- 7 Nights / 8 Days
- Gangtok | Darjeeling | Lachung | Lachen
Tour Overview
The Northeast of India is a land of ineffable beauty mixed with Buddhist mysticism. Darjeeling, the queen of hill resorts of the Northeast has hues of Buddhism but as you proceed to Gangtok and then to Lachung-Lachen. Gangtok, at a height of 5500 feet with the magnificent Kanchendzonga as the backdrop is somewhat more cosmopolitan yet peacefully pristine whereas Lachung in the Northeast, about 12 km away, is picturesque, unspoiled. The air is refreshingly pure and imbued with spirituality while the view around is one to delight the senses. Enjoy this beauty of land up in the clouds with 8 nights 9 days Sikkim Darjeeling package from Ameera Holidays. Visiting Sikkim requires obtaining prior permission and passes which Ameera holidays arranges for you. A typical tour itinerary would go as follows:
Days Itinerary
Arrive at either of these destinations (Bagdogra for air travelers, New Jalpaiguri for rail travelers) and our Ameera Holidays representative welcomes you to the group and escorts you to a waiting coach that will take you on a winding road journey of 4 hours to Gangtok. The view enchants you and you might feel a bit regretful that the trip has ended but then it is time to check into your hotel and rest for the day. You might take a walk through Gangtok’s bazaar’s, admire the beautiful local flowers on sale, buy some fresh local fruits, chat with people, make friends and sample the local cuisine.
The invigorating air whets your appetite for breakfast after which we set out for an excursion to the beautiful Tsomgo Lake, a beautiful drive of two hours along the Gangtok Mathu La highway. Tsongo Lake is fairly large at about 1 km in length and 50 meters in depth. It sits amid gently rising slopes covered by green vegetation, a beautiful, peaceful haven among the mountains. After this trip, everyone goes on to the Baba Harbhajan temple but not before having a brief stop at the summit of the Nathu La pass to admire the scenery and have a view of Tibet in the distance. Nathu La once was part of the Silk Road and is at a height of 4310 meters. The group returns to the hotel for overnight stay. You can explore Gangtok bazaars in the evening and drop in at any of the several monasteries such as the Do Drul Chorten and Rumtek, at a distance of 25 km.
Once again it is an early morning excursion to Tsongo Lake to explore more of its scenic wonders and ride a yak around the lake. Tsonga stays icebound most of the time but if you are lucky you can see the crystal clear waters. Changu Lake is nearby and you may walk over to it if you like. After this the group moves on to the Baba Mandir. Then it is time to return to Gangtok for an overnight stay. Spend the evening on MG Road, sit on the benches or go shopping. You may want to take a ride on the bi-cable Zig back ropeway that takes you from Deorali to Tashiling. Or, you can walk over to Ganesh Tok, about 7 km away and admire the town from a distance.
A hearty local breakfast in the crisp morning air readies you for an excursion to Lachen, about 130 km away. The 6-hour ride itself is beautiful and takes you across narrow passes at a height of 9000 feet. You arrive as the sun dips over the mountains and retire to your room in Lachung for some well-earned rest.
Today is going to be a busy day and you gulp down a delicious steaming hot breakfast. It is time to go to Chopta Valley, one of the most scenic destinations in Sikkim, a drive of about 2 hours. On the road you come across the beautiful Seven Sisters WaterfallYou arrive at the Gurudongmar Lake at a height of about `17000 feet and the astonishing scenery around takes your breath away. Gurudomgar is one of the highest lakes in the world and is surrounded by snow-clad peaks. Downwards, the valley is like a canvas painted with colors because the flowers are blooming. The scene will remain etched in your memory forever and you return to Lachung for stay in the comfortable room.
Another glorious day dawns and in the warm golden sunlight you set out, energized by a hearty breakfast, for a trip to the Yumthang Valley and Hot Springs. The 1.5-hour drive takes you to a height of 11800 feet, with the scenery keeping you spellbound. Yumthang is home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary nature park full of over 40 different species and nestling in the lap of mountains through which flows the Chu River. The medicinal, sulfur-laden hot water springs are sacred and considered to be home to occult fairies. You then drive on to Gangtok, another scenic drive of 125 km and stay in your hotel. You could go on and enjoy the flower exhibition and Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology or saunter through the tea gardens.
Breakfast over you boards a coach for the drive to Pelling. The drive takes you across Namchi in West Sikkim. Arrive in Pelling and relax in your hotel room.
Pelling is like little heaven as you wander over to the Rimbi Waterfalls and then walk through the Rock Garden. The Khecheopalri Lake and Kanchenjunga Waterfalls are equally enchanting. Stop for a bit of lunch and then stroll to the Pemayangtse Monastery, the New Helipad, the View Tower and the Rabdentse ruins. Return to your room for rest.
Today is the final day when you have a delicious breakfast and board the coach for the 4-hour drive back to New Jalpaiguri/Bagdogra where your tour guide bids you a fond farewell.
There is plenty more to see in Sikkim like the Tashi Viewpoint, the Banjhakri Falls, the Singhik viewpoint, Gambong La Wildlife Sanctuary, Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve and Kabi Longstok to name only a few. You promise to return and Ameeraholidays.com guarantees a customized tour to these marvelous destinations.