best of north east

Day 01: Darjeeling
Arrival at Bagdogra Airport. Upon arrival you will be met by jeep with chauffeur for the 80 km drive up to Darjeeling. Afternoon visit to Observatory Hill and the Mahakala Mandir temple which can be visited by foot. The main Gompas are the Bhutia Busty which has a spectacular location and the Yiga Choling Gompa which is probably the most famous.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Darjeeling
Early morning visit to Tiger Hill at a height of 2590 meteres and 11 km from Darjeeling itself. Tiger Hill affords magnificent views of the Kanchenjunga - 8598m - and other Himalayan peaks. You need to leave pre-dawn from Darjeeling and only in fine weather. On a really clear day you get to see a 250 km stretch of the Himalayas. On the return trip, you can make a stop at Batasia Loop (on the famous railway line) and visit the Gompas. You can take a short ride on the Toy train down to Ghoom. This part of the railway line is the most interesting and is worth doing. At Ghoom there are a number of monasteries including the Sakya Choling and Phin Choling. Between Ghoom and Darjeeling is the Thupten Sangag Choling gompa which was only built in 1992.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03: Darjeeling
After breakfast, make a visit to the zoo (Padmaja Naidu) which houses the only Siberian tigers plus some black bears and red pandas. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) and the Everest Museum are both worth a visit. (Located next to the Zoo) Close by is the Snow Leopard breeding centre where a few pairs of leopards can be seen. The Tibetan Refugee Centre houses a large number of people who spend their time making all kinds of handicrafts including carpets, woodcarvings and Tibetan jewellery. A visit to Darjeeling would not be complete without visiting a tea garden. One is the Happy Valley Tea Estate where tea is still produced in the old fashioned way. The best time to visit is during the plucking season from April to November.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04: Darjeeling - Gangtok
After an early breakfast, leave Darjeeling for the drive to Gangtok (86 Km - 05 Hrs) and check-in at hotel. After lunch a visit the Enchhey Monastery. Perched on a hill overlooking Gangtok and picturesquely surrounded by fluttering prayer flags is this serene Nyingma Gompa, built by the 8th Chogyal around 1840 on a site blessed by the great tantric master Lama Druptab Karpa who was credited with the ability to fly. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Gangtok
Morning visit to the Do Drul Chorten, an awe-inspiring stupa, encircled by prayer wheels on spins while circumambulating clockwise offering the prayer "Om Mane Padme Hum Re". In the Chapel are two giant statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Sikkim. This can be followed by a visit to the Research Institute of Tibetology. The building accommodating the Institute is a classic example of Tibetan Architecture and is world renowned for its rare books and documents on Buddhism.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06: Gangtok - Tinjure (2433 m)
After breakfast drive to Tashi View Point (8 kms). From here you will trek for 13 Kms through the Fambonglho Forest Sanctuary. Lunch at the Camp / Rest house followed by a trek in the surrounding forest till evening.
Dinner and overnight at the trekker's hut OR return to Gangtok.

Day 07: Tinjure - Rumtek - Gangtok (Trek / Drive)
Early wake up for a view of the sunrise. After breakfast, a downhill trek of approx. 12 kms to Rumtek. Lunch in Rumtek. After lunch, a visit to the Rumtek Monastery, a replica of the Kagyurpa Monastery in Tsurpa, Tibet. Also known as the Dharma Karma Centre, and constructed by His Holiness the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa in 1960, Rumtek is a splendid example of Tibetan Monastic art with its traditional architecture, exquisite paintings and intricate woodwork. The center also houses some of the world's most religious scriptures, manuscripts and religious art objects. A short fifteen minute walk downhill leads you to the Old Rumtek monastery, which was originally built in 1730 by the 9th Karmapa. Drive back to Gangtok (23 kms / 45 mins) for dinner.
Dinner and overnight.

Day 08: Day trip to Tsomgo Lake
Suggest you make a daytrip to visit Tsomgo Lake which is 3750 meters above sea level and 37 kn north of Gangtok. This again depends on the weather as you will need a clear day for this. From here there are some nice walking tracks and you could ask the hotel to organize a picnic to take with you. In case of less than good weather, then you could drive up to Phodong in the north of Sikkim and visit the Phodong and Labrang Gompas.

Day 09: Gangtok - Baghdogra
Morning transfer to Bagdogra Airport (80 km - 04 hrs approx.) for the flight to your onward destination.

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