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A former Kingdom and a fascinating Himalayan Jewel, Sikkim is situated in Eastern Himalayas spreading below Mount Kanchenjun(8,534m), the third highest mountain in the world. Lying between 27 to 28 degree North latitude and 88 to 89 degree East longitude, it is barely 7,096 sq. km in size yet has an elevation ranging from 224 m to 8,540 m above sea level in a distance of 110 km from North to South and 64 km from East to West. The state’s about 64 km width is squeezed between the mountainous kingdoms of Bhutan and newest republic Nepal to the east and west respectively. The high plateau of Tibet lies 40 km to the north India’s and state of Bengal to its south.
The various ethnic group has their own nomenclature for this enchanting land – the Nepalese call it Sukhim or new home, while Tibetans refer to it as Denzong or the valley of rice and to the Lepchas, the original inhabitants of Sikkim, it is Nye-al-Ale or heaven.
Shrouded in heavy mist, the guardian deity Kanchenjunga protects the inhabitants of Sikkim. Omnipresent and mystical, Kanchenjunga finally yields to nature’s power and sheds its monsoon veil in autumn. Sikkimese celebrate this re-awakening with great pomp and ceremony during the Pang Lhabsol festival. Locals belief that great god created, from beneath the slope of this sacred mountain, the original man and woman from whom all Sikkimese descended.
Sikkim is conveniently divided into four regions – east, west, north and south. The most populated area is the eastern part which includes the capital town of Gangtok, followed by southern and western districts and finally the sparsely populated northern area with its inhospitable climate and steep ridges.
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Day 01 : Kathmandu recption by staff Siliguri / Pemayangtse (145 km, 5 hours)
Arrive Siliguri / Bagdogra / New Jalpaiguri & later transfer to Pemayangtse for overnight stay.
Day 02 : Pemayangtse / Khechopalri / Pemayangtse (29 km, 2.1/2 hours)
After breakfast, a short walk to the Sangachholing Monastery, built in the 17th century by Gyalwa Lhatsun Chempo, the patron saint of Sikkim. This spot commands a breathtaking view of the hills, valleys and villages of West Sikkim. On return drive to Khechopalri lake. Thus unusually calm lake, located amidst dense forest is considered very sacred. Late afternoon drive back to Pemayangtse.
Day 03 : Pemayangtse / Gangtok (117 km, 5 hours)
Morning visit the Pemayangtse Monastery located on top of a hillock. Built in 17th century, it is the paramount seat of Nyingmapa monasteries and regarded as Sikkim’s most prestigious centre of learning. Later a drive across the two rivers Teesta and Rangeet through semi-tropical forests and cardamom plantation takes you to Gangtok, the capital town of Sikkim. Overnight at the hotel in Gangtok
Day 04 : Gangtok
Full day sightseeing including visit to ;
Enchey Monastery; it is a beautiful monastery, in an equally beautiful setting, approached along an avenue of hundreds of multi-coloured prayer flags.
Government Institute of Cottage Industries; here you can watch young students being taught the traditional art of thangkha paintings along with weaving, wood carving and carpet making.
Also visit the Institute of Tibetology, housed in a beautiful building, built in traditional Tibetan style, with mural decorated columns and a wonderful smell of beeswax polish from the creaky wooden floor.
Then drive through picturesque, terraced rice fields to the headquarter of Dharma Chakra Centres (Rumtek Monastery), the present seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyupa sect. Said to be the replica of the monastery at Tsurphu, Tibet with its traditional architecture, exquisite paintings, intricate wood work, housing treasures of manuscripts and icons. Rumtek is a splendid example of Tibetan monastic art.
Overnight at the hotel in Gangtok.
Day 05 : Gangtok / Lachung (122 km, 5 hours)
After early breakfast drive to Lachung en route stopping at Tashi View Point and Kabi Longstok. An hour’s drive further brings you to Phodong Monastery, built in 1740. The post lunch drive for about 20 km is through verdant forests till you reach Toong where you will be crossing Teesta river. Overnight at Lachung in Lodge / Camp.
Day 06 : Lachung / Yumthang Excursion
After breakfast, drive to Yumthang (24 km) which has fascinating landscape, lined with several varieties of rhododendrons. Yumthang is also well known for its hot springs. Late afternoon drive back to Lachung. Overnight Lodge / Camp.
Day 07 : Lachung / Gangtok
After breakfast visit the Lachung Monastery and later proceed to Gangtok allowing several stoppages en route to enjoy the beautiful gift of nature. Overnight at the hotel in Gangtok.
Day 08 : Gangtok / Siliguri (125 km, 4.1/2 hours)
After breakfast drive to Siliguri / Bagdogra / New Jalpaiguri for onward journey.
Other Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon arrival at the airport, welcome by our representative and transfer to the Hotel. At the hotel briefing about the program by our representative.
Day 02: Sightseeing
Kathmandu city, Swoyambhunath, Patan city.
Day 03: Kathmandu-Siliguri
Flight to Biratnagar or Bharatpur. Drive to Siliguri about 3-4hrs. Overnight in hotel.
Day 04: Siliguri-Darjeeling
After breakfast, drive to Darjeeling about 4hrs. In the afternoon: sightseeing of Darjeeling.
Day 05: Drive Darjeeling to Daramdin in Western Sikkim. Daramdin is a market village in Sikkim. This is also the place where the Lepchas (original inhabitants of Sikkim) tried to reach Heaven by stacking pots made out of mud. If one looks carefully one can still find bits and pieces of the pottery, overnight in Tents.
Day 06: Drive Daramdin to Darap en-route visit Pemayangtse Monastery. The second oldest Monastery of Sikkim belonging on the old unreformed Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight in Tents.
Day 07: Drive Darap to Yaksum, the first capital of Sikkim enroute visiting Keshipalri the holiest of holy lake. Evening visit Dubdi Monastery and stone throne, where the First King of Sikkim was crowned. Overnight in Tents.
Day 08: Drive Yaksum to Tashiding. Visit Tashiding Monastery. This is the monastery, which predicts the coming year over Sikkim. Every year around Mid-March, the Bhumchu Festival is held here. The highlight of the festival is the opening of the Sacred Cave, which houses the “Jar” given to the Monastery by Guru Padmasambhava. The water level in the jar predicts the year for Sikkim. Overnight in Tents.
Day 09: Drive Tashiding to Hot Springs of Sikkim. Spend the rest of the day bathing in the revitalizing mineral springs. Overnight in Tents.
Day 10: Drive to Darjeeling and overnight
Day11:Drive to Biratnagar or Bharatpur to Kathmandu.
Day 12: Kathmandu sightseeing and free for shopping
Day 13: Transfer to the airport for international departure
Note: alternative one can drive to Bagdogra airport to fly for onward destination
| Duration |
:13 Days |
Trip Grade |
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Easy |
Best Season |
:Autumn-Spring |
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| Group of people |
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| Minimum |
:2 |
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| Maximum |
:22 |
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| Prices |
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Note: The itinerary can be customized according to your duration of holiday. Similarly hotel can be upgraded or downgraded depend on your budget.
Our Service included:-
- Airport pick up and drop
- All the ground transportation
- All the meal during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Trek Permit & National Park Fee
- All camping equipment like tent, Sleeping Bag, Kitchen Equipment, Jacket etc.
- An experience guide (trained by Ministry of tourism), necessary
- Trekking staff (Cook, Sherpa and helper, porter) and theirmeal/accommodation/transportation/salary/insurance/equipments.
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