Eastern Himalayas: Sikkim and Darjeeling

Arrive in Delhi. Transfer to Hotel. (No meals)

Transfer to airport for flight to Bagdogra. Met on arrival at Bagdogra. Transfer by private jeep to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Overnight Hidden Forest Retreat. (All meals)

A full day of sightseeing in Gangtok. First, visit Enchey Monastery. A story related to this monastery says that a Saint flew from Maynam Hill to the present site of the monastery and built a small shrine with 10 monks. Later, during the reign of Chogyal Sidkeong Namgyal (150 years ago), the present monastery was built. This monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect.

Next, visit the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, the center for promoting and training rural Sikkimese in traditional handicraft production: a veritable storehouse of exquisite carpets, blankets and shawls in Lepcha weaves.

Then visit Do-Drul Chorten, one of the most important stupas of Sikkim, built by Trulsi Rinpoche, head of the Nyingmapa order. It contains rare mandalas of Dorje Phurpa, sacred manuscripts, and other sacred objects. Surrounding the chorten are 108 prayer wheels.

Proceed to the Research Institute of Tibetology, renowned worldwide for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion. A treasure house of rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscript, thangkas, numerous priceless statues, and prized object of arts.

A stop at the Orchid Sanctuary is also planned, although there will be very few orchids in bloom at the moment. Overnight Hidden Forest Retreat. (All meals)

Travel seven hours by jeep to Yuksom. Yuksom is just a small, sleepy town now but as the former capital of Sikkim it is the place where the first King was crowned. Overnight Tashigang Hotel, Yuksom. (All meals)

Sikkim trek begins.
The trek begins with a long and gentle climb along the Ratang Chu (Chu = river in Tibetan/Bhutanese/Sikkimese). Today’s ascent is approximately 3,000 ft. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Today’s three-hour trek climbs steeply through forests of pine, magnolia and rhododendron into the alpine country. Enjoy view of Mt. Pandim. Tshokha is a small Tibetan settlement with a monastery and a holy lake. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Today is a five-hour, 3,200 ft. climb beginning in dense forests and ending in high alpine yak country. At Dzongri, there are two rough, primitive stone sheds for yak herders. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

An extra day to rest and acclimatize. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

From Dzongri descend a few hundred feet to Thangshing. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Ascend to Lamini. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Hike to Goechala for views of Kanchenjunga and other mountains. Return to Lamini. Today’s hike can take up to 6 hours. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Descend to Kokchurung. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Descend to Tsokha. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Descend to Tsokha. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Full day of driving to Darjeeling. Stay at the elegant New Elgin or similar. Dinner is at the hotel. (All meals)

Morning visit of Happy Valley Tea Gardens to see the cultivation and preparation of famous Darjeeling tea. Onwards to the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre established in 1959 to rehabilitate Tibetan refugees. Here, excellent carpets, wood carvings, wood works, leather works, and more are produced. Then visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) to hear the heroic tales of great Himalayan mountaineering. The Padmaja Naidu Zoological Institute, located in the same hillside as HMI, hosts captive-bred snow leopards and red pandas.

After lunch, walk to the Lloyd Botanic Gardens, which has a large collection of Himalayan plants, flowers, orchids, etc.

Stay at elegant New Elgin or similar. (All meals)

Drive to Bagdogra. Fly to Delhi. Overnight Hotel. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Transfer to airport for final departure. (B)