- Jacqueline B
Kenilworth, United Kingdom Oct 2018We all thoroughly enjoyed a well organised and executed tour ( We all thoroughly enjoyed a well organised and executed tour)5 " " TID 159: Best of Sikkim, Darjeeling & Kalimpong 11 days (oct 17-27, 2008) Dear Santosh, Thought you might like some feedback on our Sikkim tour. We all thoroughly enjoyed a well organised and executed tour with one exception that I will talk about later. The guide Naresh and driver Tenzing were both excellent.We 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
×Jacqueline B
TID 159: Best of Sikkim, Darjeeling & Kalimpong 11 days (oct 17-27, 2008) Dear Santosh, Thought you might like some feedback on our Sikkim tour. We all thoroughly enjoyed a well organised and executed tour with one exception that I will talk about later. The guide Naresh and driver Tenzing were both excellent. The driver for north Sikkim, Tsiling (not sure if spelling correct) was also very good. Naresh was friendly, courteous, efficient and knowledgeable and came up trumps in our time of crisis (see below). Hotels in Darjeeling, Yuksom, Pelling, Gangtok and Kalimpong were all very good - nice rooms, heaters where necessary, good friendly service and excellent food. Which brings me to the hotel in Lachung, the Fortuna. I appreciate that in India we can always expect the unexpected. However, having had such good hotels before Lachung, the Fortuna was a bit of a shock. As it was a last minute booking because of problems at the Sonam Palgey, I wondered if you or any of your representatives have actually visited this hotel previously. I do realise that this area is in the early stage of developing for tourism and that is one of its charms. However I did make a note of some things that it should be possible for the hotel to improve. On the positive side, the bathrooms were good and had efficient hot water heaters. The food was good as I have mentioned above and the boy who provided room service, Prakash, couldn't have been more helpful. I look forward to your comments on the above. To end on a positive note, the discomfort in Lachung didn't spoil what was an exciting and wonderful holiday thoroughly enjoyed by all of us. Thankyou. Regards,
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 (D)
Arrive by flight in Bagdogra airport or in NJP/Siliguri train station. Upon arrival, you are met by our representative and transfered to Darjeeling, which takes over 3 hrs. After high tea in the evening, take a stroll around Chowrastha Mall. Overnight in hotel New Elgin or similar.
Day 2: In Darjeeling (B/L/D)
Visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park & Snow Leopard Breeding Centre, walk down to Tibetan Self-help center, visit a tea estate and drive back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon take a joy-ride on a toy train to Ghoom, which makes en-route stop at Batasia loop. On the way back, visit Old Ghoom monastery and the sprawling Dali Monastery complex. Free evening.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Darjeeling – Gangtok (B/L/D)
Drive through the tea gardens and descend to sub-tropical Teesta valley and enter Sikkim at Rangpo. After permit formalities, continue drive to Gangtok the capital of Sikkim (appox 4hr drive). Visit the institute of Tibetology and Deorali Dodrup Chorten monastery. In the evening at Gangtok, walk through MG Marg and visit Lal Bazaar and food market. Overnight in Gangtok at Norkhil or Netuk House.
Day 4: In Gangtok Tour – Martham (B/L/D)
This morning in Gangtok, visit the Enchey Monastery, drive to View Points such as Tashi view and Ganesh Tok, followed by visit of Flower Exhibition and stroll along the promontory near the White Hall and Palace complex. Before lunch, visit the Cottage Industries showroom and workshop and drive for about 1 hr to Rumtek monastery on the opposite ridge. After visiting the Rumtek, transfer short distance away to Martham, where you can get an glance at rural sikkim.
Overnight in Village Resort built with thatched roofs and mud walls, that blend with the rural setting.
Day 5: Martham to Kalimpong (B/L/D)
From Martham, descend to the Teesta river valley and following the river downstream for a while, and climb up the hills of Kalimpong (total 3hr drive). After check-in and lunch at the hotel, drive to visit the Durpin Dara view point with a brief look at the monastery nearby. Visit Bhutanese Trongsa Monastery, Orchid & Flower nursery, Churches and homes of the colonial era, Dr Grahams Homes campus, Deolo Hill view points, and the exotic local bazaar.
Overnight in Himalayan Hotel.
Day 6: Bagdogra – Departure (B)
The drive from Kalimopong to Siliguri, NJP or Bagdogra airport, which takes about 2 ½ hr. Depending on your departure timing, transfer with our Guide and driver.
Group SizePrivate with your Own Group
MealsAll meals
Trip AccommodationBest available 3 * Hotels
RouteDarjeeling, Sikkim, Kalimpong
Trip Type Cultural and Moderate Trekking
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
Hotels in Darjeeling
Mayfair Hill Resort
Mayfair Darjeeling is a manmade marvel.The resort was originally used as the summer retreat for the Maharaja of Nazargunj. The resort is designed in the British colonial architecture and is surrounded by fir and pine trees. Nestled on a majestic hill...New Elgin Darjeeling
The Elgin Hotel is the oldest hotel in Darjeeling, built in 1887. It is now heritage hotel completely restored to its former grandeur. The property was originally owned by the royal family of Cooch Behar, once a princely state. It was leased and run...
Hotels in Gangtok
Netuk House
The hotel offers you a splendid view of the whole of Gangtok and an even majestic view of the snow clad Kanchendzonga in all its glory. ...Hotel Norkhill
Nor-khill in Sikkimese means the House Of Jewels. It was built in 1932 by the then King of Sikkim as a royal guest house. The hotel is known for Royal ambience and it was used to be a vantage point of the Royal Chogyal of Sikkim.Nor Khill is arguably...
Hotels in Kalimpong
Hotel Silver Oaks
The 4 Star Hotel Silver Oaks belongs to Elgin Heritage Group.Lounging in the landscaped gardens in a profusion of colour, one is treated to breathtaking view at the Silver Oaks, Kalimpong. The Silver Oaks was built in 1930 and once belonged to the pr...
Trip Guide/Leader
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.
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
- Jacqueline B
Kenilworth, United Kingdom Oct 2018We 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
