JEEP SAFARI IN DARJEELING/SIKKIM & YUMTHANG VALLEY “VALLEY OF FLOWERS “ IN NORTH SIKKIM – 10 NIGHTS/11 DAYS
DAY 01: Arrive in Bagdogra ex-New Delhi/Kolkata.
Our representative will meet the group at the airport and then drive to Darjeeling by a private car. The 90 Km (56 miles) drive usually takes five hours and runs more or less parallel to the UNESCO protected “Toy Train.” The first part of the journey is through tea plantations and dense jungle. The road then gradually climbs to its final destination by going through forests with brilliant splashes of color, due to the ubiquitous poinsettias, bougainvillaeas and orchids. The road ends in Darjeeling, a town that sits on a ridge facing the Himalayan peaks, at some 2300 m.(7010 ft) above sea level. Darjeeling was founded by the British in 1833 as a refuge from the intense summer heat of Calcutta, and soon became a popular hill station during the British administration. A celebrated writer described the town as “one of the three jewels of the Raj,” To quote Mark Twain, Darjeeling is “the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once-by even a glimpse would not give that glimpse for the shows of the rest of the world combined”. O/N Hotel
DAY 02: Darjeeling
Early morning visit Tiger Hill for fabulous sunrise views of Mt.Kanchenjunga , the third highest mountain in the world at 28,156 ft. Mt. Everest and a host of other Himalayan giants are also seen on the horizon. On our drive back to the hotel we will stop at Ghoom , a Tibetan-Buddhist monastery. After breakfast we shall visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park, the Tibetan Refugee Camp and the nearest tea garden to witness the orthodox manufacturing process of Darjeeling Tea. Later walk around the Mall and the local market. O/N Hotel
DAY 03: Darjeeling - Pemayangste
Today’s drive is truly a naturalist's delight. The hillsides and mountain slopes of Sikkim are strewn with bright patches of myriad colors. The lower mountain slopes are abundant with lush green bamboo and ferns. The northern valleys are draped with wild cherry, oaks, chestnut, pines as well as magnolia variety’s called Magnolia Campbeli and Michelia Doltso-pa. The higher altitudes are abloom with 46 species of Rhododendrons. And of course, Sikkim's 600 varieties of orchids are everywhere. This day our 05-hour drive is interesting as we move upstream along the river Rangit through dense forests of sal and teak. Later visit the famous Pemayangtse Monastery, the ruins of Rabdentse the second palace of erstwhile Sikkim from where one can enjoy the beautiful views of the Himalaya. O/N Norbughang Resort.
DAY 04: Pemayangste to Yuksum via Kecheoplari lake
Early morning after having our breakfast visit the Sangacholing Monastery located on the hill top above Pelling. Later drive towards Kecheopalri Lake "wishing lake". This lake is located amidst deep forest cover and considered to be one of holy lakes in
Sikkim. Then transfer to Yuksom. O/N Hotel Tashigang.
DAY 05: Yuksum
The first capital of Sikkim , the tiny hill town of Yuksum is the base for treks and climbing expeditions to Mount Kanchenjunga and other important peaks. This day we walk to the coronation throne, Dubdi Monastery and the nearby jungles to see wild orchids like the Coelogyne and Dendrobium , as well as the indigenous flora of Sikkim. O/N Hotel Tashigang.
DAY 06: Yuksum - Gangtok
The 5-hour drive from Yuksum to Gangtok via Tashiding passes lush green fields the famous large Sikkimese Cardamoms as well as Golden Rice. En route visit Tashiding Monastery. O/N Netuk House.
DAY 07: Gangtok
Perched atop a ridge at a height of 1520-m. lies Gangtok, a quaint, colorful town. This small-modernized town is the capital of Sikkim. Here we visit the famous monastery of Rumtek which is the head quarters of the Kagyu sect. Later, we visit the Institute of Tibetology which has a collection of almost 30,000 volumes on diverse subjects like astrology, philosophy, magic and religion, Directorate of Handicraft, Enchey Monastery, Du Drul Chorten (Stupa), the flower show and the Tashi View Point which offers the magnificent views of the Himalayas on a clear day. O/N Netuk House.
DAY 08: Gangtok to Lachung (140 kms, 6 hrs)
This area was recently opened to foreign visitors. We will be seeing the breathtaking landscapes of the northern part of Sikkim. Our drive takes us through lush green bamboo thickets intermingled with tropical flora and we arrive at the historical place of "Kabi Logstok" where the Lepchas and Bhutias had their brotherhood treaty. Later we pass scattered villages and terraced paddy fields. A few kilometers before reaching Mangan (the capital of north Sikkim), we will cross the Ranga Rang bridge which is said to be one of the highest bridges in Asia. After Mangan the landscapes turn even more interesting as we encounter magnificent waterfalls cascading down steep mountains walls. O/N Modern Residency.
DAY 09: Lachung - Yumthang - Lachung (Valley of Flower) (50 kms)
This day we visit Singba Rhododendron sanctuary set at 12000 ft. Here we find different varieties of Rhododendrons and pine families. The sanctuary is very rich with alpine flowers. Yumthang is also rich in sulphur springs and even the Kings of Sikkim had made their own bathing huts. The air starts to get cooler as you enter the valley, with towering peaks closing in from all sides. From this point Tibet is only about 25 kms as the crow flies. Evening return back to Modern Residency in Lachung.
DAY 10: Lachung-Gangtok (140 kms, 6 hrs)
After breakfast visit Lachung Monastery - before commencing the return drive to Gangtok. Lachung is famous for apple and October and November are lively months when the apples are harvested and sent to Gangtok. On our return drive we will make stop at different places and take short hikes to explore the countryside. We will have a picnic lunch at Singhik, famous for its spectacular and closer views of Mt.Khangchendzonga and other peaks. One can also savour the most graceful peak in the world - Mt.Siniolchu. O/N Netuk House.
DAY 11: Early morning transfer to Phuentsholing – the border town of Bhutan.
Best season:
During the Spring ( March to May )
| No. of pax |
Double per person |
Single room supplement |
| 1 |
USD2,000 |
USD300 |
| 2 - 4 |
1,400 |
300 pp |
TOUR COST INCLUDES:
1) All land transfers by a private car
2) Accommodation on twin sharing basis
3) All meals.
4) Water bottles
5) Local Guide
6) Entrance fees to the museums and parks
7) Sikkim permit and Govt. Taxes
Excludes:
1) any expenses of personal nature
2) alcohol, table drinks, laundry and communication charges
3) Special Toy Train Ride USD10 per pax.
4) Sikkimese cuisine USD10 per pax, per meal.
5) insurance and evacuation charges in case of emergency
