To
Sikkim
Cultural Tours - Discovering Sikkim
Discovering Sikkim
Day 01 : Siliguri / Pemayangtse (145
km, 5 hours)
Arrive Siliguri / Bagdogra / New Jalpaiguri & later transfer to
Pemayangtse for overnight stay.
Day 02 : Pemayangtse / Khechopalri /
Pemayangtse (29 km, 2.1/2 hours)
After breakfast, a short walk to the Sangachholing Monastery, built in the
17th century by Gyalwa Lhatsun Chempo, the patron saint of Sikkim. This
spot commands a breathtaking view of the hills, valleys and villages of
West Sikkim. On return drive to Khechopalri lake. Thus unusually calm
lake, located amidst dense forest is considered very sacred. Late
afternoon drive back to Pemayangtse.
Day 03 : Pemayangtse / Gangtok (117
km, 5 hours)
Morning visit the Pemayangtse Monastery located on top of a hillock. Built
in 17th century, it is the paramount seat of Nyingmapa monasteries and
regarded as Sikkim’s most prestigious centre of learning. Later a drive
across the two rivers Teesta and Rangeet through semi-tropical forests and
cardamom plantation takes you to Gangtok, the capital town of Sikkim.
Overnight at the hotel in Gangtok
Day 04 : Gangtok
Full day sightseeing including visit to ;
Enchey Monastery; it is a beautiful monastery, in an equally beautiful
setting, approached along an avenue of hundreds of multi-coloured prayer
flags.
Government Institute of Cottage Industries; here you can watch young
students being taught the traditional art of thangkha paintings along with
weaving, wood carving and carpet making.
Also visit the Institute of Tibetology, housed in a beautiful building,
built in traditional Tibetan style, with mural decorated columns and a
wonderful smell of beeswax polish from the creaky wooden floor.
Then drive through picturesque, terraced rice fields to the headquarter of
Dharma Chakra Centres (Rumtek Monastery), the present seat of His
Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyupa sect. Said to be the
replica of the monastery at Tsurphu, Tibet with its traditional
architecture, exquisite paintings, intricate wood work, housing treasures
of manuscripts and icons. Rumtek is a splendid example of Tibetan monastic
art.
Overnight at the hotel in Gangtok.
Day 05 : Gangtok / Lachung (122 km, 5
hours)
After early breakfast drive to Lachung en route stopping at Tashi View
Point and Kabi Longstok. An hour’s drive further brings you to Phodong
Monastery, built in 1740. The post lunch drive for about 20 km is through
verdant forests till you reach Toong where you will be crossing Teesta
river. Overnight at Lachung in Lodge / Camp.
Day 06 : Lachung / Yumthang Excursion
After breakfast, drive to Yumthang (24 km) which has fascinating
landscape, lined with several varieties of rhododendrons. Yumthang is also
well known for its hot springs. Late afternoon drive back to Lachung.
Overnight Lodge / Camp.
Day 07 : Lachung / Gangtok
After breakfast visit the Lachung Monastery and later proceed to Gangtok
allowing several stoppages en route to enjoy the beautiful gift of nature.
Overnight at the hotel in Gangtok.
Day 08 : Gangtok / Siliguri (125 km,
4.1/2 hours)
After breakfast drive to Siliguri / Bagdogra / New Jalpaiguri for onward
journey.
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