Jewels of the North East- Gangtok & Darjeeling

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.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Darjeeling.

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 Kanchandzonga, 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.