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Gillian
Sydney, Australia. 01 -06, Nov, 2018Darjeeling, Gangtok & Kalimpong, Nov 2018. I had a special purpose in doing this trip. We contacted Windhorse on the recommendation of a friend and from
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Jacqueline B
Kenilworth, United Kingdom Oct 17-27,2008We all thoroughly enjoyed a well organised and executed tour TID 159: Best of Sikkim, Darjeeling & Kalimpong 11 days (oct 17-27, 2008) Dear Santosh, Thought you might like some feedback on
Himalayan Week
Introduction tour of Darjeeling, Sikkim & Kalimpong in Eastern Himalayas
6
Days
CULTURE
Trip highlights
Visit Tea Garden, view of Mt.Kanchanjunga, Toy train, Dali Monastery,Padma Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
This trip allows you to visit the scenic hill stations and terraced tea gardens of Darjeeling and Sikkim on a cultural journey through the Himalayan foothills. The renowned hill station of Darjeeling still retains the charm of the British Raj in India with its mild climate and laid back allure. Hills and valleys steeped in color intermingle with vast stretches of rolling green tea gardens, which at a distance looks like a green carpet of nature. Whichever way you look, in Darjeeling, green is the clarion color. Presiding over all this is Mt. Kanchanjunga – the third highest mountain on earth – with spectacular views and an aura of magic that leaves one’s senses intoxicated!
Travel to Gangtok, Sikkim, to visit the nearby Rumtek Monastery. Stay overnight in Martham Village Lodge and experience the rural life surrounding it. Finally, visit Kalimpong, a once-thriving trade destination between Britain, India and Tibet. Our local guides help you discover the markets and outlying villages, allowing you to relish its culture on the upswing.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive – Darjeeling
Arrive by flight in Bagdogra airport or in NJP railway station. Meet our representative and drive to Darjeeling, popularly known as the ‘Queen of hills’. Evening is free to take a stroll around the Chourastha Mall road. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 2: In Darjeeling
Early in the morning(before dawn) drive to Tiger hill(if weather permits) to see the sunrise view over the Kanchenjunga range(optional). On the return journey visit the old Ghoom monastery and the Dali Gompa Monastery. After breakfast, visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park(closed Thursday) and the Tibetan Self Help Centre(closed Sunday), it’s emporium boasts of high quality Tiben crafts and also visit a tea estate on the way back. In the afternoon visit the Japanese temple and the Dali monastery. Later, we have some free time to explore around. Option is also available to take a toy train until Ghoom(at extra cost). Overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 3: Darjeeling – Gangtok
Drive down the hills, through Tukdah forests and Peshok Tea Plantations to descend into Teesta Valley. Cross the border at Rangpoo and climb up the hill to Gangtok. On the way, just before Gangtok, stop to visit the Institute of Tibetology and also visit Deorali Dodul Chorten. On arrival check into the hotel and later take a walk along the MG Marg, a cobbled boulevard in the heart of the city, free of vehicular traffic. Overnight in Gangtok.
Day 4: In Gangtok Tour – Martam
Visit the Enchey monastery, followed by some view points, from where we may get spectacular views of snow-capped peaks of Kanchendzonga (weather permitting). Also visit the Flower Exposition and walk along the promenade to view to the Palace and temples used by Chogyals (Kings of Sikkim). Later, stop by the Cottage Industry, where you can see and buy the traditional handicrafts. After lunch drive down the hill and climb up to the opposite ridge to Rumtek monastery, the largest monastery complex in Sikkim, which is a replica of Karmapa’s monastery in Tsurpu, Tibet. After the visit, drive short distance to Martam village, where you can experience a glimpse of rural Sikkim.
Overning in Martam Village.
Day 5: Martam to Kalimpong
Descend down the hill and cross Sikkim border at Rangpo. Following Testa river downstream for some time, take a diversion road that climbs up the the hill to Kalimpong. Kalimpong was once a prominent center for trade with Tibet. With a year-round temperate climate, it is home of many flower nurseries. This afternoon, visit the ridge tops for spectacular views from Deolo & Rinkingpong (Durpin Dara) hill top view points. Visit Zongdogpaldri Monastery and stroll around the town. Peek inside Dr. Grahams Homes’ campus, a boarding school founded by the Rev. Dr. John A. Graham, a Scottish missionary in 1900. Overnight in Kalimpong.
Day 6: Bagdogra – Departure
Departure transfer to Bagdogra airport in time for your flight.
Group SizePrivate with your Own Group
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MealsAll meals
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Trip AccommodationBest available 3 * Hotels
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RouteDarjeeling, Sikkim, Kalimpong
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Trip Type Cultural Tour
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Trip SeasonsMarch-April-May-September-October-November
Best MonthsJanuary, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Prices & Dates
Cost Information
800 Per Person
Base on group size (3pax US$ 800) (2 pax US$ 850). (Single person US$ 1630).
Single Room supplement US$ 325.
Trip Dates:
Private Journeys for independent travel with your own dates.
Included
- Accommodation with all meals starting with first dinner and breakfast on the last day.
- All transportation and transfer by Jeep/SUV with driver
- English speaking Guide.
- Entrance fees and permits.
Not included
- Indian Visa
- Flights
Accommodations
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Trip Guide/Leader
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Sonam Tshering Bhutia
×Sonam Tshering Bhutia
Sonam Tshering Bhutia is the operation head and look after the office affairs of Wind Horse Tours of Sikkim, Darjeeling and Doars region. Under his supervision, the office was established in 2005 and after 2 years the office was relocated in Gangtok, Sikkim. This also reinforce our core ideal of having local partner. He is a partner and MD of the Sikkim and Darjeeling office.
He is originally from Darjeeling. He is also among those who started as a travel guide in 2007. Naturally, the attraction towards this trade, can largely be contributed to the place, Darjeeling itself. Hardly anyone can escape from its charms – majestic Mt Kanchenjunga, its colourful history, lush green tea garden imbibed an eternal love for this trade, and a desire to pass on this love to every one. As a guide he visited every nook and corner of the region and this is what stands in good stead when he takes the guests on tour to this region.
He has his schooling in Darjeeling and later he completed his Bachelor degree with Geography as major. To reaffirm his conviction and desire for travel trade he completed his Master in Tourism also.
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Dawa Lama
×Dawa Lama
Dawa Lama hails from queen of hills – Darjeeling. He is well versed in cultural aspects but his love for mountains, wilderness of Trek is more profound. For his love for the trek, he treaded many paths less travelled. He feels at peace and at home in mountains and he believes that being in mountain is being close to his root and to his very existence. To give wings to his passion, he enlisted in mountaineering course in H.M.I. Darjeeling and disaster management course and completed in flying colours after one and half years .
Following the tradition, he started as a a cultural guide in 2008, simultaneously, he was pursuing his degree course also and completed in 2004. His early education was in school run by Jesuits father. He grew up watching the sun rises at far horizon of eastern Himalayas from Tiger hill, which still is one of his favorite place.
Reviews / Testimonials
Trip Photos
