Window to Darjeeling, Gangtok & Kalimpong

During the British Raj era, the hill station of Darjeeling, Kalimpong enjoyed special prerogative as an ideal getaway from the scorching summer of the plains. Till date it still has remnant of those Raj Era in form of quaint Churches, tea garden, toy train etc. With the addition of Sikkim, steeply immersed in its own indigenous history in the list this journey takes you on a roller coaster ride to the kaleidoscope of vibrant endemic cultures of  North East India.

The odyssey starts with the transfer from Bagdogra to Darjeeling. After visiting the land marks of Darjeeling and if weather permits, unforgettable sight of sun rise and vista of eastern Himalayan range from Tiger hill early in the morning, this journey takes its course to Gangtok, capital of Sikkim, erstwhile kingdom of Chogyal dynasty, The capital is filled with many attractions and dotted with various monasteries under the watchful eyes of Mt Kanchenjunga. After breezily traversing these attractions. The next port of call is Kalimpong, which boasts flower nurseries, schools, and spectacular vistas from the hilltop of Deolo.

Window to Darjeeling Outline Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrive – Darjeeling
On arrival in Bagdogra/NJP, meet your Guide and drive to Darjeeling. Darjeeling is one of India’s most beautiful hill stations and is affectionately called the ‘Queen of Hills. This enchanting town is perched on a beautiful ridge with a magnificent view of the Kanchenjunga range. Upon arrival, check into the hotel, and the evening is free to stroll around Chowrastha Mall and visit the local Bazaar. Overnight in Darjeeling

Day 2: Darjeeling Tour – Gangtok. (Darjeeling to Gangtok – 95 km. / 3 -4 hours drive)
After breakfast, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute/museum of mountaineering expeditions and the Himalayan Zoological Park within its premises, and the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre. After lunch, visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda and drive to Gangtok, En-route, visit the beautiful Dali monastery and continue to Gangtok.  On arrival, we might just have time to take a walk on the MG Marg Avenue and visit the Lal Bazaar vegetable and food market. Overnight in Gangtok.

Day 3: Around Gangtok.
After breakfast, visit the Enchey monastery, followed by some viewpoints, from where we may get spectacular views of the city and the snow-capped peaks of Kanchendzonga.  Also, visit a flower exposition and walk along the garden/ promenade to view the Palace and temples used by Chogyals (Kings of Sikkim). Later,  stop by at the Cottage Industry, where you can see and buy traditional handicrafts.  In the afternoon, visit Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and the Dodrul Chorten monastery. The rest of the afternoon is free to visit as per your interest.
Overnight in Gangtok.

Day 4: Gangtok – Rumtek – Kalimpong ( 1,250 m./4,125 ft Gangtok to Kalimpong – 75 km. 3 hrs drive).
After breakfast,  drive down to the valley floor and up the opposite ridge to Rumtek monastery, the seat of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism (45 minutes). The monastery is the largest in Sikkim and a replica of Karmapa’s monastery in Tsurphu, Tibet. Following the visit to Rumtek monastery, we continue our journey to Kalimpong. Once a prominent center for trade with Tibet, with a year-round temperate climate, it is home to many flower nurseries.

This afternoon, visit the ridge tops for spectacular views from the Deolo & Rinkingpong (Durpin Dara) hills.  Visit local monasteries (especially Zongdogpaldri Monastery) and stroll around the town.  If time permits, we will also take a peek inside the Dr. Graham’s Homes campus, a boarding school founded by the Rev. Dr. John A. Graham, a Scottish missionary, in 1900.
Overnight in Kalimpong.

Day 5: Kalimpong – Departure (Kalimpong to Bagdogra – 85 km. / 2-3 hours)
Departure transfer to the Bagdogra airport in time for your flight.