
Duration: We recommend minimum 2 nights stay.

Festivals:
TEESTA TEA FESTIVAL DARJEELING (November – December)
The Teesta Tea Festival commences in Darjeeling and Sikkim and ends in Dooars. The Dooars area, which is the gateway to Bhutan, is an enchanting land encompassing historic plains, tea gardens, rolling hills and dense forests. The Teesta Festival includes a variety of cultural programs.

These festivals are often fun and will make you thankful for having the type of personal finance to attend.

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