Day 1: Bagdogra to Takdah
Drive time: 4 hours | Pick up from Bagdogra airport and drive to Takdah village.
Takdha is a beautiful village, one hour before Darjeeling. It used to be a cantonment town during the British days and still bears a beautiful colonial charm. Even today one can admire the stone structures built by the British. It is surrounded by large stretches of pine forests and tea gardens, which lend the place a very special charm.
Day 2: Takdah
After breakfast we go for a trek through dense oak and pine forests to Lamahatta, a small mountain village. After lunch we visit some of the tea gardens near Takdah to understand how tea is grown and picked.
Experiences: One day trek, Visit to the tea garden
Day 3: Takdah to Darjeeling
After breakfast we drive to Darjeeling, the queen of hill stations. Walk around Mall area and Observatory hill to get a feel of the colonial past the British left behind. Visit the Peace Pagoda which was built under the guidance of a Japanese Buddhist monk. From here once can get stupendous views of Darjeeling town. In the evening walk around Observatort Hill or relax at the hotel.
Experiences: Monastery visit, Walks around Darjeeling
Day 4: Takdah to Darap
After an early breakfast drive to Pelling via a picturesque route which skirts tea gardens. Darap is a very culturally diverse village with Limboo, Bhutia, Gurung and Rai residing next to each other. Gently sloped terraced fields with panoramic views of snow capped mountains welcome you to the village. It is an ideal place to experience the rural Sikkimese way of life.
Have lunch at the Home stay after which we set out for a walk in the village, skirting through vegetable gardens and cardamom fields. During the walk we will learn about the agrarian lifestyle of the people through interactions with the villagers. On the way we will also learn about the Limboos, a little know community of Sikkim with a unique cultural identity.
In the evening relax at the Home stay where we will experience the warm hospitality of a Gurung family in their picture perfect place.
Experiences: Homestay, Village walk
Drive time: 4.5 hours
Day 5: Sightseeing around Pelling
After breakfast drive to Khecheopalri Lake, a tranquil lake nestled in the midst of verdant hills. It is believed that any wish asked by a devotee is granted by the deity of the lake hence considered very holy by the local people. From here drive to Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim. It is over here that the first Chogyal (holy King) was coroneted in 1642; you will visit the site and see the stone throne. By evening return back to Darap.
In the evening light a bon fire around which we exchange conversations with our host over a cask of local millet beer.
Experiences: Lake visit, Bonfire, Local brewery
Day 6: Darap to Gangtok
Drive time: 5 hours
Bid farewell to our hosts after which we drive to the capital city of Gangtok .On the way visit the Rabdtense Ruins, a palace fort which was once the capital of Sikkim and Pemagyatse monastery, one of the holiest monasteries in entire Sikkim.
In the evening walk to the Palace monastery which was closely associated with the Chogyal of Sikkim. From here walk down towards the lively MG Road for a fell of modern Sikkim.
Experiences: Monastery visit, Heritage walk
Day 7: Gangtok sightseeing
Start our day with a visit to Tibetology museum to learn about Buddhism and its advent into Sikkim. The museum also has many rare manuscripts written by Buddhist scholars. From here we drive to Rumtek monastery, the seat of the Karmapa. This grand monastery is the most important one of the Karmakagyu sect of Buddhism. On the way back we take a halt at Banjhakri falls soaking in the cool of nature.
Day 8: Gangtok to Bagdogra
Drive time: 5 hours | Drop to Bagdogra airport
Inclusions:
- Accommodation on a twin sharing basis
- Meals mentioned
- All transfers and sightseeing using a Xylo or Innova or similar vehicle
- Local hikes in Lamahatta and Rinchenpong.
- All sightseeing and local experiences as mentioned.
- Permit to Nathula Pass
- A full time local guide
Exculsions:
- Travel expenses to and from Bagdogara
- Camera fees and Entrance fees at any of the places of sightseeing
- Meals not mentioned
- Excess stay & meals due to bad weather conditions or strikes,resulting in
- Delay of flights or any other form of transport.
- Personal expenses such as tips, room service etc.
- Any other item not mentioned in “Inclusions”
*Please note: Activities are flexible and depend on availability
