North East Wonders- Gangtok, Pelling & Darjeeling 5 Nights

Assistance on arrival at Bagdogra Airport/New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and drive to Gangtok.

GANGTOK: At an altitude of 1750 m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid-19th century and has undergone rapid development since then. The downtown area is dominated by huge government buildings decorated with traditional Buddhist symbols. Gangtok is also a resting ground for people traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by monasteries and orchids, Gangtok is truly a traveller's delight.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast excursion to Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir & back.

Tsomgo Lake: - 35 kms from Gangtok at an altitude of 12,400 feet is the beautiful Tsomgo Lake, which freezes over in winter. The lake derives its waters from melting snows of the surrounding mountains. Legends say that lamas could forecast the future by studying the color of the lake’s waters. Fishing is totally prohibited and all are requested not to dirty the environs of the lake to maintain its sanctity.

Also visit Baba Mandir.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast drive from Gangtok to Pelling. En route visit Ravangla and Buddha Park of Ravangla.

The Buddha Park of Ravangla, also known as Tathagata Tsal, is situated near Rabong (Ravangla) in South Sikkim district, Sikkim, India. It was constructed between 2006 and 2013 and features a 130-foot-high statue of the Buddha as its centerpiece. The site was chosen within the larger religious complex of the Rabong Gompa (Monastery), itself a centuries-old place of pilgrimage. Also nearby is Ralang Monastery, a key monastery in Tibetan Buddhism. The statue was consecrated on 25 March 2013 by the 14th Dalai Lama and became a stop on the 'Himalayan Buddhist Circuit'. The statue of the Buddha marks the occasion of the 2550th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. This statue was built and installed through the joint efforts of the Sikkim Government and its people. The Buddhist circuit of this park was built under a State Government project for boosting pilgrimage and tourism in the region.

PELLING

Pelling is a small town situated in the state of Sikkim in the West Sikkim region. The town is a laid-back place and attracts travellers from different parts of the country. Pelling is located near the foothills of Kanchenjunga and one can witness an outstanding view of the mountain from here. There are numerous scenic spots that one can visit in the area. The main attractions in the place are the monasteries that dot the countryside.

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and proceed for half-day sightseeing in Pelling visiting Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse Ruins and Skywalk.

Pemayangtse Monastery - 2.5 kms from Pelling and standing at 2085 m. The Perfect Sublime Lotus, perched on a wooded hilltop, commands the most sublime view of the Khangchendzonga. Built during the late 17th century, it is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism in Sikkim. To the present day, it is only the monks of this monastery who enjoy the title of ‘Tasang’ or pure monks. The importance of this monastery grew with time and reached its peak when only monks from this monastery could anoint the reigning sovereign of the land with holy water. Pemayangtse Monastery follows the Mindroling tradition besides holding the lineage of Lhatsun Chenpo. Mindroling Monastery was founded by Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje whose famous daughter Jetsun Migyur Paldon lived near Pemayangtse and taught there during her exile. Her stone throne is still to be seen in this monastery, which has 108 monks. The main attraction of the monastery is the wooden replica of Zangdog Palri, the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava, built by Serdup Lhundrup Dorje Rinpoche in 1971. The annual chaam (monk dance) is held here on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar.

Rabdentse - Sikkim’s second capital. The ruins of Rabdentse are worth exploring. The winding track through the forest brings you to a small set of ruins of the early town and eventually to the ruins of the palace with Chorten (stupa) nearby.

SKYWALK - The Glass Skywalk is India’s first-ever skywalk, set in the picturesque town of Pelling in Northeast Sikkim. Built at an astounding height of 7200 feet, this colossal structure allows tourists to look down several thousand feet into the air, from the peak to the very bottom of the mountains. The Glass Skywalk is not for the faint-hearted or for people with vertigo, as walking on transparent glass at such heights can be spine-chilling! The Pelling Skywalk is a transparent foot-over bridge made out of glass that is suspended hundreds of feet in the air. Since its inauguration in November 2018, the skywalk has become a major hub for tourists owing to the unique concoction of thrill and peace that it offers. There are several attractions that can be viewed from over the bridge, including waterfalls, lush forests and monasteries. It is located adjacent to the marvelous statue of Chenrezig, which is a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site. The skywalk overlooks the magnificent Kanchenjunga, as well as the Teesta and Rangit rivers, which flow alongside, adding another dimension to the serenity of the place.

DARJEELING

Standing high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2134 m, ‘Dorje Ling’, or place of the Thunderbolt, offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountain peaks, with the Kanchendzonga rising higher than all the others. Often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as alluring with its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a narrow-gauge railway track. Surrounded by world-famous tea gardens and snow-capped mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the most exotic destinations. Graeme Westlake, in his book ‘An Introduction to Hill Stations of India’, refers to Darjeeling as having “A view scarcely unrivalled on Earth”.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at hotel.

Early morning visit Tiger Hill for sunrise and back.

Tiger Hill: - It is 13 kms from Darjeeling and one can see a beautiful sunrise and the Himalayan Range like Kanchendzonga, Mount Everest, etc. One can see the horizon changing colors just before sunrise and then the entire Himalayan range turns golden. It is truly a majestic sight.

Breakfast at the hotel and proceed for city tour.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute / Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: - (Closed on Thursdays)

The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was started in Darjeeling when Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest to give training in mountaineering and other adventure sports related to mountaineering. In that institute, one can see equipment, etc. used by Mr. Tenzing Norgay and the Everest Museum having complete details on Everest. Attached to the institute, one can visit the Himalayan Zoological Park where one can see Himalayan animals like Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black Bear and several varieties of birds.

Tibetan Self-Help Centre or Refugee Centre: - (Closed on Sundays) This institute is run by Tibetan refugees to preserve their handicrafts and one can see the making of Tibetan carpets, leather work, paintings and wooden work, etc.

Tenzing & Gombu Rock

Tenzing and Gombu Rocks are situated on Lebong Cart Road and face opposite each other. The huge Tenzing Rock is named after Tenzing Norgay, who was famous for climbing Mount Everest accompanied by Edmund Hillary in the year 1953. Gombu Rock has got its name after Nawang Gombu. He was Tenzing’s nephew and had climbed Everest twice, becoming the first person to do so. He climbed Everest first in the year 1963 and then in the year 1965.

Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda

Also known as Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple, the shrine was built in 1972 and is located 10 minutes away from the Darjeeling town centre, on the hill of Jalapahar. Showcasing classic Japanese style of architecture, this resplendent white building offers visitors a serene and quiet sanctum where they can meditate and seek inner peace.

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Bagdogra Airport for onward journey

Note: Above Itinerary is just indicative. Do not consider it as a Final Schedule. Date & Time of Tours can be changed by Local Agent / Tour Operator.