 Ttip Itinerary
Day 01: DELHI - BAGDOGRA - DARJEELING
Fly in from Delhi. Reception at Bagdogra airport. Lunch on board or on arrival. Transfer to
Darjeeling via Kurseong is 65km and it takes 02hrs. From the plains of North Bengal we climb to
an elevation of 1600m, passing through, forest and tea gardens, with the famous heritage "toy" train
running alongside. At Kurseong an hours break, to visit tea factory, famous internationally for
production of biodynamic tea. Continuing our drive to Darjeeling, (30km), we will pass through
more tea estates, and small villages, climbing steadily to 2143m, and reaching Darjeeling by late
evening. En-route we have a chance to see the Darjeeling Railway's heritage toy train, which
was opened in 1881, primarily for the tea traffic. The railway line is laid alongside the road,
and to see the tiny steam engine huffing and puffing, uphill with just three carriages, is an unusual sight.
Day 02: DARJEELING
Early morning drive to Tiger Hill, 14km. From an altitude of 2650m, get a magnificent view of
sunrise over Mt. Kanchanjunga, and other peaks of the Eastern Himalayas. On the way back,
we stop at Batasia Loop to enjoy the view of Darjeeling sprawling in the lap of Mt. Kanchanjunga.
The Loop itself is a marvel of the engineering skills of the workmen who brought the toy train
uphill all the way to Darjeeling. We visit Mountaineering Institute and Zoological Park.
After lunch at the hotel explore the exotic bazaar for bargains.
Day 03: DARJEELING - PELLING (SIKKIM)
After breakfast drive down to the Rangit Valley, along picture post card countryside, of tea
gardens and small hamlets, mountain streams and rivers. We take 1 1/2hrs.to drive 21km,
to the Sikkim border at Nayabazar. After entry formalities (keep passports handy) we move
along past terraced cultivation, with a variety of flora, quaint villages and smiling folks, for 26km.
Thereafter we climb through hairpin bends to attain the summit of the Pemayangtse-Pelling ridge at
2058m, covering 28km in 1 - 1/2 hrs.We check in at Hotel Phamrong,at Pelling in time for lunch.
The hotel has direct views of the Mt Kanchanjunga. In the afternoon take a conducted tour of the
famous Pemayangtse Monastery.
Day 04: PEMAYANGTSE {excursion to Tashiding Monastery}
Wake up early to see the sunrise on the great peaks of the Kanchanjunga group. It is an unforgettable
sight as the great mountain, changes into various colors and hues. After early breakfast we will
drive for 40km (1 1./2hrs.) down to the Rangit River Valley and then walk up 2km to the Tashiduing
Monastery. After a tour of the monastery and picnic lunch return to the hotel at Pelling (40km/02hrs.)
Overnight:Pelling.
Day 05: MARTAM - RUMTEK - GANGTOK
After breakfast drive 06km to Rumtek Monastery. After a tour of this world famous monastery continue
the tour to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.Driving through picture post card country, as the road winds
down through terraced fields and smiling hamlets, we get a full view of Gangtok, and marvel at the
multistoried structures, dotting the hillsides. The 24km journey takes 2hrs with a visit to the Tibetology
Institute, with its large collection of Buddhist icons, religious paintings and literature. Check in at Hotel
Chumbi Residency or Tibet Hotel, in time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Directorate of Handicrafts
and Handlooms, which is keeping the local handicrafts alive. Here you see skilled teachers and trainees
working at various handicrafts. There is also a sales outlet, where you can buy handicrafts at reasonable
prices. Later a walking tour of the bazaar gives you a chance to explore for bargains.
Day 6: GANGTOK {excursion to Phodong and labrang}
After breakfast drive 50km along the North Sikkim Highway to Phodong. On the way we will stop at
Kabi Longstok. At this Historic site, a treaty of brotherhood was signed between the Lepcha chief
Tetong Tek and the Tibetan Chief khey Bumsa, bringing together the ethnic groups to establish a
new Sikkimese identity.
Day 7: PHODONG
The Phodong Gompa of the Kargyupa Sect is a fairly recent structure, although the Chogyal
Gyurmed Namgyal built the original in 1740. The 16th Karmapa, stayed here after he fled from
Tibet and prior to his installation at Rumtek. The Labrang Monastery, just a kilometer away was
built in 1884, and belongs to the Nyingmapa Sect. Between the two monasteries lie the ruins of
Tumlong, which was the capital; of Sikkim of ninety years in the beginning of the 19th Century.
Though nothing remains now of the Raja's palace, except for few stonewall, some of the original
Chortens close to the palace can be seen. Return to the hotel for a late lunch or opt for a picnic.
Day 8: GANGTOK - KALINGPONG
After breakfast, we retrace our steps along the Teesta Valley to drive 66km to Chitre, in 02hrs,
to begin the 14km, 45 minute, climb to Kalimpong located at an altitude of 1250m. It is a
forested drive in beautiful countryside. Check in at Hotel Himalayan or Silver Oaks. Both are
delightful hotels, close to the city center. After lunch, you are free to explore the bazaar.
Day 9: KALINGPONG
After breakfast, visit Colonial bungalows of the British period, Monastery viewpoint, and the
Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery. This is famous for the "Kanguyar", in 108 volumes,
brought personally from Tibet by the Dalai Lama. These Holy scriptures was presented to
the monastery, when the Dalai Lama consecrated it in 1976. The view point presents remarkable
views of Kanchanjunga, and other snow peaks. Later we will visit an orchid and flower nursery,
and return to the hotel for lunch. After lunch visit Dr Grahams Homes, Deolo View point, and explore
the bazaar. OVERNIGHT: Kalingpong & the trip is over.
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