DARJEELING, KALIMPONG, SIKKIM & BHUTAN

Darjeeling

Day 01	Bagdogra ~ Darjeeling
Day 02	Darjeeling

Sikkim

Day 03	Darjeeling ~ Pelling (Sikkim)
Day 04	Pemayangtse [excursion to Tashiding Monastery]
Day 05	Pelling ~ Martam
Day 06	Martam ~ Rumtek ~ Gangtok
Day 07	Gangtok [excursion to Phodong & Labrang]

Kalimpong

Day 08	Gangtok ~ Kalimpong
Day 09	Kalimpong local tour

Bhutan

Day 10	Kalimpong ~ Phuntsholing
Day 11	Phuntsholing ~ Thimphu (6-7 HOURS DRIVE)
Day 12	Thimphu (capital town)
Day 13	Thimphu ~ Punakha/Wangdue
Day 14	Day Excursion to Gangtey Valley
Day 15	Wangdue ~ Paro
Day 16	Paro [Excursion to Taksang Monastery]
Day 17	Paro ~ Kathmandu/Delhi/Calcutta/Bangkok

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Calcutta ~ Bagdogra ~ Darjeeling Fly in from Calcutta. Reception at Bagdogra airport. Lunch on board or on arrival. Transfer to Darjeeling via Kurseong. The drive to Kurseong is 65 km and it takes 02 hrs. From the plains of North Bengal we climb to an elevation of 1600 m, passing through, forests and tea gardens, with the famous heritage “toy” train running alongside. At Kurseong an hours break, to visit a tea factory, famous internationally for production of biodynamic tea.

Continuing our drive to Darjeeling, (30 km), we will pass through more tea estates, and small villages, climbing steadily to 2143 m, 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. The highest point on this line is at Ghoom, at an elevation of 2225 m, where the ascent is achieved through a double loop.

Check in at The New Elgin Hotel. This is an elegant hotel with Old World charm, converted from a century old Victorian mansion, of the raja period.
Overnight: Darjeeling

Day 02: Darjeeling Early morning drive to Tiger Hill, 14 km. From an altitude of 2650 m, get a magnificent view of sunrise over Mt Kanchenjunga, and other peaks of the Eastern Himalayas. (Weather permitting). Return to the hotel for breakfast. En-route visit the Ghoom Monastery built in 1857. After breakfast take a tour of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Mount Everest Museum), and Zoological Park. After lunch at the hotel explore the exotic bazaar for bargains.
Overnight:Darjeeling

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 1½ hrs to drive 21 km, to the Sikkim border at Naya Bazaar. After entry formalities (keep passports handy, along with Sikkim Entry endorsement on visa), continue the drive along the scenic Rangit Valley, with terraced cultivation, variety of flora, quaint villages and smiling folks, for 26 km, in another 1½ hrs. Thereafter we climb through hairpin bends to attain the summit of the Pemayangtse-Pelling ridge at 2085 m, in 1½ hrs, covering 28 km. We check in at Hotel Phamrong, at Pelling in time for lunch. The hotel has direct views of the Mt Kanchenjunga. In the afternoon take a conducted tour of the famous Pemayangtse Monastery.
Overnight:Peling

Day 04: Pemayangtse [excursion to Tashiding Monastery] Wake up early to see the sunrise on the great peaks of the Kanchenjunga group. It is an unforgettable sight as the great mountain, changes various colors and hues. After early breakfast we will drive for 40 km in 1½ hrs, down to the Rangit River Valley and then walk up 02 km to the Tashiding Monastery. After a tour of the monastery and picnic lunch return to the hotel at Pelling (40 km / 02 hrs).
Overnight: Pelling

Day 05: Pelling ~ Martam After breakfast, drive 120 km to Martam, a scenic village, near the Rumtek Monastery. The journey will take 5-6 hrs, with a halt for picnic lunch en-route. It is a fascinating ride, passing through river valleys, and crossing the Rabalgla Pass. We pass through scenic countryside, see exotic flora, and isolated homesteads, and explore a bon Monastery. Upon arrival check in at the Martam Village Resort. Overnight: Martam

Day 06: Martam ~ Rumtek ~ Gangtok After breakfast drive 06 km 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 24 km journey takes 2 hrs 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. Explore for bargains.
Overnight: Gangtok

Day 07: Gangtok [excursion to Phodong & Labrang] After breakfast drive 50 km 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 Khye Bumsa - bringing together the ethnic groups to establish a new Sikkimese identity.

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 1844, and belongs to the Nyingmapa Sect. Between the two monasteries lie the ruins of Tumlong, which was the capital of Sikkim for 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 lunch. Evening at leisure and for shopping.
Overnight: Gangtok

Day 08: Gangtok ~ Kalimpong. After breakfast, we retrace our steps along the Teesta Valley to drive 66 km to Chitre, in 02 hrs, to begin the 14 km climb to Kalimpong located at an altitude of 1250 m, in 45 min. It is a forested drive, along picture post card countryside. Check in at Hotel Himalayan or Silver Oaks, Both are delightful hotels, close to the city Center. After lunch, free to explore the bazaar.

Day 09: Kalimpong 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 viewpoint presents remarkable views of Kanchenjunga, and other snow peaks. Latter 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: Kalimpong

Day 10: Kalimpong ~ Phuntsholing After breakfast drive 210 km in 05 hrs to Phuntsholing, the border town in Bhutan. We will first descend down to the Valley of the River Teesta and then drive along the rolling foothills and North Bengal flat lands, interspersed with Tea gardens, forests, rivers and cultivation. Overnight: Phuentsholing

ADVICE: Entry permits for Sikkim is mandatory. It should be endorsed on India Visa.

Day 11: Phuntsholing ~ Thimphu (6-7 HOURS DRIVE) After breakfast, process visa formalities and drive to Thimphu. Lunch in Bunakha. Evening: dinner hosted by Rainbow Tours and Treks
Overnight: Thimphu

Day 12: Thimphu (capital town) In the morning visit the following places: • Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan)
• The Textile Museum
• The Arts and Crafts School
• The National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved Lunch in local restaurant.

After lunch visit:
• Semtokha Dzong. This is the oldest fortress and it now houses some monks and is also the centre for Cultural and language Study.
• Trashichho Dzong. This is the Secretariat building, which houses the Chief Abbot and central monastic body. It also houses the Throne Room.
Evening: free to stroll through Thimphu town
Overnight: Thimphu

Day 13: Thimphu ~ Punakha/Wangdue After breakfast transfer to Punakha/Wangdue. En-route stop at Dochula Pass (3150 m), 30 km from Thimphu, for tea and biscuits and enjoy a view of the Eastern Himalayan Mountains. From Dochula to Wangdue, it’s another two hours drive. After lunch in Lobesa, visit the Punakha Dzong. This is the winter residence of Bhutan’s spiritual leader, the Head Abbot, and the Central Monastic Body. The Dzong is built between two rivers known as “Phochu” (Male River) and “Mochu” (Female River). After Punakha take a short hike to Chhi-Med Lhakhang in the picturesque Lobesa valley, to visit the temple of one of Bhutan’s foremost saints, Lama Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman.”
Overnight: Wangdue

Day 14: Day Excursion to Gangtey Valley Phobjikha Valley is the winter habitat for endangered black-neck cranes (mid October to early March). This area is known for its natural beauty and is quite remote--photo ops are abundant. The gravel road to Gangtey descends through fields of bamboo, emptying into a lowland valley of grass that falls within the borders of the Black Mountain Natural Park. To the Bhutanese, going to Gangtey is like going back in time, an interesting perspective given that they themselves live in a country right out of the pages of King Arthur’s Court. In Gangtey visit the carpet-weaving centre and roam the village of Gangtey, perched atop a hill surrounding the 17th century Gangtey Gompa monastery. Most of the residents of this village are the families of 140 Gomchens (Laya Monks) who take care of the Monastery. Overnight: Wangdue

Day 15: Wangdue ~ Paro Drive to Paro via Thimphu for lunch. Take some time for shopping in Thimphu before going to Paro. Overnight: Paro

Day 16: Paro In the morning take a hike to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest'. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800 m. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambbava alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Picnic Lunch at Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 hrs. After Tiger’s Nest, visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). The Museum was the former watchtower for the Rinpong Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. In the evening visit a farmhouse for traditional hot stone bath and local hospitality. Overnight: Paro

Day 17: Paro Departure Drive to Paro Airport for departure to Calcutta

Note: If the tour coincides with a festival, the duration will increase by two more days.

Festivals in Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong Calendar 2009 / 10 Month Date Festival Place June 10 Rumtek Chaams Sikkim May 11 Sakewa Sikkim June 14 Puja Kalimpong July 27 Guru Rimpoche's Trungkar Tsechu Sikkim August 30 Pang Lhabsol Sikkim December 12 Losoong Sikkimese Sikkim December 17 Nyempa Guzom Sikkim December 18 Enchey Chaams Sikkim February 12th Mask Dance Darjeeling February 5th & 6th Tsechu  Kalimpong   KALIMPONG   MASK DANCES  - Sikkim’s famous mask dances provide a spectacle, perhaps nowhere to be experienced in the entire world. Performed by lamas in the ‘Gompa’ courtyard to celebrate religious festivals, dances demonstrate perfect footwork and grace. Costumed lamas with gaily painted masks, ceremonial swords and sparkling jewels leap and swing to the rhythm of resounding drums, trumpeting of horns and chanting of monks. RUMTEK CHAAM - It is the most important chaam (religious masked dance) performed on the 10th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan calendar, corresponding to the month of June. It presents eight manifestations of the Guru Rimpoche. This is highly colourful and spectacular and draws many pilgrim and visitors. PANG LHABSOL- This festival is unique to Sikkim and it is celebrated to offer thanks to Mount Khangchendzonga, the ‘Guardian Deity’ of Sikkim and to Yabdu, the supreme commander of Mt. Khangchendzonga. It is celebration on the 15th day of the 7th month around end of August or early September. The masked warrior dance is especially spectacular. Khangchendzonga is represented by a red mask and her commander Yabdu a black one. The warriors who accompany wear traditional Armour of helmets, swords and shields. The dramatic entry of Mahakala (Protector of the Dharma) is one of the highlights of the festivals.   ENCHEY CHAAM- It is the annual puja celebrated with religious masked dances on the 18th and 19th days of the 11th month of the Tibetan Buddhist Calendar corresponding to the month of December – January.    Saga Dawa This is the "Triple Blessed Festival" and is considered as the holiest of the holy Buddhist festivals. On this day, in different years of his life, Lord Buddha took birth, achieved enlightenment and passed away attaining Nirvana; three important events celebrated in the festival of Saga Dawa. This festival is held on the full moon of 4th month of the Buddhist Calendar around the end of may and early June. Drukpa Tsheshi This festival celebrates Buddha's first preaching of the four Noble Truths to his first five disciples. in a deer park at Sarnath. The first is the Noble Truth of suffering, the second is the truth of the origin of suffering Karma and Delusion and their causes, the third is the cessation of the suffering or the attainment of Nirvana and the fourth is the truth of the Eight Fold Path leading to Nirvana. This festival is held on the 4th day of the 6th month of the Buddhist calendar around August. At Gangtok, this festival is marked by prayers at the Deer park and at a secluded place called Muguthang in extreme North Sikkim, this festival is celebrated holding a Yak race. Guru Rinpoche's Trungkar Tsechu This birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is celebrated in Sikkim with great pomp. A procession, which originates from the Chorten, carrying the statue of Guru is taken out around the town of Gangtok. In the evening dramas and concerts depicting the life of the Guru are held. Pang Lhabsol This festival is quite unique to Sikkim. It was popularised by the third Chogyal of Sikkim, Chakdor Namgyal. In this festival the snowy range of Kachendzonga is worshipped for its unifying powers. This festival marks the signing of the treaty of brotherhood between the Lepchas and bhutias by Khye Bumsa and Thikung-Tek when the local deities were invoked to witness the occasion. Infact Pang means witness. On this day, the guardian deity is portrayed by masked Lama dancers as a fiery red-faced deity with a crown of five skulls, riding a snow lion. To lighten the mood of the spectators, jesters called "Atchars" play antics during the Chaams. This festival is held on the 15th day of the 7th month around the end os August. Lhabab Dhuechen This festival symbolizes the Descent of Buddha from the heaven of the thirty Gods after visiting his mother. Duechen means "festival", Lha means "heaven" and Bab means "descent". Losoong and the Chaams (Lama Dances) Losoong marks the end of the harvest season and also the end of the tenth month of the Tibetan year. As it falls in the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar it is not the real New Year in the sense of the word. Also known as Sonam Lossar, it is in fact an agriculture New Year when rice and grains are plentiful and the weather is moderate in sharp contrast to the actual new year lossar which falls in a lean season and when it is extremely cold. Lossar It is the Tibetan New Year also known as Gyalpo Lossar, and is marked with lot of gaiety and festivity. It falls normally in the month of february. At Pemayangste, Chaams are held two days before the lossar. These Chaams are similar to the one held during Losoong. Bumchu This festival is held at the monastery at Tashiding in the month of January or February. During the festival, the pot containing the holy water is opened by the lamas of the monastery. The level of water in the pot foretells the future for the forthcoming year. If the water is to the brim, it prophesizes bloodshed and disturbances. If the pot is almost dry, it signifies famine and if it is half-full, it foretells a year in which peace and prosperity will prevail. Bum in fact means "pot or vase" and chu means "water". A part of the holy water is distributed amongst the gathering of devotees and the pot is replenished with river water and sealed at the end of the festival to be opened only in the next Bumchu. The Kalchakra Puja To attain Nirvana or Enlightenment and Freedom from suffering, one of the paths offered is Tantrayana which emphasizes the Tantric or mystic aspect of Buddhism involving complex and esoteric rituals. Anutara Yoga Tantra or the Supreme Tantra is one of the class of Tantrayana which combines male tantras and female tantras out of which Kalchakra is one of the deities. The rituals and meditations performed to Kalchakra with the ultimate aim of attaining Nirvana or Buddhahood is known as Kalchakra Puja. His Holiness The Dalai Lama is presently the ultimate authority i teachings of Kalchakra Puja which His Holiness performs to initiate the disciples. is Holiness holds the kalchakra Mass Initiation Puja usually once in three years. Kalchakra deity is usually represented in union with his female consort Viswamata. The body of Kalchakra is blue in color and has multiple necks, shoulders and faces. The many hands of Kalchakra hold various implements. Viswamata, the consort of Kalchakra, has a yellow coloured body, four faces and eight hands. Like in other Buddhist rituals, the Kalchakra Puja also centers around the Mandala which consists of the rites, offerings and the deities that concern the Puja.

No of Pax	Amount	Remarks
01 Pax	2230.00
02 pax	2060.00	Per person
3-9 pax	1800.00	Per person
10 pax & Above	1750.00	50% discount for 01 pax travelling together.

Price includes:

Transport
• Services of an English speaking escort/guide, as per itinerary.
• All sight seeing as per requirements of the itinerary.

Accommodation and meals as specified below: -

India

Location	Nights	Accommodation	Meal Plan
Darjeeling	02	Hotel New Elgin	BB
Pemayangtse	02	Phamrong/Tashigang Resort	BB
Martam	01	Martam Resort	BB
Gangtok	02	Tibet/Chumbi Residency	BB
Kalimpong	02	Silver Oaks/Himalayan	BB

Bhutan

Location	Nights	Accommodation	Meal Plan
Thimphu	02	Pedling or Similar	All Meals
Wangdue	02	Dragons Nest Resort	All Meals
Paro	02	Dechen Cottage or Similar	All Meals
Phuentsholing	01	Hotel Namgay or Similar	All Meals

The Prices do not include: -

• International and domestic airfare
• Liability for insurance of any type, against injury, loss of life, accidents, damage and loss of goods.
• Liability for extra expenses caused by illness, accident, flight cancellation, roadblocks, and delays or other such occurrences, beyond control of, its agents and associates.
• Personal expenses such as bar, laundry, telephone, personal communications, tips.

ADVICE:

Entry permits for Sikkim is mandatory. Tourist can easily obtain the same at Indian missions abroad for 15 days entry as a matter of routine. Advice your agent abroad to get the Sikkim entry permit endorsed on India Visa. Non-compliance will lead to last minute delays and changes in itinerary.