Sikkim Festival Tour

If it is June or August, there is rhyme and every reason to travel to the eastern fringe of the Himalayas in the Indian state of Sikkim and surrounding regions. For festival in the Himalayas has a special charm and appeal of its own. Famous Rumtek monastery comes to life with people, irrespective of religious affiliation, throngs the courtyard to watch the spectacle, unfolding mask dance drama and various religious activities.

In August, it rolls out the indigenous festival of Lepchas, supposedly the native people of the region. Bringing out their colourful attire with their colourful dances and other practices.
During the festival, people not only celebrate the occasion but also life. They keep aside their daily woes and join in a collective celebration in their finest traditional attire with gay abandon.

This journey takes you up, close, and personal with the festival, catching up with people in a festive mood, offering a glimpse into the socio-religious structure of the region. At the same time, visiting the local attractions of Darjeeling, Gangtok, Namchi, and hiking to Tedong to attend the Lepcha festival and Kalimpong under the watchful eyes of majestic Mt Kanchenjunga.

Outline Itinerary

Rumtek Guru Tshechu ceremony

Day 1: Bagdogra to Gangtok (120 km/ 4 hrs /1700m).
Assistance upon arrival and drive to Gangtok, enter Sikkim at the base of the foothills in Rangpo, and then gradually climb up to the ridge town of Gangtok. In the evening, take a short walking tour through its MG Marg Avenue and browse the colorful Lal Bazaar food/vegetable market. Overnight in Gangtok.

Day 2:  Gangtok sightseeing and Transfer to Rumtek (24 km/ 1 hr)
After breakfast, visit the Enchey monastery, followed by some viewpoints, for spectacular views of the city and the snow-capped peaks of Kanchendzonga. Visit Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, a treasure house of rare Lepcha, Tibetan, and Sanskrit manuscripts, numerous priceless statues and thangkas, and the nearby Dodrul Chorten monastery. Post lunch, drive to Rumtek. Overnight in Rumtek.

Day 3: Attend Rumtek Chaam at Rumtek monastery.
Post breakfast, drive to Rumtek monastery, which is the main seat of Gyalwa Karmapa. At the monastery, experience the whole ceremony of Guru Rimpoche’s Tsechu Chaam. On this day, Sikkimese Buddhists pay homage to Guru Rimpoche or Guru Padmasambhava, who first introduced Buddhism in Sikkim and throughout the Himalayas in the 8th century. A dance drama enacting the eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava is held in Rumtek monastery. Overnight in Rumtek.

Day 4: Rumtek – Darjeeling ( 100km/ 4 ½ hrs/ 1800m).
After breakfast, drive to Darjeeling, also referred to as the Queen of the Hills, through a lush green Tea garden. Stop at Triveni viewpoint to view the confluence of the River Teesta and the River Rangeet. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Evening stroll around Chowrasta Mall. Overnight in Darjeeling.

Day 5: Darjeeling local visit.
After breakfast, visit Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park and Everest museum at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursday), a Tea garden, Tenzin rock, Tibetan refugee self-help centre, Japanese peace pagoda, Dali monastery, and take a toy train ride up to Ghoom.
Optional:
Drive to Tiger Hill (before dawn) to view the Sunrise over Mt. Kanchenjunga and other peaks of the eastern Himalaya(weather permitting and on your own interest).

Day 06: Darjeeling -Bagdogra (85 km/ 3 hrs.)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Bagdogra airport for onward destinations.

Ethnic Lepcha’s festival of Tendong Lho Rum Faat

Day 1: Arrive– Darjeeling (90 km/ 3 hrs/ 2134m).
Assistance upon arrival and a drive to Darjeeling through a lush green tea garden. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Evening stroll around Chowrasta Mall.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Darjeeling local visit.
After breakfast, visit Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park and Everest museum at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursday), a Tea garden, Tenzin rock, Tibetan refugee self-help centre, Japanese peace pagoda, Dali monastery, and take a toy train ride up to Ghoom.
Optional:
Drive to Tiger Hill (before dawn) to view the Sunrise over Mt. Kanchenjunga and other peaks of the eastern Himalaya(weather permitting and on your own interest).

Day 3: Darjeeling  –  Namchi (100km/ 4 ½  hrs).
Drive to Namchi (Sky High) through a lush green Tea garden, stop at Triveni viewpoint to view the confluence of River Teesta and River Rangeet. Enter Sikkim at Melli Border and continue to Namchi. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit some sights in Namchi, which include the Char Dham complex and Samdruptse hill to see the giant statue of Guru Rimpoche. Evening is free for independent activities. Overnight in Namchi.

Day 4: Trek to Tendong Hill to see Tendong Lho Rum faat Festival.
After an early breakfast, transfer to Damthang village located at the base of the Tendong Hill trek. The trek of 7 km uphill to the Summit (8530ft) will take roughly 2 hrs, and the trail is laid on a footpath through the thick forest. The trek offers a spectacular experience of varied vegetation and exclusive fauna. Legend says that Tendong Hill saved the Lepcha tribe from the ravages of the deluge when the whole world was flooded-similar to Noah’s Ark in the Bible. In the Festival, Lepchas pray through their Priest Boongthing and Mun, the almighty Goddess “Ibtu-Debu-Room-Doar” who is creator as well as destroyer of Lepchas of Sikkim. They pray and offer “Chee’ (millet beer) to save them from the myth of the deluge. It is a ritual festival of Lepchas and is also inspired by local legend. Later, descend down to Damthang and catch your waiting vehicle to drive to the Namchi hotel.
Overnight in Namchi.

Day 5: Namchi- Kalimpong (70 km/ 3 hrs).
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Kalimpong,   visit Kalimpong, including Durpin Dara for amazing views of the plains, visit Zang Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa temple, flower nurseries, and later explore the local market.
Overnight in Kalimpong.

Day 6: Kalimpong – Bagdogra airport / N.J.P train station (80 km/ 3 hrs/ 120 m).
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Bagdogra airport / N.J.P station for onward destination.