Explore Himalaya

<p>Meet & Greet on arrival at IXB airport & transfer to Darjeeling. Darjeeling - A popular tourist destination, it is located in the lesser Himalayan at an average elevation of 6,710 ft (2,045.2 m). It is noted for its tea Industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling is the headquarters of Darjeeling District which has a partially autonomous status within the state of West Bengal. On arrival check in at the hotel . Lunch at the hotel. Evening is free. Dinner & Overnight halt at Darjeeling.</p>

<p>Today early Morning around 0400 HRS we will take you to Tiger Hill (Sun rise point) - Situated at an altitude of 2590 meters (8482 ft.) and 13 kilometers from the town, this spot has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over the "Kanchanjunga" and the great eastern Himalayan Mountains. Even Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is visible from here. The hesitant rays of the early morning sun paint these peaks in pale gold.</p><p></p><p>Ghoom Monastery - Built in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyatso, this ancient monastery is said to have been blessed by the renowned Tomo Geshe Rimpoche of Tibet. The specialty of this monastery is that it contains the statue of the 'Future Coming Buddha' known as Maitreye Buddha. The Monastery has also preserved some of the rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts. You will visit the monastery on your return journey to Darjeeling from Tiger Hill.</p><p>Batasia Loop – The Batasia loop situated almost 5 km away from the town is a gigantic railway loop where the Toy Train makes a 360 Degree turn. It was basically built to make it possible for the Toy Train to cut the deep ascend. Strategically located the Batasia Loop offers a panoramic view of the Kanchanjunga Range.A War Memorial constructed in the memory of the brave sons of the soil who laid down their lives in the different wars since the independence of the nation adds to its attraction. There is also a well furbished market where visitors can buy locally made purses, bags and other decorative items. </p><p></p><p>Back to hotel by 0730 HRS for Breakfast.</p><p></p><p>Proceed for 2nd half sightseeing (Timing between 0930 HRS to 1600 HRS. Lunch will be at the hotel in between 1300 -1400 HRS)</p><p></p><p>Later enjoy the Joy ride by Toy train (Darjeeling – Ghoom – Darjeeling). You will be transferred to Darjeeling Railway Station to board the train for Darjeeling on world famous Toy Train which has been accorded the UNESCO World Heritage status, and that's for something special. Operating on narrow gauge tracks since 1800s and providing an important transport link to the various parts of the Himalayan hills, the Toy Train is still unmatched when it comes to absorbing the wondrous beauty of Darjeeling Mountains. Where else can you find a small engine pulling mini coaches up the steep mountains through breathtaking landscapes and overcoming almost impossible moves using sheer engineering ingenuity and creative skills. The snail pace at which the train moves through the hilly terrain is at times so slow that you can often see the local school children hopping on and off the train on the move. </p><p></p><p>Also explore the any one of the Tea Estate of Darjeeling. Return at the hotel . Overnight at hotel. </p>

<p>Breakfast in the morning.</p><p></p><p>Later proceed for sightseeing ( 0900 HRS – 1200 HRS )</p><p>Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursday) - Just adjacent to Zoo there is located The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), which was established in Darjeeling, India on November 4, 1954 to encourage Mountaineering as an organized sport in India. The first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary sparked a keen interest in establishing mountaineering as a well-respected endeavour for people in the region. With the impetus provided by the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, HMI was established in Darjeeling. Tenzing Norgay was the first director of field training for HMI.</p><p>Tenzing Rock - a gigantic natural rock in Darjeeling is named after Tenzing Norgay, the man who created history by climbing the Everest first time along with Edmund Hillary in 1953. Opposite to this is the Gombu Rock named after Nawang Gombu, nephew of Tenzing who was the first person to climb the Everest twice, once in 1963 and then in 65. He took over as the Director of Field Training at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute after Tenzing retired in 1976. Both these rocks are used for rock climbing training by HMI. </p><p>Tibetan Self Help Refuge Centre (closed on Sunday) – This complex was setup by the Tibetan refugees in Darjeeling on October 2, 1959 after they followed Dalai Lama and escaped from Tibet. The refugees adopted the principle of self help so that they could become self-independent and completely rehabilitate themselves in a foreign country, which they did gracefully. They received the site "Hill Side" measuring some 4 acres of area from the state government to build the center. It's located on a hill top that can be approached from Lebong Cart Road by car. Initially they started raising funds through donations, subscriptions, charity shows and even through exhibition soccer match. Soon they started receiving some funds from domestic and international voluntary organizations as well. A committee with 10 members was formed that was responsible for the development and management of the center. Ms Gaylo Thondup was the first President of the center. One of the prominent members of the first committee was Tenzing Norgay who climbed the Everest in May 1953 with Edmund Hillary. A small center that started with only 4 workers with the objective of self rehabilitation and helping the under-privileged Tibetan community in the area, has now grown to accommodate more than 650 Tibetan refugees. You will see Tibetan men and women making exquisite hand crafted items like woolen shawls & carpets, carved wooden crafts, leather jackets, coats and lots of other items. They have a training center that imparts skills to the new workers. Production of handcrafted items is the main activity of the center and its earning source. They export the items to as many as 36 countries all over the world. If you like to buy some items, you can get them at the Show Room, which is an outlet located in the premises. </p><p>Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda – Japanese temple located at a 10 minutes driving distance from the Darjeeling town center. The temple is also known as the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple. The two storied white building was built in a traditional Japanese style in the year 1972. Close to the temple is the Peace Pagoda that showcases four avatars of Lord Buddha. From the top of the Pagoda, you get a panoramic views of Darjeeling landscape including the Kanchenjunga range. </p><p>Bhutia Busty Monastery ( Walking tour )– The monastery is so named because it's located in Bhutia Busti (meaning Bhutia colony) which is some 1.5km (i.e. about a mile) downhill from the Chowrasta Mall of Darjeeling. This Monastery was earlier located in Observatory Hill where the Mahakal Temple stands today. It was originally built there in 1761 by the Lama Dorje Rinzing. However, since then the monastery had been through a series of misfortune. In 1815 during the Gorkha invasion, the monastery was plundered and completely ravaged. It was rebuilt in the year 1861. But due to many disturbances, it had to be shifted to a new location where the present Bhuitia Busti Monastery was built in the year 1879. As the luck may have it, an earthquake completely destroyed the monastery in 1934. It was rebuilt with the patronage of the Late Chogyal (Dharmaraja) of Sikkim. So if you consider its origin since its first foundation at the Observatory Hill, this is the oldest Buddhist Monastery in Darjeeling having been through changes in its physical appearance and location. The present structure of the monastery is awesome. It has been built in a traditional Tibetan style with Sikkimese influence, and it's a great example of Darjeeling's vibrant Buddhism tradition. The monastery belongs to the Red Sect of Buddhists and has links with the Kagyu and Nyingma orders of Tibetan Buddhism. Free evening to roam around the Mall . Overnight halt at Darjeeling.</p><p>Back to hotel for Lunch.</p><p></p><p>After lunch transfer ( By 1400 HRS ) to Gangtok - the capital city of Sikkim is located on a ridge at a height of 5500 feet. With a spectacular view of the Khangchendzonga, the town provides the perfect base for travel through the state. Once an important transit point for traders traveling between Tibet and India, it is today a busy administrative and business centre and presents an interesting mix of cultures and communities. Gangtok is a cosmopolitan town which offers the tourist all possible amenities. MG Marg, the main street of Gangtok town is a great place to chill out. The country’s first litter and spit free zone, no vehicular traffic is allowed into the marg. </p><p></p><p>Return at the hotel. Dinner & Overnight halt at Gangtok.</p>

<p>Breakfast in the morning.</p><p></p><p>Later proceed for city tour (Timing between 0930 HRS to 1600 HRS. Lunch will be at the hotel in between 1300 -1400 HRS)</p><p>The Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts - was established in the year 1957 with the aim of promoting and keeping alive the State's traditional art & craft, the DHH is a store house of hand - woven woolen carpets, with traditional motifs, blankets, shawls and exquisitely carved 'Choktse' or table and many other gift items. The Directorate is a unique combination of training-cum-production spread over 20 centers in Sikkim, which has a modest center at Gangtok. A Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd. has been formed which will facilitate effective marketing of quality based products and make more jobs and avenues for crafts persons. Such products have a huge potentiality for exports.</p><p></p><p>The Do-Drul Chorten or Stupa - was built by the Venerable Trullshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibeten Buddhism, in 1945. Inside the stupa, there are complete mandala set of Dorjee phurba (Vajra Kilaya), a set of Kang Gyur relic (Holy Book), complete 'Zung' (mantras) and other religious objects. Around the Chorten, there are 108 Mani Lhakor (Prayer Wheels). These are turned by devout Buddhists while chanting 'Om Mane Padme Hum' (O Jewel in the Lotus) to invoke the Bodhisattva. It is surrounded by Chorten Lakhang and Guru Lakhang, where there are two huge statues of Guru Padmasambhava.</p><p></p><p>Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology - The most prestigious research institute of its kind in the world, NIT is a treasure of vast collection of rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and rare Thankas (colourful tapestries used in Buddhist liturgy). Apart from an attractive museum, it has over 200 Buddhist icons and other prized objects of art. As far as its collections are concerned, it is only next to an institute in Tibet. Today it is renowned world wide centre for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion. The institute was established in 1958 to promote serious study and research on Buddhism.</p><p></p><p>Enchey Monastery: This 200 year old monastery is famous for the mask dance called 'Cham' performed in the month of January. An important seat of the Nyingma order, the Enchey Monastery meaning the Solitary temple, was originally built with the solace that no other construction would be allowed near it.</p><p></p><p>Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.</p>

<p>After breakfast transfer ( By 0800 HRS ) to Kalimpong – located at an altitude of 1,250 metres, it has a moderate climate ranging from between 15°C to 25°C in Summer and 7°C to 15°C in Winter, offering year round comfort. It was ruled by Bhutan for 155 years, and was annexed by the British only in 1865, after which it flourished as a centre of wool trade with Tibet. Here Buddhism rubs shoulders with Hinduism and Christianity. Gumpas, unusual churches, temples, monks and missionaries coexist in a jovial society. The quaint bustling bazar, is a wanderers delight, and a Pandora's box of surprises containing Buddhist thankas, hand beaten silver, Bhutanese weaves, Chinese lamps, Lepcha daggers, masks and a lot more. Kalimpong offers Buddhist Monasteries, Hindu Temples, Christian Churches, Flowers, Orchids and exotic flora, old colonial bungalows, scenic view points and above all the panorama of snows. On arrival check in at the hotel. </p><p></p><p>Lunch at the hotel.</p><p></p><p>Afternoon ( By 1330 hrs ) proceed for Kalimpong city tour which will cover the places like – </p><p>Dr. Grahams Home - This working orphanage and school was built in 1900 by Dr JA Graham, a Scottish missionary, to educate the children of tea estate workers, and now has more than 1300 students. There’s a small museum that commemorates the founder and his wife, Katherine. The 1925 chapel above the school seems lifted straight out of a Scotland parish, with its grey slate, spire and fine stained-glass windows. The gate is 4km up the steep KD Pradhan Rd. Many people charter a taxi to get here and then walk back to town via Tharpa Choling Gompa and the Himalayan paper workshop. </p><p></p><p>Gaden Tharpa Choling Monastery - is a Gelugpa monastery situated at the hilltop in Kalimpong. The monastery was founded by Domo Geshe Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang in 1912. History says that Domo Geshe Rinpoche lived in Kalimpong in 1906 when he came to India for pilgrimage and to collect medicinal plants from India, Nepal & Bhutan. At the request of the Tibetan merchants and some Bhutanese leaders living in Kalimpong to establish a monastery there, Rinpoche instituted this monastery.</p><p>Pineview Nursery - is situated about one and a half kilometer away from the Kalimpong town (30 minutes walk or a few minutes drive from the Kalimpong bus stand) in the premises of famous PINEVIEW NURSERY, PINEVIEW NURSERY has a hundred of variety of cactus plants collected from North, South and Central America and are grown in thousands. In the immediate vicinity is Kallimpong’s famous Kalibari and Chitrabhanu. (once Guru Rabindra Nath Tagore’s summer home). </p><p></p><p>Kalimpong Art and Craft Centre- Kalimpong art and craft centre is amongst the cultural attraction of the subdivision. Located at the epicentre of the town the centre looks to compliment the tradition and the customs which was given to the people here by their ancestors.</p><p>Kalimpong art and Craft centre in fact is a courtesy of Catherine Graham and it was in 1897 he founded the centre to uplift the social pattern of the common people. What a kind initiative it was to understand the needs of an hour to promote and propagate the local handicrafts in market to make other understand regarding the talents and skills of the craftsmen’s.</p><p>Kalimpong Art and craft centre from the very beginning gave employment opportunities to the local people by making them aware of their talent and still today many of the native works here to craft their work to sell it to others. </p><p>Back at the hotel, free evening to explore the local market.</p>

<p>After breakfast proceed Bagdogra Airport (90 Kms / 03 Hrs) to board the onwards flight.</p>