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IND – 11:
Sikkim |
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India is one of the most
intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth. It is
impossible not to be astonished by India. Nowhere on Earth
does humanity present itself in such a dizzying, creative
burst of cultures and religions, races and tongues. Every
aspect of the country presents itself on a massive,
exaggerated scale, worthy in comparison only to the
superlative mountains that overshadow it. Perhaps the only
thing more difficult than to be indifferent to India would
be to describe or understand India completely. Set apart
from the rest of Asia by the supreme continental wall of the
Himalayas, the Indian subcontinent touches three large
bodies of water and is immediately recognizable on any world
map. |
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Featured
Pictures (Sikkim & Darjeeling) |
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Brief
Itinerary |
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Day |
Activities |
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01 |
Fly
Kathmandu to Bhadrapur. Drive to
Gangtok. |
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02 |
Sightseeing tour of Sikkim. |
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03 |
Drive to Lachung
Valley (3000m ,
140 km approx). |
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04 |
Drive to
Yumthang Valley
(3575 m). |
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05 |
Drive back to
Gangtok. |
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06 |
Drive
Pemayangtse.
Visit
Pemayangtse
Monastery. |
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07 |
Visit
Sangachholing
Monastery. Drive
to Khecheopari
Lake. |
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08 |
Drive to
Bagdogra
Airport. |
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Day
01: |
Fly Kathmandu to Bhadrapur. Drive to
Gangtok.
After breakfast, drive to the
domestic airport to take flight for
Bhadrapur. It takes 40 minute to
reach Bhadrapur. On arrival,
meet/assist with our Sikkimese
Representative. Then, drive to
Gangtok (1666 m, 5 hrs approx.).
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel. |
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Day 02:
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Sightseeing tour of Sikkim.
Morning, visit Tsuklakhang Monastery
(better known as Royal Monastery).
The Royal Chapel of the Chogyals is
the main centre for prayers with an
assembly hall in the centre and
large depository of Buddhist
scriptures and literature and
contains altars which are orated
with Buddha, Bodhisattvas and
Tantric deities. Tsukhalang Palace
which served as a location for
coronation, marriages and victory
ceremonies among Sikkim royalty.
Later, visit Cottage Industry,
Research Institute of Tibetology.
After lunch, visit Dodrul Chorten.
Do Drul Chorten is the most
significant and perhaps the biggest
stupa in Sikkim. Located near
Gangtok, Do Drul Chorten makes a
major part of the itinerary in the
East Sikkim. In 1945, this holy
stupa was built under the direction
of Late Truslshi Rimpoche, who was
the head of Nyingma sect of Tibetan
Buddhism. Do Drul Stupa was built in
compliance with the desire revealed
by Dud-Zom Rinpoche in 1944. Later,
drive to Rumtek and visit world
famous Rumtek Monastery. It is known
as the world’s richest monastery and
is home to the community of monks
and where they perform the rituals
and practices of the Karma
Kagyulineage. A Golden Stupa
contains the relics of the 16th
Karmapa. Opposite that building is a
college, Karma Shri Nalanda
Institute for Higher Buddhist
Studies.
Overnight at Hotel. |
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Day 03:
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Drive to Lachung Valley (3000m , 140
km approx).
Drive to Lachung, situated at
northeast of Sikkim. It is at an
elevation of about 3,000 m and at
the confluence of the Lachen River
and Lachung Rivers, tributaries of
the River Teesta. The word Lachung
means "small pass". Lachung was a
trading post between Sikkim and
Tibet, after which it was closed
down. Most of Lachung's inhabitants
are of Lepcha and Tibetan descent.
During winter the town is usually
covered in snow. Lachung is also the
base camp for Rhododendron Valley
Trek which starts from Yumthang
Valley and ends at Lachen Valley.
The main attractions of Lachung
tourism include the Lachung
Monastery, which is also known as
the Lachung Gompa, and the Yumthang
Valley, which is about 25 km from
the town. The Lachung Monastery is a
very old monastery, built in the
year 1880.
Overnight at Hotel. |
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Day 04:
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Drive to Yumthang Valley (3575 m).
Yumthang Valley is a grazing pasture
surrounded by the Himalayan
Mountains in the North Sikkim
district of Sikkim, India. It is at
an elevation of 3,575 m above sea
level at a distance of 150 km from
the state capital Gangtok. It is
also home to the Shingba
Rhododendron Sanctuary, and has over
twenty-four species of the
rhododendron, the state flower. A
tributary of the river Teesta flows
past the valley and the town of
Lachung, the nearest inhabited
centre.
Overnight at Hotel. |
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Day 05:
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Drive back to Gangtok.
After breakfast, drive back to
Gangtok (150 km). It takes 5 hours
to cover the distance by car. On
reaching, transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the day free.
Overnight at Hotel. |
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Day
06:
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Drive Pemayangtse. Visit Pemayangtse
Monastery.
Drive to Pemayangtse (5 hours
approx.). Visit Pemayangtse
Monastery, the premier Nyinmapa
Monastery in Sikkim and the
Rabdentse Palace ruins. Pemayangtse
means the "sublime lotus" was built
in the 18 century and follows the
Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. A
must see for a visitor to Pelling is
the "Zangdopalri" or vision of
paradise housed within the confines
of an entire room in the monastery.
The late Dungzim Rimpoche or head
monk built it single handedly over a
period of seven years after seeing
visions of paradise in his dreams.
View the majestic Khangchendzonga
peaks looming right in front of you
(weather permits).
Overnight at Hotel. |
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Day 07:
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Visit Sangachholing Monastery. Drive
to Khecheopari Lake.
Breakfast in the hotel. Later, visit
Sangachholing Monastery. This is the
second oldest monastery in Sikkim
built in the year 1695 by Lhatsun
Namkha Zigme situated on a hill
amidst thick pine forest opposite to
Pemayangtse monastery. The admission
in this monastery is limited to the
families from Bhutia, Lepcha who are
Buddhist by faith and the ethnic
communities of Sikkim. Exursion to
Khechopalri Lake, also known as the
"Wishing Lake" as locals believes
any wish made here comes true. Also
enroute visit the Khangchendzonga
falls.
Overnight at Hotel. |
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Day 08:
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Drive to Bagdogra Airport.
In the morning after breakfast,
drive to Bagdogra Airport to take
flight for onward journey. It is a
journey of 155 km and it takes 6
hours drive approx. On reaching,
check in to the airport terminal and
depart from Bagdogra. |
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Note: Airfare, taxes and schedules are
subject to change without prior notice. |
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Cost
Include |
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All necessary
airport transfers |
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Twin sharing
accommodation on breakfast basis in hotels |
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All
sightseeing with English speaking local
guide |
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All
activities & excursions as per itinerary |
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Monument
Entrance fee. |
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All
Applicable surface transfer by private non
AC vehicle |
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Cost
Exclude |
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Any
international airfare and airport taxes |
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India entry
visa fees |
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Insurance and
Tips |
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Bottled
drinks |
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Emergency/Rescue in any form |
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Expenses of
personal nature such as bar bills, laundry,
telephone calls etc |
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Any cost
arise due to flight cancellation, landslide,
road blockage, political disturbance etc |
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Any other
arrangements not mentioned in the above cost
include section |
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