Trip Facts
- Trip Price: USD 1430
- Duration: 7 Nights & 8 Days
- Group Size: Min 02 Pax
- Best Season: March-May and October-December
- Grade: Easy
- Mode of Transportation: Private Vehicle and Airplane
- Accomodation: Hotel or Lodge
- Starting from: Kathmandu
- Ending at: Kathmandu
Trip Highlights
Khangchendzonga and the Siniolchu Ranges in Gangtok
North Sikkim monasteries
Enchey Monastery
Research Institute of Tibetology
Rumtek Monastery
Tashi View Point
The Queen Hills
Tiger Hills
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Peace Pagoda
The Garden and Tea Factory
Testimonials
"It was really a wonderful visit to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Darjeeling through your agency."
Mr. Ram and Marron Staffs, Namaste and I would like to thank you very much for your kind support. It was really a wonderful visit to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Darjeeling through your agency I travel to Nepal and many other countries and have found...
Sikkim and Darjeeling »SIkkim Tour » Enchanting Sikkim & Darjeeling Tours - 08 Days
Enchanting Sikkim & Darjeeling Tours - 08 Days
- Trip Overview |
- Detail Itinerary |
- General information |
- Cost Include & Excludes |
- Equipment List
Sikkim, tucked away in India`s Northeast corner, between Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal is, without question a very special part of India, beautiful, unspoilt, green, full of orchids, mountain, butterflies and monasteries, and home to some of the gentlest people you could wish to meet.
Gangtok means, aptly enough, “hill top" and the little capital of Sikkim is perched at 5500 feet high on the ridges of a valley. From Gangtok, you lookover the hillside, down and across to terraced fields, with tall, white Buddhist prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and endless stunning backdrop of towering snow capped peaks.
Darjeeling! Mark Twain seems to have visited this Himalayan city and penned down his impression about Darjeeling as the "land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that away for the shows of the rest of the world combined." Such is the beautiful land of Darjeeling.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Fly to Bhadrapur and drive to Gangtok via Phuntsholing.
Day 03: Sightseeing in Gangtok.
Day 04: Drive to Darjelling.
Day 05: Sightseeing in Darjeling.
Day 06: Drive back to Bhadrapur and fly to Kathmandu.
Day 07: Sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Day 08: Final departure
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu Int'l Airport, reception and transfer to hotel. O/n in hotel.
Day 02: Fly to Bhadrapur and then transfer to Gangtok
Today begins your exciting tour to Sikkim and Darjeeling. Morning meet the local representative Bhadrapur Airport and Transfer to Gangtok. Check in Hotel at Gangtok. Leisure overnight.
Day 03: Sightseeing in Sikkim
Today early morning visit Tashi View point About 8 km From Gangtok. It is a resting shed. Astounding view of Khangchendzonga and the Siniolchu Range is the main attractive of this point. The distant north Sikkim monasteries are also visible from this point along the North Sikkim highway. Then back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast you will be visiting these places.
1.Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms or Government Institute of Cottage Industries 
Established by Government to promote the manufacturing and selling of authentic and traditional arts and handicraft, handlooms and exquisite carpets, blankets and shawls in "Lepcha" weaves, furniture (Choksies), thankas, paintings, wooden decoration and bamboo products in authentic Sikkimese designs. Visiting Hours - Monday to Saturday from 9.30 Am. to 12.30 Pm. And 1.00Pm to 3.00 PM. Closed on Sundays, Second Saturdays and Government holidays.
2. Enchey Monastery
About 3 km from the centre of town, a small hermitage was built by lama Druptob Karpo (renowned for his power of flying) at this spot after he flew here from Maenam Hill in South Sikkim about more than 200 years ago. During the reign of Sidkeong Tulku, 1909-1910. The present monastery was built in the form of Chinese Pagoda. It follows Nyingmapa order. The annual puja is celebrated with religious masked dances on the 18h and 19th days of the 11 month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar corresponding to the month of December.
3. Research Institute of Tibetology
The Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology is a world-renowned research centre for Tibetan Buddhism and is well stocked with rare books and manuscripts on Buddhism. Contains rare collection of antique like coins, statues, rosaries, antic documents, brass bells, dorjis, and thankas. Ti has a collection of almost 30,000 volumes on diverse subjects like astrology, philosophy, magic and religion. It conducts research in the fields of language and culture of Tibet. The foundation was laid in 1957 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in October 1958. It also has a number of religious art and craftwork as well as books for sale. It's vast wealth of Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts attracts scholars from all corners of the world. The institute is open from 10.00 AM to 4.00 PM, Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday, Second Saturdays and on Government holidays.
4. Rumtek Monastery -
It is about 24 km From Gangtok nested in a lovely landscape. The first monastery was built in 1717 At Rumtek by the then Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal, but was destroyed by the earthquake and aging. His Holiness the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa constructed the second monastery in 1960. It is the headquarters of the Kagyu-pa (Red Hat) sect of the Tibetan lamaistic Buddhism. It is an excellent replica of the original Kagyu headquarters at Tsurpu in Tibet. It houses some of the world's most unique art objects, ancient manuscripts and icons. Above the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre is a hermitage where the monks go into complete seclusion for meditation for a period of three years. The important chaam (religious masked dance) is performed on the 10 th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan Calendar, and presence eight manifestations of the Guru Rimpoche. This is highly colourful and spectacular and draws many pilgrims and visitors. Prayers at about 0400 and 1800 hours.
5. Tashi View Point. Then in the evening free at leisure.
Day 04: Check in Hotel at Darjeeling
Today after breakfast transfer from Gangtok to Darjeeling “the queen of hills”. Check in at hotel at Darjeeling. Leisure overnight.
Day 05: Watching the view of Mt.Kanchendzonga
Today early morning Transfer to Tiger Hill to see the view of Sun rise over Mt Kanchendzonga. While returning visit Yiga-Choling (Ghoom). Then to the Hotel for Darjeeling Tea Breakfast and after breakfast transfer for sightseeing around Darjeeling the places you will be visiting are as follows:
1. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park which has the Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, red panda, snow leopard and many other animal and bird species, and the nearby snow leopard breeding center.
2. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, a training center for mountaineers which also houses the Everest museum' Natural History Museum, with its fine display of Himalaya wildlife.
3. Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center, a major center for the production of Tibetan carpets, woodwork and leather goods
4. Tea Garden and Tea Factory.
5. Peace Pagoda. Then in the evening back to the hotel. Leisure overnight.
Day 06:Transfer to Bhadrapur
Today after breakfast transfer to Bhadrapur Airport for your flight for onward tour. With wonderful memories of your tour of Sikkim and Darjeeling & fly back to Kathmandu.O/n hotel.
Day 07: Sightseeing of kathmandu
After breakfast, sightseeing in Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath & Boudhanath. Evening followed by farewell dinner. O/n in hotel.
Day 08: Final Departure
Final departure to your homeland country or extend your trip for mountain flight, Jungle safari tours, sightseeing or white water rafting.
Accommodation:
During Sikkim & Darjeeling Tour we opt you accomodate on 3 star or 5 star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (3 star), Hotel Manaslu (3 star), Radisson (5 star), Yak & Yeti (5 star) or similar in Kathmandu City.
While you are on tours in Sikkim and Darjeeling, you will be accommodated in Hotel Dekeling or similar.
While you are on tours in Sikkim and Darjeeling, you will be accommodated in Hotel Dekeling or similar.
Meals:
We arrange the best quality food for all members during Sikkim & Darjeeling Tour. Basically we recommend you local community foods of Sikkim so that you could enjoy the culture, the way of living of local people around there. Other than that many kind of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisine like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc are also available in most of the places based upon your requirement.
Best Season
In general speaking, from September to June is the best season for Sikkim & Darjeeling Tour.
Our Guides:
The Guides play a very active role at the time of trip. Marron Treks has experienced and helpful tour guides who make your trip enjoyable as well as successful. To make our visitors journey fruitful, the team of MarronTreks has got number of guides who have good knowledge about the culture, language, location of Sikkim & Darjeeling which would help our visitors to enjoy the full potential of the trail and communicate easily with the people along the trail.
Entry Formalities
Foreigners require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) in addition to normal Indian visa to enter Sikkim and can visit Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodang and Pemayangtse. No permit is required to enter & stay in Darjeeling & other parts of North Bengal including Kalimpomg.
All foreigners intending to visit Sikkim can avail of 15 days inner-line permit with a further 15 days extension available in Gangtok. Re-entry into Sikkim is not possible within 3 months of leaving Sikkim. Restricted area permit for individuals & groups for restricted areas i.e., Gangtok. Rumtek, Phodong, Pemagyantse can be obtained in advance from all Indian missions aboard, Sikkim tourism offices at Delhi, Calcutta, Siliguri & Gangtok, after furnishing requisite documents. A standard Permit allows one to visit Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodong and Pemagyantse. The permits are checked and the visas stamped while entering and leaving Sikkim.
Foreigners without a valid passport and permit are not allowed to enter Sikkim. The best and the easiest way to get the permit is when the individual/group is getting their Indian visa stamp on their passport. All they have to do is express their desire to visit Sikkim & the Indian missions abroad endorses the permit while granting the India visa.
Access:
From Kathmandu, fly to Bhadrapur in the east Nepal (1 hour), then drive to Kakarbhitta (Nepal-India border, 34 km), to Siliguri (36 km) and to Gangtok (110 km, 3 hours 30 minutes). Gangtok is also connected by road with Darjeeling (5 hours) and Bhutan (7 hours). The closest Indian airport is at Bagdogra, 124 km from Gangtok, where scheduled flights operate from Kolkata, new Delhi and Guwahati. Taxis for Gangtok (4 hours) are available at the airport. Grand Sikkim Tourism development Corporation also operates daily helicopter flights from Bagdogra airport to Gangtok (20 minutes).The closest railway stations are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri (121 km) which are connected to Kolkata,New delhi, Guwahati and other major Indian cities. Taxis and buses for Gangtok are available at Siliguri.
Travel Insurance:
Before starting your journey with MarronTreks it is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure your insurance covers you for both medical and evacuation costs. In some places it is not necessary but it would be better if you have the travel insurance with you all the time. That would make your trip save and hassle free.
Price Includes
- Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu, Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong on Bed and Breakfast basis as per the itinerary
- All ground Transportation as per the itinerary
- English Speaking guide
- Kathmandu Bhadrapur Kathmandu Airfare
- Guided city sightseeing in Sikkim, Darjeeling , Kalimpong and in Kathmandu as per the itinerary
- Airport pickup and transfer services
Price Excludes
- Personal Insurance for travel to Nepal.
- Airfare to and from Nepal
- Kathmandu Bhadrapur Kathmandu airfare
- Entrance Fees for Monuments and Parks
- All applicable airport taxes.
- Lunch & dinner expenses.
- Bar bills & beverage.
- Emergency Rescue evacuation.
- Tipping (Tip)
- Other personal expenses.
- Any other expenses not mentioned in the 'Cost Includes' section or the itinerary above.
Clothing and equipments Accessories for Tea House and Camping Treks
The equipments and clothing list below is for a relatively longer trek involving a cold high altitude destination in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. If you are doing a short trek to a relatively lower altitude you may not need all these. The list below is for a guideline alone, you may have your own check list as well. Duffle Bag and a good sleeping bag will by provided by Marron Treks P.Ltd, which you should return after completion of your trip. Please note that most of the trekking items are easily available for buying or renting in Nepal and you are suggested not to bring unnecessary items with you.
For Head
- Cap for sun protection during trek
- sunglasses/goggles
- sunscreen lotion/sun balm
For Body
- T-shirts and long sleeved shirts
- fleece or thermal shirts for colder areas
- fleece jumper/sweaters
- Down jacket
- wind /water proof outer garment
For leg and hand
- Casual troussers for walking
- Water proof trouser
- Thermal legging for colder areas
- Hand gloves
Trekking Shoes For foot
- woolen and cotton socks
- Trainer or casual shoes
- Waterproof hiking boot
- Gaiter for rain and snow
Others
- Day sack to carry personal goods
- Personal medicines and first aid kit
- water bottle and iodine tablets
- Torch (better head torch)
- Camera and extra batteries
- toiletries and towel
- Large handkerchief
Optional items
- compass, binoculars, altimeters,
- Playing cards , books, guide book
For Peak climbing we suggest the following gears except above mentioned accessories.
Suggested Climbing Gear
- Climbing boots, Crampons.
- Ice axe, Harness.
- Karabiners.
- Tapes/slings
- Rock pegs, Helmet (crash hat).
- Warm climbing trousers, Long cotton hiking shirts.
- Waterproof climbing jacket, Gaiters.
- Sun hat, Light cotton athletic socks and wool.
- Climbing socks, long sleeved cotton/woolen shirts.
- T-shirts, Wool long underwear.
- Down high altitude, Sleeping bag.
- Down jacket/ trousers/vest, climbing sunglasses.
- Sunscreen, Lip salve.
- Lightweight fleece, Fleece/wool for climbing.
- Head torch /batteries/bulbs, Lightweight thermal/ insulated ski gloves.
Please do write us at info@marrontreks.com for furthermore information except those mentioned in above.
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